Which boat for next summer?

Author
Discussion

PushedDover

5,704 posts

55 months

Wednesday 11th November 2020
quotequote all
Parrot ?
Bottle of Rum ?

Some charts, Binoculars, decent toolkit, ......

NickCQ

5,392 posts

98 months

Wednesday 11th November 2020
quotequote all
Do you need a dinghy in inland waterways? How about a SUP paddleboard or kayak or something?

Louis Balfour

Original Poster:

26,539 posts

224 months

Wednesday 11th November 2020
quotequote all
NickCQ said:
Do you need a dinghy in inland waterways? How about a SUP paddleboard or kayak or something?
I don't know, is the short answer. I have yet to establish whether it is permissible to anchor in a river overnight or whether one has to moor to the bank / pontoon.

The Trent runs past the end of my road, so if I can anchor in the river so much the better. I wouldn't leave it there often because the lane attract teenagers and a little boat just offshore may prove too much temptation. But occasionally it would be good and I would need to get out to her in the morning.

Jaguar steve

9,232 posts

212 months

Wednesday 11th November 2020
quotequote all
IforB said:
Louis Balfour said:
IforB said:
Louis Balfour said:
Simpo Two said:
Seight_Returns said:
In some seriousness - boat owners who name their boats with reference to their wives' names (ideally tastefully, respectfully and affectionately) tend to fare better in the inevitable "how much is that bloody thing costing us" marital discussions.
Not only is that a common tactic, but the surname always seems to start with 'B' - 'Sophie B', 'Molly B', 'Daisy B' etc...no idea why. Even the Beach Boys' boat was 'Sloop John B'.

So anyway, 20 questions as to the name of Balfour's new tub:

1) Animal, vegetable or mineral?
I had already worked out that naming the boat after the women in our household may be a smart move, so the name is going to be a portmanteau of the name of my wife and daughters Chloe, Amy and Lydia.

I shall be naming the vessel "Chlamydia".
I dare you.
Were it not for the fact that the artwork has been paid for and agreed I might have said "you pay...."
I would do that in a heartbeat! (For the graphics not the boat...)

I love a daft boat name. Many of mine in the past have been attempts at winding up the stuffy old darts on race committees.
I was very disappointed when as a teenager our carbon hulled 505 was referred to as BBS1 by the commodore rather the actual name of "Big Black Stiff One."
Back in the day I'd frequently have a very shouty full and frank exchange of views regarding the racing rules whilst rounding the windward mark with a Condor cat named Betty Swollocks. hehe

Louis Balfour

Original Poster:

26,539 posts

224 months

Wednesday 11th November 2020
quotequote all
NickCQ said:
Dehumidifier
Plastic plates, cups and glasses
Good toolbox including the right size spanners for your engine
OK dehumidifier, hadn't thought of that.

Louis Balfour

Original Poster:

26,539 posts

224 months

Wednesday 11th November 2020
quotequote all
IforB said:
Register the radio and get an MMSI number for Chlamydia.
In terms of security, the thing most likely to get nicked is the trailer, so make sure it gets stashed somewhere safe and is locked up properly. Ground anchor and a decent hitch lock are the minimum for me after learning the hard way about thieving scumbags and boat trailers.

The engine is the next most likely thing to get nabbed, but if kept in a secure location, anything with that big of a lump on it should be fine.
Other than that, it is petty pilfering that is the problem, but genuinely there is not much of that really and the usual precautions are the same anywhere.

Just make sure your insurance is bullet proof and you have a good broker. Other than that, not much.

Oh, other than life jackets and something to keep the damned birds off.
Can anyone suggest a good boat insurance broker please?

What do I need to keep birds off? Scarecrow or bird scarer may not be apposite in a marina.


NickCQ

5,392 posts

98 months

Wednesday 11th November 2020
quotequote all
Louis Balfour said:
OK dehumidifier, hadn't thought of that.
Just makes the boat so much nicer when you come back to it and slows mildew growth.

Louis Balfour

Original Poster:

26,539 posts

224 months

Wednesday 11th November 2020
quotequote all
NickCQ said:
Louis Balfour said:
OK dehumidifier, hadn't thought of that.
Just makes the boat so much nicer when you come back to it and slows mildew growth.
I hadn't considered mildew. I wonder whether I need to heat the boat when it is berthed. I presume that shore power is metered by the Marina and I imagine that charges are above those for my house.


pequod

8,997 posts

140 months

Wednesday 11th November 2020
quotequote all
Louis Balfour said:
I don't know, is the short answer. I have yet to establish whether it is permissible to anchor in a river overnight or whether one has to moor to the bank / pontoon.

The Trent runs past the end of my road, so if I can anchor in the river so much the better. I wouldn't leave it there often because the lane attract teenagers and a little boat just offshore may prove too much temptation. But occasionally it would be good and I would need to get out to her in the morning.
I do hope you are joking?


IforB

9,840 posts

231 months

Wednesday 11th November 2020
quotequote all
Tool kit is an essential, as are things like mooring lines (fore, aft and springs), fenders, safety kit like flares, space blankets, first aid kit. Scrubbing brush for getting the bird crap off, boat hook, emergency fuel can, fuel filler and a spare handheld VHF.

Some random spares like fuses, fuel filter, impeller (if easily changeable on your engine, with outboards of a decent size it is not usually an easy job and not one you will be able to do on the water) spare oil and hydraulic fluid for steering or trim rams (unusual you would need it to be honest, but I always like to have a bit there just in case.)


IforB

9,840 posts

231 months

Wednesday 11th November 2020
quotequote all
Louis Balfour said:
IforB said:
Register the radio and get an MMSI number for Chlamydia.
In terms of security, the thing most likely to get nicked is the trailer, so make sure it gets stashed somewhere safe and is locked up properly. Ground anchor and a decent hitch lock are the minimum for me after learning the hard way about thieving scumbags and boat trailers.

The engine is the next most likely thing to get nabbed, but if kept in a secure location, anything with that big of a lump on it should be fine.
Other than that, it is petty pilfering that is the problem, but genuinely there is not much of that really and the usual precautions are the same anywhere.

Just make sure your insurance is bullet proof and you have a good broker. Other than that, not much.

Oh, other than life jackets and something to keep the damned birds off.
Can anyone suggest a good boat insurance broker please?

What do I need to keep birds off? Scarecrow or bird scarer may not be apposite in a marina.
Gosling Insurance do all of my boats. Paul G is a friend and has always been superb when thing have gone wonky. Sorted out nicked trailers, masts that decided they didn't want to be up any more, collision damage when it was at anchor and a lot more.

Highly recommended.

As for bird scaring. Silly little things like rubber snakes work for a while, spinney things that mount to the roof and go round with the wind. A fake owl works alright too. Well, until you find a bloody seagull sitting on the damned thing...

Edited by IforB on Wednesday 11th November 20:17

Louis Balfour

Original Poster:

26,539 posts

224 months

Wednesday 11th November 2020
quotequote all
pequod said:
Louis Balfour said:
I don't know, is the short answer. I have yet to establish whether it is permissible to anchor in a river overnight or whether one has to moor to the bank / pontoon.

The Trent runs past the end of my road, so if I can anchor in the river so much the better. I wouldn't leave it there often because the lane attract teenagers and a little boat just offshore may prove too much temptation. But occasionally it would be good and I would need to get out to her in the morning.
I do hope you are joking?
No. There is a place fairly near my house where a boat could be anchored wiithout endangering anyone. The river widens and there is a "bay". I am not suggesting anchoring up mid-river.







HarryW

15,171 posts

271 months

Wednesday 11th November 2020
quotequote all
Louis Balfour said:
IforB said:
Louis Balfour said:
Simpo Two said:
Seight_Returns said:
In some seriousness - boat owners who name their boats with reference to their wives' names (ideally tastefully, respectfully and affectionately) tend to fare better in the inevitable "how much is that bloody thing costing us" marital discussions.
Not only is that a common tactic, but the surname always seems to start with 'B' - 'Sophie B', 'Molly B', 'Daisy B' etc...no idea why. Even the Beach Boys' boat was 'Sloop John B'.

So anyway, 20 questions as to the name of Balfour's new tub:

1) Animal, vegetable or mineral?
I had already worked out that naming the boat after the women in our household may be a smart move, so the name is going to be a portmanteau of the name of my wife and daughters Chloe, Amy and Lydia.

I shall be naming the vessel "Chlamydia".
I dare you.
Were it not for the fact that the artwork has been paid for and agreed I might have said "you pay...."
At this point I think I will call custard on this....

Louis Balfour

Original Poster:

26,539 posts

224 months

Wednesday 11th November 2020
quotequote all
HarryW said:
Louis Balfour said:
IforB said:
Louis Balfour said:
Simpo Two said:
Seight_Returns said:
In some seriousness - boat owners who name their boats with reference to their wives' names (ideally tastefully, respectfully and affectionately) tend to fare better in the inevitable "how much is that bloody thing costing us" marital discussions.
Not only is that a common tactic, but the surname always seems to start with 'B' - 'Sophie B', 'Molly B', 'Daisy B' etc...no idea why. Even the Beach Boys' boat was 'Sloop John B'.

So anyway, 20 questions as to the name of Balfour's new tub:

1) Animal, vegetable or mineral?
I had already worked out that naming the boat after the women in our household may be a smart move, so the name is going to be a portmanteau of the name of my wife and daughters Chloe, Amy and Lydia.

I shall be naming the vessel "Chlamydia".
I dare you.
Were it not for the fact that the artwork has been paid for and agreed I might have said "you pay...."
At this point I think I will call custard on this....
You're too late, the boat has been named and anyway Custard is a rubbish name for a boat.



PushedDover

5,704 posts

55 months

Wednesday 11th November 2020
quotequote all
Itself not an atrocious name


‘Custard’

pequod

8,997 posts

140 months

Wednesday 11th November 2020
quotequote all
Louis Balfour said:
pequod said:
Louis Balfour said:
I don't know, is the short answer. I have yet to establish whether it is permissible to anchor in a river overnight or whether one has to moor to the bank / pontoon.

The Trent runs past the end of my road, so if I can anchor in the river so much the better. I wouldn't leave it there often because the lane attract teenagers and a little boat just offshore may prove too much temptation. But occasionally it would be good and I would need to get out to her in the morning.
I do hope you are joking?
No. There is a place faitly near my house where a boat could be anchored wiithout endangering anyone. The river widens and there is a "bay". I am not suggesting anchoring up mid-river.
I was thinking more about whether the entire boat would still be there in the morning! You may be amazed how quickly a new boat can be stolen and either stripped down or packed off to unknown destinations. Your insurance company may be less than impressed too!

Louis Balfour

Original Poster:

26,539 posts

224 months

Wednesday 11th November 2020
quotequote all
pequod said:
Louis Balfour said:
pequod said:
Louis Balfour said:
I don't know, is the short answer. I have yet to establish whether it is permissible to anchor in a river overnight or whether one has to moor to the bank / pontoon.

The Trent runs past the end of my road, so if I can anchor in the river so much the better. I wouldn't leave it there often because the lane attract teenagers and a little boat just offshore may prove too much temptation. But occasionally it would be good and I would need to get out to her in the morning.
I do hope you are joking?
No. There is a place faitly near my house where a boat could be anchored wiithout endangering anyone. The river widens and there is a "bay". I am not suggesting anchoring up mid-river.
I was thinking more about whether the entire boat would still be there in the morning! You may be amazed how quickly a new boat can be stolen and either stripped down or packed off to unknown destinations. Your insurance company may be less than impressed too!
I think there is more chance of it being there in the morning than if I moored exactly opposite the end of my road, which is a small (CRT I think) landing stage adjacent to a pub.

Perhaps I need to stick to the marina or if I moor near home sleep on the boat.



pequod

8,997 posts

140 months

Wednesday 11th November 2020
quotequote all
Louis Balfour said:
pequod said:
Louis Balfour said:
pequod said:
Louis Balfour said:
I don't know, is the short answer. I have yet to establish whether it is permissible to anchor in a river overnight or whether one has to moor to the bank / pontoon.

The Trent runs past the end of my road, so if I can anchor in the river so much the better. I wouldn't leave it there often because the lane attract teenagers and a little boat just offshore may prove too much temptation. But occasionally it would be good and I would need to get out to her in the morning.
I do hope you are joking?
No. There is a place faitly near my house where a boat could be anchored wiithout endangering anyone. The river widens and there is a "bay". I am not suggesting anchoring up mid-river.
I was thinking more about whether the entire boat would still be there in the morning! You may be amazed how quickly a new boat can be stolen and either stripped down or packed off to unknown destinations. Your insurance company may be less than impressed too!
I think there is more chance of it being there in the morning than if I moored exactly opposite the end of my road, which is a small (CRT I think) landing stage adjacent to a pub.

Perhaps I need to stick to the marina or if I moor near home sleep on the boat.
Yep.

Simpo Two

85,862 posts

267 months

Wednesday 11th November 2020
quotequote all
Louis Balfour said:
Okay so I should be getting Chlamydia just before Christmas.

I've got the personalised deck shoes on order; Santa is buying me the captain's hat and Lick N Stick anchor tattoos.

What else am I going to need?

Boat insurance.
River licence
Floaty keyring.
Kettle
Pot Noodles

What about boat security?
I've read a lot of the replies and there seems to be some confusion over whether it's inland or coastal, and trailered or berthed. It's inland and in a marina.

You don't need flares or a VHF radio because land is never more than 30 feet away.

Boat insurance - try www.craftinsure.com
River licence - yes, CRT I presume.
Floaty keyring - yes, same if you need a key to operate locks.
You don't need a dinghy/tender.

As for inside, think of it as a second home/caravan. So it's more homewares than anything else.

Where you are you won't be anchoring in the river, you'll tie up either at a recognised mooring, or, if safe and permissible to do so, in a nice quiet field which is my favourite.

I keep some emergency cash hidden away; other than that the most valuable single thing is probably a bottle of gin, so contents insurance is not an issue for me.

Dehumidifier - only in winter when the boat is closed up. Actually that brings me to an important issue - WINTERISING. You'll be using this boat in winter - so like mine it needs to be operational, but safe. Fresh water will freeze below zero - that means cooling water in the engine, water in the WC, water in the freshwater tank/s. You don't want water freezing and cracking things - so I use a couple of oil-filled radiators plugged into shore power. Can't tell you what to do with an outboard as I don't have one.

I don't service my own engine, but find a decently-equipped toolbox very useful for lots of little things.

Louis Balfour said:
Perhaps I need to stick to the marina or if I moor near home sleep on the boat.
You may get bored quite soon if you can only go half a day from the marina in each direction. Sleeping aboard is an extra dimension you can't imagine until you've done it. Evening on the river as the sun goes down, the wind drops, the ducks come out and you open the drinks cabinet and get supper on is wonderful. But you'll miss it all if you're a day-tripper because that when you have to go home and you can't have a drink 'cos you're driving.

Louis Balfour

Original Poster:

26,539 posts

224 months

Wednesday 11th November 2020
quotequote all
Simpo Two said:
Louis Balfour said:
Okay so I should be getting Chlamydia just before Christmas.

I've got the personalised deck shoes on order; Santa is buying me the captain's hat and Lick N Stick anchor tattoos.

What else am I going to need?

Boat insurance.
River licence
Floaty keyring.
Kettle
Pot Noodles

What about boat security?
I've read a lot of the replies and there seems to be some confusion over whether it's inland or coastal, and trailered or berthed. It's inland and in a marina.

You don't need flares or a VHF radio because land is never more than 30 feet away.

Boat insurance - try www.craftinsure.com
River licence - yes, CRT I presume.
Floaty keyring - yes, same if you need a key to operate locks.
You don't need a dinghy/tender.

As for inside, think of it as a second home/caravan. So it's more homewares than anything else.

Where you are you won't be anchoring in the river, you'll tie up either at a recognised mooring, or, if safe and permissible to do so, in a nice quiet field which is my favourite.

I keep some emergency cash hidden away; other than that the most valuable single thing is probably a bottle of gin, so contents insurance is not an issue for me.

Dehumidifier - only in winter when the boat is closed up. Actually that brings me to an important issue - WINTERISING. You'll be using this boat in winter - so like mine it needs to be operational, but safe. Fresh water will freeze below zero - that means cooling water in the engine, water in the WC, water in the freshwater tank/s. You don't want water freezing and cracking things - so I use a couple of oil-filled radiators plugged into shore power. Can't tell you what to do with an outboard as I don't have one.

I don't service my own engine, but find a decently-equipped toolbox very useful for lots of little things.

Louis Balfour said:
Perhaps I need to stick to the marina or if I moor near home sleep on the boat.
You may get bored quite soon if you can only go half a day from the marina in each direction. Sleeping aboard is an extra dimension you can't imagine until you've done it. Evening on the river as the sun goes down, the wind drops, the ducks come out and you open the drinks cabinet and get supper on is wonderful. But you'll miss it all if you're a day-tripper because that when you have ot go home and you can't have a drink 'cos you're driving.
Thanks Simpo

Anyone - what happens with an outboard in freezing temps? If I am planning to use the boat in the winter?