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LondonRascal
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Posts posted by LondonRascal
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The absolute worse are the Faircraft Loynes low wash hulls - with all their sharp chines and crevasses which while effective at low speeds for reducing wash, at higher speeds cause a horrendous stern wave and drag.
But, other 'planning' style boats like Brinks Belmore and Brinks Royale cause similar where the small wavelets hit, the only boats to be free from this are those with a rounded smooth bow - bathtubs for example. If you turn the boat around your be ok for a bit until the tide change direction - it is just one of those things to get used to and after a while, I at least did.
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Well, in my experiences things have been rectified while I am out on hire should I find an issue, or so far as Richardon's or Barnes Brinkcraft go have been noted on an actual printed form for the very purpose of reporting defects. In fact at Richardson's the chap came onto the boat to see and a small weeping leak from the inlet stroke on the handle of the toilet (e.g river water not foul water) and such was noted for fixing.
It can depend on time of year, number of boats, type of fault, number of staff etc but the worse thing is telling seasonal staff on a Saturday as they fill up the boat with fuel 'by the way such and such is not working' because you can bet your boots they will smile and say 'yep cheers' and go no further. Get someone in overalls or the section leader.
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I really cannot see the issue. People complain about lack of moorings, they also complain about how funds are used by the Broads Authority, and I;d agree they could be used better - but they are not and that is where we are. As a result when leases come to ends, the Broad Authority no longer try and negotiate renewal of the Lease if the landowner is seeking an increase in premium.
So in the case of the moorings at Horning, they have been previously free for use under Lease to the Broads Authority then closed off, then opened back up all under the ownership of the Ferry Inn, and now under ownership of Mr Knight at Ferry Marina. This all does cost money, not just to Lease them, but the obligations to look after them so if such is not being paid for out of Tolls income as would be the case if Broads Authority leased, what should one realistically do - Spend a fortune to Lease moorings and maintain them but out of the goodness of your heart let anyone use them for nothing?
This approach of the 'mooring meter' is a good one. It is a more formal arrangement than a tin box to put some money in, and it does not require the constant visiting of a Warden to collect money and issue receipts such as happens at other locations - Salhouse for one.
I am sure a good number of boats will moor and not bother to get a mooring ticket, and I suspect too there won't me much 'policing' going on so that gets around the issue of PCN's being issued for non-payment or overstaying - have we info on any sort of penalties or has so far talk of such been based on assumption?
I say it is more to see how often people do bother to pay, but I don't think the idea of pay to moor is wrong one bit. It would perhaps be nice if for payments you got more back (as I have said in my long posts of the past on the subject) but while this is not as technically advanced as some of my ideas, it at least brings an easy, semi-autonomous way for people to pay to moor and I suspect it won't have been lost on others this could be the future, perhaps also for coin-op water refilling if not for mooring. My prediction: More of this to come in the future but from the Broads Authority themselves.
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I just wanted to say this out loud so speak. You see we may not be the biggest of Forums for boating, but I have learnt in the last few days, what a really good bunch of people we have here. You can post just about anything and get helpful, constructive support or advice or ideas and everyone will chip in and share their opinion. It is great.
I won't say which, but I joined a couple of other Forums to ask some questions and the snide remarks and general reactions I got as a new poster just showed what a nice decent place the NBN is. You are not taken for a fool here, or judged, you are not looked down upon or made to feel foolish because of something you may have asked being simple so well done - it just goes to show when you look about outside our community how harsh others can be.
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How long is a piece of string? It really depends on the boat, the owner and what they wish to achieve. May hire boats do not have the usual anti-foul one may get for their own boat - I forget the name of it, but is a cheaper black paint (is it tar based) anyway, it does the job perfectly well.
If you own a boat you've got some choices on what to use - and they vary in cost (and colour). You could have a soft eroding anti-foul which as its name suggests rubs off and as it does so, anything trying to adhere to the hull and grow also has a hard time staying. The other choice is a hard anti-foul that works more on a chemical scale; it too will erode but fundamentally is a horrible place of organism's to live so they stay away.
If we take B.A as an example then every two years she is taken out the water, pressure washed to get the worst off then gone at with a coarse 'green pad' to remove any build up and hit again with a pressure washer and left to dry. Now once the coating gets too much and might be flaking in some areas and not in others, sanding may be required. Then it is a case of laying down on your back with a roller and painting it on.
Anti-foul is a horrible chemical laden product, not something you want getting in your eyes and mouth so suitable protection should be worn - and if sanding (and especially dry sanding) a full face respiratory is needed to keep the harmful dust out of your lungs. It goes on easy enough but is the pain in any boat owners side, and why to many boatyards makes up their 'bread and butter' of work often offering a haul out, wash, application and haul back in for an all in figure priced per foot.
It is also a good time to check the underwater gear, such as prop, rudder and bearings of the rudder and cutlass bearings and change Anodes which wear away and help protect other metals and it is for this reason sacrificial anodes should never be coated with anti-foul.
Here is a basic run down:
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Oh yes some good old medicated loo roll, then wash hands with some Coal Tar Soap and some TCP mouthwash to finish it off and you're ready to go and hit Yarmouth for a night of jollity.
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Boats want having Tecma branded toilets - they have half horsepower motors so I am told and capable of dispatching with the most persistent of deposits.
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There are all sorts of people, and for all sorts of reasons who choose this as a way of living and I appreciate their circumstances may mean this is all they can afford and might be the difference between a safe and sheltered bed or a doorway in a high street. But what I don't understand is the lack of pride.
It is not about spending out for expensive items, new fenders, re-painting etc it is about getting some cheap and simple cleaning supplies from Poundland and washing down the boat. Maybe that is just me, but I'd want to make what I had at least clean, tidy and the best I could make it.
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I have a real soft spot for this boat. I hired her for a week, got home and two weeks later was back on her for a fortnight.
Very easy to handle and not as high as you might think – so Ludham Bridge even when stated less than 8’ 6” is very doable. What I especially liked was the large forward cabin and comfy double something you’d not usually expect on a compact boat.
Have a great time on the water.
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Hi, welcome on board. You've made a great start showing you need not be techy to talk here, but being a bit mad and having a love of the Broads always helps :)
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Trev: She is lying in Plymouth now. My concern is the bearings above all, perhaps also because currently I don't know how easy they are to get to but from the photos of where her rudders are, they seem right back partially under the bathing platform. Under the aft double is the main water tank so you bet the linkages and auto-helm driver unit will be down behind the damn tank. I might need to employ a skinnier person than me lol
Paul: The Trader you linked to is decent, but did you read it has 'flush mounted parking sensors' in the swim platform, and LED outside lights. I'd just need to add a back up beeper to complete the set up. Mind you for a 1999 she is good value but seems a little 'squished' internally trying to have all the elements as the larger 535 but pushed together.
40Somthing: I agree and am fortunate that I won't be needing to go getting into borrowing but I'd like to think that the boat won't suffer an engine blowup. I think if I wanted to get something that might be easier to sell on I'd get a Broom, a Princess or a Beneteau. The below was the opening line of the Brokers email to me which said a lot and made me think right off the bat as buyer I am very much in the driving seat:
"Thank you for your enquiry - Unfortunately as with many Traders since the demise of Tarquin Boat Company and the general collapse in the boat market, many boats have been on the market for an average of 3-5 years and this is no exception."
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I agree Doug, in fact I would go as far to say that the Surveyor is as good as a chap sat on a fence who says there is a problem, but when asked how bad simply replies "I'd not like to say". They will go for the cautious approach every time, I guess that is to be expected.
I just imagine in this case I am going to find some small panel, and down some dark hole with a torch you see the top of the valve and nobody has been able to get to it since the boat was constructed. Time will tell, I doubt will be able to film anything but will take photos when I go along and naturally share here :)
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Got the Survey Reports scanned for some light reading:
Fair Trader
Lily Jean
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6 minutes ago, WherryNice said:
Presumeably the turbo wash would also clear out the rest of the intake system as well as once in the turbo inlet it will get blown through the combustion chamber as well
Yes, you can but seeing a chap spray a garden hose into a turbo after squirting in dish soap into it did not make me at all comfy and the final freshen up with Febreze was the final straw
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Smelly Loo: the main cost to consider after purchase is length and weight - since that effects where and how much you will be charged for a lift out.
If I was going to buy a cheaper and older boat let’s say 25 years old at half the cost, while I would have a boat, it would (to me) feel almost as if I was doing it simply to get any old sea boat.
This began for me, looking at boats, working out things maybe 5 years ago now. But it really ramped up about 18 months ago when I began spending a lot of time looking at various boats, models and so on. I identified that what I wanted firstly was space so that took me o begin looking at 45ft plus, it needed and at least 4 berths, ideally 6 and just that requirement really narrowed the market mainly as most power boat owners seem to prefer something in the 35ft to 40ft range and are happy with a 4 berth.
Let’s say I did get a 25 year old, 44ft at this sort of age attention and care tends to slip down the order of priorities as engines no longer have genuine parts fitted because it is 25 years old now, more owners during her life often means more tinkering and DIY jobs have been done – but it is ok, its 25 years old now so what do you expect?
I save money on the purchase, the excitement soon would soon pass and I would be standing in the saloon one day looking at the dated headlining, upholstery, carpets with my hands on my hips thinking’s ‘it’s all got to be changed’ and then ‘casting my eyes over the dated electronics and knowing was lay beneath my feet. Before I knew it I’d be getting estimates for a re-power and goodness knows what else.
I can’t just accept and make do I guess.
Jonathan: The boat is called Lily Jean that was me making a mistake – cheers for pointing it out lol.
I’d imagine that where these two offending sea cocks are is going to be located will need some deconstruction of the interior at the very least, but more likely actually need some cutting of interior wood and/or fibre glass to get at them and once got at, then fashion an inspection hatch/cover installed. That is labour charges to do a pain in the backside job and that is where you got price drops on your side as a buyer.
I am sure if you went over Surveys from various boats of this age you are going to find issue. I know a different kettle of fish, but do all owners of boats on the Broads have their boats out the water every two years, have all the underwater gear checked, anodes replaces, anti-foul removed and fresh applied? No, just as it goes with many larger sea boats. I get the feeling the owners have not used her much more than short hopes out to the nearest buoy and back on a summers day, and only in recent times wanting to sell have thought 'ahh we need to do some actual work under the water'.
I will be heading for a viewing as soon as I can get time to. With Fair Trader I was going to (should I like the boat when their) skip deposit and survey and trip up the seller with a surprise low offer ‘cash this afternoon’ and it is off your hands. I can’t do that realistically with Lily Jean.
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I was reading the Yanmar service manual last night (what reverting fun it was) and was surprised to see and then found it was correct, that they recommend a Turbo Wash. You buy what is effectively a very strong detergent from Yanmar, run the engine under load to 80% WOT, remove the air filter and spray the mix into the Turbo – then follow with water. This removes crud and flash boils the water to steam to then clean the Turbo out. Seems the boating community is split 50/50 on this. Some will point to many cases of doing similar with engines others astounded you would knowing put water into the air intake and Turbo – there is a video on You Tube that made me want to hide behind the sofa watching it happen – but apparently this is all ‘as per the manual’.
Part of the schedule I would have for the boat anyway would be a complete replacements of all sea cocks (and this may make some of you spill your Coffee - with plastic sea cocks)
So if I can get on with two toilet ones first that would help in the long term. I still worry more about engineering in so far as the engines that I know so little about, compared to things like pipes, bearings and valves that are more straight forward.
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Trev, thanks for the input - it what makes this community such a great place, many people with various skills and ideas to put in and help.
So another update, I've had some more information and a 2012 Survey sent to me on boat 2. To avoid confusion here Boat 1 is named ‘Fari Trader’ and boat 2 is named ‘Lily Jean’.
The Survey Report on Fair Trader was commissioned by the owners and not part of a pre-purchase survey. It had 3 recommendations – two of which were to do with the area of Osmosis on the Starboard side below the chine. Have the boat out of the water if possible over winter, monitor the Osmosis blistering and continue with the ongoing maintenance program generally.
The Survey Report for LilyJean was commissioned by the prospecting buyer in 2012. Who knows if it was a result of this or not, but that transaction did not proceed. The Survey Report has 12 recommendations – two serious, the others not and they are:
Note:
- A condition which requires immediate repair which if left unattended may affect the safety of the vessel. These recommendations should be undertaken before the vessel is used again.
- A condition which may require repair or renewal within an expected time period of one sailing season (March to October) or similar. This may include major items. No guarantee can be given that items will last for this period of time.
- A condition which requires repair or renewal in order to enhance the cosmetic appearance of the vessel
1A/ The waste tank discharge shut off valve should be serviced.
2A/ Access should be improved to the forward heads discharge shut off valve and master cabin heads discharge valve. The forward heads discharge shut off valve and master cabin heads discharge shut off valve should be tested in order to ensure their integrity.
3A/ As a precaution the air conditioning shut off valve flexible hose, located aft of the port engine, should be replaced.
4B/ The single blister (6mm) should be ground out, dried and the cavity filled and faired with an epoxy.
5B/ The wear to the rudder bearings should be further investigated and remedial work undertaken in order to avoid unsceduled maintenance.
6B/ The undersides should be prepared to a good standard prior to providing an pplication of anti-fouling.
7B/ The sacrificial anodes should be replaced
8B/ The earthing plate should be cleaned of anti fouling contamination.
9B/ The minor corrosion to the external portlight frames should be further investigated and remedial work undertaken.
10C/ The rust staining adjoining the portlights should be removed as and where necessary in order to be restored to a good standard of presentation.
11C/ The above waterline hull should be cleaned in order to be restored to a good standard of presentation.
12C/ The bathing platform teak overlay should be cleaned in order to be restored to a good standard of presentation.
Blimey – you think that is a great deal of issues and problems, but let’s narrow it down so far as I see it actually narrows down to only three issues:
1. The waste tank discharge shut off valves are effectively sea-cocks, I’d rather not simple service them but prefer to have them removed and new ones put in and they are not crazy expensive items to procure. The actual problem and issue I find more intriguing is in the body of the report whereby it states:
“The adjoining shut off valves and engine sea cocks were inspected. The shut off valves and sea cocks were tested however the forward heads discharge shut off valve and master cabin heads discharge valve were found to be obstructed preventing satisfactory access in the event of emergency closure being required, or for testing purposes."
Obstructed preventing satisfactory access – hmm. Now this to me says that they have sat wherever they are since 2002 and nobody has been able to get to them to test them, and why might that be? I bet you because some numpty in the building of the boat built something over them, be it furniture, toilet pedestal so the real issue is going to be getting the access to them and providing an inspection hatch.
2. The rudder bearings – I wonder if they have been addressed and if not how one can gain access to drop the rudders. I suspect through the aft cabin sole and since the boat has an auto-helm and the drivers for this would need to have been fixed to the rudder system, access can’t be too painful.
3. The corrosion of the port lights. What bothers me here is something has gone wrong, they should be Stainless and are corroding so is it the fixtures or actual frame and since the company that original built the boats has folded, although there is another now taking on these as ‘Explorers’ how easy and at what cost could new port lights be found. These sort of things I only will know when I inspect the boat personally (hopefully in the next 10-14 days). If it is just some of the fixtures that is not so much of an issue, if it is the frames of the port lights this is a biggy and potentially will allow water in too.
Now here is my best guess. Back in 2012 these boats were silly priced and I recon the seller was holding out on not reducing the price down enough and the buyer walked away. 5 years later the boat has dropped in value considerably and the general ‘boat market’ has not had the best of times. It might well be that following that report, the owner bucked up their ideas as to maintenance and did themselves carry out the works and if they say they did I won’t just take their word by will want to see evidence and invoices of such.
If however they did not carry out the work other than to ensure the anodes are sorted, the anti-foul is done, the decks are cleaned, the gel coat has a cut and polish and the issues with the tank discharge valves, port lights and rudder bearings have been left then I am actually a little pleased – as I can have a far bigger bargaining tool on this boat than Fair Trader who is seemingly far more sound.
I like Lily Jean a lot more than Fair Trader. She has a more recent and comprehensive navigation package, she has a nicer and more practical layout with a settee and arm chair but then a fixed table and seating to starboard for eating at. She has a Williams Rib, a larger sized fridge freezer, dishwater, washer dryer and nicer heads and the helm is to port which I much prefer and am used to than with many a sea boat being to starboard. But above all her engines and drive train just simply has not seen the long hard working hours of Fair Trader. Even if (and it does not seem to be the case) things like oil and filter changes had not been done as should at 250hr intervals, she has only done 560hrs so it almost like saying if she only had one fluid change all is not lost.
The CATs on Fair Trader are approaching 2,000hrs of use that goes for the gear boxes too, bearings and seals everything on her has been used more, longer and she has travelled further. I have a gut feeling that something might happen that I will suddenly need to attend to and it cost a fortune because something mechanical has gone bad and I need a CAT specialist to come in.
LilyJean has her flaws – but I think I could enquire on every Trader in the country and of this vintage and fine issues but I am more happy dealing with sea cocks, bearings and polishing gel coat than worrying about what’s under the cabin sole.
So, what are the collective thoughts on the above?
(Some recent photos I was sent below of LilyJean )
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I am more annoyed that in all my ideas of pay to moor, I never thought this one up. Self contained, solar powered - brilliant. The real key is how much it will cost, but as far as a pay to moor policy for privately run and maintained moorings, I don't think that is unfair to expect people to pay.
Putting things in to perspective, I've learnt recently that to moor for one night in Ibiza town marina would set you back over €600.00 - so a couple of quid to moor on the Broads seems like peanuts.
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When I take over a hire boat, first thing is stash the pain in he backside aerial somewhere and leave it there - I don;t do telly and DVDs when I've been on my own, I sort of become a different version of me. Mellow, some wine, classic FM on low, cook, look out the window and everything seems just right with the world.
Try doing that at home and I feel thoroughly bored and soon am reaching for the TV remote.
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Well thanks for the comments and thoughts and advice this has attracted – not a great deal to say today but I am leaning toward the other boat (boat 2) but I have been looking last night into the Yanmar engines.
It is fair to say that with engine manufacture you will have the fans and then those who think you must be mad. One thing that always makes me smile is when people refer to engines as being ‘bullet proof’ and not letting them down (insert list shocking but true events) and still the old girl went on smooth as butter they say.
Engines for many years now have been developed and manufactured with such fine tolerances and often are derived from other markets before being marinised. As Neil said how far and varied Volvo engines have got, but it also depends on location and what is popular in your country. We don’t see as man pleasure craft here with CATS or Cummins in – yet in America they are everywhere and so many swear by them.
Anyway, I was going over some of the photos of boat 1 (CAT engined model) and I can see on both engines there has been some works on the front where what appears to be the oil cooler is (located under the coolant header tank). The paint has been removed around the gasket and nuts, then you can see gasket sealant goo has been forced out as the nuts were then torqued down. This was not removed and once the job was complete the paint was not re-applied. This then is like an ‘open wound’ waiting for corrosion to set in to this area.
I think generally this boat suffers from a lot of salt mist getting into her engine bay as many models I see have more corrosion generally than other boats of similar age.
There are a number of other things on the first boat that would need attending to some of which are minor and to be expected, but the fact the Copper Coat on the hull was not in the best of shape in 2015 can only have gotten worse now, if I was to opt for this boat that would need addressing. It is a big job and expensive stuff to buy let alone have applied and one would have hoped it last for more than 7 years, but it has begun to peel and crack and there are numerous air bubbles under the surface telling me it was never applied satisfactorily to begin. I understand that Copper Coat would need to be removed if one reverted back to standard anti-foul too.
Of course this sort of things can be calculated into to negotiations on price but boat 2 seems a bit more ‘looked after’ in so far as she has a number of expensive improvements but this too might not all be good. In 2012 she had an interested purchaser, had a survey done...So why did they not buy it?
An old sailor might take me to one side and tell me how when you buy a boat you cannot expect things to be all right all of the time, and I would agree but this is an awful lot of money to consider spending so I do want to find something decent, or I will perhaps have to consider a smaller type and very different boat perhaps a Broom 44 and spend half as much, but I don’t think I would be as happy. I know it might be a niche taste, but the Traders have such warm and inviting interiors with their lovely woodwork and the large accommodation.
I found this interesting report http://www.powerequipment.com.au/yanmar-the-only-engine-to-last-the-distance/ from a Fisherman in New Zeland of the Yanmar (6CXM-GTE2) Engine on Boat 2. out of one boat and into another at 4,000hrs - his previous boat had one with 48,000hrs was taken out and put in a fellow fisherman's boat, regular oil and filter changes seems the secret.
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I am now chasing two boats - the first I had mentioned, but now a second with a keen seller.
Boat number two (identical model but 2002 vintage) has smaller engines at 500HP (less fuel burn which is nice ) but they are Yanmar 6CXM-GTE2 . I need to go looking up these and find out the low down. Thing is, they seem a lot smaller - 7.4 litre compared to the 12 litre CAT's. (no doo doo Sherlock) but I mean actually they are a lot lighter, so much so a second 90 gallon fuel tank is provided midships to keep the center of gravity down.
They have only 560Hrs on them, and have been looked after by Barrus in Plymouth - the boat has had two owners, the current for over half the boats life. indeed the boat was out the water for anti-fouling, anode replacements and engine service two months ago.
She has a Survey Report I want to get my hands on too, be interesting to compare to the other one in near Southampton. But she has more toys - Satellite Trac Vision for the TV but also a second one for satellite phones - they don't come cheap, has had all the carpeting renewed, all the upholstery internally renewed, with new blinds and curtains has a new washer/dryer and even a dishwasher but the best toy is the Williams 285 Jet Tender
which is just a couple of years old and needed a new crane installing with remote operation to get it on and off the upper aft deck.
Hmm. HMM!
However this broker seems a little too honest for his own good. He has told me how hard these boats are to sell especially since the company that used to build and sell them went bust in 2009 - some have taken up to 5 years and many price reductions to sell. Reading between the lines this one has been on the market a good while too. Since I am not looking to buy, keep for a couple of years, sell and move on it suits me and this also tells me I might be on to something good when it comes to price negotiations.
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5 minutes ago, Hylander said:
For someone who knows zip about these boats , why are they called Trader Yachts please when they are not yachts.
Well the ones I have seen under the name of Trader Yachts have no sails.
They used to be called Trader Motorboats and the CEO Tony Chappell has been in the UK marine business for over 30 years, selling boats to customers worldwide from their Emsworth base. Tarquin (the company that builds them) have their boats built in Taiwan and China at two separate and independent boat yards which continue to build yachts for other brands, including Monte Fino.
in 2009 the business went bust - the boats live on under a new owner and new name 'Explorer' (rather than Trader) and Mr Chappell has a string of creditors from large companies to individuals, not a nice chap it turns out. He cant be a company Director now, so has decided to 'work for' a new company as a Sales Manager the last time I heard.The reason they are 'Trader Yachts is just a brand you know a Motor Yacht sounds better than a Power Boat. Adds an element of style and luxuries a few stations past its own stop.-
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This is rather nice, like an evolving story or diary.
So in reply firstly to Jack:
You make some good points, so let’s address the first which is cost and the big one that people mention is fuel, but that is only relative to what you use, very much a variable but what is a pretty stable and a known item that must be attended to is servicing.
The problem is this the least enjoyable and nice part about boating – or with anything in life. I mean, how many people bother to check under the bonnet of their car once a week and check the belts, the coolant, oil and brake fluid levels and tyre pressure and keep on top of any obvious things and religiously stick to the service regime of the car? Because growing up with my Dad it was the Sunday afternoon habit, and I would help out it would be something I naturally do and a number of issues were nipped in the bud before they grew to be a costly repair that way.
Conversely, how many who own a large boat lift up the floor boards and do the same checks on their boat engines – on what is effectively a ‘large toy’? They feel perhaps they should do but only because one day they might sell and encounter a fastidious buyer who wants to know such has been done.
On my part I come eyes wide open to this fact and I am fast going off the idea of the boat I like because of a gut feeling – it has been done because it needed to be not because they wanted it done. You know the type of phone call:
“Mr Smith we noticed that the exhaust elbow on the port engine is showing some signs of corrosion and this really does need to be replaced”
“How much is the part?”
“It is £1,700 Mr Smith.”
“Can it wait until next season?
“Urm, well based on your usage I don’t see too much harm to wait until then”
“Ok we will leave it as is.”
Next season comes around, by now the port engine exhaust elbow is almost shot and starboard one is well on the way too – port engine one gets done, starboard one is bodged but Mr Smith can say the craft has been serviced annually and all work that was advised carried out – big difference than it actually being perfectly sound.
Secondly, I don’t actually agree with wanting to put the throttle down and head out to sea – just because you can. I understand that most owners do this because that is the point of owning a powerful boat – it is the thrill of the speed but it does not appeal to me as much.
When I speak of driving, I am told things like:
"Oh Robin, one day you’ve got to get a small mid-engine sports car and give it the beans on a twisting A road, through the gears, feeding it into the bends, top down, sun out and really feel the car”
I almost embarrassingly have to reply:
“I’d prefer to be in a Lexus or a BMW being cosseted along in silence in an heated leather seat.”
Oh, the look of partial confusion and disdain I then get. So it is to me the main selling point of new boats – speed and power – ‘the magical 30 knot performance.’ Go to a boat show and you see men almost drooling over new shiny Penta’s and salesmen keen to point out their new craft ‘comfortably cruises at 25 knots but can achieve 33. It is like a peeing contest - I’ll pass thanks.
I want to enjoy the act of the passage, the rolling, the sound of the water being parted at the bow, the reassuring growl of the engines. Being able to walk around, or get a drink and not holding on with white knuckles smiling through gritted teeth as the helm reaches for another handful of throttle. Take me to Holland at 9 Knots, sip some good wine and glance down to my fuel flow meter working out the fuel savings are helping buy me a Williams Jet Rib to mess about in. That is my idea of cursing for it is as much about enjoying the journey as the destination.
Moving to Pauline:
A nice idea but not for me because then I would surely find all the problems and as my mum would roll her eyes to my mantra “It is lovely, but..the only problem is..” and the bubble would be burst, the excitement, it would be like seeing a girl you have a crush on and you’ve only ever seen with her make up on and perfect styled clothes, on a Sunday morning pop out with the rubbish bags. Oh, so that is what she is like really then. The bubble would burst.
It is perhaps about value and life. It seems acceptable to have a coffee with friends and announce that you are going to have a new fitted kitchen and conservatory. You go over the idea, the ladies agree reassuringly at how this would bring so much more light in and be a nice extra social space, and to think of how those fancy drawers and cupboards will help with the storage and you just simply cannot wait for the integrated 5 burner hob with double oven. Husband pipes up 'Have you seen those new Smeg oven doors Robert? They fold away flat into the oven after you have opened them'.
What really is going on is a expression of reaching a point in life that this can be done - it is countered with the sensible fact doing so will add some extra value to your home. It is like a ladder. Be it in education with the ladder you begin with there: school to collage to university. The you get on another ladder when you begin employment but it does not stop there, there is the housing ladder and even in the world of boating the updates, the upgrades and selling on and moving up.
I don't want any ladders - I have successfully dodged them all my life preferring to catch the lift instead. This boat buying has no reason other than a wish. I need not have such a large boat, with such power and as many berths - lets face it 90% of the time it will be me on board from time to time, but it is the freedom and choice to do more, take on that new challenge and it all be on my shoulders. It is also to include others share, debate, invite, learn from etc. Because if it all goes wrong, the worst that can be is I am no worse off that I am as I sit here now and I am rather happy with my seat and life as it is so really, in life you got to feel the fear, but do it anyway.
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Just a clarification on things as my original post rambled on so long I think it was lost in all the words..
I am not going to live on any boat I buy, it was the original plan when first began to look at options, but matters changed somewhat and I saw some sense (considering damp cold winter days and wondered could I really be happy with such a massive lifestyle change) and decided that no, I would prefer to just live on the land and use the boat as a bolt hole.
So, all this thread is about buying a sea boat since that has always been my wish/dream. I like the idea of it being a substantial craft with a nice social layout and berths since frankly I like the idea to bring along different friends and be part of the adventure and cruises and so on, then for the slow, relaxed rivers I'll pop up to Stalham and have the use of B.A.
Besides this boaty part of things, I have been looking for a flat in Norwich to live in, which I think I also have found a decent new build in the heart of the city. There are some others too but housing is not a top priority since I can use my dads place in Cambridgeshire fens as a 'stop gap' between moves and itself can be an investment. So one way or the other I won’t be on the streets even if it all goes a bit Pete Tong.
Finally, I am going to reduce my hours at work in the coming weeks to allow time to sort the other part of the jigsaw and pass my driving test and pack up things. It sure a great deal all going on all at once and one wonders if I have bitten off more than I can chew but I think somehow it will come right.
I have had my eye on another Trader - a year younger and with 500HP Yanmars with only 560hrs on. I am getting the increasing feeling these boats are a bit niche and there are a number on the market at wildly varying prices but do not seem to sell too quickly. It is not a 'cool' boat or a 'young man’s' boat. I am fine with issues on boats and sorting them but I simply do not want to take on engineering problems.
Sure somethings do break and cause issues, but I don’t want something that has a number of niggles even if they are not singularly a breakdown causing problem, but combined take away faith and confidence in the boat and leave me chasing faults instead of enjoying the boat.
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But I was looking at boats previously with 715HP D12 Volvos - these seem a little more tame and drink less since you can cruise at say 10 Knts and be comfy - try than is beam sea with a displacement boat at hull speed, very much a rolling affair. Semi-Displacement seemed the better bet as I would not be wanting to be do 24 odd Knts everywhere
Engine hours are 1,900 Hrs. She has seen some work for sure, I have seen imagines of her with finish and Italian courtesy flags. But since most Trader owners tend to be of a certain type and prefer the cruising life, they take it slow - thus save fuel and give engines an easier time. The good news is where she ia laying is 'round the corner' from Finning CAT and that is where she has been serviced so being able to get an oil sample sorted or a get some work done is at least close by compared to if she was in Norfolk .
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which is just a couple of years old and needed a new crane installing with remote operation to get it on and off the upper aft deck.
Lap Tops
in The Broadscot Lounge
Posted
I am a bit annoyed with Three, not over connection and coverage, but their new service of 'Home-Fi'
Basically you spend £24 a month and get a router with 4 Ethernet ports which is mains powered, and an allowance of 40GB for data. Sounds a good deal.
What if however you do not want to get the Router they offer, but a better one that does much of the same, and simple want a SIM that provides an allowance of 40GB a month either on a contract basis or pay as you go? Oh, no then they cannot help - you could however buy the Router for £59.99 and pay one payment of £24.00 for your first month - you'd then be in a month by month agreement - but get your 40GB allowance, then just chuck out the router and put your new Three SIM in the Router you want.
This seems astonishing, so I will see what Three have to say other than what they told me in the shop this lunchtime, but it truly is hard to get high data allowances on mobile networks, and no before one asks you can;t put one of their unlimited SIMs in a Router as their packing sniffing will determine it not to be a tethered mobile but a Router. This is why one has to use the SIM provided with the 'Home-Fi' package.