BroadAmbition

A planned maintenance day, Me and Howard arrived onboard at 2200 Fri 23rd Feb. Considering there had been no one onboard since late November, she was surprisingly mould and damp free. The Fwd bilge was dry to the pump, The aft bilge had some water in but not too much, the main source of river water ingress is the shaft gland which is dripping too fast, we cannot nip this up any further as the packing needs replacing (Out of water job). The Planar heating was immediately fired up, tv on and lights out by 2359 Saturday 24th – The main issue to be sorted was the batteries not lasting overnight without the voltage dropping as reported back in November. Howard was tasked with this. Each battery was removed, cell lids off to 1) check the electrolyte levels and 2) to eyeball each cell during the drop test load. We have some deionised water in the locker to top the cells up if needed, a few did, none of them were below the minimum markers. Every battery passed the drop test with flying colours. (The batteries were installed in Aug 2019 so they are now 4½ years old). Then he found the issue, the negative pole cable clamp on the Stbd bank, first battery in the line of three was loose – way too loose this was causing that whole bank to not accept a proper charge or be able to discharge correctly. Attempting to tighten it up was failing, the solution was to cut a small notch in the battery box (Had to take it out completely) and allow the lay of the cable to sit better – this sorted the issue. We are therefore confident during JT’s trip out next month there won’t be any electrical issues and the system can be proved. Plenty of Henry hoovering was carried out in and around the engine bay. Talking about Henry Hoovers, that reminded me I had to recently replace my works tiling Henry as it got married - Stopped sucking The sacrificial anode on the aft end of the heat exchanger was replaced too and a good check round of the Beta, g/box etc Meanwhile I was engaged in the welded on bird crap on the foc’sle, you can see from the photo just how bad it was yet again. The b&~#£&$d pigeons are either sitting on the wetshed roof cross member or on the varnished woodwork and seriously depositing. This is not the first time either. It took me ages to get it removed, you dare not go at it with scotch-brite (Green pad) or it will damage the varnish. The only way is copious amounts amount of warm water and microfibre cloths. I ended up leaving wet cloths on it to soak it through, took hours and hours. I used some visqueen with a length of copper pipe as a weight against the wind and have made a rudimentary cover for the bow, this will need to be removed along with the shed fenders each time we sail and put back again when tucking her up before going home The galley got a thorough clean – All to the good. We took ‘B.A’ out for a few runs up and down Barton Broad then turned off the Beta and drifted, the replacement sacrificial anode was weeping – Sorted, the drip tray was cleaned, the voltage charge was checked all to the good, the shaft gland was leaking like a goodun Then it was back to the wetshed – You can see from the photo that the trees adjacent to the river entrance are yet again impeding over the oggin, this makes it awkward to exit / enter. Since 2007 I have cut these back twice. Today was the third time – Much better The Horns are knackered properly this time, they have been serviced / repaired many times, they are now past it. They don’t owe us owt as we gottem for nowt second hand back in 2005 And goodness knows how old they were then. The best horns I have heard afloat are on ‘Bollysnigh’ whose owner came down went through her receipts onboard (And at home) but could find owt, a telecon with Jason Hatch revealed that he had bought them as a gift for them back in his days at LBBY, so no wonder she didn’t have any paperwork, nor did the horns have any makers stamp on them either. Jason is on the case to source us a set, they came via Brian Wards, he is confident he can track down the makers etc Tarpaulin issue – The tarpaulin is fine, no rips and looking good. However our neighbour onboard Missouri Star stated he had emptied out our water catchment bucket many times as it has been overflowing soaking through the rugs and timbers under. He also stated how impressed he is with our tarpaulin and the amount of water / crap rust etc it keeps off the topsides and he is going to have to bite the bullet and fit one himself - He suggested a square / flat edged bucket, then fasten a skin fitting half way up with as hose leading into the oggin, it will then become self-draining – Good idea – I’ll get onto it. We now have an impressive thicknessing planer in the locker – Getting in the way – Donated to us by Doug Starr, Bon Oeuf that he is. If we had been in my van it would have got taken home. We need to source an outfit that can refurbish it along with new cutting blades, drive belt etc, Research needed – ‘Planer Thicknesser W580 Charnwood’ Our neighbour Spark of Light has gone ages ago with no new neighbour as of yet The cctv camera upgrade didn’t get done (The gear is ready in the locker) as Robin was not in attendance The full internal clean through / windows didn’t get done as JT was not in attendance Departed for home at 1600 ‘B.A’ is now ready as per the norm in all respects to accept crews onboard and treat them in her normal fashion Griff

Needed wellies to get to t’other of the wetshed today. Flood water up to Richo’s engineers shed doors too Griff

Thanks for asking, No one has upset me - But its possible I have upset others - easily done (For me it seems) I've just been proper busy lately with a lot on various issues. I'll get up to date and explain mysen in due course Griff

Due onboard this evening through to tomorrow early evening. Maintenance items and staying in t wet shed Griff

Having a timber hull we didn't have a choice - Had to cut a hole in t hull. Its been there for years now with no leaks / rot and does a fine job Griff

Having watched most of the films that Jason Statham has starred in and now having just watched 'Beekeeper' It is somewhat of a surprise to me that if he (Jason Statham) went up against the hardest and coolest man on the planet, then said hardest coolest man on the planet, might, just might have to blink - Chuck Norris Griff

'Mooring The Boat For Great Yarmouth' Go on then - I'll state the obvious:- Great Yarmouth Yacht Station Griff

You paid the van insurance, paid HMRC and still had money left for boots? Truth be told - My daughter bought me some new work boots as in her words - I looked shameful - Not sure what that has got do wi new workboots - Anyroadup I will of course refund her %%%%%% In-ell My previous van insurer has just renewed my van insurance AND debited me nearly £600 despite me previously instructing them both via phone call and email not too I have rung them first thing this morning - What's worse is they now tell me it can take up to EIGHT DAYS for them to refund me, it didn't take them eight days to debit my account despite being instructed NOT to did it? Then to top it all off I got warned I may get reported for my attitude on the phone! I'll give em attitude, where one of my ? Griff

Trevor Transit insurance secured this evening, ended up with Onecall the policy was £47:00 but ended up paying £500 with some add ones I required. I've also just paid my tax bill, its been one expensive evening, still got to pay my accountant too but not received his invoice as of yet Had to buy some new workboots yesterday too - That was £90:00, sheesh Griff

Yep! Exactly the same! I got the impression he didn't like hire boats I was onboard 'B.A' at the time - Obviously not good enough for their visitor mooring either Griff

Our JT keeps banging on about me taking 'B.A' (And his lot obviously) for a visit to Wells. Our best cruising speed won't be owt above 8kts max (Without tidal stream assistance) so if I do decide to go for it, some previous planning will be required as per the norm Griff

Good news about the Waters Edge The only pub I've ever been thrown out from before I even got in!! We had sommat similar, got berthed alongside for an impromptu visit, got asked to leave before we got ashore! Never been back since Griff

One question I would like to ask Griff will he ever venture into using a Sailing Yacht on the Ladds week instead of cruising around the Broads on the Boat I am astounded you are even asking! In a word - NO However I acknowledge one should never say never Griff

What is the best way to secure your Boat in these sorts of conditions we are now having With good condition berthing ropes, and plenty of em Joking aside - Doubling up if you feel the need, springs are also advised, well adjusted fenders would be a bonus too Griff

Trevor Transit needed some tlc Saturday just gone. The n/side outer drive shaft gaiter had a puncture would allowing grease out. Cleaned it all up, new grease, new gaiter fitted, front brake pads fitted and two full size plastic front inner wheel arch liners for good measure. MOT carried out - Passed Insurance - Rang my current provider, the £709 came down to £589, still about £150 dearer than last year despite no claims or points make prizes since the policy was taken out. The lady on the phone (Poor English) could not offer any explanation as to why, it was basically take it or leave it - I'm leaving it, no surprises there then I hope to finalise a new policy with 'Onecall' tomorrow for about £450:00 All to the good Griff

I see Paladin has stated facts, nowt more, nowt less regarding JP’s involvement over in the Official’ nbf and replying to a previous post in here to clear up any misunderstandings - Tks The OP’s post and headline is about the NBF after all Griff P.S I don’t see any personal attacks on Richard either

Wot MM said (Well put) Griff

Silly? - That’s your opinion Try factual - that’s mine unless you know differently Griff

From another thread:- I also took along my camera and big lens to get some shots of the moon, unfortunately it was so cold that my camera batteries all gave up the ghost so I only got a few pictures. Apparently a lot of the Scalextric EV owners are having serious issues with range during this cold snap Griff

I just get cross when organisations boss people about for neither gain nor good reason. You and me both, I get cross when planners have an obvious common sense reply to an application but just have to alter it around to prove 'They' have the power and control over us mere mortals just for the hell of it, it seems. Recently my daughter and her family applied for extension planning to their recently purchase 'Forever home' in Finningley village, their property lies within a small conservation area. They went to great lengths with their architect for sympathetically altering the front of the house so that it matched the style of neighbouring properties. It got turned down flat by the 'New in post' planning officer for their area, his reasoning was in his opinion that it would look 'Too Flash' (His words) - We weren't aware that was a rule that town planners had to abide by Their architect had to go above the new boys head to the senior officer, who apparently sighed, signed it off himself with no alterations and said he would 'Have a word with the new boy downstairs' ------------------ Years ago now, our joined on neighbour (We are in a semi detached) wanted to erect a substantial conservatory to the back of his property adjoining our back garden. I wrote to the planners giving our consent with no objections to help the process along. The planners made him have both end corners of the conservatory 'Hipped' he wanted a square corner next to the border line. This was a case of the planners making an adjustment 'Just cos they could' Years later we joined the party and had an identical size conservatory added, I too wanted a square corner on the borderline, no problem stated the planners as your neighbour already has a conservatory so you can have a square corner not hipped, then they stated his could have been square too You couldn't make it up Griff

Richard is ill , seriously ill, I had read somewhere that he was unwell and offers of help had been forthcoming Thanks for the update Nowhere have I seen anyone mocking - Nor do I hope to do so Griff

The other was the official one. 'Official' one The nbf was named 'Official' by Richard I'm guessing as a marketing exercise, there wasn't anything official about it at all really Griff

Ice at Richardson's does not go into the wetshed. Erm, I beg to differ and wots more I have photo's to prove it! Griff

I wonder if the river ice has encroached into 'Our' wetshed? Don't think its cold enough as of yet, I've only seen that happen a few times since we became residents in 2007 and then only once right down to the car park end but it was only wafer thin Griff