kfurbank

Clive, I might be wrong, but I think the first is between the two bridges at Potter taken from the old bridge. The second is taken from the old bridge looking the other way towards Herbert Woods. The third I think is just leaving Barton Broad heading towards Irstead. The final one is leaving Barton Broad heading towards Gay's Staithe at Neatishead. I'm sure Brian will correct me if I'm wrong. Keith

Most people will I'm sure recognise the location, but where was the picture taken from?

Sunset at Reedham, Wouldn't you just know that crane anywhere?

James, definetly a half decker using GA as a base for a few days. Hopefully the same as this year, ten days on the North with the half decker for about five days. Partly the reason for doing it during the longer days, because having to move two boats from a to b takes extra time and planning. Good fun though. That reminds me of something that happened on the last trip. We came in to moor in the boat dyke at Ranworth and squeezed past another Hunters Fleet boat moored in the dyke, a larger one with sleeping accomodation. It was nearing dusk and I could see them looking at us and wondering how we would be managing on a half decker for the night. We lowered the sail and put the cover over the boat, and the look on their faces was classic as we walked past them stepped aboard GA, unlocked the door and disappeared inside.

Hi James, "Oh and I'll take a guess you have a booked another yacht " What ever gave you that idea? Not yet, but very shortly, and it will be from Hunters Fleet again. This time in June to give us longer sailing days. The Moonfleet boats whilst having a slightly more modern feel in places, just didn't feel as comfortable as I remember The Golden Anchor being, certainly not finished anywhere near as nice. I am hoping that since being with Bridgecraft and having a bow thruser fitted, it hasn't been modernised too much. I quite like a bit of wood even on a GRP boat. I suppose being the first boat hired I have a soft spot for the old GA. Keith

Wouldn't be the first time Don't know if that helps Keith

I wasn't totally sure, didn't recognise the angle of the picture, but remembered that the new Italian had been a cinema. Not tried the place yet, but believe it is a Prezzo, of which there are a few around the country.

One of the best tips I received was for removing the grime down by the waterline, use Harpic toilet cleaner. At first I was cautious, although the advice came from a boat builder. I tried everything to clean the hull and found a few things that worked fairly well, but just wouldn't touch the last couple of inches by the waterline. Even a light rubbing compound only did the trick with a lot of elbow grease. Finally I tried the Harpic, much cheaper than the other varoius potions I had tried and it simply wiped off. Common sense really as most of the grime is built up limescale, and most toilet cleaners are designed to remove limescale. Most are also suitable for plastic baths etc, so shouldn't have any detrimental effect on GRP.

James, Is this the same James that is a fan of AF38s on tother side? Sounds like you have got the old Golden Anchor booked. Wouldn't mind a nose around for old times sake, if I happen to bump into you over the Easter. I recently looked around a couple of AF38s that were for sale at Moonfleet and it was interesting to see the differences. Dan, will hopefully be booking for next year, in the next few days. That's probably got some of you wondering?

Is it in Beccles, the old cinema, that has now become an Italian?

I have recently spoken to the new tenants at The Berney Arms and there is no public access by road. There is permissive rights of way over other peoples land for the tenants and I think for deliveries. It is a journey that can be done with care. The main problem is that it takes about 30-35 minutes to reach Reedham if travelling alone, due to the number of gates that need to be opened and closed behind you, it is easier with more than one person in the vehicle. The new tenants were moaning about the fact they have to pay full council tax, despite the lack of facilities, no rubbish collection, no postal service, they have to collect it from a local post office etc. There is not even laid on fresh water. The water is drawn from a well and can not be sold, hence any water served in the bar, is bottled water and has to be paid for. It also explains why the toilets can at times look a little unclean, it's not through lack of cleaning, but the natural deposits that occur within the well water. In case people don't know, Chris Shepherd sadly passed away in September after a long battle with cancer, and the current tenants were friends of his. During his illness, he was keen that the pub passed onto people who would appreciate the pub and run it in a similar vein to himself. The new tenants seem keen to make a go of the place and I believe are also open throughout the Winter, although I think adopting similar hours to The Locks at Geldeston, Wednesday to Sunday opening, although with prior notice, willing to open and arrange a chef anytime for parties etc.

There seems to be quite a high vote for the South and pub catered type event. Marc also made the point about lack of suitable pubs with plenty of quay heading. Can I therefore throw the following suggested venues into the equation should it be on the South. 1. The Berney Arms, no end of mooring there, new tenants who I am sure could reserve the dining room out the back if needed, reasonable central, would help those travelling from The North. 2. Oulton Broad, plenty of moorings at the yacht station and pubs. We could possible use The Wherry Hotel or any of the other pubs. 3. Loddon, again plenty of mooring at either the main staithe or Pye's Mill, gives a choice of BBQ Pye's Mill or choice of four pubs. The Kings Head used to have a separate restaurant area, that may be possible to reserve. 4. The Waveney River Centre. Plenty of mooring that could be reserved, Im sure that Nigel and Tracy would be pleased to see everyone in The Waveney Inn and could be approached to do a bespoke evening with entertainment if required. No promises, but if it's out of season, I don't mind approaching Jame's re a block booking discounted rate for moorings and speak to the pub to see if they could help as well. 5. Beccles, again plenty of mooring, with a number of pubs, although most of these can be busy at the weekend, although I think the Bear and Bells has some sort of small function or meeting room. Just some ideas, hope they help. Keith

The above answers are indeed correct. You get much less voltage drop at higher voltages, which is why overhead power lines work at such high voltages. Therefore the 12v run should be kept as short as possible, Then run the 240V to where ever you need it. Remember to run it using three core double insulated multi strand flexible cable, never use the solid twin and earth cable you would use in a house. Finally remember to either put it in it's own ducting or clearly mark it as 240V cabling. If using a high power invertor to power multiple sockets and perhaps an immersion heater for hot water, remember to include a consumer unit and RCDs. It is then a fairly simple task to include either a manual or automatic switchover switch and add an outside waterproof shore power socket for a complete 240V setup.

Good idea, i'll kick off, would be most grateful if any one has any manuals or info on the Nanni 4190. I believe Nanni engines are marinised versions of either Toyota or Kubota, but I don't know what the equivalent engine number would be. Keith PS, apart from oil and filter change, diesel filter change, what other routine diesel engine tasks are there?

Brian, appears to be working now, could only find four manuals, don't know if this is correct? but no access problems now. Keith

Hi Brian, I have just tried it and get the same message as Pete. Keith

Pete, I agree more posts and sockets would be good, however at least one person who is a member here and at NBF, has approached the BA and been told that there is no plans in the near future for more, due to monetry constraints. I have noticed that more and more of the 44ft new Alpha's in hire, particulerly Barnes and Moonfleet boats, are appearing with shore power, which is not only intended for use when in the home yard, as they seem to go out on hire with shore power leads. A lot of the new Barnes boats have electric ovens and hotplates and need both the engine and a generator running to power the oven, so I suppose the addition of shore power is designed to avoid the annoying running of engines at peaceful moorings, however this will only put more pressure on the limited amount of posts One other problem is that for the BA to put more sockets in on existing posts, if there is a chance of hire boats hooking up to run electric ovens, they would need to ensure that the cabling is sufficient to supply the full 16 or 32 amps per socket. Perhaps it is time for the BA to consider putting in a lot more sockets on the posts, but rated at 5 or 6amps, which should be enough for the average boat to power the charger to top up the batteries.

Whilst I appreciate that most marina and BA electric posts are fitted with RCDs and that shore power leads are not normally fused, if making up an apaptor to convert the 32amp socket into a 16amp socket so that you can plug your 16amp shore power lead in and make use of the 32amp outlet on the post, I would still strongly advocate installing a 16amp fuse in the adapter to protect the 16amp socket on the adapter and the unfused, but rated at 16amp shore power lead. Drove accross to Loddon after the BA launch last weekend to visit the Dilraj and on returning to the car, took a look along the staithe. The post there has one 16amp and one 32amp socket, Out of each was a two way adapter, one of these was then split further, and further down the staithe was another boat powered from a neighbouring boat. A total of six boats powered from two outlets. Me thinks the BA could do with installing a few more posts at Loddon.

Ian, I am sure that the 110v 32amp plug will be the same size as the 240v 16amp plug, however more importantly it will be Yellow, which is the standard for 110v plugs and sockets to avoid confusion with 240v on construction sites. The one you require is an IP44 as shown on http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/pro ... 6&ts=26553 and is slightly larger than the 16amp counterparts The chandlers at Brundall sell these as well as the 240v 16 socket, which you will probably need if planning on making up a convertor lead to fit your standard 16amp shore power lead. One last very IMPORTANT thing to bear in mind, if you are making your own lead or convertor to plug into your own 16amp shore power lead, your 16amp lead (and indeed your boats electrics) needs protecting by a 16amp fuse, if plugging it into a 32amp socket. The chandlers at Brundall also sell a range of inline fuse holders with various fuse ratings. I have recently made my own using a 32amp plug to a 16amp socket. I then connected a 16amp inline fuse directly to the positive terminal in the 32amp plug and then connected this to the flex, that goes to the 16 amp socket. The 32amp plug housing is large enough for you to hide the inline fuse within the waterproof housing. This means that all the 16 amp components are protected by a 16amp fuse. One last thing, make sure the flex you use is suitable for 240v 16amps, a lot of the three core flex sold in DIY shops is rated at 240v 13amps, altough you can sometimes find cable rated up to 16amps. I have also heard that Brian Ward electrical at Brundall can supply these ready made, but don't know the price or premium you will pay over making your own, which is easy, providing you remember to add the fuse for your safety. Hope that helps Keith