johnm

There appears to be a common mis-conception here and in several other places that water-ski boats are designed to create a large wake. This is incorrect, a low wash hull is ideal! When looking to waterski, you should be looking for a boat that creates the minimum amount of wash as the wake disrupts your ability to cut from one side of the boat to the other - vital in slalom skiing and also helpful for less experienced folk on 2 skis. The only part exception to this is for 'trick' skiing but then you are down to such low speeds (approx 10kts vice 20-30kts) that the boat will inevitably be creating a lager wash as it sits off the plane and in semi-displacement mode. The difference comes when you move to these stupid wakeboard things where the whole need is for a large wake. Unfortunately boats designed for this are then used for other purposes and give well designed and operated ski-boats a bad name. (In order to clarify, I do not ski on or near the Broads but learnt 40 years ago on the south coast. My boat, a 50 year old 14' Westcraft Watson with a 90HP creates an 18-24" wash at 10kts and <6" at 25-30kts - never actually bent down to measure it but...)

With the grey sky and rain out of my window in southern Broadland at the moment, you're welcome to it

you and me both, Q

BTW - thread drift or what?!!

Mojo, We all partake in sport for a challenge! Why would anyone climb Everest, go white water rafting or even 18 holes of golf? I've sailed all over the world and been more challenged in some places than others by weather, tides and beer but one of the greatest technical sailing challenges I have completed was to sail a Hunter Lullaby up the Ant in light winds. There was no great reason to do it other than the sheer personal enjoyment and sense of achievement. Please note that it was done mid-week, out of the main season and that no were harmed in the achievement of this feat

Did my usual morning check of river levels this morning and was re-directed to the new .GOV Live Flood Warnings Service https://flood-warning-information.service.gov.uk/ from which you head to the river and sea levels area https://flood-warning-information.service.gov.uk/river-and-sea-levels Apparently a 'Beta' service at the moment but already an improvement (IMHO) with a 5 day record of levels and an easy map-based search of additional local data spots at the foot of the page under the ‘Broaden your search’ tab. I just wish they would improve the update rate which still seems to be stuck at once a day at 0430! My usual target is the Repps gauge on the Thurne (https://flood-warning-information.service.gov.uk/station/6217) which combined with the webcam at The Bridge lets me know if the bungalow is likely to be seen trying to knock the bridge down. I also suspect that they are transferring the various sections of the EA site and that the Flood Warnings page on the EA site will probably also disappear in the near future and be included in the .GOV site. Edit just to add that if the Mods feel this is better elsewhere, then please move it.

Sometimes its all even in one piece - don't forget to check it all for holes when you come out of hibernation

Fairly sure that the BA would class that as a PWC and not allow a toll for it. Mind you, great way to be able to get through The Bridge

"As you correctly say I have posted this in a number of places and in general there is a high degree of support." I count 16 respondents here with 7 in another place (at least one of whom is a double poster) and not all of those are supportive. Given the 1.058 views here and 820 elsewhere it would suggest that there are a significantly larger group of people who cannot be bothered to comment and, if they are anything like me, probably remember previous similar moans and are bored of the ongoing circular discussion. You chose to base your boat here; you, presumably, looked into the toll rules and accepted them when you first decided to base on the Broads; you chose to remain based on the Broads and even embarked on another boat sale. ​To me it sounds like sour grapes and a sadly tedious continuation of BA bashing. Purely my opinion of course and you will disagree and the round-robin of bitterness will continue but without me.

Baitrunner, One thing for sure, when the long horizontal stick swings across you'd better duck, cos if you don't you'll certainly grouse and might even go for a swim!

Baitrunner, I can try to help but, being only a simple saily this could be difficult When you've tied the big rag (mainsail) to the little sticks (boom and gaff) and then hung it all off the big stick (mast) you need a way to hang on to them and try to get the wind to push you along. You do this by tying a bit of string (mainsheet) to the far end of the of the bottom little stick. This can be a bit hard to hang on to and risks spillage of the G&T if the arm gets too tired so you can make it easier by feeding the string through some pulleys (blocks) to make it less difficult to pull on - apparently there is some technical engineering principle involved here but sails are genetically unable to explain this because the word engine is involved . The ratchet block being referred to above is a way of making it even easier to hang onto the string because the wheely thing in the middle of the pulley wotsit has some sort of grippy teeth things that help to stop the string slipping on the sheave and also engage with some sort of rackety geary thing that only lets the wheely thing rotate in one direction. Again, engineering principles are involved here so there is no possibility of a saily being able to understand or explain it. The common approach in this situation is just to find the one that looks shiniest and costs the most because that means it must be the best bit of kit for the job

Done. Carol, PM sent

Spider, Indeed it is as anyone who has ever quanted a boat more than 100yds or so will vouch!

AlexandLorna, I suggest that you actually take the time to look at the local navigation Byelaws - they are readily available here: http://www.broads-authority.gov.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0008/399230/Navigation_Byelaws_1995-1.pdf If you did, you might note that Byelaw 23 specifically notes: Subject to the requirements of Byelaw 15: (a) The master of a power-driven vessel underway shall keep his vessel out of the way of: (i) a vessel not under command; (ii) a vessel restricted in its ability to manoeuvre; (iii) a sailing vessel; (iv) a quanted vessel. Byelaw 15 does allow that if the qaunted vessel is overtaking, then he has to keep out of the way of anything he is overtaking however unlikely that may be! Deliberate negligence I cannot abide and agree that the perpetrators should be reported. However, accepting that the Broads sees all sorts of novices in all sorts of craft, when the conditions become marginal and some of these novices (and possibly other more experienced folk) get caught out might it possibly be more helpful all round if bystanders offered assistance and encouragement instead of standing by and glowering disapprovingly.

Self defined then! Back to the tiling... how are you on Galleys I know of an exclusive cruise line that uses a very smart grey livery that could benefit from some of that work in their galley and heads areas; not many, only 20 or so

ROFLMAO! Best laugh I've had in weeks

I don't understand the point of your question; surely the sign is abundantly clear? If it says "No Fishing" and there is no other information, then it means NO FISHING from bank or boat!

One show tonight (25/9) about 16 minutes in, a four minute or so section about the swallows that have taken to nesting on the Lady Anne. I knew this had been filmed but not when it would be shown. Tonight I walked in half way through. However, it is now on the I Player For those not in the know Ross runs the river wildlife tours from Horsey Staithe. He is very knowledgeable and quite a characters well! Hopefully this will give him a well earned boost, although I am sure he would rather it had been aired a bit sooner!!

Polly, It would be Brilliant to see you! Don't forget there are other events in the Upper Thurne rag hanging calendar as well - Horsey Regatta (probably 2nd w/e in May) and the Hickling Broad Village Regatta (usually 2nd w/e in Aug but generally appears in the Green Book) - all events best suited to socialites with a minor racing habit

I'm sure there will be in time (I saw a few cameras being waved about) but none from our perspective - too busy either trying to stay upright or find the next big gust and go quicker!

Well, that was fun! About 13 boats ranging from a dinghy through several half-deckers up to the River Cruisers and production yachts. A decent if gusty blow on the Broad and the usual iffy wind on the river (particularly on the Whiteslea corner). Congrats to all who took part for keeping it mostly friendly on the water and convivial off it. Special thanks to the Commodore for arranging it all and for getting the timings just about right - I mean, who cares if the start goes a minute early really? The best bit of all, I kept the boat upright (ish) and most of the water where it belongs - outside the boat!

Latest forecast is showing NE 10kts gusting 15kts with little cloud, so conditions should be almost perfect. I look forward to seeing any saily lurkers there - it could be a Brilliant day

For those who enjoy hanging the washing out or just want a pleasant day out, the MBA Autumn Passage Race will be sailed on Sunday September 14th, 10.30am register and race brief for 11am start. Meeting point at the Pleasure Boat Dyke Hickling, come along and enjoy a friendly race or even just a chat. It would be Brilliant to see some old friends and meet new ones. It's a great day out for social types with a sailing habit - competitive instincts not required just don't get in my way!

This was possibly one of the most incredible pieces of theatre that I ahve ever seen! The storyline is Morpurgo at his best and the puppeteers have made such an in depth study of horses that their work is almost indistinguishable from the actions of the real thing! If you get the chance - GO! - you will not regret it

Try the details at this link http://www.visitnorfolk.co.uk/explore-n ... urchesboat