trambo

Always use the pontoon myself, your supposed to pay at the baths.

Hi Neil. Your probably spot on. Like you, never had a Broads holiday I did not enjoy because of the weather (in fact I have never had a Broads holiday I did not enjoy, full stop). Have used Maffets myself on three occasions, they are incredibly well priced, their two wooden boats just ooze with character and the genuine welcome you receive is something only the smaller yards can give. Bet waiting the next two weeks will feel like months! Fred

Also noticed on the web cam sites how quiet it seems to be and also noted on Blakes/Hoseasons just how many boats seem to be available. Seems a great shame with all the investment that seems to have been made in the last couple of years. Is it down to the terrible summer last year and this years bad start? Or perhaps the general economic situation? As for discounting, personally it would not affect my choice but that is because I book well ahead to ensure I get the boat I want.

Just watched on You Tube through the tv and have to say better than watching 'Britains got Talent' any day.

Dan and Robin just had a vision of you coming in opposite directions on the Acle straight, spotting each other and in a Clint Eastwood scenario both refusing to move until....... : Great second instalment Robin. Can I just say though, after reading your blogs and enjoying you on YouTube I do worry about your onboard diet!

Great log Robin but which boat are you on! Have used Barnes Brinkcraft twice after my regular yard Pearson Marine closed and found them ok but not great. Boat (Omega) was great but little niggles like you with things like missing studs etc and the rather matter of fact welcome could have been improved. Heavy rain on our last day resulted in a fore berth becoming wet from a window seal leak. This was mentioned on our return but not even written down by the reception staff. Also BB are the only yard I have used that have actually taken from us the extra deposit for same sex parties. Must have had something to do with amount of wine that went on board! On the subject of welcome, the yard I use now, the family or staff are waiting outside their reception to welcome you as you drive into the yard. You are shown to your boat and told to pop into reception when ready. No rush, no hassle and totaly at your own pace. Waiting for the next instalment. Fred

Lucky you, Brian. I personally think this is the best new build design around. At least in appearance and I'm sure in thirty years time will be one of those designs that has become a timeless classic. Mind you I doubt unless I'm very lucky I'll be around to prove it!

For the record, works 100% on Safari.

As a person who pops in but rarely posts I love the clarity and layout of your new site. Congratulations to all involved.

Try that link again to save you pasting. http://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/r ... nderground Fred

Hi all. Taken from todays Telegraph online.http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/energy ... roads.html Everyone on here is aware of the consequences of such stupidity. Hopefully they are just testing the water to find public opinion. With this in mind I have started a petition to the Secretary of State Edward Davey which I have posted on all the Broads forums. Please sign and get your friends to as well. w.change.org/en-GB/petitions/rt-hon-edward-davey-mp-secretary-of-state-for-energy-and-climate-change-proposed-electric-pylon-line-across-the-norfolk-broads-must-go-underground Regards Fred

Hi Lori. Babik Boats was a small Wroxham boatyard situated (if memory in gear) between but on the opposite bank to the Royall and Fineway boatyards. I remember the fleet was well cared for and had a couple of Safaris and an old Brinkcraft centre cockpit in the fleet. They used Blakes as agent. Fred

Great site and not just for newbies. Under mooring facilities I thought it might be useful to add water and pump out points. Fred

After a token early week this year on Silver Harmony, we return in July for a full fortnight on Silver Symphony. Bliss! No rush, no airport, no flight delays and no jet lag. Just hope the British weather is better in 2013! Fred P.s. Booked direct. The only need of a brochure these days is to put it away for 30 years and then sell it on eBay at an extortionate price!

Hi Neil. I don't think you would have a problem mooring at Silverline as they are a very friendly lot. I have seen other yards craft moored there, a quick phone call would confirm this. No problem taking Swallow under either Thorpe bridge having taken her and her long lost sister Flamingo through. Fred

Watched this after having lunch....ughhhh!!!

Rain with gale force winds. Just right to pop over to Blackpool to see the illuminations.

Agree with Andy that the 'Corvette' is a nice design. Pity they still have the 'Caprice' class on the Broads. Saw an obviously distressed skipper on the Chet, in pouring rain trying to handle one of these monsters. Not much fun at all. In agreement with everyone who thinks their pricing policy is strange to say the least. I would not mind paying top whack if the boats presentation was good but have to say I thought they were amongst the scruffiest boats I saw for hire this year. Fred

Stinkende klo. Simple, guaranteed solution to your problem... get a cat yourself! Fred

Title of the thread sums them up perfectly! As bad as this photo on flickr, also taken this year. http://www.flickr.com/photos/supine39/5 ... 80476@N23/

Hi Clive, .ets have a review of 'Haze' on your return. Was looking at her earlier in the year at Silverlines yard and she looked good. Fred

Genius. Very clever if just a little more than a bit spooky.

I remember that "Royal Gem" look alike. Well I do now that you've jogged the old grey matter! Can't remember who's it was . Now I do remember Truemans "Top Deck' American style cruiser which had a huge saloon area and looked very majestic. Hate to think what she was like to handle in a strong wind. No bow thrusters then! Then there was 'Oulton Pearl' Looked like a squashed up motor yacht!

First time I've read this gem. Never laughed so much at 6am. What a way to start the day! Fred

Hi Clive, some of the names I listed are pre 1940! The most number of businesses hiring in one go was I think around the late 60's when there seems to have been six Blakes, five Bradbeer, two Broads Holidays and eight Hoseasons operations. I say businesses rather than boatyards because some of the small boys seem to run from others and I'm pretty confident at least one (Orient Cruisers) operated from the yacht station. My impression of Oulton around this time on hiring from Little Ships was one of organised chaos. All the yards in that area seemed to be one big one with little boundary between them and boats seemed to be just everywhere. Mayhem, it was great! How different it was when I hired from Hamptons in the 80s, the almost shanty town was now neat housing. Fred