Mark

You should have no problem in October. Think if like this if you like.. In Summer its usually a case of a sort of enforced early finish to cruising, especially if you want the so called decent/premium moorings, or don't wish to mud weight, whilst in Autumn its a case of a definite enforced early finish due to the day light (if on a hire craft) so not a great deal of difference . Like you say its also nice and quiet, and of course you will also have some gorgeous views on those Autumn blue sky days. Just try and hire something that works well with your heating requirements if you feel the cold, and has shore power so you can awake with hot water. Enjoy, you will almost certainly come back addicted

Matt, My excuse is that I will do so for a while.. purely out of courtesy to my fellow users you understand for safety purposes , unfortunately I will then likely get lazy and may have to continue ...

Alan, if they are hydraulic then not such an issue for battery drainage . On a general note, I used Bow thrusters for the first time this year, and also due to Thunder being equipped with them will have the option to do so from now on if needs be. However I do like the use of the throttle as that's what I am used to and also still get a "satisfied" feel if in a tricky spot . I think that if they are fitted and someone (especially first timers) are comfortable and feel less stress using them then that's got to be a good thing and potentially reduce bumps and scrapes ... On other hand if you make it too easy then less likely to learn to do so without

Hi Senator, no hornets nest stirred , and my fault as like with most posts I should have taken a second read before reacting as from the beginning I knew that part was tongue in cheek , so should have taken it as such throughout. Just stirred up a recent bad memory. Ps that's what we did after recovering ( ie slowing) as were then expecting the two following, however I think they were shocked on seeing what the other had done as slowed right down checking us over.

Senator: Most reasonable people would not object to Sea going crews testing their engines on Breydon and leaving the speed limit as is, however as its a common user area it also needs for them to be reasonable as well ie when doing so in the shared space. Late June we were crossing in a hire boat having left Reedham earlier, and had noticed 3 "biggies" waiting for the bridge to open as we went though. They must have then politely stayed behind us all the way at 6mph to western end of Breydon so observing the limit ( well mostly as they had to catch up ) and then just after entering main Channel one just lit up like something out of Miami vice and curved himself around us giving the worst wash we have ever experienced. Damage/breakage to items that weren't fixed down and the youngest of the dogs wouldn't stop shaking until well past Runham. Similar thing in reverse the previous Sept although at least time we pleasantly surprised to see a range appear from behind us and chase the selfish idiot down... slowing as he passed us to do it. Oh .. of course we were far to polite to make any gestures...!

Matt, enjoy your forthcoming week up North ..... and of course the mud weighting We would have been out his week and feeling like we are missing out, so will just have to look forward instead to the "double" later on

Very interesting reading the whole thread from top to bottom (as at 14:21 on Wed 15th) and in conjunction with many other "Southern orientated" threads. There does seem to be some inconsistency which is only natural dependent on ones own view point. Whilst some would like to see and indeed benefit from greater promotion and of course paid uptake of use of the Southern broads and facilities, others revel in its under use and make light of "putting people off " ie in a jokey manner about keeping it for themselves At end of the day its everyone to their own, when I first went South many years ago it was for the sense of adventure that the whole thing gave. I am pretty sure that if I looked at it today from the perspective of an (older) newbie id probably think it came with a health and safety warning and if you are sensible it should not be like that. Today however we enjoy it so much that we took out syndicacy with Thunder at Brundall and will simply contemplate if/ when we,ll go North instead now. When I introduced my other half to the South for the first time some time ago it was (Mistake on my part) from the perspective of a Bath tube and all she "saw" were reeds and a lot of dragon flies , the next time it was from dual steer and suddenly OH this is so much nicer and less congested. Other people enjoy the North for the opposite reasons, so I am guessing now but whoever might promote the South today will likely not make a great change as people will ultimately graduate to what they prefer. Dredging and improving the Southern rivers is not promotion, its simply part of the BAs duty as has basically been pointed, however for me at least that effectively makes it more attractive (promotes ?) more than having extra shops, pub etc and was part of our reason for basing at Brundall

I guess its down to how you like to travel and when, personally if I had time aplenty and did not mind the single lane and risk of congestion with caravan bulk carriers etc then the 47 is nicer... visually and calmer. I live in Felixstowe and frequently have to use the A14 all the way from the M1/M6/A14 interchange and its a slog with congestion between Huntingdon and Cambride in the busy times, but at least dualled all the way, as is the A11 virtually from leaving A14 at Newmarket to Norwich. If you can travel out of peak then try the A14/A11 and decide for yourself it will, at that time likely be faster but more boring and potentially more intense having also just done the M6 beforehand.

You could always get them to park up at Gt Yarmouth, and meet them at the Yacht station. If you have 2 - 3 days with them, cruise the Yare and drop them at Brundall (Brooms right next to the station) or even Norwich Yacht station (Opp Norwich station) and its then a 30 min train ride back to GTY.

I guess either way everyone wins, we all love watching and reading the blogs , Robin may or may not get discounts for giving the Yards a publicity boost, and should be up to them to offer anything else privately but nevertheless he certainly will get the relevant discounts for the amount of times he hires a year especially from Barnes and Richardsons. I hope he continues to do these regardless and would echo another members comment about doing something - even if only once, up river of Potter, Wroxham or Beccles. Come on Robin I know you don't like the Bath tubs but just a short one from HW at a w/end o