MaceSwinger

You don't need to tell me, my boat this year (Silver Mystaire) was resting on the bottom of the Chet 2 years ago I believe!

It's be dreadful all over, and it makes my blood boil. I live about 200 yards from here, and you can imagine what that's been like in recent weeks, especially as the council and police never bother coming this far out of town!

I hadn't but a quick Google found a (very fuzzy) EDP video on YouTube. Alpha Mustang wedged right in there! It never ceases to amaze me at how much punishment these boats can take though.

Quite! I had Brinks Duet a few years ago, a Brooms sedan, she was 8'4" and the board at Ludham Bridge read 8'5". I popped my head out of the sunroof and I'm sure I had close to 6 inches or so, if not more! I can understand why the boards might be a little conservative. Last thing we'd want is a tall boat getting herself jammed under a bridge and blocking the river up, let alone the damage it might do to the bridge itself.

Don't get me started with the board at Ludham Bridge!

How lovely, thanks for sharing Vaughan.

I'm sure there'll be lots of updates coming in. Typical really, the first load will be off on holiday on the 4th...I'll be going back to work

Having a root through some old pictures from a couple of years ago and came across this. Looking forward to getting back and seeing it without the scaffolding!

I probably worded my post badly, I wouldn't for a minute expect to get up the tower at the moment, and with how narrow the boardwalk is on the reserve that would probably not be on my list this year either sadly. And you're absolutely right, I hate the thought of missing a day of cruising. I'm happy to cruise dawn to dusk when I can; I don't think I've ever got money back from a diesel deposit!

Blimey, I had no idea. I just got excited by the history of it, especially as I haven't been on a boat as far as Thorpe in a good 20 years, if not more! How very sad for it to be so controversial. Understandably so though.

My word, that's incredible!

I actually started having a google, and a couple of threads on this very forum popped up! It seems the wreck has been there some time, 1948 in fact! It's the remains of MGB56, the boat on which Cmdr Ron Ashby of Hearts Cruisers lived!

Sorry, I should explain! I've been under plenty of times, but always with larger family groups; indeed we took at Alpha 42CC all the way to Horstead Mill a couple of years ago. If it's just me, or me plus other half we don't tend to go under the bridge as it takes time away from other areas we want to get to. I do enjoy going upstream though, quite a lot in fact!

I do love a good wreck...must be the diver in me!

Indeed, we have a 3 berth for the 2 of us booked, and to be honest I'd have preferred a 4 berth if my wife was a little more experienced in helping moor up etc.

I have thoroughly enjoyed spending the last hour or so reading through this thread, and it's lovely to see so many wonderful old boats. I found the stuff about Jenner's old yard very interesting too, especially as I never usually bother heading up that way. Can anyone shed any light on what the state of play is with that basin? The hotel opposite has a picture of it on their website and it has boats moored up. There also appears to be a wreck in the middle of it, would anyone care to educate me a little on that?

As a solider, using the term Admiral makes me sick in my mouth a bit.

Thanks Simon, I never knew that. I knew they'd take you under, I've had a great many boats out of Barnes (Alpha closing up forced a move!) but didn't realise they wouldn't allow you to use the pilot at all. That said I've never much been bothered about getting under the bridge!

I think that may be what we have to do Jean. I don't like doing it (mooring up at silly o'clock just to get in), but I do love Ranworth and I particularly enjoy the NWT reserve and climbing to the top of St Helen's. Kirsty, my other half, is very much looking forward to a meal from the Maltsters too! I'd never complain about 5pm under the current climate, I'm just glad they're taking it seriously enough to deep clean their fleet. It's frustrating, but entirely understandable, and any boatyard taking those actions should be commended. I'm still hoping that we'll get away a little earlier as I'd like to get as far as Herringfleet or possibly even across Breydon...that may be a bit of a pipe dream though!

Hope this link is allowed, apologies if not. F77 on the Broads Boat Database

Barnes don't let you use them at all, or they don't cover the cost?

I'm doing my best to prepare her. I'm 35 now and have been going all my life, she's a new convert having only been with me the last few years and Ranworth is one of her 'musts'. It's a shame as I loathe having to moor up mid afternoon just to get a spot. I'm just as happy loading a week's worth of food (and beer and bait!) onto my boat and mudweighting all week!

I wasn't sure anyone would have a definitive answer, but it's interesting to read your insights. A 5pm takeover is a little frustrating, although I understand entirely why it's necessary. This is only the second time I've gone with Silverline, the first being 2 years ago with a larger family group (just after the boat I have this year, Mystaire, had holed and sunk on the Chet!) and couldn't remember the HOTO time. Part of me is desperately trying to convince the other part that it's not going to be that busy but I think in reality it's going to be heaving. Excellent news for the yards, not so great when I have to tell my wife we're not getting in at Ranworth again

I've just had a look at Hoseasons for the dates we're away in August, and it would seem they only have 14 boats left for that week. Not entirely surprising as everyone is scrambling to book holidays in the UK! Does anyone know how yards are running their boats? Are they running them a week on then a week off in order to deep clean between hirers? Or are they just having them leave the yard later? We're going with Silverline and I know the check in time has been changed to 5pm. I'm just wondering whether the lack of remaining boats is because they've literally all been booked up (which I suspect is the case) or if yards are rotating their fleet in order to deep clean (which I'd hoped would be the case so it's a bit quieter!)

F77, The Wolf Gang, is listed as no longer registered in 2008.