Meantime

Simples, for your average hire boat, ensure enough good batteries are fitted and if necessary two alternators to ensure the batteries are recharged as quickly as possible. If a fault occurs send out an engineer to change the alternator. The upside of two alternators is extra load on the engine which results in it warming up quicker from cold, which in turn results in quicker hot water. I've planned my boat out to ensure it meets my needs and to ensure I don't need to run the engine at moorings and to keep me mobile in the event of most minor breakdowns. A hire yards needs are slightly different, but the basic principles of good design and planning are all relevant to helping to minimise the need to run engines at moorings. As is plainly demonstrated with the hybrid boats and the removal of gas for cooking, they are going in the wrong direction and making the situation worse in many cases. No one should have to run an engine to boil a kettle for heavens sake.

I have to say I've gone to some lengths to provide sound deadening in my engine bay and actually find the noise of my own engine a little tedious after a long cruise and am glad when it's turned off. Having strayed over to the dark side on a few occasions (a Hunters boat) I do really appreciate the peace and tranquility that being under sail can provide. I can imagine how galling it is to get to a mooring under sail and moor up, only for the peace to be shattered by the constant throb of engines. I never understand why engines need to be run at moorings. To illustrate this, last week I was on the Yare for a few days break. About 2hrs after leaving the marina the 12V gauge started flicking between 12.6V and 14V and the rev counter started to flicker in unison. I pulled over at the nearest mooring which happened to be Cantley and investigated. All wiring checked and no loose wires found and I decided it was probably the regulator breaking down. What to do? Head back to the marina and cancel my trip? No I disconnected the charge lamp wire going to the alternator, which also acts as the alternator startup and restarted the engine. All good the gauge is sitting steady ay 12.6V. The alternator is spinning, but providing no charge. The important bit, the fan belt is still driving the water pump so there should be no issues with continuing my trip other than not recharging the 12V batteries. However due to design and engineering and more than a little planning, the boat also has a 24V alternator. It also has a small invertor connected to 12V to provide power for a TV and recharging laptop and phone etc. It also has a much larger invertor connected to the 24V batteries for running the microwave and the immersion element in the calorifier should I want hot water on a mooring without running the engine. I also have 4 stage battery chargers for both 12V and 24V for when I'm connected to shore power. So I was able to turn on the 24V invertor and the 12V battery charger and recharge my 12V batteries as needed. I didn't need to plug into shore power at any mooring. I didn't need to run my engine at any mooring. My batteries are in a good enough condition that they could handle the extra load of having to charge the 12V batteries and more importantly I didn't have to cut short my trip. The very scenario that happened was planned for when I enhanced the fit out of my boat. I even have a temporary fan belt on board in the event that the 12V alternator was to have a bearing break down or seize then I could use the temporary fan belt to just go straight between the crank and the water pump and remove the 12V alternator altogether. Should the 24V alternator ever fail then I can again recharge those batteries off the 12V invertor and 24V charger, although the 24V tends to be less important to me than the 12V systems. I continued with my trip and upon the return to the marina removed the 12V alternator and took it home for further inspection. Having stripped it down and cleaned it, I'm reasonable confident I have found the culprit, a loose crimp on one of the connections on the regulator. This weekend I shall be returning to the boat for another trip out for the bank holiday weekend. The alternator will be refitted and hopefully the problem is cured, but if not I shall simply disconnect the charge light wire again and continue with my trip and worry about further fault finding upon my return.

Whilst this is a light hearted discussion, or at least I hope it is, it's worth remembering for anyone tempted to actually shoot a drone down, that they risk being charged with endangering an aircraft, exactly the same charge as if they had taken a pot shot at a real plane, and they can face a prison sentence.

How would you feel about a sign that said "No loud music to be played at the mooring between 8pm to 8am" On the surface a very sensible suggestion, but it also suggests it is acceptable therefore to play loud music at the mooring during the day. As RSF has already said, Byelaw 84 is enforceable and states: "The master of a vessel shall not permit the vessel to emit smoke or fumes or make any noise or nuisance which gives reasonable grounds for annoyance to any other person." So rather than adding a sign which has no backing in the BA's own byelaw's and suggests it is ok to run your engine at moorings during the daytime, in contravention of their own byelaw, why not publish Byelaw 84 on the mooring signs?

I'm sorry but I have to disagree. As an example last week I was on the Yare approaching Thorpe when coming towards me was about 12 children all in canoes with a couple of adults. Some kind of organised outing. They were three or so abreast and covering more than half of the rivers width. The adult at the back was shouting instructions to them all and as I got close to them he shouted for them all to start paddling backwards! The lead canoe didn't hear and carried on straight forwards and the rest which up to that point had been heading in reasonably straight lines were now paddling backwards and heading all over the place, towards each other and in one case straight across the river into my path. I judge that the two adults present were responsible for the safety of the children in their group and I judge it was irresponsible of the adult in charge at the back to shout for them all to start paddling backwards when there was a large river cruiser closing in and they presumably had far better control paddling forwards as they had been up to that point. The children were relying on the adults present for tuition and ultimately their safety. In turn I'm guessing the responsible parents had entrusted "delegated" their children's safety to the responsible adults providing the tuition. On the other hand I am responsible for my boat and my safety, the safety of those on board and trying my best to look out for the safety of those around me. I had already upon seeing such a large group adjusted my speed accordingly as I always do when passing more vulnerable river users and with the command to paddle backwards with the ensuing chaos I throttled astern to halt my progress completely and let them sort themselves out and the adult at the back then issued the command to paddle forwards again and once they were all past me I carried on ahead again. I know that part of the river well, you get rowing club boats moving very fast with the accompanying safety boats, canoes from the pub and paddle company, stand up paddle boards, day boats from Thorpe Green, the occasional wild swimmer and sail boats from the Norwich frost bite sailing club. It is my responsibility to be aware of those around me and helm my boat accordingly. However to quote you from earlier again, " In an area of 3 ton boats helmed by complete novices." had such a boat been in the same location it might have been a different matter. Ensuring that complete novices are not in charge of a 3 ton boat without full and proper tuition is the responsibility of the hire yard and ultimately the navigation authority.

So it is up to the responsible parent to look after their children especially if in the water and unknowingly you have probably hit the other nail on the head. Quote "A lido. In an area of 3 ton boats helmed by complete novices." I also hope your wrong, but if things don't change, they stay the same unfortunately!

It's probably fair to say though they are also paying premium prices to their Landlords for being a riverside business. Business rates and rents will reflect their location, thus so will their prices.

Responsibility works both ways. If you wild swim in a navigable waterway make sure you have a bright float and can be seen. If you helm make sure your capable, sober and keep a good eye out. Make sure of your surroundings and above all else SLOW down when you pass canoes, paddle boarders, wild swimmers, oh and also moorings!

Because it's anti social and shouldn't be necessary.

I'm surprised that you of all people would suggest a hire yard was suggesting that! For clarification I have copied the relevant section from their Ts&Cs and the capitals are not mine. "NO PERSONS PERMITTED ON THE FRONT DECK OF THE BOAT. OR ON THE REAR DECK ENGINE HATCH AT ANYTIME, OTHER THAN IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION OR M.O.B. NO PERSONS ARE TO ENTER THE WATER FROM THE VESSEL UNLESS IN AN EMERGENCY ONLY OR M.O.B. NO SWIMMING FROM THE VESSEL. LIVE PROPELLER UNDERWATER. BUOYANCY AIDS ARE TO BE WORN AT ALL TIMES ON CRAFT INCLUDING SMALL INFLATABLE CRAFT. The stated maximum number of passengers must not be exceeded. No further passengers to be collected or board outside Of Buccaneer Boats, all members of Hirers party must be present on commencement of hire and end of hire at Buccaneer Boats." I really cannot fault their ethos and I hope they do succeed in their endeavour. With any luck a few other yards take note and maybe think there just might be another way of doing things. One that protects their investment and that of others who also want to enjoy the Broads in peace.

With many of them showing a fair few scars after only one season. Makes you wonder about the quay headings and other things they've hit during the course of the season. The Buccaneer boats still look virtually immaculate.

I know we only have a week left, but their website is saying "Sorry fully booked for August" I suspect they are booked by people looking for something a little more special for special occasions and therefore they are generally booked in advance, rather than on a whim. Also they do look smart and just seeing them out on the river generates it's own interest. Whilst enjoying my pint of Aspall's on the decking someone walked up to me and asked if I was on the boat just in front of where I was sitting. I replied no and indicated the table where the party had headed of to. He then went over and was asking them about where they hired it from etc etc.

Hey steady on! If a pub wants to provide a chargeable service, such as charging you for mooring, then I don't think there is a compulsion to eat in that pub. Totally different if the moorings are free as is the car park. That has NOTHING to do with manners. I've paid for a service, i.e. I've paid to to moor my boat, now I'm free to go where I want to eat or drink. They cannot have it both ways. Oh and common courtesy works both ways! Provide a free mooring and I'll happily eat in their pub, or move on if I've no intention of eating in their pub.

According to their website it is £8 per night after 5pm, free during the day, and it states mooring fee is non refundable! They also do not reserve moorings.

To be fair, this actually works both ways. Paying a mooring fee relieves you of the pressure to eat or drink in the establishment you are moored at. For instance The Bure Valley Fish restaurant in Horning has no mooring and finding a space on the limited public mooring can be tricky, but there are two pubs nearby that charge for you to moor there overnight. As far as I'm concerned when you pay to moor, your free to eat where you want. I would never do that if the mooring was free or refunded on food or drink though.

Actually it gets better the more you read. Adult Groups aged predominantly under 25, must check before booking. Proof Of Suitable Photo Identification & Address Will Be Required From Lead Hirer. Multiple Boat Bookings From Same Group/Family For Hire at the Same Date & Time will not be accepted and if deemed a booking is part of a multiple group booking, an increased Deposit will be required and pre -authorised of £500 per boat Any Arrivals by a Group In A Taxi & it is Deemed One Person may not be responsible For the Craft, An Increased Damage/ Security Deposit of up to £500 Will automatically be Held until the vessel is returned. Clean Tidy Free of any damage & no reports of Antisocial Behaviour. Therefore The Security deposit may not be released until 24 hrs after Hire Period Ends. Judging from ExSurveyor's comments above, it seems to work. One can only hope that it becomes a model that others want to follow. Thanks for the T by the way.

They are not cheap to hire, but then again they are brand new boats, so all relative I guess, and they appear to be hiring well from what I saw. They obviously intend to look after their investment as well judging by the following. On your return to the yard at the end of the hire period a full refund of the security deposit will be made if all of the following terms are met: The boat is returned By the stated time, Late Returns Will Incur £ 60 Per Hour Charged in £15 per 15 mins increments Without Exception, This Will Be Automatically Deducted From Your Security / Damage Deposit. All Craft are GPS Tracked For Location, Time & Speed. In a clean and tidy condition Without any damage Or Loss Of Buccaneer Boats Equipment. Without the company receiving any reports of anti-social or unsafe behaviour If Damage Or Loss Occurs Exceeds Security Damage Deposit, The hirer Will Be Responsible For The Amount deemed reasonable for Repair or Replacement. Any Damage Or Loss occurring From Malicious Or Negligence on behalf of the hirer or their Party Will be Responsible in full. I particularly liked the bit about boats being tracked by GPS for location, Time and speed. I hope other yards are taking note!

Whilst sitting outside The Waters Edge last Friday enjoying a nice pint of Aspalls, I was quite surprised to see a new day boat moored up. It was a very smart luxury day boat from Buccaneer Boats, so I guess I'm bringing this thread back on track as it was new for 2022. A little while later another came along and moored up behind it. Over the course of the next day or two I saw them out and about on the rivers again. They really do look quite nice. Having just remembered them and checking out the website it was quite refreshing to see the list of Do's and Dont's which includes No alcohol to be bought on board or consumed on board. The last one might be a little hard to control once the boat has left the yard. No fishing equipment or buggies or prams. It was interesting to note that there was a £200 security / damage deposit required. There didn't appear to be a CDW option. So very refreshing. Judging by the amount of times I saw the boats, it didn't appear to have put people off, and each time I did see one, they were being helmed very responsibly.

I quite agree, however I do not live anywhere near Brian Ward's, my boat is not moored anywhere near Brian Wards, so I have no incentive to go out of my way to shop there, or wait until I'm passing to make a purchase. On the other hand knowing they give 10% of, and if my purchase is not an immediate requirement, then I'm more likely to hold off making the purchase until I'm passing, which means they've gained business they otherwise wouldn't have had.

I wouldn't know, I've never been guilty of it personally Anyway apology accepted

Oh, who remembers The Rock Follies? The three young ladies who starred in the show, I wonder if they ever went paddle boarding on their hen nights?

Was just wondering if there was a thread anywhere that brings together any discounts offered to members by local businesses? I believe that Brian Ward offers 10% to members? At the back of my mind I also thought that possibly Boulter Marine did as well?

I think there are very few pubs that have anywhere near the roaring trade they had in the 70's and 80's. Times have changed, costs have gone up, people drink less in pubs. I've just seen an advert for The Ship at South Walsham. Up for rent £2,500 per calendar month. A quiet village and quite a trot from the moorings. It has 40 covers. Would have to be some very expensive meals and pints to make that pay. Cannot see the low markup high turnover model working there, then again not sure the villagers want a gastro pub either. If Colchester Inns couldn't make it pay then I'm not sure it has a future until someone can get the freehold and cut out the middle man.

Hey you forgot my T

Both sinks in the heads on my boat go straight through the bottom of the boat, so effectively there is a water trap, it's called the river. The Kitchen sink on the other hand goes straight out the side of the boat without any water trap. Apart from keeping draughts out or stopping flying insects from finding a way in I don't really see the point of a u bend.