oldgregg

The BT mobile product does use EE, but you likely won't get all of the channels and thus coverage is not as good. Most of the MVNO's work like that - It is too costly to spin up a mobile network now so if starting up you buy airtime with an existing one and resell that. But you'll never get the premium product which they sell to their own customers at a higher rate. Sent from the Norfolk Broads Network mobile app

There's some detail here http://www.nelsonboatownersclub.co.uk/nelsonstory.html I think it's conceptually similar to the Aquafibre model of one company designing the mouldings and moulding them (or contracting another outfit to do that) and then supplying the mouldings to other yards to fit out and market as their own products. Mould development is very costly, so not that many yards do the whole end-to-end process of first sketch to finished boat. Sent from the Norfolk Broads Network mobile app

A Diamond 43! Speedtriple and I are very familiar with those. Ours needs 6' 10" at Wroxham with the light mast folded down and obviously a hireboat won't have that so you can shave a couple of inches off. Beam of Ligh probably isn't allowed under Potter Heigham, but Beccles will be no problem as long as you keep an eye on the tides. I was down there two weeks ago on one.... Yes I remember not knowing the air draft with the Manor House boat and a particular bridge I wasn't sure if I'd get under. Which boat did you hire? Ours had the turbocharged 5-cylinder Nanni and did a lot more than 6 knots. Lough Erne is indeed massive and gets quite lumpy! Sent from the Norfolk Broads Network mobile app

Hi Simon Yeah you've pretty much said it yourself... The height gauges are generous and the boats are marked up similarly, so provided the tides aren't crazy then you'll get through. Obviously, always check the height gauge on the bridge just to be sure.

Very much so. I was on Lough Erne exactly ten years ago this week with Manor House Marine, and it was MUCH quieter than the broads at the same time. The navigation is also a lot less complicated than Lough Erne, where as you'll remember there was a need to have the charts and binoculars at hand all the time and look out for marker posts to avoid rocks and shallow areas. On the Broads you'll want a map to work out where you're going and roughly how long it will take and unless you're going onto the Southern rivers then that's about as complicated as it gets. Speed limits are also very much a thing on the Broads whereas on the Shannon / Erne system they really didn't care. I remember trying to be a good boy on the handover in order to get it done quickly, and the guy just told me to give it some beans so my handover was a quick ten-minute run flat out. It's not like that here!

Here are some shots of the action from Potter Heigham

Spring half term is quite pricey..... Last week and the following two are probably the best value along with early September if you can do them. May / June probably has the edge as the weather is usually reasonable and the days are longer. Not surprised to see so many boats crossing this week.... In contrast, we came back up North last Thursday morning and only saw one other boat until we got to Yarmouth. That was with a 6AM start from Somerleyton though! Sent from the Norfolk Broads Network mobile app

If there'll be two of you, I'd give Astral Gem a look - It is actually cheaper than the smaller boat (Clarion) and more spacious. The separate shower room is also really spacious; something of a rarity on Broads cruisers, especially at that price point. Sent from the Norfolk Broads Network mobile app

I didn't see all of it by any means, but it seems a really nice place still. Sent from the Norfolk Broads Network mobile app

I spotted this at Bradford on Avon on the K&A over the weekend...

Definitely. Richardson's also have the larger version (Astral Gem) as well as these (Clarion) and the Astral is an absolute steal provided there are at least two of you. Many people do not like them, but I'm quite a fan actually. For the size I think they pack a lot of space, and they are very cheap to hire. I was due to have Silver Haze about three years back but had to cancel due to a long holiday getting booked over the same period and Hoseason's wouldn't let me move the booking to the next year so sadly I never got to try it.

There wasn't an A14 either, and a lot less of the A11 dualled...

Oh I don't doubt it, and I guess with their fugly boats they're not really targeting seasoned boaters so perhaps it's all part of a master plan.

And that's the thing - Plenty of us like to plan dates and have a specific boat the suits the group we're going with so we want to book in advance, but don't want the yard to be taking the wee-wee with pricing for being a customer that gives them cash upfront in their quieter period and allows them to plan. You could also argue that 'all-inclusive' pricing sounds good but in reality you're paying a flat rate for fuel that's built in to the price based on average usage, whereas with other yards you only pay for what you use.

What's the best sealant to use on screw holes for external fittings such as this? I know silicon will end up drying out and cracking, but not sure what a better product is. I guess Plumber's mait would do the job but I know there are products which are better and easier to work with.

That's the reality of it, yeah.

Quite right, when the sun is shining it is simply stunning.

Whereabouts on the system were they, Paul? I've seen a fair few up the Ant and round by Thorpe but never seem to have my camera at hand.

Last time I was there (almost exactly a year ago) the other moorings looked to be in a sorry state. We managed to get on one of the concrete moorings and yes as Paul says they're solid but you need plenty of fenders.

The customer in Ireland (actually Northern Ireland) is Westwood who were an Aquafibre customer and then with Roes for a while after AF went bump, but they now use Richardson's for their mouldings. They're not to be confused with the old John Williams operation in Beccles known as Westward - Although amusingly I have seen an old Westward on the Broads with DIY 'Westwood' badges.

I understand it's still at plug stage. Sent from the Norfolk Broads Network mobile app

There's a Westwood Sedan currently being laid up at Ricko's I believe - Are you sure it's not that? They have been moulding for Westwood for a while.. Sent from the Norfolk Broads Network mobile app

It's coming.... Some already play a fake engine sound through a speaker in the grille. Sent from the Norfolk Broads Network mobile app

Yes I think she is currently in need of TLC...

With a modern ARGOFET split charger you only need a small link cable to the battery monitor and given the greater efficiency etc that might be worth looking into. They aren't the cheapest of things once you've bought all the bits, but it saves running enormo-cable to the dash.