macroft1

Thanks. What diameter? I was thinking 12mm. Regards. Mark.

Thanks. What length would you suggest for the mudweight rope? Regards. Mark.

Can any of you knowledgeable people on here advise me what length mooring ropes I need for my boat? It's an 18.5' Norman. Regards. Mark.

What about the speed limits?? Surely if they're racing in a 20 knot wind then they would be speeding!!

I don't think The Broads are suitable for any type of racing - it's bound to cause problems!!!

Thanks Alan. I agree with what you say about Stainless but being the typical tight Yorkshireman I like cheap so it's gonna be mild with a good coat of paint. As for selling them I suppose I could make them to order - they do seem to be difficult to get hold of. As you suggest I think I'll try 8" tapering to 6" and 6" high. I can always add or take off material later. Regards. Mark.

I'm about to make a mudweight for my Norman 18.5. Has anyone got one from a similar sized boat that could you could measure up for me to copy? Rough tape measurements will do - bottom diameter, top diameter and height would be ideal. Thanks in advance. Regards. Mark.

Thanks for the comments. I've managed to find a manual for it and it does look to be correct as it is. I'm hoping it's enough to stop forward motion when necessary. Regards. Mark.

I always used a length of 10mm diameter tube. One end stuck in my lug hole and the other over the edge of the inlet. I could hear minute differences and adjust accordingly - worked a treat!! Regards. Mark.

Can any of you knowledgeable people help? I have a Yamaha 9.9 4 stroke outboard with a remote controller which I bought last year and have yet to use it. The handle for forward and reverse moves through 90 degrees forward but only 45 degrees in reverse. Is this correct or should it go through 90 degrees in both directions? Regards. Mark.

Like I said before - what an expensive hobby but a small price to pay to considering the lovely people you come across. Thanks all. Mark.

Thanks VetChugger. I'll keep on trying Coverit - their website does suggest they're still active. I've a couple of months yet before I need to make a decision. Regards. Mark.

Alan. I own an engineering company so making the frame is more than possible. The trouble is - add that to all the other jobs then factor in the weather and time becomes very short. I'm aiming to have it ready by the 1st April and there's the BSS to think about plus major repairs to the trailer. I've lost the last 3 weeks due to the high winds - it's currently sat on my front garden under a cover. I've no need to tell you how long these things take and compared to yours mine will be very basic - a little like camping but on the water! Someone has recommended Eddie Andrews based in Hickling for the cover and I've just spoken to him. He says that £1k for the canopy and framework is very reasonable. It's not cheap this boating lark!! Regards. Mark.

Hi Alan. Thanks for the info. That's the number I've been calling but to no avail. Wroxham Boat Covers said they can do the canopy and framework on their site for £1k. I can drop it at theirs and leave it until it's finished. Then from there to Hickling where it will stay on the trailer when not in use for the season. I'd be interested the hear your view on the price. The cheaper the better for me but quality is also important. Well done on your project by the way. I've been following it with interest. Regards. Mark.

I have a Norman 18.5 that I'm refurbing. The canopy was stolen when the last owner kept it moored on the Bridgewater Canal and I'm trying to get a replacement. I know that there are companies out there that will manufacture one that's made to measure but I would have to take the boat to them and that's a problem. Does anyone know of a manufacturer who may have the patterns for my particular model? Someone suggested Coverit in Manchester but I can't get hold of them and I'm wondering if they're still in business. Any help would be great. Regards. Mark.

The part of the deck where it's bolted too is double the thickness of everywhere else. The new stainless one I've bought is to replace the original tatty one which is chrome plated ferrous material and well past its best. It'll be bolted through the deck with 4 off M6 stainless bolts and nylok nuts. Underside is two 6mm thick plates. It ain't going nowhere!! Regards. Mark.

Many thanks. I put samson post in ebay and there's now one on it's way to me. . Mark.

Excuse my ignorance but can someone tell me the proper name for the part in the attached picture. . Mark.

I bet that was interesting! I'm a engineer/toolmaker with 32 years experience so if I get it wrong it would be extremely embarrassing. . Mark.

Baitrunner - no apology needed. Yours and everyone's comments have been a great help! Having heard all the opinions I think I'm going to do the right thing and graft bits from the existing trailer on to a braked caravan chassis - belt and braces kind o' thing! You can buy braked Al-Ko chassis on ebay for around the £100 mark and people use these to make car transporters so an 18.5ft GRP boat shouldn't cause them any problems. As someone said earlier - better safe than sorry!! . Mark.

There is a weighbridge at the firm opposite mine so getting it weighed is no problem. My real problem is that I've just noticed the trailer has a bent axle and I really don't want to use it on the road at all until it's fixed. What I intend doing is to remove the boat from the trailer at my house and then take the trailer and weigh it. The boat is supposed to weight 521kgs so as long as the trailer is less than 229 then all should be good. Then a weekend at my factory will have it as good as new. The trouble is that I can't verify the weight of the boat so can't be sure if I'll be wasting my time on the trailer or not. It's all very well to say just buy another trailer but just about all my budget has gone into buying and restoring the boat - her indoors won't stand for much more!! If anyone knows how I can verify the weight of the boat it would be a real help. Regards. Mark.

It's a V8 Land Rover Discovery capable of towing 3500kgs.

Hi there. I've recently bought my own boat. It's a Norman and was advertised as a 20 footer. Since measuring it I've found it's actually an 18.5. This isn't a problem as it's plenty big enough for two but now unsure as what to do with the trailer that it came with. The trailer is unbraked and the max gross weight 750kgs. Looking on the Norman site the weight of 20 footer is 835.25kgs and therefore requires a braked trailer but the 18.5 weighs in at just 521.6kgs and should be ok with unbraked. I was hoping one of you knowledgeable people may be able to verify the weights as over 300kgs seems a lot for only a foot and a half difference?? It does feel very light on the trailer and one person can easily move it around. I'm just trying to stay on the right side of the law and any help would be appreciated. Best regards. Mark.

From what I understand it's dogs that cattle don't like and if you read about someone being injured or killed then there is usually a dog involved. The advice when walking your dog through a field where cattle are present is to let your dog go and make for cover if the cattle are upset by it - the dog will always escape. Cattle are usually inquisitive around humans that's all. Mark.