Pia

Contact PCSO Martin Chapman chapmanmp@norfolk.pnn.police.co.uk . He got one for me.

Hooray! I have just received my brand new Broads Beat Cover courtesy of PCSO Martin Chapman - chapmanmp@norfolk.pnn.police.co.uk . He also tells me that he is re-stocking them at Norfolk Marine, Hoveton and is looking for other outlets. One to add to the list of suppliers.

OK, here we go! My list so far is: Walker Rubber & Plastics Ltd - Dozens of rubber fender extrusions in stock, or can manufacture to your own exact requirements. 21-23 Burnet Rd, Norwich NR3 2BS, Tel 01603 487371 Chris Nicholson - Marine Electrician, Horning but travels. Tel 01692 630169 or 07888 700142 Ian's towing Service - boat towing. 07990 973631. boating143@live.co.uk RS Carpentry & Boatbuilding - Boat Builder, repairs, paint & Varnish. 07900 21290 Lee Lasham - Marine Engineer, engine fitting etc. 07884 057423 UK Fixings - Stainless steel nuts, bolts, bits & Pieces. Also Sika sealants. 36 Vulcan Rd S, Norwich NR6 6AF, 01603 301122, www.ukfixings.com UA Glass Ltd - Glass cut to size including odd templates for boat windows. 4 Arminghall Close, Norwich NR3 3UE. 01603 414557. uaglass.co.uk I will let you know if I think of anyone else.

Will do. I am working today so might not get onto it straight away.

Watch this space. And thank you for all your helpful advice. Yes, it is still the Dandy. Could wish for a better boat.

Ah - but you know who he is, don't you? Yes, we all have bad days - he probably just has more than everyone else!

I could add a few that I have managed to get hold of if it helps

I am now nearing (I wish!) the end of my boat restoration project. I have spent more hours than I care to remember scraping, sanding, polishing, painting etc. etc. - most of which is a bit like childbirth: you know it was hell, but the end result is worth it. What I still gnash my teeth over is the endless wasted hours I have spent sourcing bits for the boat, and finding tradesmen who can do the tricky stuff. I know it is/they are out there because whenever I bring the topic up with boaty people, I always get a reply something like "there are plenty of qualified guys who can do that job" or "yeah, you can pick that up at a good chandlery" or the most helpful advice "it's so easy - you can do that yourself". However, when it comes to names/addresses/guidance the subject soon changes. Heaven help you if you should wander into a certain chandlery on the northern broads who employ a man I refer to as 'Angry Santa' - the rudest man I have ever met, without knowing EXACTLY what you are looking for including proper nautical name (and preferably part number). To be fair, I did once get given a cable clip at another chandlery for free, but was so shocked that I insisted on giving him a couple of quid just for being nice to me. I have spent many merry nights searching the internet for small items for my boat and getting most of my information from US websites. I still remember the elation of discovering a little fastening I was looking for was called 'lift the dot'. So, in order to get the most out of my boat (sorry margarine tub - and therein may lie the problem) I decided that I really ought to get myself a new engine. Simple enough, yes? They will fall over themselves to help me as I am spending a big chunk of cash, won't they? No! I did find a local chandlery who kindly agreed to sell me an engine, but they did not know anyone who could fit it; nor did it come with oil and lube - fine, but they could have told me. They could also have up-sold by selling me a lock, DNA kit, window stickers, broads beat cover, not to mention the aforementioned oil and lube. Any car salesman worth his salt would add at least a few hundred quid onto a new car with 'extras' - why are boaters so reticent? Why don't tradesmen advertise; why do chandlers not have proper websites with pictures AND prices; why is it like getting blood out of a stone. Could we please have a directory on this forum - hell, businesses and tradesmen could even be made to pay to advertise - WIN WIN WIN Moan over! But, seriously, if anyone can tell me where to get hold of a Broads Beat Cover, I would be extremely grateful if I could be told EXACTLY where and when that would be even better (and, no, not Hoveton Police Station or Norfolk Marine, already been there) ;-)

No - we have just checked with them again. They do not offer a fitting service, which is pretty poor, and not very helpful when I have just spent a considerable amount of money with them. Lesson learned!

Thanks for that. The current engine sits on a transom beam (not sure if that is the correct terminology)inside the bay. I have a friend who is handy with a welder and was thinking of asking him to make a kind of slip cover for the beam that the engine could bolt through. What do you think?

It is a 10hp which I have saved hard to buy. I have already lost a mudweight (they kindly left the rope and shackle though!) which is annoying - losing an outboard would be devastating. Where do I get a Broadsbeat cover from?

I have finally taken the plunge and ordered a new outboard for my Dawncraft Dandy. I bought it from Marinetech on Salhouse Broad who will be happy to fit it, BUT here is the problem: My boat is moored at Rockland St Mary, which I reckon is probably a 10 hour sail including a trip across Breydon Water. Anybody out there able to suggest somebody closer to me who can do the job? I am also looking for suggestions as to new security measures I ought to take to discourage light-fingered visitors.

I am posting this here as well as on the 'Projects' section on the website in the hope that someone can help me. I have finally taken the plunge and ordered a new outboard for my Dawncraft Dandy. I bought it from Marinetech on Salhouse Broad who will be happy to fit it, BUT here is the problem: My boat is moored at Rockland St Mary, which I reckon is probably a 10 hour sail including a trip across Breydon Water, or around £100 to transport by road. Anybody out there able to suggest somebody closer to me who can do the job? I am also looking for suggestions as to new security measures I ought to take to discourage light-fingered visitors. Thanks in advance.

Hi. I cant see the link. Could you resend please. Thanks

Hi BrandenJG. Thanks for all that help. I am looking at a Mariner 9.9EL at the moment at around £2,000 - Honda is a bit too rich for my blood , My current (very old) Honda is a long shaft, and sits nicely on the mount, so I am confident that it will be ok, but will re-measure just to be sure!