brandenjg

I have a 19ft dawncraft, picture a rectangle floating block and that's essentially the shape of my boat. I always go the speed limit as have apps running to track speed. I currently have a 20hp fitted which is perfect as having a few more mph available means I dont have to run the engine full throttle to fight tides and wind. The reason behind wanting a new outboard is my last journey to Oulton broad resulted in me being pushed into moored boats as the engine cut out. The time it took me to open the engine bay and get the outboard pull started a crash was inevitable. If I had an electric start I could of kept an eye on the moored boats whilst push starting engine. If it didn't start I could of jumped out grabbed hold of another boat long enough to secure the boat. Branden

My logic (which is normally illogical) is that the companies would build more short shafts as they're more popular which would make the price of long shafts more as they would be harder to acquire as there would be less available.

He's been in touch and nothing in my price range :/ But would be able to afford a long shaft electric start outboard? Never understood why short shafts cost more used. Looks like I'll have to hold out and see what comes up online.

I've gone the Facebook route as if he has any in, he may be able to send me photos so I can see the condition before going to wayford. Either way I'll head there eventually, but I went there last year to buy a boat which turned out to be too much of a project for me. If I'd of been able to see photos I wouldn't of made the trip. Branden

It would be around £2500 to £3000 for a new outboard which is way too much to put on a boat like mine. I've sent John a friend request on Facebook as he's always advertising engines but Never puts a price on the picture. Even when people request a price he always replies to come down and have a look. I'd like a rough idea of price before I make the journey. Branden

Hi everyone, I'm hoping someone might know a few places that sell used outboards in the Norfolk, Suffolk area. So far I've had no luck finding anything. I'm looking for a 15-30hp short shaft electric start with remote. The budget is £800- £1500 depending in condition. I've been browsing Gumtree and eBay for a couple months with no luck. I've checked Norfolk Marine and bridge stores so far. Thanks in advance Branden

Gorilla glue can be used for pretty much everything

Test, test, tickle, tickle

Were the £15 vouchers solely for use on the product you'd made the complaint against? If so it's a bit of a cheeky gesture offering you more of the product you don't want Branden

Saw Lightning moored at Bramerton yesterday, all hooked up to electric. I was fishing and it got to the point where I was starting to freeze so headed home for a nice warm roast. Hope whoever was on-board had a good night. Branden

Either we were going down the new cut at the same time or the helicopter is a regular occurance Branden.

Saw this land in a garden on my last trip out

Just spotted this on Edp http://www.edp24.co.uk/news/discarded_coke_bottle_device_which_could_help_save_lives_trialled_on_north_norfolk_coast_1_4768472 If it turns out to be safe and reliable it'll be a great bit of kit. If it worked with wine bottles it would be popular on the Broads Branden

It would probably be used as a place to pay mooring fees once Thorpe council take over the moorings Or even have recording equipment installed to spy on Roger and the liveaboards. Or it could be converted into a nice cover for some bins so boaters can dispose of their rubbish. Or more likely it would be a big expense with no real use like many of the BA's projects. Branden

I'd recommend any cree torch you can find. I get mine from Aldi as they have them in regularly for less than a tenner . A cheap cree torch is in my opinion better than an expensive torch with a regular bulb or led. Branden

When I had my BSS I was told I didn't need the centre white light, just my red and green so I removed the centre light. To be fair the centre light ruined night vision completely. I find after a couple of minutes with no lights on my eyes are fully adjusted. My first cruise from Norwich to Oulton in the dark almost ended up with me hitting the brick block in the middle of the water as you leave the new cut and turn the corner. Some hirers can't see in the daytime so I dread to think what they're like at night. Branden

The 1k budget is for a floating shell. I estimate another thousand for a half decent engine then about the same again to fit out internally. I'd hope to shave atleast £500 off internals by using bits of my dandy E.g electric tap, solar panel, stereo, mud weights, ropes etc. The plan behind such a low starting budget is to spend a good 6-12 months laying out the boat internally exactly how we need it. I've got loads of spare bits and ideas that wouldn't fit on my dandy, but would work on a slightly wider boat. unfortunately any boat would have to be in Norfolk in order for me to able to view and collect as I don't drive I would be relying on relatives to collect. Thank you for the suggestion I realised Norfolk is always pricey when it comes to boats

I can work with anything with an internal width of around 7ft so 7ft 5 overall would work. Above 23ft would mean needing to find a new mooring, more cost overall as far as tax etc. I've not sold my dandy yet as plan to strip parts to reuse in a new boat instead of selling it and having to pay for all new bits. Selling would open up funds but I know how hard it can be to sell a dandy. I'd be better stripping it and selling as a project for a couple hundred. Branden

Im planning to have a trip out there this week to see what he's got in at the moment. I did notice the Freeman mk1 on his site but doesn't say how wide. Branden

Hello all, for a few months now I've been looking around online for a new project boat without any luck. What I'm looking for is a widebeam boat either 22 or 23ft long. The only makes I've found are viking or Freeman boats which both seem to be beyond my price range. What I'm hoping for is if anyone knows any names of boats to keep an eye out for as no one seems to put the width of the boat on their Gumtree ads. condition wise I'm looking for floating with no leaks under the waterline and must have windows. Budget at the moment is around 1k for the bare bones of the boat. Reason for needing an upgrade is a disabled relative has taken a very keen interest in boating and has been coming along with me every time I go to the boat and has caught the bug. He's decided he'd like to go half's on a boat so need to find a proper 4 berth with the extra width for room to walk through. Thanks in advance Branden

I'm finally at the stage with my boat where no jobs need doing. I can just jump on and go. Then I get told my brother in law is finally starting work on my old boat. The 18ft Europa 4 I sold him when I bought my dawncraft dandy 2 years ago. The poor boat has been stuck on the trailer for over a year waiting be worked on. The boats been stripped out and 80% rubbed down. I went to have a look and offer advice. Underside is near enough immaculate, the transom is..... What transom? The wood had turned to complete mulch. That's going to be a fun job. More as and when I get updates. P.s he only has 28 days to complete the project including a 10 day holiday and work commitments.

I can't see the need for a dishwasher on a boat. If your too lazy to wash your own wine glasses by hand I dread the state of the rest of the boat after a jolly down the waterways branden

If they attach scrubbing brushes to the underside of the bridges on the broads then the hire boats could have a quick clean as people scrape the boats through them (tounge in cheek)

Hi robin I have a bit of a beginners question regarding your videos. How do you keep the quality so good when you upload to YouTube. I've just uploaded a couple of videos for friends to see and the video quality has dropped dramatically. I've used the GoPro suite to format the video to the best quality for YouTube and it's made the video look washed out. Your videos are always so crisp and that's what makes them great for watching on the TV. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Branden

Is there a season for crayfish? I ask as a week before the fiahing season started I spotted a chap mud weighted in the middle of the water just outside brundall with about 6 keep nets in the water and about 5 buckets on the small boat. I've spotted the chap about 4-5 times since speeding about over the speed limit. I assumed he was part of one of the agencies. I believe I have some photos somewhere I could try and pm you them. Branden