Rafting at Henley

mlines

mlines

Well-Known Member
Joined
31 Aug 2009
Messages
2,038
Location
Finchampstead, Wokingham, Berks
www.sportsboat.org.uk
So whilst nearly everyone was friendly and accommodating in the huge and chaotic raft up at Henley (saw a good few forum boats) I bet you can guess which model boat it was that repelled all rafting requests.

A very large Broom (not identifiable as a forum member).

Thank-you sir for your generous, friendly and accommodating attitude.
 
mlines said:
So whilst nearly everyone was friendly and accommodating in the huge and chaotic raft up at Henley (saw a good few forum boats) I bet you can guess which model boat it was that repelled all rafting requests.

A very large Broom (not identifiable as a forum member).

Thank-you sir for your generous, friendly and accommodating attitude.
Click to expand...

Can they refuse?

I trolled up and down for ages but couldn't find a spot. I then got caught up in the mayhem at the end of the fireworks. Absolute carnage. There are some seriously stupid people on the river. Motor cruisers without lights ( I mean absolutely nothing), suicidal rowing boats, ignorant queue bargers...


... and special mention should go to Bubbles of Harleyford. An arrogant pillock who started the day by zapping upi the river creating a huge wash. Later he could then be seen weaving in and out of the procession and cut me up twice at close quarters. 'Piloted' by a shaven headed clown with no shirt on. I assume the young blonde by his side was his 'niece'. Anyway I really hope he is on here so he can get the message from me first hand. If he isn't but you know him please do let him know that he is a first rate tw4t.
 
A tricky one this...

I have a mate rafted alongside, but our boom now looks like a banana, so adding a third boat must pile a whole load of pressure on the boom and the, err pile!

Without knowing why the skipper refused a raft, it's not fair to judge him or lob insults.

Some books are held on with tiny chains and if one broke, you would cast off in a carefree fashion no doubt while the large broom owner struggled to put things right, which is very tricky give the tight space and lines in the water.

The mayhem is normal and seems to work just fine :-)
 
Before you start slagging off the large broom owner in question you might take the trouble to get your facts straight.
Firstly it is not your right to raft it is a courtesy. Secondly if you want a prime possition make the effort to get there 4 days earlier like everyone else. Plenty of boom space further down but you want someone else to do the hard work for you so you can be outside the stage.
FInally the boom that the two boats are attached to is very poorly attached to the piles and has had to be secured with extra lines. It therefore can't take the weight of further boats rafted off.

mlines said:
So whilst nearly everyone was friendly and accommodating in the huge and chaotic raft up at Henley (saw a good few forum boats) I bet you can guess which model boat it was that repelled all rafting requests.

A very large Broom (not identifiable as a forum member).

Thank-you sir for your generous, friendly and accommodating attitude.
Click to expand...
 
I think they can refuse - it's their boat, and if they don't want people alongside that's up to them.

I've been bitten in the past, returning to my boat post festivities to find a 30' long gouge out the side and wires pulled from my fairy lights. I know who did it as I saw them from the bank. No note or apology.

These days I'll put a note in my window asking people to call me if they wish to come alongside first.

Of course my offer still stands, but you'll be four boats out tonight if you want a rest :)

Witnessed a Broom 38 take a swipe out of El Barco on Thursday night as he did an illegal u turn in the one way channel, obviously forgetting his davits sticking out the back!!

I think half the problem is its so busy these days people either fear damage from unknown rafters or already have people they know coming alongside later.

You're still very welcome here though :)
 
Why would you want to raft a tiny speed boat next to a large Broom? You would see nothing.
 
JT - we have a Broom 36, Sealine F43, Princess 35, Princess 385, Atlantic 42 and an Ocean 36 hanging off one boom here!

It's ok, but I worry about the wind. That's some serious lateral load!!
 
That stirred things up!

If he had said

(1) We have too much weight on the boom - fair enough
(2) We have some more members of our party arriving soon - fair enough

I know its not a "right" to raft, but its the accepted and friendly thing to do, particularly at such an event.

And you would want to raft a "small speedboat" up to anything for a break from the milling around in a congested circle. I suspect it was the "small speedboat" aspect that solicited the refusal as the attitude conveyed was clear!

Ross - thanks we appreciated the earlier offer and the extended offer.

And as for the crazyness and damage, I keep a pair of front and rear cameras running continuously recording! (So I do know the name of the Broom) Bubbles was certainly "entertaining", when we saw him his entire crew jumped off the moving boat in the mid channel when encouraged by the bank crowd calling "Jump Jump"
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top