The Broads Green Boat Show 2008 A Broads Weekend We are grateful to the Electric Boat Association for permission to reproduce this report and photographs of The Broads Green Boat Show 2008 The 2008 Green Boat Show was scheduled for a Sunday in late September, leaving Saturday free. Could we combine it with an EBA cruise and dinner, encouraging members to attend the Show as well as providing the opportunity for at least one long cruise? It was a tall order to organise with no knowledge of local facilities but being able to call on Norfolk members for advice, and their generous offers of boat mooring and charging – well it somehow came together and judging by the laughter and companionable atmosphere that flowed through the whole weekend, everyone had a great time.
The sun shone and laughter flowed (plus the odd glass of wine) as we cruised down the River Ant and across Barton Broad to How Hill where we were joined by Roger and Julia Woodhouse in 5 Amp, their Seahopper with Torqeedo outboard. It was a perfect afternoon with very little river traffic and we attracted the usual amazed double-takes as we slid through the quiet waters – the boats were silent but the same could not be said for some of the crews!
It had been a logistical nightmare to organise cars and trailers at various points so that everyone could manage to get back to their accommodation after the dinner, but again mostly to the Williams’ generosity with parking spaces, we managed it to everyone’s satisfaction and the Ferry Inn at Horning welcomed 31 hungry EBA members with an excellent hot meal.
The EBA stand was kept busy all day with technical enquiries, promoting electric boating generally and helping business members unable to attend by handing out their literature where appropriate. David and Jennifer Millin from Pb Batteries were working hard alongside the EBA stand answering questions and taking orders for new or replacement battery installations. Inside the marquee, Robert Paul from Ludham Bridge Services had a variety of products for sale and Agni Motors’ stand had Lynch motors to demonstrate and for sale. Also in the marquee, Professor Rex Harris from Birmingham University had set up an extremely interesting display demonstrating how a hydrogen fuel cell works. Birmingham University are EBA business members with their hydrogen fuel cell boat the Ross Barlow.
Monday morning was a gentle finale as we collected Rhapsody from Jean and David Williams’ beautiful riverside home and said our goodbyes and grateful thanks. Joined by Tony and Janet Dunning, Cedric in his canoe and Alan with Jasec, we cruised back to Stalham, thankful that the weather held right to the end of a successful and busy weekend. Exhibitors at The Broads Green Boat Show 2008If you are interested in exhibiting at The Broads Green Boat Show, please visit our page of Exhibitors' Information.Agni Motors Manufacturers of the lightweight pancake motor invented by Cedric Lynch. Anglia Boatbuilders Association A forum for the boatbuilders of Norfolk and Suffolk, offering a Members and Services Directory and an Apprentice Award Scheme. Broadland Cycle Hire At the Norfolk Broads Cycling Centre between Hoveton and Horning on the A1062 at BeWILDerwood, the new woodland adventure park, you can hire quality bikes and tandems from Broadland Cycle Hire and obtain all the information you need to enjoy a pleasant ride around the countryside. Broadland District Council Renewable energy solutions and advice. The Broads Authority The Broads Authority is the statutory body with responsibility for conservation, planning, recreation and waterways in the Norfolk and Suffolk Broads, Britain's largest protected wetland and third largest inland waterway. The Broads Society The Broads Society is a registered charity for all who love the Norfolk Broads. It works closely with The Broads Authority to monitor environmental pressures, planning applications and developments and to make recommendations for improving the facilities available for navigation in the rivers and broads. Dipetane Distribution With fuel prices on the increase we are all looking for ways to reduce our fuel costs. With Dipetane Fuel Treatment we have an answer. In use since 1989 by large scale users around the world Dipetane has always continued to show significant net savings in fuel costs and large reductions in Greenhouse Gases. The Electric Boat Association The Electric Boat Association (EBA) promotes electric boating throughout the UK and is represented at discussions involving legislation for inland waterways. The EBA is the voice for electric boat owners’ interests with the inland waterway authorities and government regarding such issues as increased charging facilities, reduced licence fees and the Boat Safety Scheme. Filcris Ltd Recycled planks, boards, boardwalks, ecogrid and other products made from recycled plastic. Based Cambridge. Ludham Bridge Services Electric outboards on display. Nancy Oldfield Trust A charitable organisation offering water activities for people with disabilities. Norfolk Heritage Fleet Hunter's Yard, located in its secluded private dyke in the heart of Norfolk's world famous inland waterway system, has been home to the superb Hunter Fleet since 1931. Providing a unique opportunity to sail on beautifully maintained traditional mahogany cabin yachts - no engines, no electricity, just oil lamps and superb sailing ability! NSP Renewables NSP Renewables is an eco-friendly company leading the way in affordable, renewable energy technologies and providing a range of services and products to help you reduce your carbon footprint and save you £’s on your energy bills. Pb Batteries Suppliers of all types of batteries and chargers for electric boats and electric vehicles. On-site fitting and checking of batteries. Well known to electric boat owners as reliable and knowledgeable suppliers. Stelco Electric boat conversions and installation. Sun Wind and Rain For solar photovoltaics, wind turbines, rainwater harvesting, LED lighting and Joraform composters. Swallow Boats Swallow Boats specialise in designing, developing and manufacturing high quality boats, often with a traditional style, but built using modern materials and techniques. Also pedal boats. Workshops are located on the west coast of Wales. Torqeedo Ultra-lightweight outboard, the most powerful 24v outboard on the market, using maintenance-free lithium-manganese batteries. |
We set off at Saturday lunchtime from John Williams’ Boatyard at Stalham with Cheetah, Andrew and Heather Ball’s Canadian canoe with an electric outboard, Cedric Lynch in his solar powered canoe with Les Fidler on board, Silent Explorer belonging to Nick and Yvonne Goldring with Elaine Fidler, the cruiser Winsome with Rod and Judy Birks offering a lift to Mark Rainer and Hilary Goldsmith and Rhapsody, our Chairman John Hustwick’s launch with Julia Briars-Filby, her friend Diana and myself. 
A comfort stop was made at Ludham Bridge, ice creams taken on board and we set off again, having been joined by EBA member Rob McNaughton with some friends in their Dutch boat Harmony of Deil. Richard Cox was also waiting with his very unusual boat Tumult, a 15ft open launch with Minn Kota outboards mounted both bow and stern and a wind turbine. Cruising further towards Horning, along the Bure, we completed the 12 mile trip to David Williams’ riverside house, where David and Jean met us and offered overnight mooring and charging facilities for those who needed it. 
The weather held for the Green Boat Show on Sunday – the third show held at Salhouse Broad. This is the only UK boat show concentrating solely on environmentally friendly craft and there were plenty of electric and solar boats on display alongside canoes, rowing and sailing boats. Forgive me if I missed any that were out cruising as I made a note of those moored on the shore, but I spotted Cedric’s solar canoe, Silent Explorer (Nick Goldring), Silverpoint (Martin and Julie Clayton) Winsome (Rod and Judy Birks), Lucy (David Sanford and Di Cornell), Terrapin and Mock Turtle (David Williams), George Thetford (Peter Howe) Paul Morton’s electric skiff, Tumult (James Cox), and Jasec about to be renamed Dearest (Alan Nightingale). The Nancy Oldfield Trust was also there with White Admiral, the Imperial College team with Solar Spirit in which they hope to achieve a new water speed record for electric boats, Rod Thomas from Safari Boats was displaying his pontoon boats and the Broads Authority’s hybrid inspection launch Charles Collier was moored alongside Kingline Cruises’ electric hire boat with wheelchair access.
The show was very successful and well attended with a great deal of interest about electric boating. It was really good to meet several EBA members who had just come for the day, but introduced themselves so we could put faces to familiar names. New members signed up, pennants were sold and more EB News handed out in a single day than at any of the earlier Shows in 2008.