Positive response for Broads Authority in Boat Owners' Survey

Boat owners have given the Broads Authority the thumbs up for its performance in managing the waterways and believe it offers good value for money with its services.

The results of a survey of Broads toll payers showed 65% felt the Authority did a good job compared to 63% in 2009 and 55% in 2005. 83% felt the Authority offered them value for money, the same figure as in 2009.

The availability of free moorings, more dredging and better water quality were shown to be boaters’ highest priorities for future spending.

Boat owners also felt the Authority was listening to their concerns more and keeping them informed of what it was doing.

Chief Executive John Packman said: “We are very pleased with the results of the latest survey of our toll payers. Across the board they seem to feel we have either maintained our performance or improved it which is very encouraging, especially in the light of the staffing cuts we were forced to make last year as a result of the Government’s spending review. The areas highlighted as top priorities for boaters are already some of our main objectives for investment in the coming year so we hope boat owners will continue to see that we are listening and acting on their wishes.”

Everyone who completed the survey was entered into a prize draw. The winner, Malcolm Halsey from Braintree, was selected at random by the survey company and will receive £100 towards the cost of his toll plus a lifejacket as part of the Authority’s new ‘Wear It’ safety campaign. Two runners-up, Michael Richardson from Reedham and Matthew Clarke from Grays in Essex, will also receive a lifejacket each.

Wherries On Wroxham Broad.

11 Months, 3000 pictures and a lot of coffee.

Regal 2860 with the FasTrac hull

I was working down at Broadland Boat Centre today. This is a modern and up to date service centre owned by James Fraser of Norfolk Yacht Agency.

This Regal 2860 stock boat I was Surveying had the high performance ‘FasTrac’ hull.

The principle behind the hull is to reduce the surface tension while the boat moves through the water. The full-beam step forces air beneath the hull to reduce drag and friction while inverted strakes cause the boat to track straight and turn tight. With a reduction in friction, the FasTrac hull is able to achieve higher speeds and better fuel economy than boats of equal size and propulsion.

Twin Volvo D3 diesels...

"The step design improves handling and control by reducing the hull's wetted surface, making it move through the water more smoothly and efficiently."

Thinking of Buying a Boat and Need Help? I specialise in Boats of all types, and I will assist you to make an informed decision. Contact me for a detailed and comprehensive report at:
steventruss1@aol.com

Oil Analysis Tests

If you instruct me to carry out an oil analysis test on the vessel's engine, it could highlight potential engine and equipment problems before any serious damage is done to the unit and provide added security to those purchasing a vessel. Once I have taken the oil sample, the turn around time from receiving the sample to you obtaining your report should be 48 hours. This report can be e-mailed or posted.

The analysis will show:

• The actual wear pattern of the equipment.
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• In a twin-engine set-up we can run a comparison between the two installations.

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The basic cost of a sample would be £90:00 this will include VAT and all handling.