Welcome to The Norfolk Broads Forum
This is THE Worlds Largest Forum devoted to the Norfolk Broads, here you can discuss issues about the Norfolk Broads. Or just somewhere to chat with others interested in the Norfolk Broads area.
So last Thursday we (my sister and I) set off from Sutton Staithe to pootle up to Wayford Bridge and then down to Neatishead, but a little way beyond Hunsett Mill the "fan belt" snapped. Engine very soon overheating so turn it off and drift in midstream of one of the less-well-used stretches of river. I phone the yard and the engineer said he'd get to us asap. Meantime I tried to get some way to Stalham by running the motor in very short bursts, but the battery soon gave up and stopped that game. Before too long the engineer turned up having borrowed "Samson", lashed up alongside and took us into Richo's yard, where he then set about replacing the belt. Couldn't have been more friendly and efficient, full marks. The whole mini-crisis was over in an hour.
In all my years and over 60 Broads holidays that is the first time I've ever had to be rescued, though I have occasionally helped other people. Still, these things happen. The rest of our week was uneventful though we had to be careful when mooring because of the very high water levels and Royall Stuart's fairly high freeboard. But we survived and havea new tale to tell.
Don't know if it's relevant or would have worked but a pair of women's tights can act as a temporary 'fanbelt' I've been told. I admit I've never tried it so it's probably an old wives ( or girlfriends) tale !
yes it is!! just think about it even if only the water pump pully how would it fit in the tiny grove thats 1/2 inch wide plus the knot that you would need to be tied it it a boy racers ploy to get his girl friend's tights of, you can however get a emergency fan belt/ get you home that can be fitted with out tools. John
John: It can be done and it works. I used a pair of tights on a hire car one weekend in Moscow in the 1970's. It lasted until the hire company could replace it on the Monday. They thought I was barmy because a pair of tights was worth far more than a fan-belt.