Dolphin

It was hard drive related but I don't really understand the details. It seems its more of a job to fix than initally thought though and could be a while yet. Richard is on the case ...

A really sad sight, but she was definitely running around like that for a couple of days before going back. Good luck sorting it out Clive. By the way - its polite to ask people before you download and use their photos elsewhere.

The other topcraft is there Dan, Sparkling Emblem in the 8+ section. Can't see Rose though. You're right it is unprofessional. When did you notice that section of the WRC website disappear? I couldn't find a couple of weeks before Christmas but didn't know if that was because they were doing maintenance. Can't have been that long between Anglia Afloat going to print and Len Funnel/James Kinght pulling the plug on the idea? I would love to know why too.

Very interesting to see that the two large centre cockpit Topcrafts which were sold to WRC and had appeared on their website along with Pearl Emblem and I think Jade Emblem, have now disappeared from there and reappeared on Ferry Marina's site. Obviously the plans to hire out of WRC aren't going ahead after all! How embarassing when there's just been an article in the Jan/Feb Anglia Afloat about it! Whoops

Interesting that Pearl Emblem is still up for sale when its just been published online that she is moving to the new WRC fleet. You obviously can't keep a good Aston down!

My sources tell me that the caravan style boats were looked at by pacific but thought to be too expensive. I didn't know at the time that WRC had bought the two big ones. I've also heard conflicting stories about the yard. Topcraft say that they will be providing services still, others in the know say that the site is sold.

The little green crystals work for me but need to be reapplied regularly until the cat gets the idea that they are not welcome. They are called 'Get off!' and I got mine from the local pound shop although I think B&Q might do them too at a slightly higher price.

This is probably a really stupid question but ... is the wheel on the other side because its continental? I'm not sure I could get used to driving from that side. Some of them look like quite high boats, is airdraft going to be a problem or are the pictures deceiving? Le Boat have some nice designs and its great to see them expanding their fleet. Also do Alphas have a cut and shut jobby or does it just look that way?

I thought the channel looked a bit too narrow to be Breydon and they seemd to be kicking up quite muddy water so it might have been shallow. There are posts on Rockland but it looks to big for that. The only other place I can think of is Barton unless there are posts on the other side of that bridge. If it was Breydon then they are truly stupid and very lucky too as there didn't seem to be much tide running.

That's interesting, If first time (north based) hirers are actively being put off coming through Gt Yarmouth and onto the South Broads then its no wonder that the area is gradually dying off. That same hirer may not then hire from the South in future years because of this omen of doom. Or alternatively they might find that the bustle of the North is not for them and stay away altogether, whereas actually they may have love the tranquility of the Southern Broads. I can see where the boatyards are coming from in terms of tides, diesel, potential damage etc. but surely with good quality tutition it shouldn't be a problem.

My cousin used to fly a spitfire in the BBMF so I know that they have a ridiculous schedule including weekends. (And a day job too!) Will try to link to the flying programme on their website but can't guarantee it will work. http://www.raf.mod.uk/bbmf/displayinfo/aug2011.cfm

I heard that another Southern based yard had looked over the boats and considered the caravans to be over priced and wouldn't touch them with a barge pole.

I'm glad to here that the second one is in the water .. I thought I was going nuts the other day when I saw one Broadsman on Womack staithe just before midday and another one heading North through Great Yarmouth at about half 3! Thought that a stealth button had been fitted and it had nipped past us at mach two and then turned round to confuse me!

Oooooo Well Done Jill I haven't seen that one for years- in fact was beginning to waonder whether she had gone to the great marina in the sky! Charlie

It looks like you are right Neil Having thought about it and checked my records, I saw Caster AKA Callisto on the Broads last summer, so we have found Orion. A shame for me though as Humber was my fav and I though it might be her. All you have to do is take a trip to WIndsor to confirm it! Thanks for helping sort the dilemmia Only another 23 Astons that have 'disappeared' to find! Charlie

Is this her then? Water Rats are playing at Hotel Wroxham tonight.

While browsing around on ebay I spotted this boat for sale in Windsor. Not an Aston I hear you cry - but look closely in the background of the picture. Hey presto a Thames class! From the window positioning its either one of the river set or a constellation. Using the database I've narrowed it to possible Humber, Orion or Castor. Annoyingly a view of the other side would have helped more as the head window in the stern cabin would have been in different places depending on which set it belonged to. This is really bugging me now - so anyone living around that area I'd really appreciate a little more research.

Here goes, I'm having an attempt at reducing my pixies. Hope it works. Charlie

Hi Jill When was your pic of Herondale taken. I saw her last autumn afloat outside the River Inspectors boathouse in Thorpe and it looked like someone was working on her. Can't upload pic as I still haven't learnt how to reduce the pixies!

The planets were Mars, Jupiter, Mercury and Venus. The rivers; Thames, Mersey, Severn and Humber. I think that over the course of 1982 until closure, we had Otter, Ash, Willow, Elm, Aries, Thames x2, Humber x2, Mersey x2, Mercury x2, Georgia & Viscount x2. We ended up buying Viscount! I had heard that the Blue was as a result of Wing Commander Aston's memories of the sky. But either way it worked, they were always very distinctive from a distance. If I had a pound for every time I had heard the words 'I can see an Aston boat'. I would be on the boat all the time, cos I would be so rich I wouldn't need to work. Aston spotting has always been a major hobby of mine, the ladies in the office at the Loddon base always used to have a spotters list ready for me when we arrived for our holiday so I could spend the week (or 2) ticking them off. I now have a list that I've compiled myself (based on Craig's database) of all the Ex Astons and still do the same. I ticked off 50 in total last year! Sad I know, but its the little kid in me that does it. Charlie

As soon as school work calms down a bit I'll be doing some weekends and then up and out for at least 2 weeks at the start of August. Haven't spent as much time on the boat as I usually do this year (getting serious withdrawal) as work has been madness.

Paul, Dad's favourite was the Oak class, 35 foot long, so just about right for you then. Definitely have old brochures around somewhere.

Almost forgot, here is a piccy of the Loddon yard taken by my dad. Think this was taken at the end of my very first trip on a boat the brand spanking new Aston Otter, (second from the left) in 1982. Have lots more around. will have a dig in the loft at some stage.

I've only just picked up on this thread, which is truly shocking as I'm thinking of making Aston Boats from the early 80s onwards my Mastermind specialist subject so thank you for all the pictures. Dan, Rambling Freedom is definitely one of the river section of the Thames class, old layout A. Its not the Thames, because she is now Pearl Emblem, its not the Severn as she had a bowthruster and refit after having a slight disagreement with the 'Blackheath' and has since left the Broads. That leaves the Mersey and Humber. I do know that the Humber was the only Thames class to have a 2.5 BMC as apposed to a 2.2 and once had the reputation for being the fastest hire boat on the broads. (Certainly nothing passed us on Breydon!) Rambling has a 2.2 but that could have been changed. Through this process of elimination I've narrowed it down to the Mersey as well. And before you ask I've already emailed Freedom to ask them, and annoyingly I knew more than they did!!! Oh and Bill the white concorde class moored at Loddon in your other thread of old photos is probably Vada, Ex Nevada.

We plan on having some painting work done by Stephen Warner at Quayway Boats (based in the old Aston Yard Beccles). His quote seems reasonable and I have seen other painting he has done, which has been fantastic quality. He really knows his onions (and boats!) and is really helpful. Contact him at quaywayboats@hotmail.co.uk