MauriceMynah

Well, it looks like I'm heading boatwards tomorrow (Mon 16th Feb) for about a week. Anyone else about?

Two for protective security, the third so the other two can ask the way!

Sorry Stranger, but you're a bit wide of the mark on this one. It's not the price of the fuel that matters, it's the use it's put to. The Duty paid on fuel for propelling a vehicle/vessel is at a different rate from the duty paid for heating fuel. That's why you keep reading about that 40/60 split. I don't have the rates to hand just at the moment but the differences are considerable. You might have noticed that when you buy your boat fuel (IIRC), you have to sign a form confirming the amount bought and that it's been put in a boat. The boatyard then adds the duty to the cost then the VAT. OK, I might have the details a bit squewed but in principle, that's what's going on. Basically, in addition to Matt's points, it's a shed load of paperwork for not that much profit. We're lucky that there are yards still prepared to do this for us, and if they manage to make a few quid extra while the barrel price is low, good luck to them. If I do remember correctly, the fuel duty on diesel for propulsion is about 60p per litre. Add that to the 50p per litre as you stated being the cost, that's £1.10. Then there's the VAT. So, if you bought 100 litres of diesel you could say that the 60% for propulsion costs you £66.00 and the 40% costs £21.00. That's £87.00, then add the VAT at 20% (£27.40) giving you a bill for £104.40. This works out at £1.04 a litre. Now add the overheads for supplying the product (I have no idea what that works out at per litre) and the rest is profit. When you think of all those figures, it really isn't as bad as you thought. My figures allow for a bit of rounding and are not accurate, but not too far away! I hope that all makes sense!

"If you do have a little dink while parking..." DO NOT RUN AWAY... That would be Dinking and driving. sorry.

Welcome. Please feel free to lurk and leech to your hearts content, and don't hesitate to ask anything either.

I'd be grateful for that Spider

I may have this wrong Pally but I thought that Norwich Was on the Norfolk Broads and that it was the "Broads National Park". As legally the "Broads National Park" doesn't actually exist, surely it's going to be tricky defining it's borders.

Ok, this isn't a recipe but more a matter of equipment. First the history... I had a pressure cooker on board my last boat, it was a stainless steel "Horwood Stella fast cooking system" to give it it's full title, and very good it was too. So good in fact, I bought another one for home use. All that was back in the mid 90s. These units were quite pricey at around £75 a time back then. Midway through last year, one of those cookers developed a problem, the main saucepan section developed a small crack, just large enough to stop the unit from getting up to pressure. I decided to try my luck and inform Horwood's of the problem, sending pictures to illustrate and prove the issue. I have to say that their after-sales service goes above and beyond! After a short exchange of e-mails, I received a brand new pressure cooker but of a slightly different design as they hadn't been making the model I'd had for "quite some years" Now, this is where the story really starts... There are (or perhaps "were" ) two ways a pressure cooker can work, either ... A. Once up to the required pressure the user turns down the gas until there is a constant but minimal amount of steam being released, or... B. Once up to pressure no steam is released but the pressure is shown on an indicator, and is maintained by raising or lowering the heat source. (that is actually easier than it sounds). and this is where the story really starts. My original two cookers used the second system. This was perfect for boating as even in the coldest of weather conditions there were few or no condensation issues. The first system (A.) would cause noticeable condensation, something to be avoided in a boat. Well my problem is this, (and this is where the story really starts.) The replacement cooker uses the first system (A.) and, as I have just explained, this isn't ideal for a boat, so I'm looking for one that uses the other system. I have tried to explain these two methods used, to various people who sell pressure cookers. They seem not to have heard about the "B" system and the more I explain it, the more they tend to look at me sideways, start sucking their thumbs and eventually run away and hide. The more helpful ones fetch the store manager and hide behind her. I still have the second of the two cookers I bought in the 90s and that's what I'll use on the boat, but I preferred that system, so I want one for home too. Any ideas?

Sometimes ropes can be difficult to store on deck (Hard Cheese) but if that's the case, stow them until required.

Actually, thinking about it, that last comment has some legs! Too thick for your bollards can be a problem. I've only got fairly small bollards so I cant accommodate anything too thick. Bare that in mind JawsOrca

It's not the size that's important, as long as it's not too big for the bollards.

The thickness of the rope is governed by comfort alone. A quite thin rope will be strong enough but will be painful should you need to pull very hard. That thin rope would also be tricky to undo from a mooring if it has pulled a bit tight. Go to a chandler and feel some ropes. The ones that feel nice are the right ones.

No, but "More than a National Park" would increase it's value massively.

Wow... Was that the real "police accident" notice or just a library picture?

Never seen a tench on the broads, and only ever spotted one carp. That was between Belaugh and Coltishall, and boy was it a whopper (in my eyes) over 20lbs at a guess.

MM... somebody once said I had a "one track mind" but then added that it was "closed to traffic"! I never did get him back for that one !

Gracie, you forgot "Liz Taylors wedding anniversary" Also speaking at "hunnermilesanoor" only means his speech is trying to catch up with his helming.

That's good, I've still got a lot to learn.

H&E taught me everything I know!

As an antiques dealer, may I endorse what Peter has just said. Do not clean, do not restore! If you are keeping the rod for it's antique value, cleaning and (amateur) restoring will destroy it's value quite probably by 90%. Leave well alone! If you are keeping it to use...don't! You would be better off selling it on e-bay and taking the cash to Ludham bridge and buying a new rod there. I don't deal in sporting goods so I'm not a potential buyer, but please trust Peter's and my advice on this one.

It's a work boat, as opposed to a pleasure boat. Fair enough. Please permit me to rephrase my question. Are work boats authorized to exceed the speed limits?

The skipper of the boat in the report said he thought he was in a 6mph limit. Rubbish!! That skipper also said he was rushing to catch the tide at Wroxham bridge. More rubbish but the two points he raised were trying to justify his actions... which he obviously knew to be wrong. Re your pics... Question. Are BA work boats authorized to exceed the speed limits? How fast was he going?

Fairy Nuff. We are back in agreement then.

Most collisions are accidents, but few of them are unavoidable.

" but the speed limits are there for more safety reason than just issues caused through wash." Sorry Mark but that's one we will have to disagree on. I feel sure that although there will be those who agree with you and those with me so I doubt we will find a definitive answer, but I think the opposite to your view.