Broads01

I feel for you Neil, in your position I would also have been upset, I really struggle with people like that. I've never thought to save the BA number to my phone but your tale has convinced me to do so for my upcoming trip. Thanks very much for a very well written tale and great photos.

Yes it does go under Wroxham given the right conditions. As always though, no guarantees.

That's true, the seating area is smaller than on their centre cockpit sisters but its ok I think and the seating area up top is fabulous.

I've looked aboard Commander's sister ship, Commodore. It's a beautiful boat and I love both the cabins and the luxury top deck. The only thing I didn't like was the galley because it was miles too small. I take your point about mooring on the left except where tides are strong you should always moor against the tide, regardless of whether that's right or left. If you try to moor with the tide you'll tend to get spun around.

Fair enough Tim, you've seen Rangers with your own eyes so you've convinced me not to remove any tape any time soon. I still think they should add signage though.

If it really was the Rangers I'd agree with you (although I still think it would be a rubbish method of closing a mooring) but I'm still to be convinced.

Sorry Marshman, I'm with Breydon on this one. If it really is the BA using the tape then I agree with Heron above, they need to make it a whole lot clearer why the mooring is closed, definitely including signage. I would have no hesitation in removing the tape.

Interesting about your Great Yarmouth experience, Neil. So how long before slack water were you, do you think? I'm interested because the last time I tried going north well before slack the boat was hardly moving and I didn't enjoy the experience. Your tale, however, suggests otherwise. I'm thinking, perhaps, it depends on the boat and the power you have at your disposal.

There's been a new addition at Freedom Cruisers, a 37 foot Aquafibre Crystal dual steer. Once upon a time it was Poole Harbour at Harbour Cruisers and it looks very tidy on the exterior. Coincedentally I have sister ship Contessa from Richardsons a week on Saturday but I'll certainly consider this one for the future.

I really like Surlingham Ferry too having stopped there in April. From the photo it looks like there was plenty of space to moor there?

I'm with you on the long cruises thing Neil and I like to go south if I'm out for a full week. With the Great Yarmouth times it's luck of the draw as to when slack water falls when you're hiring. Sometimes slack water can be late in the day at the start of the week but I get why you took advantage of the morning slack.

Hi Neil, I remember your previous tale too. I'm enjoying this one so far. Why do you hire north and then go immediately south?

I spent a happy week on one of Hippersons houseboats back in 2000 when my children were young. Whilst it was a lovely spot and I enjoyed watching boats go by I did keep wishing I was aboard one of them.

I'm completely with you on that one. Is it worth reporting to the BA?

Exactly what I said in my earlier post. It's a nonsense article that should be disregarded.

There are two reasons why I would take this article with a pinch of salt. Firstly, the page dates from 2007 and if the law actually changed since I think we would know about it. Secondly, it's the Daily Mail - enough said.

There's a share now available for £2000 according to the BCBM website http://www.bcbm.co.uk/boats/broads-cruisers.html The annual budget figures published date from 2015-16 - are these still at similar level?

Vaughan, great piece, I always enjoy reading your postings about times past.

Glad to see it's not just me who loves the buzz of the North Broads in summer.

I think Whispering Reeds is a great place to hire a day boat and we had a lovely 4 hours on Bittern 2 years ago. The electric boat sounds worth having though.

I must admit the proximity of the factory has always put me off and so its one of the rare places where I've never stopped. You've encouraged me to give it a try though.

Me too, video is great and superb skill demonstrated.

I enjoyed reading your tale, John, thanks for sharing. My first visit to the Broads as a child was some 17 years after your first and it's always good to read about earlier times. I was aware of the Clifford Allen boatyard and I always think of it when I cruise past its one time location.

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?