EdwardCharlesMitchell

That's really interesting. That's a good old voyage. A really game undertaking. Thanks for mentioning. Great to know about examples of the trips possible.

I'll have a good look for that next time I'm visiting WW. What was your boatyard called? Posted December 22, 2015 Some of you know me, from the long debate on Thorpe Island. I have a personal interest as my parents were Cmdr and Mrs Ashby of Hearts Cruisers and they brought me up on the old gunboat, Morning Flight. I went on to have my own little yard at Womack until selling in the awful recession of the early 80's. I ran a yard on the Thames for a few years and have just finished 20 years running hire bases on the French canals. I have now retired and we live near Carcassonne, close to the Canal du Midi and in the heart of the vineyards of the Minervois. And people ask why we don't come back to Norfolk! Got it! You are the narrator of this gem!

I'll have a good look for that next time I'm visiting WW. What was your boatyard called?

Oh wow! Would that have been his Capricorn that he took to Paris? Believe she was moored at Womack Water, or close by. I'm re-reading Tideline at the moment for the nth time. As I get a bit further along with planning, I'd be really grateful for your offer of some more information. MUCH appreciated.

Thank you so much for both of your incredibly helpful messages. Really appreciate the time you've taken to share all that information. Putting a new diesel in the boat has possibly gone to my head! But I figure if Edward Seago could do it in Capricorn, then maybe Dawn Star could also! In any event, your intel is invaluable, and I now have some great planning to do when the evenings start drawing in! Many, many thanks, Edward

Wondering if anyone reading this has ever sailed their boat from Great Yarmouth to Paris via the French waterways system? Switching from electric to diesel has made me wonder if this trip next year would be feasible. Or I guess Plan B would be to travel to the French river system by land transport - which sounds as if it could be horrifyingly unaffordable. Your thoughts and input would be very welcome.

" " What a beautiful elegant boat good luck with the tow " " Thanks so much for your words! Really appreciate.

Thanks Andy! Appreciate the kind words. Oh I dunno. In comparison to having, say, a racehorse, a Ferrari, or an Italian model as a girlfriend - Dawn Star represents quite the bargain.

No worries John, I'm planning on being aboard the following weekend as well. Rail strike permitting. Cheers, Edward

Hi John, Ah. I'm afraid I do not have these facts to hand. I don't use a battery charger. When the boat is moored, she is plugged into shore power. But look, where are you based? Are you in Norfolk? If so, I will be aboard from this Saturday 2nd until Tuesday July 5th, not that far from Stalham. If you're local, I'd be happy to show you the engine/batteries. I'm not much of a technical/practical kind of bloke - but I am sure of one piece of intel. If you're contemplating moving from fossil to electric, choose a hybrid. Bearing in mind how few charging points there are, it'll offer you much more independence. Hope this helps. Edward

Agree 100%. If no diesel I'll consider erecting a mast and running up some sails!

" " I would have offered you a tow as well (if I had been in England!) as I also moor in Stalham. I agree that Toby and Daniel of Marine Transmissions do top quality work. I also know Peachments very well, having done a great deal of business with them in the past. I know that they will do a very good installation for you and I highly recommend them. " " Thanks so much for the thoughts! Much appreciated.

" " I have looked at my diary and looked again, if both me and 'B.A' had been available I would have quite happily towed you to Brundall. Hopefully you are now sorted. Best of luck with the engine installation, hope it goes well for you and I endorse your decision got go over to diesel Btw - Would it not have been a whole lot easier to move DS under her own power round to Marine Engineering here in Stalham opposite the MOB and have a new Beta Marine unit fitted? " " Griff Thanks so much for the thought Griff - much appreciated. I heard a lot of positive reviews on Nannis. Tracked it back, and heard the same about A R Peachment. All positive. I'm rather looking forward to the tow trip to Brundall actually! I'm staying on board for the tow, and Everitt's have made the whole process really easy. I'll be sorry to say goodbye to silent, vibration and fume-free cruising - but also can't wait to have the kind of freedom that a full tank of diesel (easily refillable everywhere) will offer.

Replying to Cambridge Cabby..... " "BTW Edward. I have just had a new diesel fitted by Peachments and have nothing but praise for the service we have received." " Thanks very much for this - really appreciate. I was pointed in their direction through a recommendation and I absolutely agree. In advance of the work being done, their responses to all of my questions have been swift.

Mmmm. Horses for courses, I guess.