Palmtree

Hi, Here is the index of the 1950 catalogue, if anyone spots a boat they are interested in I will try and post the page. Ian

Howard , Sorry for the delay in getting these pictures on here, but these are all from the 1950 Blakes brochure. Ian

I think hiring from Colin Buttifant (Swallowtail Boatyard) is a better, no brochure just word of mouth. When you take the yacht out you will realise why. That is what the engine of outboard is for Ian (with outboard)

Hi, Looking at the pictures you can see how things have changed with just a few powered cruisers in the pictures and there looks like very few trees near the banks. Some of the sailing shots could be taken today, and I suspect some of the yachts are still about on the rivers. I have looked up Golden Emblem in the 1950 brochure and she was for hire at £16 to £19 10s a week, today that could be a round of drinks in a pub. Later I will try to copy some of the brochure pages and post them on here. Thanks again for the pictures Ian

Hi, NorfolkNog thanks for the extra picture. The yacht in the picture is so close to looking like Tamara or one of her sisters that I thought it might have been her as she was still in hire up to 1954. However here is a page from the 1950 Blakes catalogue of Mayfly. Thanks again Ian

Hi, NorfolkNog, do you remember the name of the yacht you were on as a lad, and do you have any other pictures of her? Ian

Hi, The floor looks good, but do the ships owners (Oscar and Flossy) approve? Ian

Hi, The Engineer magazine recently had a article about space debris and the threat that causes to satelites. I can't remember the details but collisions between satellites cause a exponential increase in space debris and ultimately, very quickly, a space no go zone around the planet. Up to date paper charts sound a good idea. Ian

Like to see that going around a sail loft in Oulton Broad. Ian

Perry, Having to avoid wind powered hazards will just be like being on the Broads again Ian (back in the water 12 weeks and counting)

Hi, Gertie in the snow

Hi, I have decided to go for the lens and a 18-55 IS as well. I find I do not treat my camera very well, as it now feels almost disposable in nature as it will be obsolete very quickly (OK already is). Thanks for all the feedback and Strowager it will be interesting to see what you go for in the end. Thanks Ian

Hi, I have seen the Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS Lens for £155 At the moment I have a Tamron 55-200 on my 400D. Will I be able to notice a difference in quality between the lenses or is it worth it just for the IS feature? Ian

Hi, As the new design is intened to get to parts others can't reach will bow thrusters be fitted to the new boats? Ian

Good to see the progress. The way you have weathered the scaffold around the job to look like it has been always there is very well done Ian

Any blocks of colour I was not happy about I checked by moving it one block to the side, that made the shade difference stand out more and confirmed if it was in the right order. Also working 20 years in quality control. Ian

Hi, (But sort of cheated) Ian

:naughty:Me? When tacking a yacht you are sailing with the wind blowing towards you and if you need to stop or slow up pointing the sail boat directly at the wind is like pulling the kill switch on the engine, the power driving the boat is switched off. So if something does go wrong during a pass/tack situation the yacht can do something about it by stopping and letting things sort themselves out. Something to be aware of and is not quite so easy to spot is if you come up behind a yacht that is about to gybe. This is where the wind is behind the yacht with the sail right out to one side. The yacht will be going in a straight line down the river and all will be calm on board. A gust or change in the wind can get behind the sail and rather than pushing the sail forward push the sail over to the other side of the boat in just a few seconds. This uncontrolled gybe is quite violent and can cause damage to a yacht and the sail that was sticking all the way out one side is now sticking out the other, that is if the mast and sail is still there. The kill switch option will not work and the engine (wind) can't be switched off. For an experienced crew this is not a problem and they will control the gybe and use it to their advantage when sailing. Lou, To me it sound fine what you are doing, being safe and gaining experience. We only learnt to sail about 7 years ago, and only in the past few years started to sail on the rivers. Even now on a Sunday morning on the Bure we often will not sail as this boating lark is suposed to be fun and what's the point in getting stressed out when you have an outboard. Ian

Hi, I'm happy to take you for a spin sometime! I have a few others who are still waiting for a try as well We have finished sailing now for this year and getting ready for the lay up over the winter. Perhaps the new years resolution is to get a few more people converted to flappy things. Ian

Remember to make it folding for PH bridge Ian

I think Perry and David are correct, the majority of boats hire and private need no directions as they know what to do, and the way they slow down and place themselves to overtake confirms this. I do however sometimes have people want to overtake and they ask for directions (you get to learn the panic what do we do now look!) Ian

Hi, This is a good question and has a safety aspect to it. When I am sailing I will point at the overtaking craft, then swing my arm to point in the direction I would like them to go. Also when possible, check the change of direction of the overtaking craft and confirm it with a thumbs up. If they ask for direction then go wrong way I take it my directions were unclear and make sure I avoid them. Meanwhile, check behind, swing the rudder over, hop up, tread on a dog, rudder back to middle, check the wind, adjust the sail, smile and wave thanks Ian

Hi, I think your son Jasper has worked out the former where the mast needs to go Ian

Neat Cillit Bang worked on our lino deck, and removed years of staining. Ian

Hi, When making up the plug do you work straight to size, or do you have to build in any compensations for anything? Ian