Cheesey69

Brian from Sutton Boatyard

My boat broke down a couple of weeks ago. We was moored in an inaccessible place by road. Sutton Boatyard was recommended by this forum when we bought the boat and we took the advice offered. we phoned them with our position, they asked us to try a few simple fixes which failed and then they said they would send someone. less than an hour later a day boat appeared with two very friendly fitters appeared and they set to work. unfortunately, the engine was shot. Due to the time of day and distance from our home yard, I decided to wait until early next day for a tow. This was my choice. They would tow me that night to any yard if I insisted but I had time and I knew my home berth had all the facilities I needed. So an eight am tow was arranged and dead on time Brian, the tug arrived. The 3 hour tow up the Ant from Wroxham was fun especially through Ludham as people realised this was a long load! Its a service everyone should have because sometimes something goes wrong no where near help and that could be very expensive

The word here is activity. That’s a stumbling block for those I talk to. Me, personally, hate just laying on the beach and I always like doing something on a holibob. The next is children. Will they be bored? Probably if they are middleish teenagers but things have improved with better mobile coverage. And then there are some who don’t like the uncertainty of a holiday that don’t come all packaged with no thinking needed. But go to early middle age families and things get better. With more free cash and willing to adventure. Ive invited some work colleagues to visit and a trip around Barton and they are hooked. sort of try before you buy

Interesting, when I last filled up, I had to sign a tax declaration. Address and everything. Never done that before. Felt more legit.

Yup, but really depends on time of year and level of experience.

It’s more about space to moor. Options. If you’re at Acle, no problem, massive banks. Wroxham? Unless you go under bridge you’re probably spending your last night in yard. Horning? Limited unless you go wondering a bit and blast back. Stalham? Loads more place’s within an hour easy travel. Potter? Better than Horning as you got Womack, silent zones and wild mooring at The mouth. And a lot depends on time of year. Ive had to spend last night in yard in the past due to lack of mooring. Sort of felt cheated.

Move it to a museum

Hirers (not all) have been sold a holiday, an experience. You see it all the time, you know, boat moored outside pub, everyone drinking. People have got used to packaged holidays bent toward the holiday maker. Reality is, in high times, you're not going to go from pub mooring to pub mooring. Wroxham is going to be full and you are not going to moor where you want, sometimes not even in the same river. Its a hard sell to these people to tell them its the wild west out there with free moorings now a precious resource and if you want to actually enjoy a long cruse then you had better work out where to moor. We have met people who are very disappointed about the lack of mooring at the popular zones. "hey, you have paid a couple of grand for the boat, good luck with the mooring mate" This is just one aspect but one that really needs addressing.

Got to think about where you swim very carefully. I had a moment in the Ant when a couple was swimming from a sheeted section near a water pump. Although their boat was moored up they was not swimming in the protection this provides. I moved out to pass, noticed another boat coming on, I tucked in bit to give room and the Mrs noticed two swimmers out about 10 foot from the stern, one had on a dark swimming cap that just disappeared in the glare from the water. I really never noticed them, my attention was on the moored craft and the one coming on, you know, measuring the distance. I nudged out further than I really should and gave the hirer a nasty fright. The swimmers swam on totally unaware. Although there was plenty of room for two experienced helms, I just wonder what would happen with two new hirers or indeed if I never noticed them?

Hi all, Seen on another place a hirer stating although they enjoyed the experience they wont do it again. A couple of stated reasons was lack of river manners and people watching while they struggle to moor. The mooring bit is a common complaint and I do think no amount of training can cover everything and its more down to practice and developing a way of doing things. Plus a thick skin. And for me, installing a cleat amidships really helps as one rope does all and getting the crew off with both ropes helps a lot. But as to manners, is this down to Covid? I do take ropes to help but to be honest, covid never crossed my mind and I may be intruding. Or is it down to a lot of newbies and everyone likes a show?

or maybe a reminder that the safety notices are not put there for a laugh. I say again, Water is not your friend, it's always trying to kill you. Treat like lava.

Oh the unfairness of it all. Before we went clunk clunk fizz fizz it was full to the brim last week. Am I the only one to enjoy the challenge of going through a pack of hungry sailing boats?

And so it begins.

Its like anything, your having fun on holiday, having a drink, bite to eat with some friends.... But your on a nose to tail mooring, its 11 at night, your getting louder and so is your music and noise carries and your BBQ fumes smoke everyone out. I've had it and had to square up to them. Wild mooring? knock yourself out. In company you got to moderate your self. Being a pain in the stern is very easy sometimes especially when you dont realise it

Don’t plan on mooring anywhere in particular. Hang lose a bit because it’s going to be busy. Try to moor in hire yards because private boats generally can’t or won’t. scout out moorings with take away service Get some in if you can the word here is busy so if you’re gonna book a pub get in early. or moor near Yarmouth and get in taxi for some seaside fun.

Probably me, I've never felt the need to bbq on the broads. Sometimes I class it as annoying as running your engines at a mooring. At least running your engine has a point, burning food then sticking it a bun when you have a great grill on board does me head in.

breakfast of kings right there

What I could see they used big adjustables on the crank pulley

and expecting novices to tie up in possibly strong tides. Accident waiting to happen

Used to run my old Citroen on chip fat. But, and this was important, it had a diesel preheater for winter because at lower temperatures it just would not flow. Basically, the older the engine and its technology, the better. modern injection systems are right up there in complicated computer systems my home brew days are long gone

Your not wrong. A whole queue of fitters!

An idea by a fellow boater. The camshaft has eaten its bearings. Need to get together with Ricko’s for help. going to stick in the 1.5 bmc as have been told it’s a better lump.

All adjusters tight. rockers only move on starter not when crankshaft turned by hand. That’s the clue. Turning by hand gives the chain time to slip, by starter enough friction to turn camshaft but this is best guess

Checked pushrods and they are straight.

I sometimes find dreams are like a classic car, nice to look at and to own but you don’t have electric windows or air con and the oil still needs changing. but that’s probably me!