Broads01

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.

Neil, are you saying the air draft has been increased by the tv aerial? If so, that's bizarre. I like the lido mooring too - quieter than the Yacht Station, pretty and convenient for the town.

Some good advice so far. I'd also add be brave with wild moorings. Theres some popular wild spots on the Ant but there still tends to be a bit of grassy bank free somewhere. The Bure above Acle also has a few wild spots. Some public moorings never fill up like Hoveton Viaduct, Salhouse Spit and Acle Bridge if youre prepared to use rhond anchors at the top end.

Similar for me, Howard, April 2013 on Bright Horizon 1. I did enjoy 4 hours on Bittern from Whispering Reeds since then though.

I'm excited about my first booking for 2019 - solo on Brinks Jazz 5 in May to coincide with the forum meet. It's my second ever booking with Barnes and, by a strange coincedence, I booked it 25 years to the day after my first holiday with them began. Has anyone else returned to a boatyard after a long gap? I'm expecting to enjoy Jazz. I was heavily influenced by Robin's review and I love the combination of super high helm position with all the advantages of a forward steer.

Good to hear from you, expilot, thats very useful info. In years gone by, certainly until the 90s, the pilots were kept busy taking boats through most of the time. I recall a holiday in 1993 where we moored at one of the public moorings on the way to Hickling and we were one of 7 or 8 hire boats there. Why are the present clearances now such a rarity? Is it all due to lack of dredging?

I agree about the light although on Swan Roamer, there was never a smell even when the light came on. The toilet is just too good.

Ive had Concerto which is identical to Rhapsody except it has a full sliding roof. The layout works really well, especially the open plan galley/saloon area. The bunks cabin is very small but the double cabin very comfortable.

Thanks for your write up once again, Bryan. I'm sure you did the right thing getting the pump out when you did given the experience we had with the toilet a few weeks back. I completely understand why you want Swan Roamer for a 3rd time and you'll be accruing Richardsons loyalty discount as well.