trambo

Two shares have gone up for sale today. https://www.bcbm.co.uk/boats/broads-cruisers.html The share shown available on Silver Cloud is sold.

Reading this thread makes me wonder how Caroline manages social distancing in that most sociable of cafes? Fred

I always had a problem with my partner who thought because we where just passing over Breydon and through Gt. Yarmouth without stopping there was no need to wear a life-jacket, which caused more than one argument! Fortunately he's a bit more sensible these day helped by using more compact self inflating life-jackets rather than the Mae West contraptions handed out by the hire yards in the 90s. Pre 70s if you asked for a lifejacket what you got was actually a buoyancy aid. On my first Broads holiday in 1962 I had not learnt to swim but have photographs of us all at Reedham messing about in dinghys just wearing one of those buoyancy aids. I suppose it just shows how attitudes change, in this case for the better. Fred

The difficulty would be the wording to cover all scenarios. How do you enforce someone sunbathing on the top of a boat to wear one? Yet they are still afloat and still in a circumstance where they could end up in the Broad/river. Fred

I'm sure the boardwalk was open in March, just before lockdown. Fred

Unless it's a condition of hire, I don't see how Herbert Woods can make anyone wear a life-jacket? When I started hiring only a very few wore them, if you did, you really did stick out. Gradually they have become part of being afloat and no one looks twice if you wear one. What I think the hire yards can do is to point out the areas wearing one is essential rather than have an all circumstances rule, which may get through to more cavalier crews who by age or nature resent being told what to do. Fred

Also at St. Olaves the tide runs exceptionally fast through the bridge which is worth considering if mooring at The Bell. Fred

I doubt it, as while irresponsible is any law being broken? Fred

....they went with me to Runcorn! Fred

When I moved from Manchester to Runcorn in 1993 I had a spare bedroom stacked with every Waterways World, Canal and Riverboat and on a different tack every Modern Tramway from the early 1960s. The whole lot was binned. Now in the days of ebay, how do I regret it! Fred

Never have a problem on Silver Cloud. (AF35 Diamond). Fred

Sorry to here that. Hope you can report a better experience and have a great vacation. Fred

I think once you have experienced Silverline you may not budge. Superbly presented and lots of little extra touches. Some people don't like their regimented way of working but if you don't have a problem with that you will find them very friendly and professional. They normally do direct bookings (getting you free parking) but things aint normal! Fred

How beautiful the Broads are, no matter how sullen the weather is. Lovely shots . Fred

Not knowing the full facts here but please, please everyone, if no where else, keep to the speed limit in a 30 zone. It really does make a difference and costs just seconds on a journey. Fred

That could be a very long night or two! Fred

I would ask permission but after looking at me and the crew and the resultant sling your hook, we would be off into the sunset!

If you want a boat that will look as good at the end of the season as it does at the start then it has to be Silverline at Brundall or Summercraft (who have rentered the hire market) at Wroxham but Brigecraft at Acle are not far behind. If presentation is not the top priority but a good boat and personal service can be found from Pacific at Loddon and Martham Boats. If Freedom at Thorpe is still taking bookings that would be a good option too. I personally in the past have usually avoided the big yards as they are a little impersonal but that is totally a personal preference. To be honest, unlike in the past, there are no bad boats to be had just different hirer budgets and priorities. Fred

Found this fetching little number for the feline out and about the Broads. https://www.crew-safe.co.uk/acatalog/Cat-Buoyancy-Aid.html?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIr-3J3pWZ6wIVwrTtCh3QSwMuEAQYAyABEgKbmvD_BwE Fred

Have often taken a cat on a boating holiday but only once on the Broads Generally I think they prefer it to staying in a cattery but the distance from Runcorn to the Broads is a too far for them. When we did take our cat, Sabina, to the Broads in the mid 70s we travelled by train which cats seem to prefer. Immediately the engine started she would find some obscure place hide but real enjoyed it when we moored, even found her stalking cows at Geldeston. Today catteries are much nicer places (also a lot more expensive, over £450 last year) and also Silver Cloud as a non-pet boat , we don't have the option. anyway I think it was a scratching problem, also a lot of people are allergic to them. Posted this before but you can see Sabina at the stern of Navigator II with typical 1970s H&S standards in place! Fred

Brexit?......Whats that?

If memory on track the Melody class are ex Maidline although one of the class may be ex Benson. The San Remo class were a mix of ex Johnson Yacht Station and Ferry Boats. Fred

Agree Simon. Would not be my choice for a Summer holiday but for early and late breaks they could be ideal. Hired Brinks Omega twice in the 90s in low season and found her fine in all aspects. Historically they seem to be least successful of the Broads designs. The earliest examples were I think the post-war 3 berth (some later converted to 4 berth) "Sea Heron" class from A. G. Ward. A really handsome design especially in the as built all varnish finish. Fred

It's the time the noise starts a.m. thats the problem for me. The good people of Norwich set off for work very early! Have stayed at the Yacht Station on a couple of Saturday nights with no problems except the noise after the clubs let out. Probably lucky. Fred

....and there's me, I thought it described people who had shared ownership boats. Fred