PaulN

This is fantastic news, I've put a few posts in the past asking if Craigs legacy will be preserved. I met Craig in Horning shortly before his tragic demise, what a lovely unassuming Guy. There are no personal details on this database, so please stop all this nonsense about data protection and let's give Dave our full support. I await to hear what we can do by way of photos etc. I think Craig got the balance absolutely right in non disclosure of personal details, yet information about the actual boats being so accessible. As the Americans say 'If it ain't broke, don't fix it'. Well done Dave, I look forward to your database developments, I'm sure you didn't undertake this onerous task without your eyes wide open.

Thank you everyone for your help in this, the Forum is as always such a mine of information. In the interest of saving some money, I have accepted Bluebell's suggestion and have ordered 2 No. 500ml bottles of Oxford Mint which also has PTFE at £11.55 each. I spoke to Sonny Boulter and he says he has been getting very positive reports from those that have used it. I will let you know how I get on Thank you all, once again, your help and experience is always appreciated.

Yes Rod, I agree.

Touch Wood, I have only been damaged by a hire boat once and it's quite an amazing story. It restored my faith in human nature and corroborates Vaughan's views. We were moored at Reedham when it happened but not on board (having a beer in The Ship). When we returned the Harbour Master asked if we had suffered any damage, I didn't think so but upon inspection I found a section of rubbing starke had been ripped off (the lower aluminium one where the fenders rub against). The harbour master said he didn't see it happen, but apparently the hire boat left the adjacent mooring with the tide behind them, hitting us, pulling off the rubbing strake and getting it tangled in their fenders. He had found this out following a phone call from the HM at Yarmouth Yacht Station. Apparently, rather than returning to the mooring and risking more damage, they crossed Breydon and temporarily called in at Yarmouth to report the incident. I contacted the hirers boatyard at Stalham and gave all the details and they apologised and said not to worry, they would deal with it. At the end of their holiday the hirer's handed in the rubbing strake albeit it was too bent and twisted to be of any use. At the end of our cruise we returned to the marina where we moor at Horning, that happens to be owned by the brother of the Stalham yard owner (yes, you can guess who). When next I returned to the boat, it was all repaired to a standard that gave no clue that anything had happened. What lovely people these hirer's were, I've no idea who, but thank them if they ever read this, as well as the two boat yards concerned.

OK thanks, I will give them a call

I may give that a go. However having just looked at their website, with the 20% discount, it's £31.42 for 473 ml, which works out at £66.43 per litre, the most expensive I've seen anywhere!

Thanks Meantime. I'm going to the boat on Saturday and being berthed at Horning, drive past their door, so if I stay with this product, I will give a look in.

Thanks ES I will look at their website

Thanks, I will, I always forget about the discount when I go there.

What would members recommend for boat polish at a reasonable price please. I have been using Starbrite marine polish with PTFE but a nearly £50 per litre, it is expensive. I wonder what the boatyards use? As usual, anything with marine in the name seems to come at a premium price. What I require is a polish that gives a lasting shine and protection, in liquid form, easily applied and polished by hand. Members views with approximate cost will be greatly appreciated.

We've used it over many years, were trying to keep it quiet though, as often empty.

Like many, I am always wary of boats mooring and leaving adjacent to us and generally don't leave the boat until any adjacent space has a boat moored up safely. When turning in for the night, I'm always aware of which way around the boat either side of us is moored and whether they will be bow down tide and facing us in the morning. If they are we tend to be up early and leave before them. At stern on moorings, many hire boats just swing the helm as soon as they leave the quay, side swiping the adjacent boat with their ster in doing so. Before we had our own boat, we hired for several years, not once during yard tuition, was I told if moored in the direction of the tide, to push the stern out and motor slowly in reverse, letting the tide do the work. Nor was I told that unlike a car it steered from the rear not the front and so the stern of the boat would change direction first, so always consider this in close quarters. June, July and August we always head south, it's much less stressful.

I'm sure your bank manager will be very pleased to hear that

Woops. Older than I thought, just realised, I did my GCE 'O' Levels in 1967, obviously I was 'In the fog and swirling mist'

Great picture, the boat name takes me back to 1974 my GCE English Lit exam. The set book to study was Shakespeare's 'Scottish Play'! 'When shall we three meet again in thunder lightning or in rain .................I come Graymalkin: Paddock calls: Anon:'. Those witches and their opening pages have stuck in my mind forever

Bring back broads cruisers that can pass under the bridges

I remember when the 'Never Turn Back' pub was built and first opened. My dad would often have a beer within the lifeboat men at their local - 'The Ship' near the Lifeboat Station. I was very young at the time, but I seem to remember that they congregated in their 'public bar' a big shed at the back of the pub which from my memory was painted in vertical green and white stripes. Can anyone confirm if I am vaguely correct in my memory. As I said, I was only a young child at the time. From what I was told back then, when the 'Never Turn Back' was opened, it was Lifeboat themed, one of the very first themed pubs in the country, with pictures of Lifeboats through the ages up to the then 50's, in honour of the Caister Lifeboat Crew, known as the 'Never Turn Back Men', such was their reputation. I was also told back then, that as Lacon Ales had not consulted them about the branding of the pub, the Lifeboat Crew nicknamed it 'The Never Go In It' Does anyone remember this? Those under 70 need not reply

Hope you have a great time Chris, you certainly have the weather today/

My recent fuel consumption, if it helps, was as follows: The boat has a Beta 38 hp shaft drive with a 270 litre tank (I believe transverse hydraulic drives can be up to 30% less fuel efficient) We have just spent 4 weeks on the boat although were static for 7 days at various places, so call it 3 weeks of motoring each day. The extent of our travels from Horning took us to Coltishall, Potter Heigham, Oulton Broad, Geldeston, Loddon and Norwich with various stops in between, returning to Horning. Before we went home we filled up at Boulter's @ £1.80 and the bill came to £218, which makes consumption 121 litres

It is difficult to assess fish stocks in relation to otters. However, what I do know is that I see a lot more otters now and whereas a few years ago I use to see Tufted Ducks and Pochards, I don't see any now. Ducks, Great Crested Grebes and Dabchicks also appear to have diminished in numbers. I understand otters will take eggs from nests and also take young chicks. The way things are going we will finish up with just thousands of Greylag Geese which are just everywhere in huge numbers. These idiots who have reintroduced otters, should have left the eco structure of the Broads alone.

Generally yes it is, 8oz Rump Steak for example £3 more expensive at the Commodore. Everything seems more expensive there. New Inn: https://www.spccs1.co.uk/MenuPdf/1CLS_FEB22_FM_PB5_5.pdf Commodore: https://www.spccs1.co.uk/MenuPdf/1CLS_MAR22_SEASM_PB10_672.pdf

No need to be put off buying another boat Troyboy, we moor on the North Broads and try and avoid any idiots, but the vast majority of hirer's, like yourself, are considerate and sensible. It is however crowded this time of year. Having just returned from 4 weeks on our boat 90% of which we spent on the South Broads, I can confirm it's still quiet down there. So quiet in fact, that when we started the 45 minute trip up the Chet to Loddon at 9:30 in the morning, we thought we wouldn't get a mooring in the basin there as no boats had come the other way. However the reason was that when we arrived, there was only one other boat there! I also find, that in general people on hire boats on the south broads, seem more experienced causing far less stress when mooring and departing next to us. Pleased to hear you are still enjoying your Broads boating.

Hi Griff Will it sink though, being of synthetic rope and wood, if it does then yes a good cheap solution, but I would always opt for a rigid ladder for a person in panic in the water

We went to the Commodore but walked out again as set out like a canteen, not a pub and no atmosphere. Also surprised at the difference in the price of wine compared to the New Inn at Horning, which is the same pub chain. A bottle of Pino Grigio at the New Inn £ 13.95 https://www.spccs1.co.uk/MenuPdf/1CLS_FEB22_DM_CORE_W1_C2_148.pdf The same brand of Pino Grigio at The Commodore £22.95 https://www.spccs1.co.uk/MenuPdf/1CPD_MAR22_DM_W12_C4_464.pdf That's some differnce!

I had no intention of causing this battle, I only said there was a Coop Banner outside !!!