JawsOrca

Doug. Do you know if he has a Hiab?

Thanks Trevor.. Would you recommend them? was the price reasonable?

Don't worry Doug.. I've been vague.. She received damage (several months back now) and for legal reasons I've not gone into too much detail online. But the lights at the end of the tunnel.. and we need to get a hiab transporter to move her from the hardstanding up to her new home

Orca is leaving the boatyard in suffolk and going to Broadsedge in Norfolk ;)

Hi David, Yup spoken to Jon (Well Mrs Jon) and they suggested GMR. Spoke to another one Iain put up there..

Iain. I guess the more local the cheaper they will be. (I'll call these). Chris, I think GMR Online (who I've already spoken to) is the one Jones use. Just getting a quote but it would be good to get more than one quote to know if it's expensive. You certainly have a point on the experiance. We have used two (from down here) before and experience certainly shows.

Does anyone know? Can suggest a local Hiab company working around the broads? It needs to be a Hiab as there is no crane available. (I've got GMR Online that's all).

Thanks to you both. At the moment Howard, we are still in a boatyard down south, although we should find out today what the next step is. We will probably move to Broadsedge in Stalham in a few weeks time. It does seem that stalham probably isn't the best choice though if we want to do winter cruising!! I must admit I'm surprised it freezes so close to zero, I guess we have been spoilt being on salt water so really haven't had to worry. I'm not too worried the cold, living on a boat with only a log burner as heat, I'm kinda used to the cold and Orca's instant heating will probably feel like a luxury! and being smaller will feel cosy I guess! So I'd kinda rather be on Orca than on the barge. Certainly interested to see more winter pictures howard and if we are up it would be nice to catch up with you and say hello!

Thanks again Howard.. Bit of a silly question.. when you say very cold.. are we talking in the -10 range or does it freeze (towards Stalham) just below freezing.. I don't really want to leave the mooring if there's a chance of getting stuck out and I don't really want to be ice breaking! Good tip on twitter there. I'll sit down and go through twitter and see if I can see whats going on! Thanks Howard!

Thanks Howard .. Very much appreciated.. Fingers crossed we get good news tomorrow so we can plan further.

Thanks Gracie.. if it happens (Should know tomorrow as the surveyor is going to survey) then I'll defo do pictures and a tale Thanks Howard, I think your tales in the early spring are the thing that made me think about this! I'm probably best flicking back through your tales and taking a look! (Shame that London rascal is a bit of a softy and doesn't do winter trips either as it would be good to look up some of his videos! ) We do have full oil skins worst case lol and Orca's heatings hardly been run in so should be good.. I will dig out the fan heater though as mentioned but would be nice to know that we can rely on the pubs for grub and find somewhere for new years eve evening.. Must admit i am surprised the hire fleet slows down as I bet its a cool place in the winter.

And that people is why we use a motor boat Interesting read though! Although I've done some sailing here on the med/thames it's easy compared to the broads and I've often wondered how you can get around this bit without a motor and a mast. Full respect to you.. (as always.. if you need a tow.. just demand )

Thanks Alan. I guess the queitness of this thread indicates the broads really are a low key place for xmas!! Mark .Lol.. we still have out festoon lights up from last year... poor reindeers.. mwahahahah Do you think we still need a heater as well as the diesel heating?

Not sure I would go there even if I wanted a new boat as I'm sure the level of customer service is pretty low considering they are seeing a constant stream of day trippers.. Surely its better going boat looking on a quiet weekend and being left to look around at your leisure. They really need to reinvent this show though, It needs something and the organisers needs to remove their heads and get the proper marine companies here to give us a reason to go.. (and yup tickets should be as close to free as possible) Shame.. We have brought stuff from here before and although we need/want stuff I'd rather deal with people over the phone/emails than go through the appalling sales pitch...

Hey All, So hopefully Orca will be back afloat before Christmas, everything crossed. As we sadly missed the autumn we are looking at spending the festive season on her. (Yes sorry we can start using the C world now as bonfire night has gone! ) The plan was originally to go up for Christmas but I guess we will have to the Family run around (Folk's no I don't know what I want) and at least that will remove some thought about finding somewhere to eat on that day, So I guess the next idea will be new year (I hate being at home for new years eve anyway).. As long it's not so cold that the rivers are frozen it's a plan. We are probably going to be moored up north towards Stalham which I understand freezes anyway.. so it would need some thought. But we've never been out on the boat at this time so I've couple (Ok few) of questions which I wonder if any one can help answer: I guess the rivers will be quiet so BA moorings will be easy to come by? I note the water points may not be active.. I'm not too worried about water as I'm sure we will find some somewhere (Or beg the pubs!).. if not just use bottled water.. We have a webasto heater so I'm sure we will be warm (although will bring up a 240v radiator).. I guess the pubs will be open and food will be available but may be busy with locals so can't really be relied upon for meals? Will the breakdown services like Moonfleet and Boulters be about just in case (I need to decide which one to join.. Although Clive can I have a discount as we just kept moonfleet busy lol! (Worth a try))? For new years eve evening is there anyway up there (either accessible by boat or car) which is worth going to.. does anyone do fireworks etc? Do the broadland pubs do live music? (I tried googling but I guess it's too early still). Any hints tips recommendations etc as always highly welcomed!

Robin and from me.

I'm not sure if we will bother again this year... Last one was rubbish. They are clearly desperate though, I've had the offer below. I'd probably go if it was £10 for two tickets and free car parking lol but doubt it otherwise. Have fun ma and don't spend too much! Enjoy this early bird offer - 2 tickets from only £22* valid any one day between 8 -17 January includes Preview Day (Gate price - £27). Quote promotional code CM22.

Hmm good point.. I'd forgotten about that tunnel profile... Hmm

I really don't like the idea of outboards hanging of the back of a swimdeck for the broads.. with all the stern on moorings (which you can't avoid) it's an expensive accident waiting to happen.. and I can't really see any benefit consider the costs of making the steelwork strong.. and then having to pay extra more mooring fees... (My folks first boat (shetland 4+2) had it and erm the outboard had battle scars The saildrive is all original.. god knows why they did this but it was probably at the time when volvo were given them away. It is a really bad idea on this.. but it's sadly what LadyP is stuck with. If the new engine doesn't fit on that saildrive and/or the saildrive isn't in a brilliant condition (It's probably ok), hen I think it's a matter of glueing the hole out and going down the outboard route but I'd say just do something (almost original) like: http://www.canalscape.net/Dont%20Call%20it%20a%20Barge/Cruiser%20Diversity/LR%20Norman%2027%20CP.jpg And then putting two albeit flimsy stern decks each side of it (and a couple of fenders) to protect the outboard.. (the transom will need a chunk of timber to reinforce it and a well made around it inside (which can be done in ply just to stop splash back.. You would obviously get alot of deck space back.. but don't forget outboards aren't cheap but selling the leg could pay for a decent second hand one).. Poor LadyP.. she will float again soon though

I always check mine before a trip as the gas bottles have the annoying habit of undoing themselves.. so before going afloat just make sure they are tight (I also quickly check the date on the automation cartridge and just check they aren't damaged)...

Hi Clive... as you a site sponsor (and you know where my boat is kept) I won't comment over the fact you admit to using a mac and daren't go any further. I would have thought it would work but I don't use apples.. When you click this...: http://www.thenorfolkbroads.net/forum/discover/8/ ...you should see a list of "everything".. You may want to bookmark that and just use that (Can you do that in an apple?!).

Really good tips here. I'm really not comfortable leaving heaters (or any shorepower systems) running on the boats when I'm not there as I said before I know people who have lost boats due to these things malfunctioning and setting the boat alight. My main worry for freezing is the fresh water system.. So fresh water pumps (I lost one before) and our electric flush toilet.. Although I found this for my toilet online: First, pump out and THOROUGHLY rinse out the holding tank...make sure to rinse out any macerator or manual discharge pump too. Run plenty of clean fresh water through the toilet to rinse out the pump and discharge hose. Now you're ready to winterize:Disconnect the toilet intake line from the thru-hull (if the boat is in the water, it would be a good idea to close the seacock first ). Stick it into a jug of non-toxic potable antifreeze--"the pink stuff" (do NOT use automotive antifreeze, it will damage the rubber parts in the toilet) and pump the whole gallon through the system and into the holding tank by pumping the toilet...or if you have an electric toilet that uses sea water, push the flush button. Pump enough times after the jug is empty to move any antifreeze still in the pump and discharge line to the tank. Leave the head intake line disconnected till spring. If the boat is out of the water, leave the seacock(s) open. I think if it's a reasonably mild one we will try and use the boat.. assuming she's fixed. I think we need to take the risk of leaving the fresh water pump aboard then :(

Random question here.. Hopefully Orca will be afloat for the winter months (Yeah I can dream)... we have always winterised our boats over the winter but Orca has heating so she should be usable in the winter (and one reason we went for her and the hardtop). What's the advise for keeping a boat in a running state over the winter. Should it really be winterised every time it's left? (P.s I don't like the idea of leaving heaters on when left unattended as we aren't local).

John where have the other streams "Stream_title" come from??

Glad to help Keith. I like the tutorial idea, I'll try to do although my spare time at the moment is close to non existant at present, and I'd be worried that it will be a bit of a waste as the person may have well learnt most of what would be mentioned to get there. But I'll have a think.