Hi Vaughan,
I agree that at one time the 220 volt electric posts were an issue, these days however there have been additional posts installed, well they have been on the Southern Broads.
I believe most hire companies do not supply shore power hookups, the main issue now is that most hire company boats are all electric (no gas), microwave ovens are on most boats. Most boats needed to be run for at least 5 hours a day to charge the batteries, the use these days of microwaves (engine needs to be run whilst in use) and all the other electrical items that some people demand these drain the batteries quite quickly supplying the inverter. Most crews journeys on a standard day can be less than what is required to provide this power drain. It is only on journeys going from the Southern Broads to the Northern Broads and vice versa, just pottering around just does not cut it.
Ideally crews should try and take showers whilst on the move if they can. It has already been said that crews are doing what they have been told to do by the hire companies with regards to running the engine when required, the companies also recommend the 8 pm to 8 am quiet time. A number of the new hire craft with the engine located at the stern means the crews do not appreciate how much noise is heard by fellow moored boats from their relative quiet lounges.
Regards
Alan