Ray

Well the cost of having it fitted was an eye opener, I plucked a figure out of thin air as I do when I don't know what I'm talking about and was thinking about £2k. Spending 25 to 30 percent of the boat's overall value needs some consideration, despite it making her worth a little more, if/when I come to sell there is a limit to how much a small 1975 boat is ever going to make. I'd spend that much on a necessity but I'm not so sure about a luxury (unless I win the lottery) Excellent advice all round concerning painting and anti fouling... I'd hate to think of how often I'd have got things wrong and how much money I would have wasted without all you great forum members and your friendly, helpful and freely given help and advice. Thank you one and all

Good question about the thruster! The biggest problem is our home mooring, Herbert Woods at Potter. No complaints about the Marina, it's very nice, the people are friendly and helpful and it is near home. But like all Marina berths room to manoeuvre is limited and even though with a Mk 3 I can go into my bay forward or stern on it just always goes wrong lol My lovely wife and sole crew member (the Admiral) can only step ashore with the boat close alongside either side or stern. I tend to get almost in to the point where our younger selves would just jump down with the ropes, but it's not close enough anymore and by the time we have hesitated the wind is taking us off. Getting into position a second time is never as easy as the first shot where you have time to choose the best line and things quickly descend to something distinctly pear shaped. Married 40 years ago this week but if we can't sort out mooring we won't see a 41st anniversary!!! (Probably )

I see what you mean about the thruster, I've put a question to the owners club so it will be interesting to see if anyone has tried! Sounds like I can leave the paint for the time being at least, thanks.

Thanks Griff.

Good idea about the owners club Griff, thank you. Although only 25 feet they can be a bit of a menace to manoeuvre, once you combine the poor visibility reversing and the way wind affects them. In every other way she is the perfect boat for us but as our joints are just starting to get a bit creaky a means of mooring that doesn't involve my better half leaping ashore to an uncertain landing may prove a boon and less of a drain on the NHS The hull painting really is me just guessing from things I have read and half understand Above the water line still looks pretty good, a few fender scuffs etc but clean and presentable (it's white by the way) but I thought it was recommended that below the water line should be cleaned/painted/ anti fouled regularly, although I have little idea about what's involved or how often!

I'm thinking ahead and sooner or later our Safari will need to be lifted to repaint the hull. I believe I'm right in thinking that once a hull has been painted it needs redoing every few years. My main question though is have you, or anyone you know of, fitted a bow thruster to a Hampton Safari? Given it's size and shape I wonder how practicle it is to have fitted and how effective it would be once installed?

Brilliant.. I would have liked to buy Uncle Albert / Your Dad a pint (or a tot)

Yes indeed, thanks everyone I feel better for your replies. Dare I say I'm back on an even keel!

That's a good straight forward way of dealing with it Chris, I'll remember that.

I'll take her!

I'm getting into this now, how about torpedo tubes like the MTBs in WW2?

Available at all good chandlers?

I like that one too

There was a long break between our last hire holiday and retiring here and buying our own boat last year lol You're right of course, I guess I wasn't prepared

Just had 3 days out and about and as usual on the broads nearly everything was well mannered with happy people enjoying themselves. Waving, smiling and giving way with good natured thank yous and occasionally sorrys as appropriate. I say nearly, as twice we were surprised by some less than polite behaviour from unexpected sources. In the first case we were legitimately overtaken by a private boat who then turned to port only to discover their way blocked by a temporary closure to their route. They then crossed back into the starboard channel right in front of us. When I say right in front I mean our bow was within spitting distance of their stern. They had reduced speed to make their manoeuvre and not increased it when rejoining hence it seemed appropriate to simply pass him, which I did without changing my speed or breaking the limit in force which was 4mph on this stretch. As I passed the helm was having a fit and holding up 4 fingers to indicate the speed limit. My gps speedo is as accurate as any but I accept his may have differed but given his previous movements I was only expecting to exchange a wave not misplaced abuse! The next day we were gradually coming up on a yacht, although I don't sail I love them for their graceful, quiet beauty and always give way and respect their requirements and pass to their stern unless they direct me otherwise. They were keeping to the starboard bank and appeared to be running along nicely and I was happy to sit back and wait until they needed or wanted to change tack. I know nothing about the technicalities but when he turned hard to port and gave me no signal throughout I thought it was safe to assume he was tacking and it would be a good time to pass behind him and increased speed slightly. His manoeuvre turned out to be a complete 360 degree circle and it was tightly done so within seconds he was bearing down on me. If I stopped he woud have hit me, if I had gone hard to port I would have hit him, all I could do was go full throttle as close to the starboard bank as I dare. I don't have years of experience but I made my best call and it worked, it was very close and we both had a scare. I looked at the helm to make eye contact and he was screaming abuse at me! Given that he made a very unusual move and didn't direct me although aware of me at the very least I didn't deserve that! I'm usually pretty thick skinned but I confess to have these events on consecutive days made me wonder if I really did commit some unknown navigation sin?

Mine's blue MM.. so it must be completely different

Like the idea of a list Baitrunner ?

I have to agree with the concept of prevention is better than cure. As a new owner my plan was/is to simply have a service once a year. Would the impeller be automatically changed during a boat yard service?

Good tip, thank you.

Sounds like a very good set up, a long way beyond my abilities (so far) No woody either (so far)

Good idea about the meter.. my bilge pump by the way is only live when the isolater switch is on, maybe something else I should look at.

That makes sense, thank you both... this sort of advice is invaluable, learning how to do things and doing them yourself is so much more interesting and rewarding than getting someone else to do it ?

9 years! Time for an extra pint then! Thanks again for the advice, I have a good idea how to proceed now. Time to look at radio/cd/mp3/Bluetooth/DAB thingys!

That's what I was thinking, as my better half just said a radio/cd would be nice. Sorry for complete newbie question but how am I sure that I'm on the switched side of the isolater? Do I simply join both my live wires in effect making one?

Thanks dnks34, I was thinking phone charger.