SPEEDTRIPLE

Sleeping with boats Keith?, is there something you want to tell us................or rather DON`T want to tell us?. :naughty:

Hi Andy, i seem to remember that boat was available in two versions, the first being the one that was in their hirefleet, the other was a flybridge version for coastal use?. There was one down in Kent at Yalding on the upper Medway, that i know as i used to work with the guy that bought it, who had ideas to use it as a liveaboard, though i don`t know whether it was the flybridge or inland version. After that i`m not sure what happened to it. The coastal version with the flybridge was pictured in their advert turning on the plane. I can`t remember which was which, but one was named "ILLUSION" with the other being "ILLUSIVE". Come to think of it, since i`ve been typing this post and picturing it in my mind, i now seem to remeber the coastal / flybridge version was called "ILLUSION", however, if someone knows more, then please feel free to correct me on this.

I think a boatyard would be great, but where?. Sutton Staithe, Barton turf, Womack Water, or the one at Smerleyton?. I`d also have a custom built boat, a white GRP hulled, with varnished timber top Aquafibre Lowliner 44.with hybrid drve. I`d have a bike engineers specialising in custom bike projects, A norfolk based bike tours company And a couple of plots of riverside, one north, one south so the NBN could hold as many meets as they like there. Oh yes, i`d also like to buy the big house at How Hill and convert it back to a house But i think the first thing i`d do is buy a narrow beamed river cruiser and tour Englands canals for a year. If i think of anything else i`l lett you all know.

Absolutely spot on at the moment. With only 25 days a year payed leave, with up to 5 being reserved for the Christmas shutdown, we have to do everything you say, with not enough time. My new plan is to buy a boat when i retire, and do what John does, and be on it for weeks at a time. save on energy bills at home and relax on the Broads at the same time, could it get any better than that?. We`ve done it again, post a you tube clip, and are now talking about retirement and syndicate boating. Talk about going off topic very quickly?. Regards to all ...................... Neil.

Ranworth Breeze IS a lovely boat, and is in immaculate condition. The only problem was that she`s not suitable for OUR needs, and by that i mean OUR needs, and nothing to do with "Broads suitability", each to their own etc. What i DO like about your syndicate Allan, is that each share is for 2 weeks, not 4. We will never use 4 weeks a year on Lightning, and probably hardly ever use 3. If i can`t afford my own boat when i retire, i`l buy another share, and have 8 weeks a year up there, but that`s just being greedy :smile: .

Hi all, I`d be happy to organise it, but am not sure yet when we can get Lightning. We swapped our summer week for the first week in October so if we did have a meet at the Coldham hal, we could be there saturday afternoon. However, due to Karens staff restrictions, her colleague at work has booked Monday 6th to Monday 13th October inclusive, meaning we can`t make the first half of October. I`m going to try to swap our week in October for a week late September, but that`s providing another Syndicate member is happy to do so. Even then, when we pick up Lightning, we`d have at least a 5 hour cruise from Brundall to Beccles, so would`nt get there till around 8pm when it`s dark. Although Lightning has nav lights, it`ll be our first trip on her, and would be a little concerned about manouvering and mooring in a tight space in the dark on our first day. However, i do like the sound of Beccles, and would be happy to arrange it, though i`d need to ask advice from John (Hockam Admiral) and Jonzo, as i`ve never had to organise anything like this before. I`l let you know if we can get Lightning for that week. Regards to all ........................ Neil.

I`ve seen 3 of his already. I start watching, but can`t fast forward. They`re so enjoyable.

She`s coming along nicely Alan.

Just found this clip on you tube. About 2 mins in, it looks like Ranworth Breeze moored at Ranworth staithe. Were you on it at the time Alan?.

And finally, we were treated to a sail by by a couple of true Broads classics. One of the wherry yachts, which one i could`nt see, and an immaculate ex (Herbert Woods Dan?) hire boat. Both boats looked immaculate in their white hulls and varnished uuperworks.

John (jtf) looking like all he`s missing is a fishing rod. Mr & Mrs Trev, aka Deisel Falcon Mr & Mrs Happy.

Ram Rod and Shirly relxing in the sun. From L - R Jonzo, Jimbo, (looking a bit shifty trying to hide in the boat) and Dan John, Colin & Lou (told you the beer was hers) and Mark. Mrs Sidestand, who very kindly made two thirsty travellers a nice cuppa. Thank you Mrs Sidestand.

OK, I`ve downloaded them so here is some vital evidence. Exibit 1, Colin & Lou, along with Mark and Sue WERE caught on a hire boat for the weekend. Exibit 2, Lou trying to divert suspicion by holding a bottle of beer, and a mug of tea. Come clean Lou, we know the beer was for you. Exibit 3, Colin and Jimbo both caught on camera on seperate hire boats. Exibit 4, Mark walking down the side of said hire boat in a threatening manner, telling me what he`d do if these photo`s ever reached the press. I ask all you fellow forumites, Guilty as charged of frequenting a lowly hire boat?.

Hi Roy, it should be, as every time we`ve gone to Neatishead, it`s allways been full, so the pub should do ok.

I very much doubt you`ll be disappointed Lori, if you would like to know any more, ask Maxwellian, as he booked Swallow for a week early last year, on return he tried to book her for 2 weeks in August, but she was booked up, so he booked Kingfisher instead. As far as i know, he was very impressed with them.

Hi Lori, It all depends on who goes. If it`s a couple, Swallow has a large seperate double cabin, and is bigger and generally more spacious, but Merlin has two singles that convert to a double, but is a bit smaller, but very easy to handle. Personally, i`d always plump for Swallow, as she`s fwd drv and goes under all the bridges without having to lower any screens,, and the best thing is, she handles a real dream, especially if you`re cruising on tickover revs, where some of the more modern and shallower drafted boats, as Swallow has a deep forefoot to the hull. A bit technical i know, but she does handle a dream, and is more spacious than Merlin. I will say though that Merlin has a bigger galley, but if eating out all the time, it does`nt matter. As for Maffett Cruisers themselves, i can honestly say we`ve NEVER had a more friendly and personal service anywhere, which is why we will always hire with them. They`re also growing their fleet again, and have a good cross section of aft cockpit, centre cockpit, and forward drive boats both trditional and modern from 2-9 berths, so should have a boat that would suit your needs. Why not give them a call next time you`re after a boat?, if you`re looking for something this year, i`m sure (if you can be a bit flexible) they`ll have something available. Their number is 01508 520344, I forgot to say, all their boats are Friday start, but i think out of the main season, you may be able to get a monday to friday break, or a weekend?.

Swallow at Beccles. Swallow and Moonlight Shadow at Rockland. Pulls ferry in Norwich Karen relaxing with the roof slid back..

A misty morning at Loddon, Monday 07-10-13 The October meet at Coldham Hall 2013. With sunshine and blue skies like this, who needs summer?.

Ayacht gracefully sailing along the Yare. Blue skies, still waters, and a beautiful windmill. A typical Broadland scene. Would ANY of you seriously buy a used car off of any of these three reprobates?. :naughty:

I`ve got some pics to download, so when i have, i`l post some up.

It most certainly is, the other being our very own Jonzo.