JawsOrca

Our (other boat) has a mastervolt, inverter/charger all in the one box (From here on called "thing" - I really don't know much/anything about electrics)... but it's all very smart thing (from what I can work out), it's (we think) charging all 10 batteries (erm 2 + 2 + 4 nope 8 I think.. I dunno.. OK a lot of batteries), it's smart enough to work out if the gen sets on or if the shore powers on or if nothings on and then make the magic happen... Anyway's I'm digging myself a "stupid" hole here.. Basically it's doing the job well and I highly recommend it.. Even dave's stopped cursing the thing now... Here's a link: http://www.cactusnav.com/mastervolt-mass-combi-24v1800w35a-invertercharger-with-masterbus-p-15694.html There's probably cheaper/smaller ones for 12v/smaller boats but worth a look.

Hi David, Really sorry to read you had a few issues. I really hope things improved.. You know there are good and bad in every walk of life.. we've met some right jerks on boats (there's a saying "Boat people") but there are some brilliant people on boats and boating is a right leveller. The majority of people on the broads are also ex-hirers, ourselves included so it's a bit silly for boat owners (I hate the private word) to look down on anyone. You are better than them clearly and a hell of lot more intelligent as you are hiring and not wasting money on marina fees Hope you had a good time. Looking forward to other updates.

Twin 6cyc perkins.. no silencers.. reverberating off the walls.. That would assist them with the hangover! lol

We need to do the same at some point.. Couple of suggestions we've been advised. Fuel additive as poppy mentioned and give up and change the filters continuously. Pela oil sump pump if you can get into the bottom of the tanks through the filler neck (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pela-6000-Oil-Pump-Extraction/dp/B002EJ2GUC) Thankfully on ours we have a bottom change over valve so can remove that to empty. Good luck.

Sorry spider I'm in my mobile. It's t norris.. http://www.tnorrismarine.co.uk/ good luck.

The boatyard is still at Chatham. Not sure if the foundry has been incorporated in that. I'm not sure what it's called.. I think tn.norriss in London could do bespoke bits.

Pictures plz ma...

From experience the BA are normally good at marking even a fallen twig with a marker.. so yes please report it, I'd expect them to be on it and at least marking it certainly as it's bank holiday weekend. What draft was the boat that hit this? The chet is still very shallow (since they dredged it) and I find it really needs navigating with care in the middle even on good days.

These pictures are truly amazing. Please keep them coming

I'm trying to type short and sweet so my boss don't see.. And Poppy, we was south all season last year and always had an excuse not to squeeze under beccles bridge.. this year it will happen..

Strange Iain, I think John want's people to buy NBN branded clothing.. Personally I think the burgees are excellent quality and value for money too. They are also amazing for working out the wind direction without the need for expensive marine equipment, also other members can easily identify you whilst on the river. The look brilliant on my own boat too and I'm sure would make your own boat stand out well, whether that be a hireboat or your own! Get your burgee here: http://shop.norfolkbroadsnetwork.com/index.html#blog

Oh there's one from reedham which I picked by mistake.. Not my taste sadly.. a bit yellow... Yuck...

Sorry for not answering.. this is too tough of a question to answer really... Most pubs on the broads are brilliant.. (With exception of 1 or 2). I had to narrow it down to my favorites, for food and country feel, it would be the dukes head at Sommerleyton. For a drink and ton's of atmosphere then the locks inn at Geldeston.. You can't go to the broads and motor/sail past these two...

Lol yeah it's been annoying.. 7 day weeks for months. We are both shattered to say the least! We are definitely doing the NBN meet up though.

24th April . A day off! It's been too long, life has got in the way, A boat has been sold, 2 boats have been brought. 7 day weeks have been the norm since our last trip up over new years. We always spend easter on the broads and annoyingly it was one reason we moved Orca up north so we could spend the quiet months on the ant, however it didn't happen this year. I'd aimed to spend this weekend on the boat for a few weeks but annoyingly we was forced to work yesterday and it was looking like we was going to need today too... Thankfully "islander" mentioned Norfolk marine chandlers had the oven in stock which we proving impossible to get so that was all the excuse I needed! Booked! I was awake early and thrown done the 20 foot ladder (not literally, thankfully not, touch wood.. better not), into the car... woke up at ipswich,j just as we passed the "Welcome to suffolk" sign. Soon we was back into norfolk! Quick stop at blowfield for cheap caravan supplies. Next stop was the lovely chandlers, I mentioned to Dave how much I loved this one chandlers, "Oven what oven" was their reply.. Turning to Dave I said, "this is the best"... "Oh that oven".. Paid the cash and surprised to get a smile (seemed real too..see money can you bring happiness ). Quick fish and chips, first time in here (the one by the staithe and bridge) enjoyed it.. tad expensive but we had lots of extras, proper old skool. Next upto Stalham.. The heavens opened and down came little balls of ice.. (must be cold up there..) up to the security gate.. "2468", "5679"... "Balls I dunno.. Leave the car here we have to walk, could do with a walk after that lunch". This time flaky bits of ice heaven (Hell is really starting to look promising now). Turning the corner, Orca's bright paint work shinned just as the sun came through, almost like a puppy waggling it's tail. All aboard she was fine, she still looks new (Seems a bit small now though ) Turned the key to start. Nope.. Onto the other battery and she jumped to life! Good girl... Seeing a boat after a few months, is like seeing an old grandparent after a year or so, you don't want to see them because you know they will have sadly deteriorated some way (and that some way on a boat costs money!) But really impressed and pleased with Orca, she's done well, almost as if she knew she just had to sit and be a good girl. It was a tad windy with wind on the beam... but I told Dave to untie her lets got out for a spin. This is when Orca told us off! As soon as the front line was undone she lent against the boat. Bit of throttle she kinda moved forward (or that was Dave's fenderoffin, Turned into the wind and she took a wind turn but I missed anything, Off the throttle and she decided to go back into her berth!! Cow!! Eventually I got her and no worries onto the main river, which was lovely and quiet which was good, being 1.30pm I thought it would be rammed with Clive's boats. We needed water so Sutton was the destination.. Sutton was soon upon us but there was plenty of space so we filled up with water slowly (leaving thumper running to recharge the batteries) I ran over and checked on one of my geocache I've hidden here.. Lovely spot today, the sun was out.. no time for a beer but it's a pretty corner of norfolk.. Can't wait for my time up here. No wind so I thought I'd show off a little (and try and work out how to drive this boat again!) So reversed into the turning bit and using the prop walk spin her lol.. all good!) Back on the River.. Waving at a ranger as I'm trying to remember what 4mph is considering I've left the speedo at home! He waved and carried on so I wasn't to far off! The Marina entrance was sadly quickly upon us and the wind again beam on, thankfully I'd got the hang of her and sailed into the berth with only the smallest of kisses. Back in the car, I woke up just as we approached the M25.. Home in 2 hours for once too which was nice (Not that it felt that to me.. Yawn.. (No pics I left my phone in the car)..

These two were a bit of a nightmare so you probably got away lightly

Hi Paul, Shame you didn't post that a few weeks.. I've needed to transport two boats recently. If I had a special NBN rate you would have been top of the list. Alan.. I highly recommend both for hiabs: http://schiabcrane.co.uk/ or http://gmronline.co.uk/.

Have a good holiday Stuart.. I can't think of any Jokes at the moment.. Poppy c'mon you can do it!

Certainly, it was quick reply too.. a proper British company

Thanks Colin.. I just reserved one

Thanks again John.. Your "competent" comment brought a smile to my face.. (Competent.. + Medway towns.. ) I emailed Safeshore .. and Vic kindly replied with the following.., which makes sense as our battery charger in here is massive (and new and just under where this isolator is)..: Thank you for email. A feint glow of the both led,s is usually indicative of the prescence of small interference pulses on the earth line. These pulses are generated from appliances such as battery chargers, microwaves, computer power supplies, aircon units and invertors. The status monitors are extremely sensitive and are able to sense these pulses creating a slight glow. The source may be on your boat or a neighbouring boat (You can sometimes eliminate your neighbouring boats by discretely unplugging them from the shore power whilst monitoring the led,s!). To further locate the source you can unplug appliances on your own vessel whilst monitoring the led,s. Occasionally these pulses are transmitted via the shore power pedestal itself and may indicate a very low level a.c. leakage on the marina shore power system. Either way the slight glow is usually of little concern as the current involved is minimal and the isolator continues to block effectively. All destructive galvanic currents are D.C. generated so a fully illuminated single led would require further investigation. I attach a further explanatory letter to this document. Hope this explains.. Kind regards, Vic ....... Safeshore Marine

Erm Thanks John.. So there's certainly a fault there This boat has wiring in it than a sub station on drugs.. I guess it's a rewire job then... What fun...

Thanks Mark. Strangely I though or take it out but that's probably not the best idea

Morning All, The broom is having it's weekly strop.. She's still out the water but I noticed last night that we have 2 warning lights on the shoreline galvonic isolator indicting we have an AC leak..The lights are very weak.. Do we have an issue here? do we need to rewire the 240v system before putting into the drink.. if we want to debug it where on earth do we start? Alan

I have liked that as an acknowledgement Andy and thanks for the openness of the reply.. hard words to swallow.. and a big shame. (Although I suspect the demise of the fleets has been a long gradual one). Good luck with things. My advise on the website is to just keep it simple. Go with a framework like bootstrap or a cms like wordpress it will get you up and going quickly given you more time at home or on the business. Both are easy enough to learn. .although if you are like me who like to hand code it's hard to give in and use these but many professionals do it.