JanetAnne

The Norfolk Broads are mentioned in Life on Mars?

Just to bump this thread up again, although we are all enjoying Griff's memoires as well of course, here's possibly the only colour picture in existance of this little cruiser. She was I believe, sadly broken up in about 1971. This picture is from 1963. Anyone care to guess her name and the location (with reg number suitably disguised of course )?

It used to go back to Newson's, the original builders. If it was done there now I suspect it would return with roundals (I hope thats what they are called) and a nice pair of twin engines... I suppose it is already Grey though

Can someone tell me whether me liking the above post means I like Steve's argument or I like the fact that Steve is offering to leave the broads? Just wondered because his last words were 'where I feel wanted' and I would hate to send the wrong message...

There arnt many boatyards down south period! In the meantime I am not so sure about woodies being taken out every winter for too long. I believe it to be the case, especially with carvel hulls, that as the planking swells and pushes together to form the 'seal' some of the softer wood within the grain is compressed. When the planks dry out this compressed grain stays compressed and so the gap between the dried out plank increases slightly. We then, being sensible owners, pack this slightly increased gap with putty etc. Over time the putty hardens and so when the plank swells it compresses the wood a little further and so it goes on. This is why the planking seems to get smaller and smaller over time and those new planks that were tight together when you fitted them a couple of seasons ago now have gaps when dry. The secret is to have a wooden boat out just long enough for maintenance and to protect from the worst of the elements but not long enough for it to dry out. Easier said than done eh! Alternatively a nice wet shed is a woodies ideal home...

Sorry chaps but this time I strongly feel that the BA should be providing some sort of facility. The BA want control of our tolls, registration, the moorings, planning, development, Thorpe Island, dredging, Breydon water and every other possible facet of our Broads based boating experience. But not rubbish?!! Now come on here. This rubbish is generated from our usage of the system for which we pay the Broads Authority a substantial fee, each and every one of us. And they cant provide something as simple as refuse management? I ask because I feel I am seeing less and less in the way of service from BA for my pound of flesh yet the costs of the license are more and more each year. With her excellent sea keeping qualitles perhaps SOB could be used to transport our rubbish and dump it at sea? Its probably the only job its actually capable of doing well

So that's how the thunderbox was invented.

Quite possibly heat will soften the old one, it depends on the formula. It may help get the new replacement one back in the hole as well if you go down that road. If it all goes horribly wrong make sure you take some piccys... we do enjoy a laugh on here

It's not me!!! They are in charge of tools and equipment. It's my job to absorb varnish and look good, something I obviously do with ease

Just a thought. If it helps, hot water is very good at softening these plastic based rubbers when you fit them. Also works well on hoses that are a bit tight

Oooh sharp chisels! If only.....

I've had to try and curtail my drooling Iain. Seems flooded workshops are not acceptable and the thought of a cadburys cream egg is enough to float me! But I do have my nice new NBN calender hanging over the bench. Its a real treat to see places I love pictured so well.

Rubbing strake comes in a huge range of sizes and fitments. Any chance of a piccy? If one of us can identify it we may know of a source of replacement fillet that isn't rock hard.

Shouldn't you be out trapping haggis or something? Sadly I was just a drawing on old Herbys desk when Crested Crane was being photographed Iain or there wouldn't have been flowers on the table. Was chocolate invented back then?

She was laid 'salt side' lake lothing but her restoration had stalled. Hopefully she is well under way again now

My guess would be late 70's. It must have been mid 70's before Harlequin came to exist. Kelvin Craft, I suspect, should be Kevincraft... Not sure whether Camping Boats should be included as they only had day boats for hire but were certainly trading at this time

Dont forget Jimmy Hoseason was also bringing in his 20 year rule. Hire boats had to be under 20 years old. I remember the pages and pages of boats from Norfolk Yacht Agency trying to find buyers for what must have been 1000's of woodies suddenly out of work so to speak. 'Fulmar, choice of 12... £1000 each' sort of thing. We suddenly outdated half our fleets just as old Freddie Laker discovered the DC10 and riverside housing/land became worth something.

I will see your three Barry and raise you this little lot. This is 'Crested Crane' the first of possibly as many as 8 aft cockpit cruisers built by Fred Newson. I'm sure Peter will remember them being launched if his bedroom looked out over Newsons slipway! Crested Crane was just a few days old when these pictures were taken and was being used for a feature in Motor Boat and Yachting magazine. A copy of the pictures were put into an album and went with the boat to Worsley Craft when she was delivered. I have that album here. So, in 1957 this is what you would have got in a brand new broads cruiser. Anybody want a time machine?

You are right about build quality being instrumental in survival rates. Leo Robinsons built two of these, known as a Robinson 33. The first went to Jimmy Toplis and was named Blue Kestrel (a name he resurected for the last boat he built just a few years ago). The second Robinson 33 "Kristi Lou" was somewhat more hurridly put together and, due to shortages of either materials, money, screws or whatever else was the cause, poor old Kristi Lou came with a planked hull above the waterline one side and plywood the other!! I had always thought Blue Kestrel was Kristi Lou in a later life and now replanked accordingly but Jimmy always said they were two different boats and Kristi Lou didnt last that long! Never an easy boat to handle but styled very much 'of the time', I believe Blue Kestrel went to the Ouse when she was sold out of fleet.

Oh I am so looking forward to this thread if Mr Griff Sir has a loft full of such images. Only one small observation though, two piccys shown so far and Mr Griff is eating in both of them....

I think she is still there. In one of Rakes Retreats latest restoration pictures (though obviously I dont know just how recently they were taken) you can see her in the background. There is also no feedback for the seller so maybe she didnt sell after all...

Thats the problem with Swiftways... they are supposed to be ON the water

Here it is.... thought I had it saved somewhere. Was November last year http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/121801839526?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Is GL 3 not the one on the hard at St Olaves? She was on eBay a few weeks ago... Mona's Queen and Manxman will both be at Beccles inAugust by the way.

Now now chaps, don't wish Easter here too quickly. Some of us have a lot to get done before the season arrives. Even though there is chocolate involved I could do with a really really long few months in the interim