Page updated: 15 November 2012
Back in 2001-2002 I did experiment with a share in a narrowboat. Unlike the sales pitch for such schemes, it felt much more like being an investor in someone else's hire boat than owning your own. On Easter Day 2004 I bought "Imagination", SeaHawk #267. Owning 100% of your own boat feels rather different.
2004
The Purchase and initial tidy-up of Imagination - 2004
I refuse to bid in an eBay auction, but buy the boat afterwards when it goes unsold.
The Launch of Imagination - 2004
Trying to launch a boat for the first time causes problems. The second attempt goes OK!
2006
Brother Mike and I make an attempt on the Three Rivers Race - a 24 hour marathon.
A Cruise up Waxham New Cut - 2006
I manage to reach the head of navigation on this most northern tributary of the River Thurne.
2008
I find a fellow SeaHawk owner from Scotland to make my second attempt on the Three Rivers Race.
2009
For my third attempt at the race I finally find a Norfolk-based boat builder to act as crew.
2010
The Norfolk Tideway Dinghy Meet - 2010
I cruise to Barton Broad to meet Bryn Weightman, who back in the 1950s used to skipper a working Thames Sailing Barge, and try his Tideway Dinghy.
See also the separate Broads section which includes exploits in my father's SeaHawk during the 1970s.