Norfolk Broads - The Forum - Are we allowed to say thanks?

Newbie
Posts: 9
Joined: Jul 2010

Add To Ignore List

Felt this was worth a mention...
Paid for our boat last Friday July 23rd.
You may imagine how we felt getting down there on Friday night to bed down for the first time.
Also, how we felt 'heading off' on Saturday morning, bewildered as to how to exit our mooring safely under the gaze of other owners, which side of the river to stay on, how to stop, moor, change direction while using less than 18,000 revs, fill up with a variety of liquids, remember how to start the engine, figure out how all the buttons work, and all this with a fixed and demented-looking grin on my face the whole time.
After a fantastic couple of hours playing at being a Captain decided to try and call in and get some diesel and water (but in separate tanks!).
Called in to Ludham Bridge Boatyard (got help with the mooring). Filled up, had a great chat with Jason Steve, Sonia, George and young Jake. Turned out Steve built the roof on our boat during a conversion! Said thanks, went on our way.
Cue the threatening music.
Late Saturday night heard what was clearly a bad leak directly under the bed. Then some other sound (turned out to be a small animal called a 'bilge pump). We were now in a spot of unknown bother. The bilge pump intervention was becoming more frequent. We'd been in possession less than twenty four hours and had only just figured how to turn on the gas!.
Lived with the leak, the noise, the bilge pump and the worry through the night.
Started to head off early next morning, with a dark recognition that this was now Sunday and we might only find a Tesco store open (bluetac or cellotape maybe?). Headed back up the Ant to our moorings, couldn't think what else to do. Passing Ludham Bridge Boatyard we noticed Jason on the quay and made a beeline for the dock.
Without a flinch Jason spent the next two hours going on and off our boat (while running a business and looking after visiting hire customers) trying to rescue the situation. Keep in mind that we had known from the pre-purchase comprehensive survey that the stern gland was heading for the graveyard, though it was hoped by all parties to the sale that it would last long enough to allow us a Summer of joy and then out for a range of tasks to be done in the Winter. Jason was fantastic and took up yards of carpet and floorboards to make it safer for us. Even so, somethings can't be left to chance and without any booking or further to-do Jason agreed to moor her there and make plans to take her out and replace the darn gland. Throughout all of this time it would have been impossible to see how Jason, George and Jake could have done any more to settle our minds and make us welcome. In the end we made lunch, enjoyed a few hours moored there and did some fishing. To top it all, Jason's dad Denis came to visit the yard, heard our request to Jason to find a taxi to get back to our car at the moorings and would have none of it! We were promptly ushered into his car by Denis, alongside his wife and taken back to Stalham to where our car was. Something I had noticed the previous day now made sense. As we were being topped up with fuel I noticed that a lot of owners were waving and calling out a greeting to Jason or one of his team as they cruised by. I now know why.
We are hoping we will have the boat back by the weekend and be back on the water. The trauma has been worthwhile just to find people like Jason and his team are out there.

“Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something.” - Plato

BroadAmbition

Jul-26-2010 @ 10:26 PM

Harnser Trainer
Posts: 5748
Joined: Jan 2006
BroadAmbition

Add To Ignore List

Yes of course you are allowed to say thanks, and that yard/staff at LBBy have had a lot of thanks/praise and continue to do so and now you have first hand experience of why.

Welcome to the world of boating with all it foibles and adventures, and now of course you really do know what the word B.O.A.T stands for = Bung On Another Thousand !!

Personally I've never been so skint or happy since becoming an owner, but if I had to hire for the amount of time I spend afloat then I'd be proper destitute.

Next time you're cruising along after this little hiccup has been fixed you will be full of confidence and even more smug!

See you afloat

Griff

'Broad Ambition' - 'Dreams do come true' - Afloat at last 06-10-07

www.grifftile.co.uk

thiswilldous

Jul-27-2010 @ 8:25 AM

Newbie
Posts: 9
Joined: Jul 2010

Add To Ignore List

Indeedy!
We have our list of "things to do" and recognise that it will never end!
But as you said.... if we were to hire to suit our wants, most likely we'd be busking in the evenings under the bridges!
Cheers.

“Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something.” - Plato

GaryCantley

Jul-27-2010 @ 8:31 AM

Hamster & Screwdriver Keeper
Posts: 5375
Joined: Jul 2005
GaryCantley

quote:"......
But as you said.... if we were to hire to suit our wants, most likely we'd be busking in the evenings under the bridges!
......."

Thank Gawd you bought then, some on here have heard your singing and they werent impressed LOL

Gary.

Fat bloke in and even brighter yellow buoyancy aid.

Forum Girly Swat 20 Mar 09, 15 May 2009, 23 Oct 09 and 3 Jan 2010.

SOS247

Jul-27-2010 @ 9:52 PM

Forum Regular
Posts: 322
Joined: Jun 2006
SOS247

Add To Ignore List

Hi Andrew & Claire

We always enjoy hearing the words "thank you"  !!
Thats more important then the cheque, thats why i'm not rich!

It was an enjoyment telling you all about your boat,  and just to let you
know the leak problem should be fixed tomorrow (hopefully!)
I only said 'hopefully' because its still very busy with breakdowns etc.

Im sure you will also see that we also get customers openly supporting
us on here, which is good!       Smile

All the yards need this customer support.

See you when you are next down, but your boat is still floating! (well it
was when I left off tonight!!!) Playful

See you soon & thank you

From Jason & the team at Ludham Bridge Boatyard

They say that 'Hard work never killed anyone' however, sleepless nights, stress, not taking breaks & not eating correctly may just get you there early!!

zacthedog

Jul-27-2010 @ 10:07 PM

Been Posting For a Long Time
Posts: 1512
Joined: Jul 2009
zacthedog

Add To Ignore List

thankyou, thankyou, thankyou,thankyou, thankyou, thankyou,thankyou, thankyou, thankyou,thankyou, thankyou, thankyou,thankyou, thankyou, thankyou,thankyou, thankyou, thankyou,thankyou, thankyou, thankyou,thankyou, thankyou, thankyou,

oh and see you thursday Playful Wink

think a lot of people come on here and read about Jason and his staff, its one of those customer comes first things and a love of boats, a very similar man looks after my motorbike,but that anothetr story

(sorry couldn't resist)

Gary
1hr 30mins 60mls away
forum girly swot 19/3/2010

This message was edited by zacthedog on Jul-27-10 @ 10:12 PM

SOS247

Jul-27-2010 @ 10:24 PM

Forum Regular
Posts: 322
Joined: Jun 2006
SOS247

Add To Ignore List

Oh dear im going to spoil things now - jason don't like broads boats...!

Ok Its out now & I feel better, ive been keeping this a secret for
18months! However, I do like some boats but mainly big boats i.e.
H/duty tugs, ships etc etc its all to do with diesel power, torque & just
shear grunt......:P

But I'am starting to get a little 'tingle' down below when I see the
different old wooden boats, but I think thats just the history causing
this! Smile

Thank you! Smile

They say that 'Hard work never killed anyone' however, sleepless nights, stress, not taking breaks & not eating correctly may just get you there early!!

zacthedog

Jul-28-2010 @ 7:09 AM

Been Posting For a Long Time
Posts: 1512
Joined: Jul 2009
zacthedog

Add To Ignore List

Jason, to be fair i didn't specify what boats you like,
as i said the man that does my bike likes off roaders not sports bikes , he is an engine man and loves nothing more than tinkering with them , sure you are him in disguise. But each to there own i say, and i know what you meen about the woodies, i have been getting rather fond of them as well,

Gary
1hr 30mins 60mls away
forum girly swot 19/3/2010

thiswilldous

Jul-28-2010 @ 9:39 AM

Newbie
Posts: 9
Joined: Jul 2010

Add To Ignore List

Heck,
Hoping that nobody had heard the singing!
red-faced now Jason, given what I saw at the boatyard I figured you wouldn't have time to be on the forum and read about yourself!
DOH!

“Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something.” - Plato

Mowjo

Jul-29-2010 @ 2:13 PM