SPEEDTRIPLE

Some really excellent posts on this thread so far, and i hope they continue. I do agree with Andy (Freedom) regards the amount of public moorings. and that we need more, especiially in Brundall. However, as far as i know, and am happy to be corrected, the BA can only construct 24 hr moorings on land it either owns or leases. I think one of the big problems with the BA is they have to try and balance satisfying everybody, whether it`s free moorings, or installing leccy pylons on established moorings etc etc, but in my opinion, the most important thing that should override anything is to install water tapes on ALL free 24 hr moorings, Having said that, i can imagine that in itself is practically impossible because of varios logistical reasons, but it would be good to know where you can fill up with water, without having to divert somewhere, possibly miles out of your way so you don`t run out.

Seriously though, I love to watch lightning at night when you get the best effects from it. I remember years and years ago being told to count in seconds after a lightning flash, and whatever number you arrive at, that was the distance in miles as to how far the flash was from you. If that was the case, then sound would have to travel at 3,600mph, which is the number of seconds in an hour. I sat down and worked out that with the speed of sound being around 700 mph, the time delay for a flash of lightning to the roll of thunder a mile away, the difference would be somewhere around 5 seconds?. Is that about right, or have i made a slight miscalculation?.

I find thunder and Lightning fascinating, especially Lightning, we`re picking her up for the first time on Saturday :Stinky

I think the calander is going to look excellent. I don`t know if it`s too late, but would it be a good idea to try and sell some in the riverside shops, is is that not possible for any reason?.

Hi all, i have`nt commented on this thread because i have`nt seen it til now. I think the BA`s response about the relevence of the boardwalk to do with no visitor facilities is complete rubbish. Just because there are no commercial facilities in the area does`nt mean there`s no need to maintain an adequate access way to get to moorings. A very valid point is made by Andy (Freedom) which is the MOST relevent point here, and that is for emergency access, be it for an engineer to reach a stricken, or even sinking boat, or worse, an ambulance or fire crew to attend an onboard emergency. As far as the comment goes regarding Barton Turf Staithe, in comparison to Paddy`s lane moorings it`s tiny. We went to Barton Turf in June this year which was the first time we`ve ever been there. We moored at the staithe BECAUSE we did`nt know if there was access to the village in case of any emergency, or we needed a shop, though we did`nt know that had gone too. I know (and so do many on here) i tend to be rather synical, but i can`t help thinking that although the BA want to stop funding the boardwalk, in the hope that whoever takes it over cannot maintain a budget to keep it in a safe usable state, which may in futire.make access to the moorings impossible, therefore visiting boats don`t use them anymore, thus justifying the BA to do away with them altogether. As has been mentioned above though, nothing like this has been said, but i will still have my suspicions.

How easy would it be for the BA to oe-weed this stretch?. I don`t` mean dredging, just pulling up some of the larger weed growth. If they did that and then put up a sign saying "full navigation to the lock" or something like that, it would mean more trade for the pubs and shop.

For the love of God, i hope NOT. Steve Miller Band were a very UNDERRATED band, and it`s good to know they`re still going. I might be going to se Simple minds at the 02 place in Boscombe next year, and if Steve Miller Band come down, i`l see them too.

The film posted by Timbo above shows a completely different view and perspective of the Broads, and i found it surprisingly difficult trying to recognise some very popular spots. After it finished, the screen comes up with several more of Lord Pauls quadcopter films, which are really stunning. I`l watch some more of them when it`s not so late.

Well done to you both. We bought a share in one of the syndicate boats earlier this year as i could`nt justify the expense of ownership for such little use, and are having our first week on her in a week and a half. What`s the name of her, and are you going to keep it, or re-name her (best done while out of the water, as it`s supposed to bring bad luck)?.

I know what you mean about thinking nothing much gets done. I`ve had that feeling many times, and then you do one more thing, and it looks like you done a huge amount. Keep it up chaps, you`re both doing really fine.

I think NBD had one from Moores too (though i may be wrong?) which i believe may have been sold into private ownership. I saw her moored at Salhaouse broad when coming away from the spring meet. She was in typical Moores colours, being cream all over with black window fremes. And i don`t think it had a screen for the upper steering position either.

That is one stunning boat. When i was a lot younger, I always wanted to hire the latest most modern fibreglass cruiser, whereas now, i appreciate the classic style, warmth, and character of timber boats, that`s why we hired Swallow so often. Is she yours Timbo?.

Thanks John, we`ll see you then. I`l let you know what time we`ll be arriving a couple of days before. Paul (Paul and Lorna), We`ll definitely meet up with you somewhere, aand will phone / text you when we`re there.

I have to be honest and say that although i think the place is not as pretty as it used to be, you can`t fault the facilities, or the price. When you look at places like Gt Yarmouth or Norwich, you realise it`s actually good value, and with a well stocked shop, it has to be one of the most "convenient" places on the Broads.

That`s actually a good idea, and leads me to think about things differently. As a hirer for nearly 40 years, i`ve got well and truly used to hire boats and their equipment etc, but having your own boat is a completely different thing. I guess we`ll live and learn though, and will soon get used to knowing what other things to take if nessecary

Hi John, That`s very kind of you, but we`ll be in Kent on Friday visiting my Brother then staying with my dad, Will you be on board over the weekend or ashore?. If ashore, lunch at the Hockam Eagle sounds nice?. It would be great to know what boats peeps have, and what they`re called so i can keep an eye out for everyone?. I know Pauls boat, and yes Paul, we`ll make our way down there around that time, so hopefully, we`ll see you there?. I still have your number, so i can give you a bell or text. It`s only 2 weeks away now, so we`re really looking forward to it. The only thing is, we MUST remember to take some bedding with us. Lightning does have duvets blankets and pillows,but we have to take our own linnen etc.

Yes that`s right. Maffetts had one called Kestrel, which i had a go of up and down the Chet one day. Handled a dream, but we never hired it, as it would`nt go under the bridges.

Hi all, Karen and i will be afloat on Lighning for the first time for the above week. Is anybody else going to be afloat the same week, We`ll probably play safe for the first time and stay on the Southern rivers. Also, there will only be Karen and i onboard, so it may be a good idea to stay south, as if anything happens at somewhere like Gt Yarmouth, i`l be the only one to deal with any emergencies. If anybody IS afloat that week, please come and say hello, all are welcome. Regards and best wishes to all ................................... Neil.

Hi Gramps, The boat in the picture is an Aquafibre DC30 of which many yards either fitted out, or had someone else fit them out for them. I think Dawncraft had several, as did Southgates, Herbert Woods, and Richardsons. In fact Clives team have recently carried out a full interior re-furb of their boat Barbados, which now sports a nice new interior, so if you want to go down memory lane, but have modern conveniences, it would be a good boat to hire. It also happens to be one of my favourite designs, as they make an excellent boat for a couple.

Hi Jon, the Alpha 29 dual steer has a side wheelhouse door on the port side.

I forgot to add, always go slowly under their stern, and don`t throttle up untill you are well clear.

I`ve done a lot of sailing in the past, and can see the yachts point of view. However, whenever i`m at the helm, and we`re approaching a yacht in mid stream, if he`s coming toward me "goose winging", i`l always slow down and make for the biggest gap. If however he`s (or she`s) tacking consistently, i always slow down, give a quick blast of the horn, then when they look at me, i make a clear indication of pointing my arm once to port, then quickly to stbd, and wait for the skippers response. It does`nt matter which side of the river you`re on, but if the yacht is tacking, you ALWAYS PASS UNDER THEIR STERN, which is invariably the direction the skipper has pointed to. Whenever i`ve done this, we ALWAYS get a wave of thanks, and often shouted thanks too. It`s just common courtesy and good manners.

Well, it is a "wide beam" boat John?.

If you want to ventilate under the matresses and cushions, it would be quite easy to make a grid system out of quarter inch (that`s 6.35mm to anybody younger than me) wood battening Using quarter inch overlayed on eachother will raise the matress or cushion y half an inch (12.7mm) which should allow goof airflow underneath. Obviously, if you have matresses extending under side decks, you will have to ensure enough room to lay under them.

This thread really is a mixed bag now. Buying cheap deisel, recipes, live yeast, and now crisp sarnies made with hovis and real salted crisps, whatever next, home mechanics, or stargazing or something equally as way out? .