Islander

Just found this in the instruction manual. Sidepower. The maximum continues run time of the electrical thruster is approximately 3 minutes The primary purpose of the thruster is to manoeuvre/ dock the vessel. Forward/ reverse speed must not exceed 4 knots when operated. These thrusters seem to be very well made to operate upto 3 mins. I don't think I've used mine for more than 3 or 4 seconds. Colin

Am I right in thinking the lady that runs the Ferry House use to run The Woods End ( now waters edge). Surlingham Ferry over Waters Edge by reputation but Bramerton Green is lovely, room for the kids to run around and a wooded area to (woods end) but as for the Waters Edge it's a pub if they want paying up front and a restaurant if you pay for the meal at the end. If they are bust be prepared to wait for your starter and between courses if busy. By the way, we always stop at Bramerton even though we moor on the outskirts of norwich. I would say bring food enough to feed you and use the pubs if moorings available. Booking ahead will get you a mooring but be prepared to change your mind, remember we run on Norfolk time. Bye the way, you will have a wonderful time here. We came to buy a boat and stay for a few months. I think we will stay now..... Been her 20 years.. Norfolk is addictive. Colin

Hi Paul, I was typing this while you posted yours and won't change anything now. Once upon a time these bridges were 100% and had to be for the ships that went to the port of norwich. Any way here's my little rant. We recently had the situation where Reedham bridge could not open but somerlayton was ok. Within hours of Reedham working again and somerlayton was unable to open. Why on earth they can't just get on and start the repairs to Haven bridge is beyond me. Most of the work allegedly is electrics which could be done, one would imagine, with minimal inconvenience to jo public. We are fortunate in that we can fold down to 8ft to clear the bridges we go under but I do feel sorry for those who need these bridges to be reliable. Not everyone can afford the extra time necessary waiting for a bridge to be serviceable so they can return to their home mooring or begin their sea voyage. So to all the authorities, councils and other overpaid bods, pull your bl..dy finger out. Time and Tide wait for no man. Colin p.s. What will happen first, Acle strait dual carriageway or all the bridges working 100%.

Then he will have already spent a tidy sum in the area what with toll, mooring costs, diesel and servicing. Colin

I wonder how much they will spend while they are here. Colin

So are you saying he shouldn't have access to the broads just because he has a high airdraft whether it be radar arch, super structure or a mast or two. Colin

I think the radar arches that can't be lowered are no different than a large yacht that cannot demast without a crane. Let's not forget that access for boats to Goodchilds is necessary otherwise it would effect their income and jobs. If haven becomes unserviceable then Breydon bridge becomes redundant. No local/regional gov will have surplus monies to upgrade any of these bridges and need to be financed by central gov. Colin

On the whole you 99.9% safe with no incidents. It's better at the weekends at the moment because the nightclubs are closed. Being cast off is unlikely but some little oiks think it's fun to run over the coach roofs or rock your boat. I would recommend Thorpe green or commissioners cut and take the bus or taxi. 2 or more people it's cheaper by taxi unless you have bus passes. We recently took a taxi from the station to Thorpe green and cost £6.60. Colin

Oh he'll Peter, please tell me you didn't take any pics of our other boat. We weren't able to clean her before we left with Lady Linda. She will be filthy and still covered with a white(?) tarp. No more info. Psst....how much not to publish, could be a drink in it for you Enjoy your stay. Colin

Stumpy. There use to be one here at Thorpe. It belonged to my neighbour. I think it had a Honda outboard too. It was the model with the controls aft. Bit scary if two of you were stood aft with the weight of the outboard, the transom was very close to the water. The better design was the version with forward controls. I think they made a great little dayboat or weekender. Colin

Interestingly the BA have done their very best to get rid of ' houseboats' on the broads and the new planning regs state that a residential boat must have its own means of propulsion. This new design ( ok not new at all ) would be perfect to comply with the pen pushers in planning. On a personal note, as yet, I hope to continue to be able to more or less handle the boats we own but when age and health mean maybe having to move back on land then one of these may just forestall the inevitable for a bit longer. Is it suitable for the broads. I don't know. In the upper reaches north and but some areas south???. Advantages are all mod cons, comfort and lots of room compared to a conventional boat of similar size. I think it's a case of Watch This Space. Colin p.s. It won't go under potter or wroxham bridges

Trust you are all safely moored at Somerlayton. Sadly we missed you passing through st olaves as we had to catch the train to Norwich at 10am from Haddiscoe stop and didn't return until we had collected our car at about 2pm, including shopping of course. Will keep an eye out for your return. Hope you all have a great time. Colin and Ruth.

Paul, thanks to you, I've just gained some brownie points. Other half didn't know about Sewsimple. Today was our chiro appointment and as we were just leaving it started to rain ( no varnishing today or cutting the grass ) so we went to Taverham. So an hour or so later and plastic suitably spanked we come home with a dozen or so balls of yarn, book, cross stitch needles etc etc. I now have a very happy camper onboard and I have enough brownie points to continue work on our boat for a bit longer before we join the mayhem on the river. So, as you can see, some good has come of you being conned Colin I owe you one of these.

If in the future the trend moves to smaller more manageable boats the marinas will loose out over revenue for Stearn moorings. I do wonder if moorings will become a set size I.e. You pay for a 35' by 12' space and anything over that by arrangement with the yard. If you think your moorings are a bit high then have a look at Coastal moorings, these start at about £3500 + vat for a 10m finger berth and some of the best marinas can be three times that. Colin

We shan't be out on the river just yet as yours truly is still repainting and varnishing. In the process I decided I didn't like the look of the screws in the midship cleat as they were steel. 10 mins later all 4 were out. 3 sheared and the last rusted away. About half an inch of each screw was all that was holding . I have now replaced them with 4 1.5" x 12 ss screws until I can replace with through bolts. Needless to say I will be checking all the other cleats. I don't know who originally fitted these cleats as the boat was exhire and been in private ownership. Anyway, on to a different subject. There seem to be a lot of these on the river this year. Not a reg no in site. I do wonder if the BA are missing out on toll monies here. Thats it, back to work and a beer on deck later Safe journey all of you travelling this weekend. Colin

Hi Griff. Just send a text to MrsG at 00:01 on the 4th. Proof Colin

Let's see what people can read into this. SNOWFLAKE OK, I'll go back to rubbing down my varnish Colin

I don't know about other people but when you get to a certain age you need to know where the next toilet stop is going to be. The closing of public toilets is only giving the local council an even bigger mess to clear up. Colin

46. Showrooms and other premises, including outdoor areas, used for the sale or hire of caravans, boats, or any vehicle which can be propelled by mechanical means.”. I don't know how other people are reading this but to me it says car showrooms, boat brokerage, caravan sales areas etc can open for viewing re: future sales or hire not that they can hire out dayboats, camper vans or caravans. I'm sure the likes of NYA and others will be able to make sales but boats may have to be delivered for clients while the overnight rule remains. Just my thoughts. Colin

Yes minister comes to mind. Colin

Sunburn Colin

Hi Andy, just to add to the fogging method I gather Uv-c is becoming popular including a walk through system for aircraft. It may be worth investigating as there would be no consumables other than electricity. https://www.uvc-lightproducts.com/product/uv-c-mobile-room-steriliser/ Colin

Quite agree SteveO. If you feel the need to debate this go to Twitter. Colin

I think his shed has a need of an Expelair. Colin

The best dive ladders are made that way MM. Having done a bit of diving in the past, that form of ladder is the easiest to climb in full scuba kit. You can climb out even with your fins on( not flippers, that a dolphin on tv). Now I know not many people are going to fall in wearing full scuba on the broads but soaking wet clothes are blooming heavy when you get past shoulder level climbing out. If you have never had to climb back onto a boat soaking wet you will not believe how difficult it can be. It's worth asking at your local swimming pool (when they open again) if they will let you try. They usually have lifesaving classes or even a local scuba club night. We use to have training nights once a week at B'Stortford and additional bodies were welcome so as to practice rescue techniques. Colin N.B. Please remember this is a very serious situation and once you start laughing you'll never get them out