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SwanR

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    Day Boat Time

    in Broads Chat

    Posted

    It didn’t make much noise at all. Much quieter than a traditional diesel powered boat. We were probably going with the tide on our way out as I noticed we needed a bit more oomph on the way back. But the boat handled it perfectly well and was fun to take out. I think if we ever want to take a day boat again we will definitely be looking for electric.

    • Like 2

    Day Boat Time

    in Broads Chat

    Posted

    Friday we treated ourselves and some family to a few hours out on the river. Given it was a special occasion we treated ourselves to one of NBD's new electric day boats. It was a great experience ... even if the weather had forgotten it's July. 

    Firstly a big thumbs up to NBD for the handover. This was the third yard we've ever hired a day boat from and it was a much better experience than we've had before. They made sure we all put our buoyancy aids on before we got on board and the controls were explained to us. Not much to know with one of these boats ... you put the "key" into the slot, press the button and hold it down, the display lights up and you're ready to go. The usual control for forward and reverse ... but be mindful that it steers in reverse. I would definitely need some practice to get used to that given my years of helming holiday cruisers which most definitely don't do this.

    The young man gave us advice and ran over the rules of the river, asked whether we had a route in mind - there is a map in the boat. As expected they asked us not to go into Hoveton Little Broad because of the weed. We were reminded about which side of the river to be on, to make sure our ropes didn't fall over the back, and how to pass or otherwise negotiate other craft. He had a checklist on a handheld device of some sort which we had to sign before we left. Compared to what we've had before, and what I've witnessed at one other day boat place, I thought this was very good.

    The boat was clean, there was a toilet under the bow had we needed it, and it all worked really well. It's definitely a strange experience when you put the boat into neutral ... and there's complete silence. You think you've switched it off for a moment, but you haven't.

    We headed to Ranworth via a little pootle around Salhouse Broad. Arriving there about 11.15ish we got moored on the end of the side, a nice little spot. We had considered the dayboat dyke but I'm not sure that we wouldn't have been larger than the dayboats they want in there. The ranger didn't ask us to move so we must have been fine where we were.

    I immediately spied that we were next to Norfolk Lady so had a lovely chat with Malcolm and Debbie. It was great to meet up having corresponded via the forum and Facebook for a long time now. Malcolm I hope the weather picks up and you have a great time afloat.

    Talking of the weather, we had a lovely picnic lunch before setting back off towards Wroxham, mindful that we needed to be back by 3. We passed lots of dayboats still coming down from that direction but had no traffic behind us all the way back. My guests both expertly negotiated sailing boats who were tacking with very little wind at the time. They were both very patient and I was able to sit back and relax while they happily took the helm ... even with the rain which was getting heavier. There's plenty of covers on the boat and a small windscreen wiper, so we were fine. It was shame that the rain and wind were then set in for the rest of the day. But we had booked pizzas to pick up from the Monzu van a little later, which all went down a treat.

    A really enjoyable day and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend these boats and the service we received.

    IMG_4127.thumb.jpg.80860b04989866702a3a9ee2603c4f91.jpg

    • Like 7
    • Thanks 1
    • Love 2

    Springer’s Retreat On The Rivers

    in Holiday Tales & Blogs

    Posted

    Lovely to meet you today Malcolm. We had a good time and I’ll write something about that another day. 

    Kate I hope you and your friend have a lovely time. We were due back by 3 with the boat. With the rain having set in we didn’t hang around once we were moored back up. What a grey wet afternoon and evening it turned into. 

    • Like 1

    Mobile Signal In Horning

    in Broads Chat

    Posted

    I was reading yesterday that at the moment you can only pay by cash if you want to buy a ticket to ride the trip boat from Horning. You can pay by card online but the mobile signal isn’t good enough at the moment to pay by card on the spot. 

    Well here’s probably why from the local MP. 

    *** PLEASE DO SHARE - IMPORTANT UPDATE ***

    📶 Normal for Norfolk! … the missing mobile signal in Horning and the surrounding area has been solved. 

    After weeks of no one having a mobile signal in the Horning and surrounding area, my office has tracked down what has happened. 

    🪶It’s down to nesting seagulls….

    The old site of the Horning O2 mast is having some building work done, so O2 erected a temporary mast, whilst the old one is out of action.  

    🪺 Unfortunately a seagull has decided to build a nest on the new transmitter and lay its eggs. 

    Seagulls are protected by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. The mobile engineers therefore can’t move or touch the nest. 

    👉 This means that until the middle of August, when the chicks leave, the engineers can’t finish off wiring and turning on the new transmitter. 

    I’m still talking to O2 as we sort this out. 

    📻 I’ll be on BBC Radio Norfolk talking about this and the problems it’s causing with emergency calls and businesses not able to take payments.

    • Haha 1
    • Sad 1

    BA Or Rspb

    in Broads Chat

    Posted

    There’s a small group of boats that we regularly see around the various Hoveton moorings. They’re there all winter and seem to remain there all summer too. They don’t seem to go anywhere as best as one can tell. Whether that’s because of work I’ve no idea. But they stick out a mile as always being around and definitely not always moving every 24 hours. Not causing anyone any harm apart from hogging the moorings during high season. Right now very few hire boats seem to have made it through the bridge so there’s plenty of room. 

    The White Heron

    in Broads Chat

    Posted

    4 hours ago, Vaughan said:

    totally ignorant and amateur crews

    That’s a sweeping generalisation. I’ve taken day boats out myself. I would also point to the almost nonexistent handover I’ve seen folk receive on taking out a day boat. No wonder they sometimes don’t look as if they know what they’re doing. 

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