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OH has just bought a large dinghy to use in the sea, we have bought wet suits and life jackets for him and our children (10 and 8 years old both good swimmers).   He will only be taking one out at a time because i see danger in everything!!!  

We are going to try it out in Angelesey next week in a small cove on the site we are going to.

Has any one else got a dinghy and what are your experiences???

  Hi Rich,

                Hope you don't mind but just got a few questions regarding a dinghy. Just got a Compass T28 250k, 5HP (rated),if this means anything to you, cos it doesn't to me!, and want to fish just off shore with my son.Went out with the oars once (filey)  and only just managed to beat the current. What is the most and least engine size i would need to cope?

 Also, if it was to be used on the local (nottingham) rivers and canals are there any restrictions/permits needed using the engine and/or oars?

 Lastly we are off to the Norfolk Broards, and again do i need permits etc.

 Many thanks for your time.  Jack

Can't help with your first query, Jack, but I do know about the Norfolk Broads, having taken a Bombard Tropix there for a number of years.  You need a Broads Licence which you can buy for short periods for holidays. This will also cover you for the rivers feeding into the Broads. You also need Insurance to cover 3rd party damage before you will be able to buy a licence. We used to pay about £50 per year for insurance but will obviously depend on the value of your inflatable.

Not sure about Nottingham but we needed a licence for using the rivers and canals in the West Midlands.  The cost depends on whether you want to use the locks and on the size of your outboard motor. You should be able to get information on this from the British Waterways website.

Hope this helps and that you enjoy yourselves.  We did - unfortunately had to give it up now because of old age creeping on!!

      Thanks for your help Ronni, I know what you mean about old age creeping in, nearly there myself!    Jack 

Hi.Ronni54. would you need to have 3rd party insurance for an inflatable canoe/kayak on the broads.Thanks.Alex

Insurance

Owners of all boats are required to have third party insurance with a minimum cover of £2 million except unpowered craft with a block area of less than 6m².

You will be asked to sign an insurance declaration when you pay for your annual or short visit toll.

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Hi Alex.  The above is an extract from the Norfolk Broads Authority website.  Unless you have an outboard on your canoe (!!) you should be OK. I have posted the link below. Some useful information on there.

http://www.broads-authority.gov.uk/index.html