oceandawn

Great sympathy with Robin on this one. We found when my father in law died that there had been another woman in his life for 63 years! Many emotions come to the fore. Added to that the business side of a death is mindblowingly all consuming, not just time wise but your brain is never where it should be. 6 months after my father's death and I m still dealing with the practical issues. Back to the original thread I tried to pay the toll on line but was unable to do so. I sent a cheque, should be in time but if not hey ho, too bad they need to get their IT sorted out.

The land does not belong to Richardsons but is leased. It is my understanding that when they took over Moonfleet part of the deal was that they would buy the land at a set date. That date I think has arrived and the option to purchase has not been taken up. I assume then it will either be sold or released.Either way very sad news. The staff will still have jobs elsewhere apart from the admin and the cleaners, It is very early days so hopefully a good outcome will be achieved and the yard in some form will remain . Hope so.

Hi Vanessan I think you have got the point exactly.Why do some people feel the need to pick fun. I just don't see the need for it.For the majority of boat owners the sacrifices that they make to keep their pride and joy is considerable be it a 5k boat or a 250k one.I think what made me respond to BA's post was that it is a common theme and from previous posts I don't get the impression that it is a term of endearment.Don't usually get involved in this whole social media thing as it can get out of hand so having made my point it is time to let it go.For the record I too have read and enjoyed the Rascal's reviews and I am sure that many boaters have made informed decisions about which boat to hire because of his reviews.

Absolutely correct but it is how the comments are perceived.People buy different types of boats for many different reasons personal and practical and in my opinion we are all lucky to be boat owners no matter what the type or model.It also brings people together as strangers with one common denominator.The beautiful Broads.Where else would you speak to perfect strangers?My dream boat would be one of the Broom Admirals.The first holiday on the Broads whilst still school in the sixties.Could we afford to purchase and maintain such a boat _ Yes. Have we got the time to devote to such a vessel-No. Not being local to Norfolk knowing our boat is not likely to sink if the hull fails is paramount.

-Hmmm Not sure that is always the spirit in which it is written but it is certainly not worth further dialogue.Each to his own interpretation .I for one would never feel ' ex purt' on anything boating .That would simply be unattainable.

I personally get somewhat weary of being described as an owner of a plastic Tupperware boat.Very rarely post but this attitude will convince me that this is not the forum to read.There you go rant over.

My understanding is that part of the fleet will be laid up on a rolling programme to accommodate the boats from Horizon Craft.I would imagine that the ones on restricted hire are the same type as some from Horizon but in worse condition.

I understood from a Richardson employee that the moorings belonged to them and that they would remain.The yard used to take mooring fees which suggest that they own it.Hope so would not be good for anyone if they were closed.I also understood that Bridgecraft might lease the basin which would allow pumpouts etc to remain.

We have had one of these gadgets for some time and even with a a bow thruster it is very useful particularly for stern mooring . Quite inexpensive as I recall.

Hi I don't have an opinion either way on this subject and we are pretty inexperienced compared to many members in regards to the rules off the waterway. However, it has always confused me why yachts sailing under power do not use the same rules as power boats. i.e staying to the right of he river . Could some one explain the rules to me please?

You are absolutely correct. Extending ours was not such a good idea as you say the rope is either over or under. It looks smart but not that practical. As for the stanchions the decks are not that wide so with them on it would be very difficult to moor . Marine Weld advised us not to replace them for that very reason. which actually did him out of work . As newcomers to boat ownership we were thankful for his advice. Our rails also also make the boat too high to get under Wroxham bridge.

Hi BB7 I doubt that you will find one as all the hired Ocean 30s had theirs removed. Ours has never been hired so still had them but the stanchion rails had been removed. We tried in vein to obtain some. In the end we got Marine Weld of North Walsham to extend the pulpit rails . They will make you some more stanchions but they won't be cheap. I think to extend the front rails to the position of the first stanchion and to replace the roof handrails was in excess of thousand pounds so to do the whole set of rails would probably be about three. He does a good job though. Good luck.

Hi It is my understanding that the Acle site will close at the end of the year Mick the manager retires. Such a shame ,great yard and great staff . Another one gone. i wonder what will happen to all the river front moorings?

Griff Thanks for that info regarding the bridges and the Admiral seven. I was pretty sure that we had been to Hickling but memories fade as the years progress! Cannot get our Ocean 30 under either of them now. Pauline

Great to see the Admiral Seven. This was my first experience of the Broads in 1963. It was new that year. I might add that I was still at school! Pretty sure that we took it under Potter bridge to Hickling. Would it go under then bridge now I wonder? These old,pictures are magic. When I married we then hired from Hearts so the thread on that part of the Broads has been interesting. The first was the Queen of Hearts, the second the which is for sale in Richardsons. Cannot think where it has been as it still has the original logo. Would love to buy that if time would allow to refurb for nostalgia's sake. Lots of happy memories on that boat when the kids were small and my then husband and my mother were still alive.Cannot get rid of the jumping pirate! Regards Pauline

HI Carole Yes pretty sure that she did come from there. We brought it from a guy who lived in Cambridge. Unfortunately he did a very poor refurb on it and then sold it very quickly and being new to boat ownership we were fooled by the broker and him. However it had never been a hire boat and the original gel coat now polished is in superb condition .Yes we have spent a shed load on it but it is basically a good boat and we are just about at the end. It is having some of the main cabin refitted this winter. Adding to the never ending list.We could not boast of our boat handling abilities hence a new bow thruster which is brilliant.Are you on the Broads?. Would love to meet up and talk about the boat's former life. Regards Pauline

Couldn't agree more! We use Phil and he has done some really good work. You know exactly what he is doing and what it will cost. He is a real gentleman to deal and a credit to Richardsons. He may be not the cheapest but is always fair.Wouldn't use anyone else. You tend to get what you pay for and having had a truly dreadful experience with another boatyard on the Ant Phil is a breath of air . We would have packed up our boat ownership if it had not been for him as we mistakenly thought that all boatyards were like the one that we originally used.Well done Moonfleet.

How true is that! I often feel that I am from an alien planet even with my own children.

Hi Clive We have spoken to Phil but we understood that Moonfleet didn't do linings and he had to subcontract. Maybe we misunderstood.However. we are seeing him next week to look at some other work. The work that he as done for us in the past has been 1st class. Thoroughly reliable and a pleasure to do business with.A really good guy to entrust your boat to.

Hi Janet Anne How do you get that fabulous finish on the woodwork? Beautiful!

Thanks for that. Where are you based North or South? We are in Richardsons wetshed

That looks a nice job. Can I ask the rough cost? Pauline

Hi Thinking about having our boat relined in the main cabin. We understand that it is quite a big job. Has anyone had any experience of someone who would be able to do it and the rough cost? It is a 30 ft Ocean. Many Thanks Pauline

Hi Fitting a bow thruster was by far the best money that we have spent on our boat. A 30 foot Broom. Taking it back to the moorings would make me feel sick at the prospect. It is not only so much easier to handle but it gives you confidence. If we sell the boat we would certainly have another one fitted to any future purchase. Couldn't manage without it now!. Moonfleet Marine fitted it for us and did a first class job. Pauline

Thanks for that info everybody. We have carbon monoxide detectors already. I think that we have enough vents even though it is ocean going. A bit paranoid about gas. Some years ago a neighbour was killed on the Broads with a gas explosion . We will have one installed any way better to be safe than sorry.We will get Moonfleet to do it Phil is reliable and trustworthy. Regards Pauline and Keith