brandenjg

It's always fun to say "can you get my brown trout fishing gear out of that inconspicuous bag in the corner of the boat"

I was thinking if i took the sat nav i'd have a constant " Please turn around at the nearest possible exit" ringing through my ears That app sounds really good, think that will be my best option as i always have my phone on me. Having to get a seperate gps seems more to look after and keep dry on the boat. Thanks for all the responses

Hi everyone I've got a small boat and recently got an outboard for it. I've been reading up about the speed limits on the broads and i've got the problem that i have no idea what speed my boat will be travelling as theres no speedo. My speed options are basically low-high. I've looked on google maps and found a mile straight on the broads with a speed limit of 6mph. I was wondering if i stay at a constant speed and time how long it takes to cover the mile could i work out my speed? Lets say it takes 15 minutes (and 60 minutes = 1 mile) that i would be travelling at 4 mph? Any advice would be greatly appreciated

As far as the Y bridles concerned i was thinking of putting a foam float half way to try and keep the rope up away from the outboard. I'm not sure but if im allowed to cook a bbq then maybe i'd be able to put up the tent at a mooring or pub but i'll definately have to speak to someone official about that. If not i'll ask various landowners in advance.

Hi everyone, My plan for the summer is to have a couple nights out on the broads camping and fishing. I was wondering if there were any rules as far as towing an inflatable boat were concerned. Me and my friend both have inflatable boats but i'll have an outboard on mine so the plan was to put all the fishing gear, tents, drinks etc in his boat and tow it behind mine. Also as the broads is famed for its scenery, would we be allowed to cook a smokey bbq at moorings or elsewhere. I've never seen anyone towing on the broads so it would helpfull to know if I'll get a "tap on the shoulder" from the BA. Many thanks Branden

Hi everyone, I've just got myself a little mariner outboard and i was wondering what oil mix it needs. Ive been told that the factory recommended is 100-1 but after doing a search on google, alot of people are saying 50-1. I was hoping someone on here could tell me the right mix. I'm also looking for some sort of manual for the outboard for reference if i need to do any repairs or maintenance. Im going to be taking it and the boat down to wells wednesday to test it out ( Mainly because i see no reason to buy the toll for the broads till i'll actually be using it after april) As usual any help will be greatly appreciated. Thank you

Hi everyone, not sure if this was the right place to post this. I bought a Seahawk 200 from outdoorleisuredirect on ebay a few months ago for £38 as a cheap mess around boat. I had a few goes on the river in norwich but after 5 punctures i retired it. For some reason its now currently selling for £299.97. Yes thats a price increase of £261.97 for the exact same boat with exact same accessories. I did contact the company to ask why they had jacked the price up but got no reply :/ Just wanted to warn anyone who was looking for an inflatable not to buy it. It was alright for £34 but don't be stung for £300 The link to the page is below... P.s Its still £38 on their offical website http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Intex-Seahawk ... 2a0be73cbc

Hi all im the original poster, I got what was needed from the tuition and it didnt come down to pay or anything else. The post was to ask advice on getting someone who hadn't used a boat before ready to get on the broads. I agree that learning how to do things on a boat yourself is part of the fun but also part of the risk with boat incidents along the broads. Im sure in current times anyone with a job is going to work their ass off to keep the job so they're not going to do just the minimum possible work.

It's good that its a flat rate for all boats and it doesn't work out much more for a years toll. Didn't the broads secure a grant for dredging so i guess that must of played a part inthe new toll decision. Just think, it could of been alot higher if they'd of wanted. :/

Thats a load off my mind. Good to know I've done all i can so fingers crossed. Thanks for posting

It would of been nice to have been sent the link to the broads better boating videos when i hired the boat so i could of studied the videos before i got the boat. I'll definately have the family watch them a few times. The problem was that the technical moves weren't taught but instead were shown in the written package which we read but reading and actually doing are so different. We were in a very large open section of water seperate from main river traffic when we learnt the controls which was good in that we had room to practise but useless as far as then trying to turn round on the main river was concerned. Also when we last hired we ran out of gas so phoned up and the gentleman talked us through switching to the second tank. I did appreciate being able to phone up with issues. I don't think it comes down to wages but if an extra charge could be payed to have someone come out on the boat for say an hour to teach you i think that sound a great idea. Im sure 1st time hirers would be more than willing to pay

Hi everyone Now as the days keep getting colder my sevylor's rolled up in its bag and stored in my shed. I'm slightly wary as to whether i need to do anything extra to make sure it stays in prime condition till its next use. I fully cleaned it and dried it before packing away as i always do ( hopefully this will prevent any musky smell). My worry is the possibility of mold as my old tent started going moldy in the same shed so could the same happen to the boat? On another note i'm really looking forward to next march when I'll get an outboard on the boat. It'll be great to go a bit further afield and explore more of the broads.

My grandad and uncle want to come along next summer when we hire a boat and of course they'll want to have a go at driving. The problem is that they've never even been on a boat let alone controlled one. When we got taught how to control our last hire boat boat it lasted 5 minutes max which taught us the VERY basics. Forward, backwards, mooring (excluding how to tie the ropes or an explanation on even what a mud weight was). Luckily we picked up what we needed to and common sense meant no crashes but i would of appreciated more training.

I Hope i would'nt have to mention as none are permanently fixed or electrical Ill definately have to look into that. If anyone wants me i'll the the person with the peacock feather hat and the diamond on a cane... Its a pimps life for me

Very true the last thing i want is to be without my boat. I just worry under what circumstances the insurance would pay out. The process must be different from driving on the road where theres eye witnesses and cameras

Hey Swordfish. Its lucky i stumbled upon your post. I regularly moor at the same spot (outside the whetherspoon if im correct) to pop in for a meal and a drink. Ive yet to receieve any problems but i may of been lucky that no rangers went past. I did get a rollocking though when i stopped near riverside gym because my fishing box had spilled open in my inflatable luckily no fine though

I was ranting when i said that, my point was that with insurance or not I'd still manouver in the exact same way on the broads following all the guidelines. I simply meant that i was annoyed at the extra charge for insurance which i havn't needed for the past year but once i put a motor on I'll then need it. We row at about a walking speed 3mph (when our lungs are alive) the engine will mean we'll b travelling at 4mph but will also be able to manouver quicker in an emergency situation so I'll be even less likely to crash.

A master of the water wouldn't You tend to find those with insurance would be more inclined to risky behaviour because of the fall back of a tasty cheque. I feel the insurance companies would always take the word of the the larger boat owner so I'd be screwed over even if i wasnt at fault. I'll buy the insurance but i wont be smiling when i do.

Hello, I use an inflatable tender as my main boat on the broads (I'm a simple man). I've decided to keep myself busy by fixing up the boat. So far i've made 2 fishing rod holders, a mudweight, seat bag storage and a waterproof cover for the bow. All thats left is putting an outboard on when the new toll year begins. After great advice in a previous post im going for a 2hp outboard (not electric). I've checked the tolls and was slightly shocked at the price increase but decided it was fair enough. I then noticed that I would need to also buy insurance aswell??? I guess my question is whether i should also fit metal spikes to the front of my boat so that if i do hit anyone rather than bounce off.... you get the idea that I'm being sarcastic. I do find it a cheek though that a sailing dinghy swerving across the water non stop doesn't need insurance but my boat going in a straight line is deemed more likely to cause damage.

In that case i think it'd be worth getting a decent petty motor. I've heard theres a place at ludham bridge that has some good 2nd hand ones. Ive got £250 max to spend so im not sure if thats enough but seeing as i'll be using it for days out and about it seems the best option. Id rather take the risk of petrol than the risk of sinking due to heavy batteries which i can only use for an hour

I hadn't even considered the weight of batteries. Could i not have a lighter weight car or motorbike battery as an emergency back up? Also something i was wondering is whether you could charge a battery anywhere along the broads, like at the various boat charging points. I'm really looking at electric over petrol ( although i see the advantages of petrol motors) I do prefer how quiet the electric motors are and i can't snuff the 30% reduction for a years toll.

Yeah that was me. Its a Sevylor tmt260 tender So basically a dinghy. I have between 2-3 people and fishing gear all together weighing about 300kg that need pushing along so thats why i need advice on the electric outboards.

Hello again. After all the help i received on my last post i thought why not use everyone else to make my decision Basically i've been offered a rhino vx44 trolling motor for a very cheap price off an old friend, but i've been saving for a minn kota c2. My issue is whether to buy the rhino or the minn kota because toll wise i can only afford one. In the Norwich area everyone seems to use the minn kota and i cant find any descent reviews of rhino motors so im worried they might be a bit crappy. If anyone has experience with either motor then your reviews would be extremely helpful. Thanks Everyone in advance

Thanks for the quick response everyone. Good to know theres a couple of places around to check out. Slightly confused about taking a stick to brian ward (beating a good price i guess). Comparing the cast iron weights (ebay) to shop bought mud weights, does the shape make any difference whatsoever to drag. The last thing i want to see is the boat floating away with a trail of mud rising behind it. Im thinking if i take both an anchor and mud weight i can always see which i get on better with.

Hello, i'm new to the broads side of boating. I've finally got my head around things like tolls and 24 hour moorings etc but one thing im confused about is mud weights. Im used to boating by the sea so I've always used a traditional anchor, but after talking to a few people whilst out on the boat i got told to get myself a mudweight or id get hooked in all the braches in the river. My question is where do i get a mud weight from? Its not something i've come across before. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.