C.Ricko

Vaughn, Agreed but half the names you mention there don’t do weekends and at least a couple of them have decided the next generation isn’t going to continue.. Do Moores operate? obviously we rely on people in the pubs and shops etc to work weekends but in the same way you say find something else to do that is exactly why I would not choose to be a publican, but to say not to have a hire fleet if you don’t want to work weekends is surely increasing numbers of yards not operating fleets.. surely a yard who finds a happy medium where staff, customers and owners are happy should be regarded as a great model?

I wouldn't say its a lack of a bit of effort, Id say its quite an undertaking to grow a hire fleet these days, Its just a personal choice, our fleet is not a chore to run, its a quarter of what we do but it still needs to work for my work /life balance and I don't ask my team to do anything i would not be prepared to do, perhaps this is why so many family operated boatyards don't have the interest from the 'next generation'. I have heard too many people say about working all weekends and holidays and missing their kids grow up, if people want to work Saturdays or have a Saturday as a start day then there are other yards which turn boats round on Saturdays, we don't need to. We pay overtime rates at time +1/2 and double time as well as double time and a day in lieu on bank holidays. I don't think any other yard does this for new starters, BUT it seems to work ok for us as we are busy, we have increased from 3 boats to 9 in 2 years and have a relatively busy season, Things change and I am happy to adapt and change with them as long as it works for me and the team, despite being there every day I don't involve myself with the day to day but I can have the weekends off happy in the knowledge that the team is getting a break too. Fridays and Mondays are the busiest turnaround days so I'll stick to them, historically Saturdays were busy (and sometimes the only option) but alas the game has changed. We were out on the southern rivers at the weekend (we were asked to leave Waters Edge Brammerton) it was lovely down there but I wouldn't start up a new fleet as boats book better on the northern rivers.

I do offer any one of my mooring customers temporary moorings who ask for them in either Brundall or Horning. as for one way cruising people want to plan their holidays and not knowing the start point is a problem in most cases, it would be ok if you could rely on a full season but gaps make it hard, also logistics, it’s easier in Norfolk as nowhere is far by road but the last people to offer it was Leboat between sommerleyton snd Horning and It wasn’t successful the southern yard dealt with about 4 boats and wasn’t set up to deal with the turnaround, finding staff who are willing to travel off site to work is getting harder as is the ability to find good team members. there is no such thing as minimum wage on a boatyard and not many people want to do weekends whatever the overtime rate is.. this is why although we have weekends covered we only turn boats round on Mondays and Fridays..

Think its basically that after 2 years of not being able to go abroad due to restrictions or fear people can now happily jump on a plane, couple that with the unnecessary hike in prices which the canals didn't do so much it has lead to an exodus which has possibly undone all the good fortune which the last two years imposed new customers would have embraced. there are still stag and hen parties, they are just on different boats, in days gone by the agents would take out a half page advert in the red top newspapers and paid travel agents to promote the holidays, these days its repetitive videos on social media and sponsored discount adverts which drive bookings, we were getting weekly requests to join promotions which we don't entertain, we will see what the future holds but being able to take direct bookings will help us out as long as our new agent can fill the gaps but already we are able to hold our already keen prices for next year.

Yep, as has been said I don't discount and the fleet has some good bookings, we do have some space later in the season but hopefully that will fill up, I don't think its fair to penalise early bookers by lowering prices and rewarding people for booking late but that's just how I would feel if someone was bragging to me on a similar boat from the same company, obviously early bookers are getting the pick of the boats but we have been in a last minute discounting scenario before and its not healthy. also comparing prices from yard to yard isn't generally accurate as you need to allow for start / return point, appearance of boat, reliability etc. I will probably launch 2024 bookings with a promotion for early bookings as we are not live yet due to parting company with our current booking agent but will be soon, obviously I will be encouraging people to book direct via our website. we also have another boat "Dreamway" an Aquafibre Diamond 35' joining the fleet for the end of August and fingers crossed the new RC45 "Fleetline" soon after.

Jonny Cassanova?

Not seen DRL Marine mentioned lately, Freedom Cruisers.. FB Wilds

The horizon craft 35s were usually fitted with 16x14 lh propellers normally bored to 1” 3/8 with a 5/16 keyway, hope this helps..

I can help

with Dan?

We filled up earlier in the year but the usual switch abouts has freed up a few spaces! we are now £71 including VAT, we have upgraded the electric supplies and just put non slip decking on all the walkways and jetties.. email text or call me if you’re interested 😀 clive@broadshols.co.uk 07971193222

We do know roughly what it should be but Ill tell you when we launch her

The boat set up with Dockmate so in theory you can drive it down river from your mobile phone but in reality its so you would stand on the back with a rope and use the thrusters if you wanted to.

Slightly better pictures of the front

Hi, it’s a hull vent To be fair, it’s probably safer to sit there than stand. There are decent handrails for either option.

she has a mid engine, the main rear seat is a storage locker and the open one is the gas locker, the torpedo tube is a fishing rod holder.

Cheers, how do you mean ‘open’ it will have a door but no specific canopy over the rear deck

The intention was there, I have taken a lot of photos but I don’t get the chance to do much with them…

How’s these?

The owner has been out on Clearway twice!

I just know what I like, I get a fair bit of help along the way from a lot of talented individuals who have massive input and put up with me changing my mind a lot! yes, that’s Ladybird and Jomaric and yes tape is to help protect from scuffing

Yes, it’s a private build, the next one will be for hire but won’t be hybrid..

the voles are on the lawn where the house is/was and where I need to replace the quay heading down the dyke... shame really as the surveys are done in April and September but the whole site is usually underwater between October - February! There are about 75 moorings at Horning which is a good number, similar amount (albeit smaller boats) at Cove marina Brundall. Thanks for the comments, We have a fantastic team around us, (gone from 3 to 17 in 2 years) which allows us to do what we need to get done, no single part of the operation is a goldmine on its own but the combination seems to work and it keeps me on the river!

Im based in Horning, so anywhere downstream of Ludham bridge is easier but bear in mind I will have to do the return journey so Horning is probably easier, I will see if I can tie it in with another job but the timing at end july mightn't be good for me. I towed Zypher to put an engine in which was needed to sell her, we also sorted the screens out which was half way though being fettled and some bits lost! I will message you a quote hopefully tomorrow Thanks,

just be careful that the air can get in as quickly as a decent pump can suck it out as otherwise the tank will collapse, I think they are usually the sam in as well as out..