Jump to content
Print your own personalised forum logo

catcouk

Members
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Posts

    286

  • Joined

  • Last visited

  • Days Won

    9

 Content Type 

Posts posted by catcouk

    Yarmouth

    in Broads Chat

    Posted

    I think it's tedious to get the train from the Northern Broads to Yarmouth. It's a fair walk to Able station and a change at Norwich from Wroxham.

    With regard to everything, I would say that if you want to visit Yarmouth, visit. It has features found nowhere else on the Broads (mind you, some might avoid it for those reasons). As a child, Yarmouth was always a must. As an adult, I'm not so fussed.

    • Like 1

    Beginners Mistakes

    in Broads Chat

    Posted

    8 hours ago, Smoggy said:

    Always moor against the tide not with it, you'll approach slower with better steering control and better stopping.

    Boats don't steer in reverse, a burst in forward is needed to get the back swinging then carry on reversing.

    Try reversing in a quiet bit of river to see which way it goes, single prop boats will have a sideways kick depending on prop rotation, it can be helpful.

    It's not just the tide to watch out for. In some of the upper reaches I find the wind affects the boat more. If you can't see the tide moving, might be worth looking out for signs of wind too.

    Also, the yard are bound to tell you the boat steers just like a car. In terms of direction, that us true. But they are much slower to turn. Wind can also affect steering so don't assume that where you think straight is will always be. It's something you get a feel for. As others have said, go slow and you'll be fine.

    Have a lovely time.

    Woops. Bought My First Boat...

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    Okay, so not exactly a Broads Cruiser but we are now officially boat owners. Scooped up a GP14 sailing dinghy and trailer for £450!

    The photo in full sail is the previous owner. I'm hoping to get her out on Chichester Harbour next weekend.

    Not sure I'll ever tow it all the way from Sussex to Norfolk but you never know...

    IMG_20200920_123336398.jpg

    s-l400 (11).jpg

    • Like 4
    • Love 1

    Forum Upgrade - Issue Log

    in Site Technical Chat and `How To`

    Posted

    3 hours ago, ChrisB said:

    Turn your device through 90 degrees it works in landscape but not in portrait. I have same problem (Samsung tabS4 and phone S9 both running Chrome)

    Thanks for the advice. I don't think I got any extra options though. I'm glad some people can access everything though. As someone above said, makes you realise what a great forum (technically) this is. It's a great forum full stop.

    Screenshot_20200916-180423.png

    Forum Upgrade - Issue Log

    in Site Technical Chat and `How To`

    Posted

    Thank you for the hardwork! I can navigate fairly well - the icons took me a second to work out. How do I access the menu or mark the entire site as read? I can find unread content, create something new, or search. But I can't work out where the menu is or to mark the site as read. I'm viewing on Chrome through an Android phone. I uploaded a screenshot so you can see what I see.

    Many thanks again.

    Screenshot_20200916-094824.png

    Low Bridges

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    I don't think the bridge restrictions are too much if an issue. Potter definitely is but it's historic nature makes a rebuild impossible. The bridge that might need looking at before too long is Ludham. With so many boats kept above the bridge at Stalham, there will come a time when boats will get stuck on the Upper Ant!

    Virgin Boater Here

    in Hire Boat Discussion

    Posted

    I just meant that Wroxham is a place that I like to visit during the holiday. If we started from there, we'd have to stay at the boatyard our first night or arrive back early at the end of our holiday. I suppose we could also stay at a hotel so that we didn't have to travel on handover days. It's just a personal preference.

    • Like 1

    Virgin Boater Here

    in Hire Boat Discussion

    Posted

    Hi London Guy,

    I'd take a lovely Broads Cruiser over a narrow boat any day! I'm a relative novice compared with most on here but I'm happy to share a few of my insights...

    I have hired from both Richardson's and Herbert Woods recently. In both cases, they were (because I'm a cheapskate) cheaper, older boats. The boat from Herbert Woods was alright but the Richardson's boat immaculate. I've heard this repeated many times - even their classic fleet are fantastic. In my opinion, better heating, more comfortable, and better handover from the staff.

    We always go during the Easter school holidays (we're teachers) and we've never had a problem finding a mooring, even at 6pm. That includes before the bridge at Wroxham - either at Barnes Brinkcraft or Faircraft Loynes (however, as it's busier, most of the boatyard fleets are out).

    I've never had shore power (it feels like a frivolous luxury - we're used to camping) but maybe our cold boating in October this year will change our minds on that! I would say that having a good size lounge/living room/stateroom is something to look for. It's a room where you spend plenty of time. In my opinion, I'd choose a bigger living room over a spare bedroom any time. 

    I think you'd have a great time whether you could get above the bridges or not. However, if you're planning to stay North (above Great Yarmouth), you don't really need the extra height. If you're thinking of more than a short break whilst staying North, I think I'd recommend the flexibility of getting under those bridges though.

    I'd recommend boats like Pearl Gem, Star Gem, or Ruby Horizon (all from Richardson's at Stalham) but none of them have beds with all round access. Mrs London Guy might find these too 'agricultutal' but look at the pictures and decide. They will be immaculate. If you want to spend more money, something like Royall Satin (from Barnes Brinkcraft in Wroxham) might be just the ticket - not sure I could start a holiday in Wroxham though - it's a place I like to visit. Swan Rapture (from Richardson's again) looks like a good bet but only an average sized lounge (maybe that's cosy).

    I hope some of my ramblings are useful to you. They are only my opinions and they may of course be wrong!

    • Like 2

    Children's Play Areas

    in Broads Chat

    Posted

    Hello all,

    After missing my Easter holiday (thanks to the obvious 2020 reasons), I have got a short break on Antigua to look forward to! My wife and some friends are coming but the most important person to keep happy is our toddler! Combined with next Easter's adventure with another family (who have their own toddler), I thought I'd raise the question about children's play parks (and hopefully help out other families too). When we went last year (just me, the wife, and toddler), I started trying to find all of the children's play parks. Here is my list so far. If anyone has any to add to the list, I'd be very grateful. All times are walking times according to Google...

     

    --THE NORTH--

    RIVER ANT

    Dilham (5-10mins South of the moorings, in a field opposite the Cross Keys pub) - not sure about this one

    Ludham Bridge (35mins - see Ludham/ Womack Water, River Thurne)

     

    RIVER BURE

    Salhouse Broad (by the moorings)

    Horning (by the Village Hall, we walked 20mins from the Ferry Marina moorings but much closer to the village)

    Horning - at the TFI Horning pub

    Acle - at the Bridge Inn

    Stokesby (by the moorings)

     

    RIVER THURNE

    Hickling (5 mins away, Staithe Road)

    Potter Heigham (10mins South in Repps, Church Road) - we used this one before starting our boating holiday at Herbert Woods

    Ludham/ Womack Water (10mins, Catfield Road)

    Thurne - at The Lion pub

     

    --THE SOUTH--

    RIVER CHET

    Loddon (Chedgrave) (10 mins from village staith, closer to Pacific Cruisers - The Pits, Hardley Lane/ Pits Lane)

    Loddon (10 mins, through the village, Kitten Lane/Loddon Football Park) - also has a skate park

     

    If you know of any others, please add them below!

     

    RIVER WAVENEY

    Beccles (North of Yacht Station)

    Waveney River Centre (adventure park)

    Oulton Broad (Nicholas Everett Park, right by Yacht Station, 5 mins from the Wherry Hotel)

    Somerleyton - at Somerleyton Hall (30 mins)

     

    RIVER YARE

    Whitlingham Country Park (near Norwich)

     

     

    Coronavirus And The Broads

    in Broads Chat

    Posted

    Richardsons contacted me before 12 today (our holiday is 2 weeks away). I reluctantly accepted a full refund as we cannot go until next April and the boat we had booked wasn't available (already booked!). We (our family and my friend's families) discussed it and decided to upgrade and book White Champagne.

    I booked over the phone because I wanted to pay a larger deposit than £50. I know not everyone can afford to do that but if more people could put down a bigger deposit, I reckon the boatyards are more likely to survive - I would imagine Richardsons will be fine but you never know. I basically have them back what they refunded me.

    The lady was thrilled to be ending her day with a booking rather than telling another customer that their holiday is cancelled. She also appreciated our larger deposit.

    • Like 7

    Coronavirus And The Broads

    in Broads Chat

    Posted

    19 hours ago, JennyMorgan said:

    https://www.edp24.co.uk/news/health/second-home-warning-in-norfolk-coronavirus-uk-1-6572648

    Does this mean boaters too?

    The Clinical Director for Scotland this morning said that a booked holiday in the UK is probably fine - the NHS expect some movement particularly during the holiday. So my week in Easter looks okay - I'm a teacher so think this one is particularly needed. What they don't want is people moving full time to self isolate.

    However, as others have said, the country may go into full lock down. Will the holiday of two teachers still be considered essential travel...?

    • Like 2

    Model Railway Shows 2020

    in Broads Chat

    Posted

    Twitter is holding a free online exhibition this weekend to help us out:

    If you're not offay with Twitter, I think you can just go to Twitter.com and search #TwitterModelTrainShow and you'll find everything posted.

     

    Help! Swan Rapide (alphacraft 42 Lowliner)

    in Hire Boat Discussion

    Posted

    18 minutes ago, Mouldy said:

    There are far more practically laid out craft for hire and personally, I would go for a centre cockpit with a sliding canopy.

    I think I might be inclined to agree but with a 1 year old aboard, the single level seemed like a smart move.

    Swan Rapide only has moulding and no extra seat. It looked large enough for four adults in the photos? Oh dear...

    I loved the Aquafibre Crystal 37 we hired a few years ago (Contessa of Richardson). Thinking that they may be one of the great boat builders...

    • Like 1
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

For details of our Guidelines, please take a look at the Terms of Use here.

  I accept