Wussername

Is there not the possibility that the so called Charter Experience will be achieved at the expense of the ordinary hirer. Who decides on the standard of boat. A third party devoid of pecuniary interest, or the companies marketing department which may have an entirely different objective or indeed perspective of what is required. Every boat yard experiences a "Black Day" at least once or twice during the season. When everything which could go wrong, does go wrong. I fear for those who sit below the salt.

Well, if you charter your private jet you get to sit next your dearest. With a hire boat perhaps you will take a chance

Sans eyes, sans teeth, sans everything MM Is that playing in the gutter or laying in the gutter? Indeed is there a difference at a certain age?🥺

Balance. That is the very thing. Getting on and off the boat. I feel so insecure, so vunerable and yet a few years past I was so confident.. Am I alone?

I get a little low sometimes. Thank you for your kind words.

Not so long ago I used to help my grandchildren onto the boat They now help me. It seems only yesterday. Once I'm on the boat I'm OK. Sometimes the cry goes out. Let grandad helm the boat., its all going wrong. Secretly I feel valued, in reality I know that it will not last long. I hope that they don't abandoned me completely.

Or your Labrador decides to roll in it.

Is it? There are many who do not share your blinkered view. Where there is an opportunity to question, to try and improve, help those who who are in need, comfort those who have suffered loss that there are those who care, who wish to make a difference for the future. Those who recognise a need for compassion and understanding and a willingness to assist in in a solution however difficult it may seem.

I agree FF. There needs to be a conversation. We must never,ever, have to have to be confronted with this episode again. Ever.

Quality Accredited Boatyard

A difficult and soul searching time for many. We must not be influenced by the BBC of all people.

Sometimes the most simplest of suggestions are the best. I also believe that it is important that all the holiday makers are involved in the trial run. Safety, disciplines, communication and consideration are all part of boating. Not just the individual who has hired the boat. Everybody should be involved and made aware of their responsibilities not only for themselves but others, friends, family and of course other boaters.

I don't know about you guys but financial commitments have just started for me. Not an awareness. Actual. Every single expenditure, no matter what, every thing has gone up. Your river Toll, what is it 13%, 14% ?. Think yourself lucky that is all that you have to worry about. Do you guys get a different gas bill, electricity bill, telephone bill, rates bill than me? Car fuel bill, insurance bill's. It will be next year, not this year, when the reality sinks in. When the real impact takes place. When people, like you and I are forced to conform to financial restraint. Punch will have finished dancing.

Not me. But I was with my grandfather all those years ago, in a sailing cruiser, under full sail, a similar maneuver. I think that he was with drink at the time. 😃

QFE Atmospheric pressure at aerodrome elevation (or at runway threshold)”

I have seem some catastrophic moorings in my time. Unbelievable. Most from hire folk who have not been instructed on even basic understanding. I must not forget the private owner who has migrated from a modest hire boat to his ultimate dream. With little experience.

I agree completely. This forum allows you that ability to comment freely, some do not. Action is not our concern or our objective.

Boating, or rather helming a boat, albeit sail or motor, is never ever, about getting it right. May I mention a strange analogy, it is with regard to flying an aircraft and I have done that as well although I have to say I am not a pilot. On an approach, heading whatever, visibility, height, wind, QFR, on a VFR approach (Visual Flight Rules) things go wrong. It would seem to me that one is always correcting a mistake at 800 ft. Same with boats. Experience does not only tell you how to moor a boat. It also informs you that it is not going how it should. So, you adjust. Calmly. Some do not. Go around, no shame in that. Try again. Wind, tide, visibility, hazards, all enter the mix. Therefor it it is never ever about doing it right it is knowing that it is not as it should be, and what to do about it. That is experience and you cannot teach that. Fear not, it comes very quickly and in time you will become a boatman. You may with justification ask the question. Who are you? Just an old Norfolk man, nothing special about me I can assure you. All I did was move boats, stern on moorings mostly, all day on turn round day, Oh! and also trial runs. I have done more stern moorings than any of you in my life. They were all perfect. The ones that were not were carried out by my mate who looked like me.

A post which should concentrate the minds of many. I hope HH that your excellent post will assist those who must eventually question there quest for financial reward in the short term over sustainability for the future.

Hi Bluebell. I try to make an informed judgement with regard to the present situation. A place of divided loyalties, of intrigue, character assassination, pontification,. We need direction which is sadly lacking.

Who has made their feeling known? Which FB group? What BA actions? I just wish for transparency why smoke and mirrors. I find it most confusing. Tell it as it is?

Thought it was Sole. Who mentioned Skate?

Great start to your story, to your journey. Thank you for sharing, and what a wonderful picture of that little boy steering the boat. How important he must have felt. Is that not indeed how we all started.

Ah! Lulu, in order to assist in a stern morring at Ranworth you have be a member of The Ancient Order of the Boat Hook. Clearly you are not.

My friend is parishioner of Ranworth and Woodbastwick and it would seem that he is entitled to moor at Ranworth Staithe free of charge. He does not own a boat but has use of a boat. Mine. He has very kindly offered me his space, to which he is entitled. I presume that as a parishioner the 24 hour rule does not apply. Tootle Pip!.....trot on!