Broads01

I'm looking forward to your review, Robin. I've always liked the saloon and galley areas on the Connoisseur, particularly on the C40/46. The design was new in the early 1990s but was years ahead of its time, just as the original designs were in the late 1970s. My only gripe is with the side entrance, not so much that it's on the side but that the canopy blocks it when you slide it back. Your only exit then is via the steps in the saloon which is less than ideal, particularly on a stern mooring. When we hired Tropic Horizon (old style 37), the saloon steps were well forward, hence to exit on a stern mooring with the canopy open, you had to walk back along the side deck for a few feet with nothing to hold on to.

What's TBMC and where exactly is it?

Great photos indeed Jay, looking forward to the rest of your tale. Are you going to go north this time?

Yep, I wait until docked otherwise its a lottery as to what the position of the chains might be.

I agree 'we all' don't. I don't who 'we' are but don't include me in that. Facebook can do many positive things, you just have to accept it will attract unmoderated nonsense and a whole bunch of stuff you're not interested in - the 'I'm having an ice cream at Loddon' thing, as has been said. If you sift through all the chaff to get to the wheat there's good stuff, both Broads-related on NBN (I'm not bothered about the other groups) and other things.

Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love Ranworth, even in the season and I'll stern moor anywhere, I just don't like being jammed in at night.

I'm with you on that one. I'm cautious about mooring stern on for the night (generally prefer Ranworth as a day time stop) because I prefer to have some breathing space. I like mooring near pubs but prefer to be a walk away (e. g. upstream of Acle Bridge) rather than be right outside the pub.

Thanks for the advice, all. Yes Ive seen the boat out a few times, pre-2001 Hoseasons sticker included. The parking thing is a disadvantage but hire charges look like a bargain.

I'm fortunate in that my wife is very kind and understanding. She doesnt have the same passion for the Broads as I do so she doesnt want to come as often as me but she's happy for me to come solo or with my mum and daughter.

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?