Broads01

Wow, getting really busy.

Er, can someone explain the phrase "go under Potter"? Surely not cruisers fitting under Potter Heigham Bridge in 2024?

Is that so they can keep us hirers away?

Brilliant, I'll enjoy reading your blog. You don't need me to point out there's so many stern moorings you'll be able to enjoy. I've always found Salhouse to be a great doggie place and always plenty of other dogs around for your dog to socialise with. Bit confused as to why you mention Coltishall though as it's not stern-on there and wasn't Luna able to pass under Wroxham?

Ferry have an offer on every week, it seems. I just wish they'd set their prices more realistically in the first place. I'm not a last minute bookings person, I prefer the certainty of booking well in advance (which explains why I've only hired from them once so far).

Looks in nice condition, Howard. Perhaps we could set up a new syndicate you and me, you can use it in winter and I'll use it the rest of the year 😄. What makes the 32 better than the 35, do you think? I like the design also although I prefer the stern saloon variant rather than a central one.

I'll look out for that house when I'm next there.

I'm hiring last week in March, Kate, I'll be writing up as I go.

I've always liked the Aweigh app even though I know it has it's limitations. I like the ease with which it can tell you speed (not all boats are fitted with GPS) and give a reasonable tide prediction. The main limitation I've found is it assumes the tide rises and falls evenly over time which I know isn't the case.

Glad to see you back, Howard, looking forward to keeping up with your blog. (For the record, I don't agree with the Keep Cash Alive thing but best not get in to political arguments here I think).

Mmm, £1.4 million is a fair whack to spend on a pub. It sounds like it's getting much more than a coat of paint on the walls.

It hadn't been my intention to use the thruster, it was that the bow had drifted out from the quay and my attempt to use the thruster to bring it back in again was fruitless. I realised quickly and used the engine to get clear and try the approach a second time, by which point the rangers had come to the rescue.

Yep, I was against the tide but it was flowing strongly, I got the approach wrong and the bow thruster wasn't strong enough to counteract the tide. I was there before low water and should have waited until it slackened later.

Good point. Having got in to a pickle there last year trying to moor without asking for their help I wish I'd either phoned beforehand or flagged them down.

I've watched Russell Thomson and Dave Whitworth reverse in to Boulters many a time on their videos. Both do so by going beyond first of all, turning around and then approaching from the opposite direction. It seems Boulters have a habit of placing boats both just inside the entrance and also just to the side of the servicing mooring, as if to make an already vert narrow entrance even more interesting. Not for the faint hearted reversing in there.

Sounds like I should stick to the Ferry House. I've never eaten at Coldham Hall - any feedback from there?

I too have happy memories of Hoseasons brochure growing up and as a young adult in the pre-internet world. As a child, I'd devour the Hoseasons and Blakes brochures more so than my parents felt inclined to do so I'd end up recommending to them what boat to book. I remember listening excitedly to their phone calls when they booked. Horizon Craft were brilliant on the 4 occasions I hired with them but I always avoided Hoseasons once direct booking became the norm and booked with Richardsons for those trips. I still use Hoseasons now for convenience for boatyards that don't offer online booking (most recently Silverline, Bridgecraft and Caversham Boats on the Thames for this year). I've found them OK to deal with but no better than that.

Excellent news the mooring is coming back. I wouldn't begrudge paying £10 in the slightest to be honest because it's such a fantastic spot. Realistically, the owners are running a business for profit and so I wouldn't necessarily expect to pay less. Price-wise it's similar to Salhouse, the former Pedro's moorings, Ranworth Island and others with no facilities. I also appreciate the opportunity to pre-book.

Evening Light again, Howard? Yes, in the interests of transparent and balanced information, if you could research the Ram along with every other pub along the Yare I'm sure many of us would be very grateful 🙏.

Wind is free of course but only when it's there. Crawling along at less than walking pace on a near-windless day would drive me nuts.

I hope not, Andrew. Negotiating my way past flappy things is fun, I find. If you mean places to hire sailing boats there's still a few of those - Eastwood Whelpton at Upton, Hunters at Womack and Martham Boats all come to mind.

Barnes Brinkcraft once again, Brinks Encore Plus 6.

I agree that BA moorings south tend to be quiet so wild mooring is less attractive from that perspective.

Our paths may well cross then, Helen on your second week.

They were risking damage to their boat, were they not?