Richie

There's a few Herbert Woods boats that look like they're leaving the fleet and are up for sale on the Waterside Marine site. An Amber Light, a Florida Light, a Glistening Light and a Shining Light. Mind you Hilight is still for sale from last year and the Sparkling Light that also went up for sale at the same time has only just sold.

Saw her a couple of times last weekend. She still looks great. I do have a soft spot for those Aston Concorde class boats.

I don't think I saw a single hire boat, elite premium classic or budget, that didn't look like it couldn't do with some TLC in the shed. I don't think it's fair to single out HW for external appearance. Their boats didn't look any worse than Richardson's or Barnes.

Have just spent 11 nights on Silver Light. Yes, the outside looks far from spotless. Rust streaks from the rubbing strakes, marks and scuffs on the hull, the rubber all-around fender could do with someone digging out the mud & moss, and the topsides need a good clean BUT everything inside was spotless and everything mechanical worked faultlessly. Pretty good for a 30yr old boat if you ask me. The side entrance is only really a hassle if you moor side on with the starboard side to the bank and hhe pros outweighs the cons in my opinion having that self-contained aft cabin. Oh and didn't we hit the jackpot with some beautiful early autumn weather.

30 years for me for the same class of boat - Aston Nevada Oct 1985 to Song of Freedom Oct 2015. Or 14 years for exactly the same boat - Aston Broadsword Oct 2001 to Sweet Freedom June 2015.

Talking of ex Aston boats still going strong, don't forget Andy's Song of Freedom - ex Aston Vanguard; Sweet Freedom - ex Aston Broadsword; and Rambling Freedom - ex Aston Mars (?). I hired Aston Nevada in about 1985/6 from the Loddon yard with my parents, saw her for sale at Wroxham as Vada when I was on the broads last year.....I was tempted.