socrates

The way things are going we might need our tin foil hats

Yes, totally, it is all getting a bit Monty Python like. See the "Argument" sketch if you don't know what I mean

Thanks Vaughan and Aristotle, adding some pieces to the complicated jigsaw. I find the whole history of the boat yards, and boats on the Broads fascinating, and would like to meet you sometime and find out more. Beer or gin is always good for such occasions. Over the next few months Madam Captain and I are hoping to put together a display board about BG and Ripplecraft for when we go to the Wooden Boat meeting in Beccles. We intend to be on the Broads for most of the summer, perhaps we will see you? You can usually find us lurking on the Southern rivers, in pubs, or in Somerleyton Marina. One of our plans this year is to go across Breydon and spend a few weeks on the north rivers, we did not get over there last year in case we lost the sliding roof because it was so rotten. Thanks to Ricardo's wizardry, we hope we won't have such worries.

Never see much point of a bow thruster on most Broads boats, but that is a very personal opinion which most will disagree with. However they do serve a purpose, which is to warn other people that a boat is approaching a mooring. I will now put my tin hat and wait for the incoming flack! I would start with the bottom of the boat and work up. Make sure the hull is sound, along with the associated fittings. Then look at the decks to ensure they are water tight, in good condition and not likely to cave in when you step on them. Following that, the windows, sides and doors. Are they water tight and do they shut properly? At the same time I would make sure the boat is actually safe before venturing on the water or staying overnight. Check for gas leaks and ensure the required certification is in place, along with fire fighting equipment. A new gas regulator? The engine - that is important! A good service by a reputable engineer. Get the electrics thoroughly checked and wires replaced. Maybe new batteries? Water and fuel tanks will need to be inspected, cleaned and maybe even replaced. What about the cooker and fridge? Toilet and shower? Lastly, the internal soft furnishings, carpets etc. Especially so if the previous owners had dogs on board. Haven't even got to the gadgets and toys and your bank balance will have taken a massive hit! Mooring ropes and fenders need to be in good condition, don't forget the cleats and fender eyes, check they are firmly fitted. The list is endless. Radar, Sonar and a Harpoon surface to surface missile system would be useful during the height of the summer season. I would just like a TV this year so I can watch the Word Cup! Look forward to meeting you sometime and hope you enjoy your new boat.

We have an account with Ward's, we buy just about everything from them. We order online and they deliver to the boatyard. If you are doing a restoration project like we are, it is well worth having an account. Highly recommended, and great people to deal with. ( of course, other chandlers are available).

"Everything is stacked against you, but for some reason some silly chaps seem to be driven to it......" Sir Christopher Cockerell wrote these words when describing the process of inventing the hovercraft. Such words can equally be said about restoring a wooden boat they certainly apply in our case. With another few days until we are down working on BG with our (no longer) mysterious friend of hatch fame- Ricardo. In the meantime, I thought I would follow Aristotle's example, by providing some history of Ripplecraft boats and Broadland Grebe (for those who like such things). I know there are several members of this forum who know far more about the history of the Broads than I do, so please feel free to correct and contribute as and when. I would be more than glad to receive any information ad pictures. For the sake of brevity, and me having to do other things, I will write this in several parts. Ripplecraft was a company set up by Christopher Cockerell in 1950, at Oulton Broad. Cockerell was working for the electronics company Marconi, where he and his team had designed and built the R1155 and T115 radio transmitters and receivers as used by RAF Bomber Command. My late father flew in the Wellington and Lancaster with Bomber and Coastal Command as a radio operator/navigator, so I was aware of the importance of Cockerell's inventions for direction finding. I was also familiar with the concept of radio and direction finding from my previous life in the Royal Navy working with radar and associated equipment. Of course, Cockerell's most well-known invention was the hovercraft, there is one on the top of the memorial at Somerleyton. Initially building caravans,the first Ripplecraft boats designed by Cockerell came out of the yard at Oulton Broad in 1951. I have been told that Cockerell also purchased boats from E W Jackson and this is how the names of the later boats came about. These sailing boats, which he rented out were: Widgeon, Sheldrake, Heron and Tern. He then started designing 24 foot motor cruisers which were built through the years 1952-56. Again, from what I have been told, they were named Widgeon (2), Pintail, Mallard, Goldeneye and Shelduck. According to a Blakes brochure of 1955, these boats were fitted with Ford 10hp petrol engines. However, someone told me they had Morris 8hp engines. Someone may be able to shed some light on these boats as to whether there are any still around. I have copies of pictures of these boats but not sure if I can post them here due to copyright (advice needed, please). In 1953, Ripplecaft relocated to Somerleyton, where the company took over the staithe of the old brickworks (1880-1939). At this point I am somewhat confused. According to one source there were huts there from World War 2, another source claims that Cockerell purchased the ex-Army sheds and moved them to Somerleyton. Whatever the story, the sheds are still there and BG is in one of them. Once the work on the small boats had been completed, work began on larger cruisers. These cruisers were to be state of the art for their day, described as: "Streamlined luxury, fully lined, all weather boats." At 32' 6", with 6 berths, they were designed to go under every bridge on the Broads (subject to tides), and were fitted with a fully sliding roof. They were powered by the Lister Freedom marine diesel engine. Between 1956 and 1966, 10 of these boats were constructed to Cockerell's innovative streamlined design. It was the lines of the boat that appealed to me, when I first saw the Ripplecraft it reminded me of the shape of the Sir Nigel Gresley's A4 Pacific locomotive which I have much admired since a child. (Yes, I am a locomotive enthusiast, not to be confused with a train spotter) During my somewhat limited research, I have discovered that there are various accounts of when Broadland Grebe was built. There is a degree of confusion about the names of the boats linked to the registration numbers. Thus, we are unable to categorically say the exact date of the building and completion of BG, it is either 1958 or 1960, depending on who you ask and where the information comes from. I have been informed that there was some sort of re-naming of boats for "tax purposes". Two boats were transferred to other yards on the Broads, Broadland Curlew being sold to Maidencraft of Thorpe and Broadland Falcon became Broadland Kingfisher when she moved to Jenners of Thorpe. Broadland Kingfisher was later re-named Gay Brigand, but returned to Ripplecraft to be named Broadland Heron. Perhaps someone else knows the story? The information we have obtained comes from a variety of sources, we met a chap called Dave at Potter who has a Ripplecraft, Broadland Swift, which is currently undergoing restoration. He seemed to be an authority on the boats, as did another chap, also called Dave, who restores wooden boats and has a collection of Blakes brochures from the time. I love reading the description of the boats which have "stainless steel sinks", "full size gas oven", and "ice box". In 1969, at £14.7s (per person) high season, the cost of hiring these boats was not cheap, given the average wage was around £30 per week. Another Ripplecraft is Broadland Lapwing, which has been fully restored. Lapwing, at 35' 6", is longer than the rest of the class and the last to be built at Somerleyton. I will say nothing more about Lapwing because Ricardo will know much more. By 1970, no wooden boats were being built at Somerleyton but there was a boat by the name of Dabchick which was converted from Broadland Teal. Dabchick appears in Blake's brochure of 1971, but I know very little else about her. Ripplecraft introduced fibreglass cruisers in 1970, these were Bermuda 35's named Tahiti and a Caribbean class named Barracuda, both these boats were transferred to France in 1977. By 1977, Ripplecraft had also acquired 15 boats from the Fowler's fleet which had been based at Oulton Broad. Of course I could be wrong here, any help would be much appreciated. As far as I am aware the only survivors are: Broadland Lapwing, based at Belaugh and fully restored, Broadland Kestrel, based at Oulton Broad but not usable, Broadland Swift, based at Potter and undergoing restoration, and Broadland Grebe. According to the rumour mill, there are a couple on the Thames or the Medway. An unconfirmed source informed me that Broadland Falcon was sold for £16000 around 2006, and is now being use as a livaboard on the Thames or Medway. Although the history of BG may not be as long as many of the other boats on the Broads, I do think it is a unique piece of Broads history given the design and the links to Sir Christopher Cockerell. I have some photographs of BG and other Ripplecrafts, but will not post them as I do not hold the copyright to them. As I said, the information here is from a variety of sources, most of which can't be fully verified. I therefore am unable to accept full responsibility for the accuracy. Should any member have any other information, Ii will be most grateful. A visit to the Museum of the Broads left us somewhat bereft, when we were told they had not heard of Ripplecraft. I am now putting together some information for them to display. Braodland Grebe left the hire fleet in or around 1985, she had two previous custodians before us. I know nothing of her first owner, but know her previous owners.

Another incident from the classic Only Fools and Horses comes to mind when working on wooden boats - "Trigger's broom" . Have a look at the clip and you will see exactly what I mean. Incidentally, it is taken from the so called Philosopher's Axe analogy which goes something like this: If you have an axe and, over a period of time, replace the handle and the head, is it the same axe? This, how much of an old wooden boat do you replace before it becomes a different boat? Of course there is an answer to this which was provided by Aristotle, rather than Socrates.

Waverney Centre Hippersons Maffits I think the above (apology for spellings, please) might be included on Southern Broads? Thanks

I must be missing something here, might have to put my prices up to 7 figures to get a better class of client then use the excuse that I have a new accountant.

Maybe because there is a perception that Broom's customers are a lot more affluent than most of us. I have always liked the service at Brooms but they do tend to cater for the larger boat and more wealthy owner.

Thanks. We will not be using Brooms if we can help it. Anyone been to the Waverney River Centre lately? That is the nearest to our moorings and is usually reasonable.

Very interesting to see someone else with a project. Although we have a very different boat, it is good to see what other people are doing. We are down over the next few weeks for another week of work and will post a progress report on BG. Still a lot to do but we hope to be on the water and ready to go again by mid-May. I really like how you have incorporated some of the history of your boat. I might do the same when I get some time later this week.

Anyone know the prices of diesel elsewhere? Brooms does seem rather expensive.

Yes, I just don't understand why the (shall we all them the Authorities?) don't insulate the pipes and leave the water on, it can't be that difficult to do. And, why do they turn the power off?

There is a certain amount of prejudice and hostility to people who opt to live on their boats all year round. Not unlike that directed to the travelling or gypsy community. This prejudice tends to come from people who through ignorance or their own entrenched views, have not taken the time or made the effort to get to know people. It is also because a small minority of those who do opt for an alternative lifestyle create a nuisance to others . Again, not dissimilar to the traveller or gypsy or Roma communities.

Sadly, a lot of people litter the banks with rubbish, not just people who may be termed "livaboards". I think that statement applies to everyone.

Welcome and happy cruising. Is that Carol Ann which was at Bell's Dyke? If so, nice boat with plenty of space for an extended stay on the Broads.

Would be most interested to have a look at flexible panels, we are discussing options for electrics on BG for next year. Currently we just have battery power which we find just about adequate for our needs (lighting and fridge). The issue for us is the lack of roof space due to the sliding roof. Also, I am not too sure about the aesthetics of them so I would like to see how they would look on a vintage boat. With the World Cup being on this year, I am tempted to bring forward the electrical up-grade and install a dreaded television.

Couldn't find a decent sign writer when we were wanting the name on our transom. Eventually got some custom made vinyl lettering which does the job. Bloke from Lowestoft did it, can't recall his name but he has a shop which does all sorts of graphics. I suppose the old Dymo label maker is out the question?

Given that there are pearls of wisdom on here from the many riparian sages, perhaps the event organisers will re-consider their event? If I were the event organiser, thankfully I am not, I would seriously consider what is said on this forum by experienced people. To ignore the advice is tantamount to a head in the sand mentality or (seasonally speaking) Pilates meaningless hand washing.

As one who lives on Merseyside, I beg to differ: the Mersey or rather Merseyside, does attract thousands of holidaymakers. I can highly recommend the area to anyone wishing to engage in a variety of cultural, literary, sporting, and artistic pursuits. There is also some very good sailing to be had on the River, it was where I learnt to sail. We have far more than the late Ken Dodd and, (dare I mention them) the Beatles. You and anyone else would be made more than welcome to this vibrant part of the country.

Reading this post, I can't help wondering how many other plans of vintage boats are languishing in lofts and dark forgotten places? I was told that the plans for Ripplecrafts boats were languishing in a drawer at Somerleyton Marina until 4 years ago. The current yard manager was having a clear out and threw them out thinking he would never see a Ripplecraft in his yard again. The very same summer we turned up with BG. What was worse, he also threw away the templates for cabin sides, front screen, and hatches.

Welcome Aristotle, look forward to hearing about your restoration.

Unfortunately, like good manners, etiquette is all too often ignored. I would also say something to someone flying the White Ensign.

At that price you could buy a shed.