SPEEDTRIPLE

Hi all, we all know that the weather last year meant bookings were down considerably, and the same goes for the beginning of THIS season, but we`ve had some really stunning weather recently, and i was wondering if it meant a sudden rapid surge in last minute bookings, perhaps Andy (Freedom) and Clive (Richardsons) can let us know if the buisness has improved as a result?. Regards to all ........................ Neil.

Hi all, Pye`s mill is a great place to moor as it`s away from the village, so there`s no traffic noise, and no street lights shining in to the boat. There are NO water hoses at these moorings, but water (and pump outs) CAN be obtained from the yards of Maffett Cruisers and Pacific Cruisers which are on the North bank about 100yds beyond the moorings. Loddon is a fabulous little place that`s seen very little change in the 43 years i`ve been going there. There are several good pubs, restaurants, shops etc for most of your everyday needs, and you can get all you`ll ever need on a boating holiday. The fishing is pretty good too. Regards to all ............................... Neil.

Hi Robin, when in Loddon, YOU MUST HAVE BREAKFAST IN ROSIE LEA`S TEA ROOM. Seriously though, we NEVER miss a chance to have breakfast or lunch, or even afternoon tea in Carolines, she`s a real character, and all her food is home made and freshly prepared using local produce. We`ve been in there 5 times this year, and will again be going twice in October. Have a great holiday, and enjoy the peace and quiet of the southern rivers. Regards to all .......................... Neil.

Hi Mr C, you`re not the only one, i`ve done the same, but for only a week. I phoned Maffett Cruisers to find out if they were still considering adding a particular new boat to their fleet, and was told they`d already got it, and were currently in the throws of doing a lot of upgrades for the 2014 season. As a result, i booked it straight away. We`ll be on their new boat "Kestrel" for the last full week in June 14. Who have you booked with, and which boat are you hiring?. Regards ......................... Neil.

It`s amazing how just a few extra touches can really improve even a lowly hire boat. The upper steering position looks really neat, Have you thought about having some of the immitation teak decking fitted, then i would really look "privatized"?. Regards to all .................... Neil.

Hi Jonzo, i`m always posting from a PC, as i don`t have any of those new fangled modern gizmos. I have to admit to being a bit of a luddite i`m afraid, and modern technology scares me. Where`s the LAUGHING smiley gone too?.

Hi Clive, it was a bit tongue in cheek, tinged with a hint of cynisism, but seeing as one of the fleets (not yours) has a director on the BA navigaion committee, and they seem to be building an ever increasing number of sedan and flying bridge designs, it does make my vivid immagination wonder. It`s good to see you`re building a modern fleet incorperating ALL variations of cruisers, as that`s what is really needed, a good balance. Having said that, i still think the sedans and flying bridge boats would be far better suited to the southern rivers, so is`nt it time you relocate your high tops to a southern yard?. ................ Where have all the winking and machevious smileys gone?.

Hi Andy, My brother and i hired the original Twilight from HW back in September 95, which was one of the Harbour Cruisers boats, and that one DID`NT have the aft door, and i`m sure the one we hired is now the one at Summercraft (Glamour Girl), as when we hired from Summercraft a few years later, they said they bought it from HW, I also seem to remember Harbour cruisers were still in operation when we hired Twilight, and they still had some of the Langstone Harbours listed in the Blakes catalogue, as it was listed as a "class" meanining more than one. The refit really looks good, and as for the saloon quarter berth, i always said if owned one, i`d remove the berth and install a corner sideboard in its place. Regards to all ....................... Neil.

They`ve probably been "encouraged" to build all sedans by the BA from now on so they CAN`T get under the bridges, therefore that`s less traffic above Potter, Wroxham and Wayford, meaning they will have the excuse "lack of use" when they close the upper stretches. Or is that just me being scynical again?. Regards to all ......................... Neil.

Hi Simon, yes, they`re definately putting in a lot of new stuff, but first on the more important mechanical side of things rather than cosmetic. That`s exactly what they did with Kingfisher (also ex DRL), and we had a trouble free holiday, except when some brain dead idiot filled the deisel tank with water that is (i can`t find the red faced smiley?)...................... Regards to all .......................... Neil.

I like the idea of a witsun event, as Karen and i often go around May-June. As mentioed about hirers and the cost jumping dramatically around bank holidays, i think the first weekend in October being a regular event should stay. As for the Northern meet, Ranworth island might be a good option, but Salhouse has to be favourite, as they seem to be the only veues big enough to take a largeish number of boats. The only others i can think of are Hoveton viaduct moorings, and Coltishall common, but they`re out because of Wroxham bridge, unless someone dismantles it by then?

Hi folks, thanks for your kind words. I do have some pics of Kingfisher Dan, and i`l post some up later. I`m a bit late tonight, so i`l try to do the next instalment tomorrow evening.

I`m not sure whether i can say have "a favourite", but i do have lots of "prefered" designs. Definitelly on the list are the Aquafibre Lowliner 38 dual steer, the perfect boat for a family holiday on the Broads, being able to go anywhere subject to suitable tides The Aquafibre DC30, an excellent go anywhere on the Broads design, and superb for a couple, and i`ve always liked the look and shape of them, and in particular, the wooden top version that Maffett cruisers had (their original Kingfisher) The Hampton Safari 25 mk 1+2, again an excellent go anywhere design, but small enough to get into small tight spaces The Westward (or Westwood?) 38 centre cockpit variant, a spacious go anywhere 4-6 berth layout. There are so may, it`s hard to think of them all, but i`l post up some more when i`ve thought about them.

I might be wrong, and often am, but the name Bosun comes to mind for that class Matt?. I`m sure Dan will have some more info?.

Hi John, no, i`ve no idea what she`ll be priced at, but knowing John and Linda, it WILL be very competatively priced, and the price advertised when she goes on the website is AN ALL IN PRICE, WITHOUT all the usual add ons from many yards. Things like diver insurance, car parking, hair dryers, pets and pet life jackets etc etc. It`s really good to see them expanding their fleet, as with so many Southern yards having gone, it will be a very welcome addition. They did tell me they were considering the 35ft version, but as i said to them, at least with the bigger version, if can still be let to smaller parties, just like when Karen and i had Kingfisher which is a 4-6 berth and there was only the 2 of us.At least with the big version, if regulars such as us want to come with an increasing family, they now have that option of being able to all fit on one boat. Going back to the pricing issue, i would imagine she would compare favourably with Pacific cruisers "Pacific Imperial", as she`s roughly the same age, size and comparable layout?. Trambo, yes, you`re spot on with the Citation from Sabena, but when DRL operated her, the ripped out one of the sigle bunks in the aft cabin and put a bath in there. Go knows why, as it still had a single bunk beside the bath?????????. There`s another sister ship to her for sale at Norfolk boatsales, which is not in as good condition, but John and Linda are not interested in that one. Regards to all ..................... Neil.

Hi all, i found out today that Maffett Cruisers have already taken over another new addition to their fleet. When i spoke to John and Linda in June, they said they were seriously considering another new boat to increase their fleet to 5 boats. The new boatis a centre cockpit Alpha 42, and is one of the variants that has 4 sleeping cabins and the saloon in the centre cockpit. She will not be available for hire this year, as they are using the rest of this season and winter carrying out various improvements, such as removing the bath fitted instead of one of the bunks in the aft twin cabin and re-instating it as a twin/double cabin. She`s also going to have a new engine and running gear, and will be relined with soft fabric. She will have permanent berths for 9 people in 4 cabins, being 2 double, 1 twin-convertable double, and one en-suite family cabin fwd. They`re going to call her "Kestrel", and YES, i did take the opportunity of making the first booking, and have booked her for late June.next year. We`re booked in for the Autumn meet, and will be on Maffetts "Jay", so will be able to hopefully get some piccys, and post them up on the forum. Good news me thinks for hirers looking to stay on the southern rivers. Regards to all .......................... Neil.

Our week started as usual at 04.30 on Friday 21st June, with the radio coming on, and we`re soon awake (only just) and up and about. With all the packing done throughout the week, we`ve only really got to pack up what`s in the fridge, and put everything in the car. After a simple breakfast of tea and toast, we`re all packed in the car and mobile by our usual getaway time of 06.00, and have a trouble free journey up the A31, M27, M3, M25, M11/A11 all the way to Norwich. It`s amazing how short the 250+ mile journey is in the early morning, but later in the day, it always seems so much longer. Our usual trip would see us going up the A12, and stopping off at Beccles for a weeks shopping in Tescos, but this time we decide to take the M11, as i want to go to "Clickers archery" in the middle of a housing estate in Thorpe. I`ve already written down the directions in a form even i could follow, as well as the directions to the nearest Tescos, as we`ll not be going through Beccles, and to my delight, we went straight to both places with no problems whatsoever. Who needs a sat nav when you`ve got google satelite view, and me as navigator?. After our short diversion, it`s time to head for Loddon, and we decide to go directly to the yard, and walk round to Rosie Lea`s for lunch. We arrive at Maffett Cruisers yard at 11.45 and find Linda doing the final bit of preperation inside Kingfisher, and she tells us we`re the first people to take her out. After a short while, we walk round to Rosie Leas, where we`re greeted in the same friendly way by Caroline, and have a larger than expected lunch. We left Carolines, and i needed to go to the post office to get a new fishing license, Then it`s back to the yard where Kingfisher is waiting ready, and we get the car unloaded, which, as a result of me packing for every weather condition to quite a while, but we`re in no hurry, as there`s plenty of daylight left. John shows us all over Kingfisher showing us all the work that`s been done since they took her over during the winter months. She`d had a fully reconditioned engine and box fitted, new propshaft/tube and stern gear, including thrust bearings etc, New electrics, Gas sytem etc etc etc, but they said there`s still work to do, but they wanted to get her out to be seen on the rivers, but all the essentials were replaced, and the rest was spotlessly clean anyway. We stay and chat with John and Linda for an hour or so, and finally get away around 16.30-17.00 and have a really pleasant cruise down the Chet encountering only two other boats coming upriver. It`s good the river is empty, as it gives me plenty of space to get used to handling a different boat, and as it turns out, Kingfisher is`nt as responsive to the helm as Swallow is, something more noticeable at slow speed, and so i`ve recommended John fits a bigger rudder over this winter, but apart from that, at normal river speeds, she handles well enough. We come to the mouth of the Chet, and i ask Karen if she`d prefer Reedham, or Langley Dyke for our first night, and she opted for Langley, as we loved it there when we moored overnight last October. We arrive at Langley hoping there`s a spot, but we should`nt have worried, as there was only one other boat there, so we pull in at the end of the first row of 24hr moorings, to give plenty of space for anybody else. As a result of having a larger than expected lunch, we both agree we don`t want any dinner, so a light tea was had. I take the opportunity to set up one of my fishing rods, and test the water, but alas, the fish were very conspicuous by their absence, so i gave up and sat down watching tele with Karen. We then hear the sound of engines, and i take a look out of the window and see a boat slowly coming up the dyke, and it looked rather familiar. It turned out to be "Jasperoo" with Richard and Amanda (aka "the Reevos) aboard, so i give them a hand to moor, and invite them aboard for a cuppa. They joined us for a cuppa and a chat, and i show them round, and after an hour or so they head back to Jasperoo for the night. By this time it`s nearly 22.00, and we`re both feeling tired after a long day, so it`s time for bed. Good night all.

Hi John, could you book Karen and me in please?. Neil & Karen, Jay, Stern, yes, Saturday. We took a chance and booked "Jay" for that weekend while we were up there 2 weeks ago. It`ll be a special weekend for us, as it`s Karens "significant" birthday weekend. Regards and best wishes to all ................... Neil.

I think Strowager has given probably the most in depth and informative answer possible here. As i was reading all the posts, i was thinking of reasons and examples, and Strow has put them all, great post Strow. As for which type of boat, i`d recommend the ubiquitous Elysian 27 aft cockpit, either with a diesel or petrol inboard, and shaft drive. There are hundreds to choose from, some in good condition, some in poor, but the price SHOULD reflect that. One thing i will say about sports cruisers is that they don`t tend to be as spacious as a purpose made river estuary cruiser, and can be, because of their hull shape, prone to roll in certain conditions. Other variations on the Elysian, are the Seamaster range, again 25-27ft and with petro land deisel variants. The Birchwood 25 is another good example, and if you can get one cheap enough, a Princess 25,, though very often the last 2 were mostly sterndrives, but with the occaisional shaft drive example being built. Good luck, and regards to all ............................ Neil.

Not long had an ice cream too. Karen and i took her parents to see Karens neices new flat in Bournemouth. Just a 5 minute walk from the beach, so it had to be done. Sat down on the veranda of one of the beach side restaurants for a drink with the family in glorious sunshine. BUT, i`d much rather be sat in the sallon of Kingfisher, with the roof open, supping a mug of tea, at Dilham staithe, or Hoveton viaduct moorings. The thing that i find ridiculous is the number of idiots who lay on the beach all day sun bathing and end up with severe sun burn. There were several incidencies where ambulances were called to attend to these idiots, it`s no wonder our emergency services are feeling stretched?. Regards to all ................... Neil

Howard, when were you in Loddon, as we were there on 3 occaisions last week, we may have seen you, also, which boat were you on?. Regards and happy supping .................... Neil.

Hi Dave, welcome from me too. I met you last Monday when we moored Kingfisher on the end of the staithe, and YES, i did forget to call in the next morning to get some maggotts. It`s good to hear someone has the courage and tenacity to start up a new buisness venture in the tricky times, so i hope you have a successful year, and will no doubt by some maggots from you next year. Regards and best wishes ..................... Neil.

The differnce there Matt, could be that yards such as Brooms, Brinkcraft etc etc, have mooring basins that were possibly dug out within the boundries of their private land, which would mean the rite of navigation DOES`NT extend into them, so the BA are not liable. As i said before, i may be wrong, and i willingly stand to be corrected, but the private moorings in front of the houses at Loddon cover what used to be (i think?) part of the navigable basin. Maybe someone on the forum has an old odnance survey map that shows the extent of the basin before the houses were built, which might give an idea of where the land boundries were?.

The reason why the new weir at the entrance to Hardley flood works is because it actually holds the water INSIDE the bounderies of the flood, whereas originally, the flood emptied all the time the tide was out, therefore, more tidal water was needed to refill the flood, taking vital water supplies from upstream, namely Loddon and the moorings. As said earlier, that photo was taken during a spring tide and after some strong south westerly winds which held incoming tide water back. As for depth of water for a hire boat, there`s no need to worry, as there`s plenty of depth at the moorings, and the staithe. Matt, although the moorings on the North bank housing are private moorings, they have been postioned on what was always "open water", of which they probably already pay the BA some sort of river comissioners fee, just like we used to do on the Medway. They are more than likely responsible for the mooring, but not the river they occupy. I may be wrong, so if anybody knows different, please feel free to put me right?. Regards to all ..................... Neil.

Hi all, having cruised the Chet 4 times last week, i can say without doubt the Chet is WAY OVERDUE for some serious maintainance. in many locations, the piling is derilict, while in others the company who were responsible for doing the flood defence work have been neglegent, resulting in the destruction of quite a length of piling. There seems to be more and more shallow water marker posts springing up, with the depth of water after Pye`s mill moorings at low tide causing boats to ground. In fact, as we were just about to leave to come home yesterday morning, one of Maffett cruisers boats ran aground, as there`s a sort of "mud beach" developing. For many decades, the banks of the Chet have been stable, with no signs of bank errosion, without the need for specialist bank re-construction, so what`s so special now?. The southern rivers have seen a dramatic downturn in river traffic in recent years, which is possibly why the BA have done nothing to ensure the continuation of essential maintainance of the Chet, resulting in incidents like huge planks of piling coming adrift, and floating midstream, and nearly being impaled in the hulls boats, just like we had last week. Unfortunately, i could`nt reach down far enough to pull it out. This is only one area where the BA are faining miserably in their legal duty to ensure the rivers are maintained to a navigational standard at ALL STATES OF TIDE. It`s no wonder local politicians are starting to ask questions about how the BA are conducting themselves, AND what they are doing with toll payers money. We`ll be back up there in October, so i`l see if they`ve done anything to rectify the situation. Regards to all ................... Neil.