Broads01

I'm musing over possibilities for my second booking for next year and I was looking at Mayfair from Maycraft as a budget solo option. There are a few interior photos on the Maycraft website but not enough to get a real impression of the interior. I'm wondering if anyone has any experience of the boat or the boatyard. I know they're one of the few remaining small traditional operators but I don't have any experience of them.

I completely understand that, David. When I'm on the Broads I feel a closeness to my late Dad like nowhere else, especially at the places I associate with memories of him.

Not strange in the least. I get itchy feet once I've been stopped for a while at lunch time, I just love cruising.

David, dont cancel just because of the electrics. Even if you don't cruise anywhere you'll be fine, just run your engine for a while as others have advised. For the amount you're going to use electric, a couple of hours would probably be fine (boatyards just say 4 hours to protect themselves). Sonnet being a modern boat may well have a battery gauge so you can always see how much power you have remaining then if gets low just start up the engine.

Indeed, Vaughan, when we met in May you identified Swan Roamer as one such Wilds hull boat. Was it definitely 1964 you saw the Caribbean? Something in my head says they were new in 1968 or 1969.

Fascinating comparison, Vaughan, thanks for sharing. I always enjoy seeing old photos showing how things have changed. What was your boatyard called?

Looking forward to your blog, Alan. How did you get 2 consecutive weeks in the syndicate - did you swap with another owner?

That's a reasonable shout David but not on a Friday or Saturday. I made the mistake of asking to stop there for water last year (with plenty of space to do so) and they rudely shooed me away. I'll try there as a last resort in future.

I think there's a balance to be drawn between being fixed on slack water time on the one hand and going through any old time on the other. My (admittedly limited) experience of going south on the ebb is it can feel a bit scary as the strong tide reduces your control as it pulls you forwards. Coming north, I came through similarly early in a hire boat and it was OKish although it tested my patience crawling past the Yacht Station at full throttle but achieving less than walking pace.

The viaduct moorings above the bridge are quiet and an easy, pleasant walk to the town. Its a long mooring too so quite easy to get a space.

I always like old photos of Salhouse taken before the mooring quay was created. It brings back a strong childhood memory of climbing one of the trees looking down at our boat below, bow on the sand bank. Bring back sand banks I say, saves all that hassle of tying ropes around posts.

Yep, Berney 100%. Welcome Corina. By coincidence I'm also starting from Stalham on 1 September.

Great write up, Griff. I never did understand the fenders up and down thing, it seems like a lot of extra worthless hassle to me. Perhaps its a woodie pride thing?

Whilst I still believe Richardsons shot themselves in the foot with the solo hiring debacle, my opinion that they're incredibly good at what they do hasnt changed. The value for money they offer is superb, especially with the budget boats but they also offer great quality at the luxury end of the market. I hired Tropic Horizon 1 (original Connoisseur 37 built late 70s/early 80s) in 2013 and it was in great nick.

I hired the same boat in 2008 and had no issues but I think 10 years on things would be different (present unusual conditions not withstanding). The following year I hired Canada Goose (Bounty 37) and the pilot had to enlist the help of a crowd of people to come on board and make the boat lower. In October 2010 I booked Bittern but cancelled it on the start day because it wouldn't pass through.

The video is on You Tube if you can find it. Didn't Whispering Reeds used to use ballast as well?

Enjoying this so far. You've just reminded me why I've never been brave enough to mudweight for the night.

Thanks for a superb write up, David. I had been hoping that being on Silver Symphony would give you some comfort and I was pleased to read just now that it did. The boat was remarkably economical on fuel considering the mileage you covered. When are you first aboard Goosander?

I was watching Day 6 of Russell Thomson's latest adventure (on Brinks Sonnet 3) this morning and I was very surprised to hear what had he had been told by Barnes about Wroxham Bridge. On the day he had arrived he had asked at Barnes' reception for the Bridge Pilot phone number. Amazingly, they told him the pilot didnt take Barnes' boats and that Russell could take the boat through himself if he felt comfortable. Given that all hire operators have, for some years, made the pilot compulsory, what's going on there?

Yes HW bucked the current trend by building Adventuring Light with small, almost Hampton-like dimensions. Unfortunately though they cost about the same to hire as much larger 2 berths, so I'm not sure I'd choose it.

It still is a good mooring place upstream of where the posts stop and a pleasant walk to the pub. Because I'm perfectly happy to moor at that end I've always been able to moor at Acle.

I completely agree, selfish beyond belief, irrespective of what time they left. So they left at 8am,OK but what if someone else wanted to leave at 7-30?

I'm completely with you there and it drives me nuts. Often its not just the last post, its the last 2 or 3. It can be especially annoying on short moorings like Womack Island.

I'm enjoying your write up and photos, David and congratulations on your purchase.

Thanks for explaining and the pictures, Neil. If the mount effectively increases air draft above the height of the screen when folded then thats unfortunate in my view. Sometimes at Wroxham and Beccles you need every inch you can get.