Klanky

You sir, have no idea what you are talking about and are giving out incorrect information based upon nothing more than your own opinion. I bid you good day and leave you to your grisly end........

Possession/use of/ is covered by Section 36 of the 2006 Wireless and Telegraphy Act: Keeping available for unauthorised use (1)A person who has a wireless telegraphy station or wireless telegraphy apparatus in his possession or under his control commits an offence if— (a)he intends to use it in contravention of section 8; or (b he knows, or has reasonable cause to believe, that another person intends to use it in contravention of that section. In other words, you cannot just have an unlicenced set in locker. Apologies for the comment about doing the course, it wasn't aimed at yourself. I meant the OP.

Incorrect. Read your own post - the bit I've highlighted. "Or use of..." Like it or not, argue the toss all you want, it ain't going to change the fact. You need a free licence for the set and VHF operators licence to be fully legal with a fixed or handheld. For the record, I spent time in the North of Scotland as a Coastguard Rescue Officer (Wick) up until moving to Shetland. The MCA/Coastguard line was that they will not actively bother persons owning and using unlicenced VHF kit providing it was operated competently ie: following proper procedures. Abuse it and you'll get your arse kicked into court. The reasoning for this is because they would like to see all seagoing recreational vessels using VHF as opposed to mobiles (or, sadly, nothing at all). A lot better to deal with from a rescue angle. You'll never get a row off the local Coastguard for using an unlicenced VHF - unless some fatwah is issued from upon high which changes this attitude, or you prat around. But do the course, it's worth it anyway. And out.

Incorrect. No licence if only capable of transmitting on Channels M1/M2 (no use for general use and contacting other boats - Coastguard monitor Ch16). It is a legal requirement if you own a vhf set. Emergency transmissions only can be made by anyone. Sticking it in a locker doesn't exempt you from obtaining the radio licence (which is free IIRC). You then need to do the VHF course to enable you to use it properly - which you pay for. http://www.rya.org.uk/SiteCollectionDocuments/legal/Web%20Documents/Legal%20Leaflets/Clubs/Laws%20and%20Regulations/VHF%20RADIO%20REGULATIONS.pdf

The underwater hull shape looks fairly OK for light seas and lower speeds - the main thing is get to know the sea state it is comfortable with. Take it very, very easy. As Tigg says, don't overpower it. 75hp is far too much for a high-sided 20ft cruiser without a 'normal' full planing underwater profile. I'm not too sure about how yours would handle it, it appears to look OK from the bow end, but how the fuller keel section suddenly flattens off aft doesn't look right to me. Can't say I've seen that before on a 'fast' hull. But I'm happy to be corrected by someone. I reckon it would be bloody dangerous if you opened it up with a big o/b and it slewed/yawed on you in waves. I'd agree with 30hp max and running at displacement speeds. Plus bear in mind you want to cruise rivers and inland, a large o/b is fairly impractical for that sort of use. HTH.

Uh........ Sorry, thought you were looking for a chocolate bar.

PM sent.

When you choose to live to your life a certain way, you have to accept the problems that come with it if you choose not to play the game. Not got much sympathy for them, really.

They don't like it up 'em! Have a green one.

Made in Furrin' parts? It'll sit nicely on most modern narrowboats - what with the Chinese steel of the shell and the Japanese engine....

Sums it up, methinks.