Ray

That's good, I'm sure someone has got a cracking boat there. I'd have been tempted but we only bought our Mk3 last December

Just had a quick look... perfect, just what I need! Many thanks indeed!

Thanks, I'm an amps, volts etc dummy I'm afraid and could easily buy the wrong thing! Actually is there a basic guide that anyone can recommend, I should educate myself on this.

Seems a reasonable asking price too. I'm sure it will sell before long.

It didn't sell as the reserve was not met. It only reached £10,100 so presumably the bidders were looking for a bargain rather than trying to own something special/rare.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1-5W-SOLAR-PANEL-12-VOLT-BATTERY-SAVER-TRICKLE-CHARGER-BOAT-CARAVAN-CLASSIC-CAR/332093733229?epid=13003304675&hash=item4d5254396d:g:UMcAAOxy4fVS-4hO Does anyone use this type of charger, is it effective? I can see that it will obviously have limitations but if it actually does some good it may be all I need. I guess that if it works through the 12v accessory socket (cigarette lighter thingy) then only the leisure battery will be topped up but that would be fine for me.

Welcome, I see your Captain in the window

Ahoy!

Does it matter that much if children know exactly what a Broad is compared to other bodies of water? If any child leaves school with the ability to swim and a respect for wildlife then everything else will follow from their ongoing life experience. If they are Norfolk/Suffolk born they will inevitably encounter 'The Broads' in the wider sense sooner or later, if they are interested they will make a point of finding out more, if not they will leave them alone... either way they will be safe and respectful. I bet a fair few of us knew nothing about this wonderful place until we were adults and just about the one thing we all agree on is that we love it here.

In general terms society largely encourages education and oppurtunity for children and young people. You'd be hard pressed to find anyone who doesn't support that principle. So rather than a Machiavellian plot this could just be a well meaning attempt to further that aim by a "body" that feels it can or should have some role to play in fullfilling that societal brief. Whether or not it turns out to be the right building or the right place remains to be seen. Even those of us who don't like the specific plan could support the ideal and this goes to the accusation of BA bashing because on a case by case basis we can support some projects and not others without declaring undying hatred or support of the organisation. Personally I don't particularly like this idea in this place, maybe I would support it in another place.. the devil is in the detail and we have precious little of that. Which I guess is why the op asked what we would like to see.

Birmingham?

What a sad end for an innovative and more importantly a genuinly nice man!

I know what you mean, looking at the photos I got the impression that due to it's design it had lost one of the great Safari attributes - lots of space in a small boat!

I understand only three were built and just noticed one of them is up for sale on Ebay, bargain price at the moment but it will be interesting to see what she sells for! (I have no association with the sale, just thought it was interesting given the rarity) https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Cabin-cruiser/142776586568?hash=item213e25d148:g:-p0AAOSw-INa5jV9

40th anniversary later this year and I understand I'm still on probation

I am based at Potter and know Boulters, very helpful and have called in a couple of times! Good idea, I'll do that!

I see! Many thanks, I can see now why the advice is given to run the engine! Looks like I'll be adding a leasure battery!

Our boat is a Hampton Safari mk3 and to help with answering my question - when we are out we cruise until we drop :) at least 6 hours per day. We have 2 batteries and turn off the engine one once we moor for the night. Our domestic battery is not called on much at all, once moored for the night just cabin lights and fridge, anything like charging phones is done while cruising, we have no TV, microwave etc. I often see references to running engines and using the heater and there is an assumption, quite correctly, that everyone knows what is meant by phrases like "hire craft run their engines because they are told to" It turns out that my better half feels the cold more than I and would quite like to run the heater for an hour or half hour at bed time and again first thing in the morning, I can't imagine I would have any battery capacity problems with this, unless I'm missing something. Am I missing something? I should add that by far we prefer and search out wild moorings where we are away from civilization, if any other boats were around we would not, of course, run anything at unsocial hours.

Clear all the buildings and debris, plant grass, repair the mooring where needed, add electric points and water, supply waste bins.

There is a site plan if you download the competition brief, it shows the land aquired and the Council land where the toilet block is outlined seperately, although they say they are in the process of acquiring this too.

An eyesore can easily be a stand alone without reference to other nearby sites surely. I don't see BA bashing in this topic at all, they are the body in charge of pretty much everything this board is about so discussion of their actions, proposals and motives is pretty much a given. Personally I'm lucky enough to live in Norfolk now but feel that anyone who loves and enjoys the Broads has a right to an opinion. I don't see the point of making a post describing how you legitimately feel and then saying you won't contribute further! Your last word doesn't mean it's 'the' last word.

Good point and if that's how it turns out so much the better. I have in my minds eye something like a wherry sized boat house.. I could live with that

That's easy to explain, the stated purpose is for a landmark building ie something that stands out as a landmark. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, my view isn't the right one but it is my one and it is that a modern stand out bit of architecture is not what I'm looking for on the riverside of the Broads :)

There is no shop in the downloadable competition brief sadly, however there are some positive things in it. Such as a desire for the centre to particularly attract passing boaters, cyclists and walkers on the Weavers Way. The retention of moorings which should include electric points, waste collection and washing/shower facilities - which would indicate 24 hour status to be kept at least for some of the length. Consideration is included for safe road access and education facilities, the cafe is "planned" to be open all year with part of it's floor space given over to further education during the off season. My concern over the creation of a landmark/eyesore remain but of course I acknowledge that it may end up as beautiful building in keeping with the location, I can't complain until I see it to be fair, I also include all of the above comments in an effort to be fair. Final point is also mostly a positive one, to proceed they need partnership funding which puts a limit hopefully on BA's outlay and whether it is built at all. Having been invited to speculate what we would like to see at the site, this still would not be my choice as I first laid out but if it goes ahead there is hope that it may yet be a useful addition to the Broads. I have my reservations but that is simply my personal view and not BA bashing

"Landmark Building" So often this translates to eyesore, am I the only one who's heart sank reading this? The whole things sounds like a vanity project for the BA, surely boaters, fishers and general tourists simply want a small general shop and maybe a WC. If there is money to spend fix the closed moorings, make some new ones in popular places and come to an understanding with local land owners to enable clearance and use of 'wild moorings' I'm not suggesting that all of the above is easy or cheap but if there is this sort of money in the budget it should be used toward the betterment and maintenance of The Broads not a shiny new cafe and visitor centre full of information anyone interested can find on the internet. Just a personal opinion of course