JennyMorgan

Frank, all I can say is that our insurer, a leading marine insurer, is more than happy with a boatyard report, and that is on a 108 year old boat.

Frank, a boatyard survey will tell you what needs to be done to your boat, especially valuable if the yard is one that you both trust and work with. Even more useful if the boatyard goes through the boat with you present so you can see and understand what the problems are.

Was a nice boat, could still be a nice boat, at the right price and in the right hands.

I agree with Polly on this one, and seemingly so does our insurer.

At times there wasn't even enough wind to fill our sails and even with Griff's (BA) energetic and enthusiastic contribution to the paddle power we actually overtook Zingara.

Another potential calendar shot?

I know Bill at the old Riverine yard, grand old fellow, like him a lot. He has his reasons for allowing his boats to deteriorate as they have. At one time I understand it was his intention to tart them up, one at a time, but I don't think that he factored anno domini into the equation, great shame and I suspect the deterioration is a great worry to him.

David, keep an eye on this link: http://www.wherryalbion.com/events/

A Drascombe Coaster makes a good choice for the Broads when a spot of sea-sailing is also an option. They sail reasonably well, motor very well and you have two comfortable berths, room for the dog and they can be trailed meaning you don't need expensive moorings.

Three of the early arrivers moored up safely in the Yacht Station.

Whilst this one came down all the way from Scotland.

This one came all the way up from Ipswich!

Three Drascombes getting ready in the carpark of the Waveney River Centre:

My favourite 'Wherry' comes in pints!

Just in case anyone wonders Broadland District Council does not run the Broads, they just nicked the name.

I have long thought that the owners have excessively high expectations in regards to the rents on their Broads pubs. Outsiders have never really come to grasp the fact that on the Broads we only have a six month season, and often less. They only see the highs, rarely the lows.

Or even the thread about calendars. A very long time ago I towed Albion, complete with a jazz band in her hold, around Oulton Broad, using a big old Seagull on my Drascombe. At the time it surprised me but when I now see her being towed quite fast, and long distances by her tender, I realize that it was no great shakes. I don't recollect the band drowning out the sound of the Seagull though.

I am delighted for Gt Britain in that Scotland has decided to remain in the Union. The downside is that it has put back my plans for a devolved East Anglia, ooooh dear! Personally I think that our two countries are to inextricably intertwined for them now have been separated.

Just wish that buses had free to use ball hitches then I could trailer-sail my Drascombe across England!

Samuel, the following is lifted off the Norfolk & Suffolk Boating Association website: Government Response to Consultation on Running of the Broads Defra Consultation on the Governance Arrangements for the National Parks and the Broads The outcome of the consultation was published in September. The Government does not propose any change in the size of the Broads Authority. This accords with NSBA’s representations to Defra. Unfortunately, the Government has decided not to change the composition of the Authority, despite the NSBA’s submission that there should be some seats on the Authority reserved for representatives of tollpayers. At present there is no guarantee that a single tollpayer is a member of the Broads Authority. This seems indefensible when tollpayers contribute so much to the Authority’s budget. By 2014/15 tollpayers will provide 48% of the Authority’s income, the proportion of toll income being used to fund overhead costs rising from 21.5% to 43% in that time. NSBA will continue to press for tollpayer representation. The Government has agreed with the Broads Authority’s wish to carry out a formal review of the Authority’s consultative structure, including the Navigation Committee. The NSBA regards the role of that Committee as of fundamental importance and would not wish to see it diluted in any way. NSBA will be active in seeking to ensure that this does not happen. The Broads Authority does publish a breakdown of their income & expenditure, if you can find them! Try looking here: http://www.broads-authority.gov.uk/broads-authority/spending/monthly-spending

I bet it doesn't!

Well, you can hardly expect a pair of oars to go by themselves. Many, many years ago I worked at the Earls Court Boat Show and two of us were asked to collect a blow-up liferaft from a city centre retailers. The obvious route was via the underground . . . . . . yea, that's two of you who have guessed what happened but it was not me, I didn't pull anything, honest!

So long as they don't bag up the contents of the scoop and hoss it over my hedge!

I know of a big old girl with an absolutely filthy bottom, forum member too!

Do oars go for half price, even though there are two of them?