Half Broads' boats will see no increase in next year's tolls

Over half the boats on the Broads will see their tolls reduced or remain the same next season as a result of the Broads Authority’s long-term aim to encourage more people to take up boating.
At its meeting on 23 November the Authority agreed an overall rise of 3% in income from tolls from April which will see small boats paying less than this year and larger boats paying more. This compares to other waterways where charges will rise by 4.6%.

A total of 5,700 private rowing, sailing and motor boats out of a total of 10,900 will see a reduction or no increase at all. The charge for private motor boats of under 5 square metres is to be reduced from £97.44 to £90.00 to narrow the gap in charges with unpowered boats of the same size. The annual toll for a small sailing boat will fall from £48.72 to £45.00. Hired day boats of 11 square metres will see a decrease of 2.69% from £439.52 to £427.68. A larger private motor boat of 25 square metres will go up by £12.00 to £267.60.

The charges for seven day short visit tolls are to be reduced from 70% to 50% of the 14 day visit toll as an incentive to visiting craft. Ferries will be charged at the private rate to encourage the return of these historic waterway links.

Chairman of the Broads Authority, Dr Stephen Johnson, said: “The system was reviewed to encourage more people, especially young people, to get out on the water with the aim of promoting health, well-being and the enjoyment of Britain’s magical waterland. It also recognises the popularity of angling which is often done from small boats.”

The Broads Authority still faces big challenges, especially dredging the rivers and broads and maintaining its assets, including 4km of public moorings. Prudent budgeting, down-sizing to smaller offices, astute second-hand deals with equipment for the dockyard and European funding for key dredging projects, has helped with the Authority’s finances.

John Packman, Chief Executive of the Broads Authority, said: “We have a major investment programme underway, including the building of a new workshop to maintain our workboats, the purchase of a new mud wherry for our dredging operations and a programme of safety improvements on Breydon Water including a new, more appropriate patrol launch for the estuary.”

How much do you know about Broads invasive species?

 

The Broads Authority is running an online survey to find out if its campaign to curb the spread of new aquatic aliens is reaching water users.

It takes just five minutes to complete and will help in future public campaigns.

The latest arrival to the Broads is the killer shrimp, Dikerogammarus villosus, which was discovered in Barton Broad in March this year and has since spread up the River Ant as far as Wayford Bridge and downstream into the Bure.

All users of the Broads are being asked to check their equipment and clothes for live organisms, wash them off and dry them out thoroughly to avoid spreading the shrimp to other waterways.

Will Burchnall was appointed to the new post of Wetlands Biosecurity Officer by the Broads Authority, co-funded by the Environment Agency, Natural England and Defra, to promote awareness of damaging invasive species.

He said: “Since the arrival of the killer shrimp I have worked closely with boating organisations, sailing and rowing clubs and anglers to raise awareness of the Check, Clean, Dry campaign. We would now like to know if the message has got through or if more work needs to be done.

“We are most concerned to protect water bodies isolated from the main Broads system, such as the Trinity and Whitlingham Broads, from invasion by these aliens as they could endanger the very delicate eco-system. If people could spare five minutes to fill in the survey it will help us to know how effective our campaign has been and where we go from here.”

Rebel One Design Keel Boat

I had a trip to Belaugh Boats today in Hoverton Wroxham on the Northern Broads. I was amazed to see ‘Rebel One’ sitting in their shed and apparently up for sale as an ongoing project. Shes open to offers…..how much is she worth… any comments?

So far she’s been replanked and refastened on one side.. and she’s had lots of ribs replaced.. She’s holding very good lines with no sagging or hogging identified. The keel looked sound. She still requires the bulkheads and thwarts to be fitted along with the deck and deck fittings etc. Apparently there are some spars somewhere in the shed!

 
Here is mine number 11 Rebel Chieftain.. This will give you an idea of what she could look like. Ive owned some boats over the years but Chieftain will take some beating… the Rebel Class are amazing to sail…perfect for the Norfolk Broads….and there are only a dozen left…..on the planet!
 

 

Thinking of Buying a Boat and Need Help? Call Insight Marine Surveys Ltd. 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

　 

Bounty 34 Sedan

I had a visit to Sabena Marine in Wroxham yesterday on the Norfolk Broads to Survey this ex hire boat. Launched at the end of the 1970s, the Traveller is best known as the Bounty 34 Sedan. A sleek craft with comfortable accommodation nicely laid out through three cabins.

There is a large rear cockpit housing the engine and hydraulic drive. The cabin is entered through twin sliding doors into the combined saloon and galley which are light and airy due the glazed patio doors and large windows all round. Forward of this there are nicely proportioned sleeping cabins and bathroom.

A small number were built with a flybridge on the roof…

Click this link for a Brochure

Interesting Broads Boat!... looks fast..

              Another boat steering in a staight line! I think its time re-invent the heel bearing....

 

Surveyors comments: Bounty Boats continued and developed the idea used by the F. B. Wilds Caribbean / Bermuda range of utilising hydraulic drive (see pic above) and the significant advantages this offers in boats. As there is no direct mechanical link between the engine and propellor, the use of hydraulic drive allows the engine to be positioned almost anywhere within the boat rather than being in a fixed position in relation to the propeller and the precise alignment this usually requires to reduce vibration to a minimum.

Thinking of Buying a Boat and Need Help? Call Insight Marine Surveys Ltd. 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

"Killer shrimp" advice at free angling taster day

Friday 2nd November, Hickling



The Broads Authority’s biosecurity officer will be giving away 30 unhooking mats promoting the Check, Clean, Dry campaign at a free fishing taster day on Friday 2nd November at the Pleasure Boat Inn, Hickling. The campaign aims to stop the spread of the “killer shrimp” in the Broads.

Experienced, qualified angling coaches will be on hand from 10am to 3.30 pm to help aspiring anglers of all ages to catch their first fish. Participants do not need to buy a national rod licence and all equipment and bait is provided. Free membership of the Angling Trust will be given to all under 16 year-olds that attend.

Will Burchnall, the Broads Authority’s biosecurity officer, will help anglers identify the “killer shrimp” and give advice on what they can do to help control them.

The shrimp, Dikerogammarus villosus, is an aggressive hunter which has made the trek from Russia, across Europe to Britain, and is now spreading throughout the Broads. Although it is only 30mm long it has a voracious appetite and feeds on insect life including damselfly nymphs, water boatmen and small fish. If it becomes widespread it could threaten populations of many native freshwater species.

Anglers and boat users are being urged to check, clean and dry their equipment after every use to prevent the spread to isolated waterways such as the Trinity Broads. The event has been organised by the Hickling Playing Field Charity in partnership with the Norfolk County Angling Action Group, the Angling Trust and the Pleasure Boat Inn.