[Out Of The Water ?]

Somewhere in the back of my mind I remember hearing of a yard on the Northern Broads that would lift out, allow you to do as much work as you wanted and if you needed advice/help it was on hand.

I've a feeling it was Martham Boats but the section of their website that covered this topic is under re-construction. It's best to check what you can and can't do when your boat is lifted out on to hardstanding. For example, the yard where we used to moor would lift out and hard stand for a pretty moderate fee but would allow no DIY work of any kind. They claimed it was a liability insurance issue but, of course, they could provide (and charge you for) all the things you were perfectly capable of doing yourself. Contrast that with Ferry Marina (2004) and even though we had no mooring with them that winter they lifted and put the boat on the hard for us and allowed us to do all the work ourselves. Okay, we had asked them to do the new heads, BSS, replace the prop etc so they were getting business from us but they couldn't have been more helpful and provided us with free electricity for all the power tools I needed throughout the winter.

Mark KIng (son of Keith) and former owners of Ferry did, and I believe still have a facility at Mark's farm where they were trailering boats to store over winter in a large barn/outbuilding. Although the Funnel group now own Ferry, I'm fairly sure that one of my neighbours had his boat trailered there last winter and was able to do all he wanted under cover.

If I get the chance, I'll try and catch him next time I'm around and get details for you

[Boat Names]

I like the Pepsi one As for the name your first boat.....

[Steering Wheels]

Useful stuff for everyone here now

I can see a links page being put together with loads of info on where to buy all the items we need from time to time.

[Steering Wheels]

And,

Here's another chandlery outfit to look at which could be useful to everyone (they supply a lot of chandleries around the UK too)

http://www.ecs-marine-equipment.co.uk

Most of you will recognise many of the items they stock/import as you will have seen them in places like Norfolk Marine. Big catalogue though so I hope it's a handy link

[Steering Wheels]

Morning Baz,

Try also http://www.asap-supplies.com and they may have something to fit the bill. As Perry has said, there are quite a few on line chandleries you can look at but I'm afraid I don't know of anywhere in the Tilbury area where you might be able to go and have a snoop around. Having said that, try a local search and see what shops are in the Southend, Maldon areas and you may be surprised.

Jim

[Dissapearing Shops]

Hi Julz,

5 years ago...time flies.

Horning has become very seasonal but in the past, I've always found Ralphs (now Maureens) to be pretty reasonable for most things we need. I did notice though, back in July, that they seemed to close earlier than usual because I remember the shop usually being open till maybe 7 or 8 pm even through the winter months.

Having said that, Horning always seems to be teeming with people even during winter. Sure, I know there are far greater numbers in the high season but there always seem to be folk walking from Ferry all the way down to the main village and there's hardly anywhere to park near the shops if you want to nip in for a few bits

[Dissapearing Shops]

I remember that place next to Wroxham Bridge but I can't remember when it disappeared.

Another (recentish) closure was the second general store in Horning which is now being converted into living accomodation by the look of it. A few years back, they used to heat up sausage rolls for me while I was doing all the winter work on board and they did have a reasonable stock, though nothing like the main shop down the road. One thing they were always running out of was ciggies

[Boat Names]

I was sent some pics by a broker mate of mine of a Donzi which was called Crystal Palace and clearly owned by a fanatic supporter.

There was nothing subtle about this boat.......huge club logos everywhere, so much so, you couldn't miss it a mile off.

Anyone seen it around lately?

As much as I still follow that footie team myself, I think I'd draw a line when it came to naming my boat atfer them.....besides, I want it to stay afloat

[Have things changed or improved]

I first visited the Broads as a hirer back in 1979 and to be honest, the place has seen a few changes but in my opinion, nothing too drastic overall.

There seem to be a lot more private craft than back then and also a lot more sailies which seems to be a very popular leisure activity especially in the north. The newer riverside properties aroung Horning reach look pretty nice (and un-affordable to most peoples budgets) but, one day, if the right numbers come up, I could be tempted.

[What Happened to Beryl?]

David, it's raining here you know!

I had a search around a couple of places because I remember something about George Formby being mentioned before.

Someone had said that his boat was called Lady Beryl but I have no way of knowing whether that's right or not

[Boat Names]

I discovered the original name of my boat during a hull polishing session a few years back.

Seems she was first called "Beaute" and then re-named "Map of Taz". The next owner then changed the name to The Topaz which is still her current name.

I Like the "where's the bar" one and I've seen a few clever ones on the river. "Notagudiea" springs to mind as well as "Pistonbroke"