BryanW

Merry Christmas everybody and a happy New Year. How about this: Road (Sea) Test: https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/features/christmas-road-test-rnli-shannon-lifeboat-review

I'll second that for the ex-Swancraft boats from Richardsons. We've had Swan Roamer and Swan Radiance, both excellent for a couple but we did prefer Roamer which has a larger saloon with a fixed (lift up) table. All ex-Swancraft boats have bowthrusters, excellent heating with virtually no draughts and Roamer/Radiance (possibly others) have a walk round bed with plenty of space each side, large bathroom and a very usable airing cupboard. They're not too expensive either compared to some yards.

Swan Roamer or similar from Richardsons, all ex-Swancraft boats seem to have very powerful warm air heaters and outlets in the bathroom and after cabin.

Ditto

Just double check with Barnes when you book. It isn't really too much of a problem, you may have to duck down to see to the left and right but the canopy should slide easily so you can always pull it back for a short while for a better look.

So, I guess my eyes weren't deceiving me. I know Barnes built the first 2 but I am guessing that Brooms built the other 4 and reverted to the single helm seat, am I correct? How do you get on and off that seat? and no foot rest. All this was discussed about 2 years ago when Barnes announced these boats. With the Diamonds and the canopy back you had a good view back over the rear of the boat. I have to admit that I wouldn't now consider hiring the Serenades at all, I think they spolt the original design.

Totally agree about the visibility to the sides with the canopy closed but superb with it open. Depending on how many guests and for how long, the forward cabin is fairly tight but a reasonable size shower.

Hi James Used to love this design as in Gardenia Girl from Summercraft, double helm seat, easy to exit the boat from the helm seat via the canopy on the port side. Barnes redesigned the style by adding 3ft to the length, mounting the engine aft and lowering the stern, however, they originally put in a single helm seat on a very tall pillar and added a "lounging seat with cushion" to port of the helm meaning that to exit the boat from the helm you need to stand on it. They also put the bed in the aft cabin thwart ships but your feet are under the side deck and there is no facility for a bedside locker at the headboard end. The helm seat was changed to a hydraulically operated double helm seat but we saw No 4 in September this year and I am sure they had reverted to a single seat on a pillar (can't be 100% sure so I stand to be corrected). When the engine was in the saloon under the helm seat we never found it to be that noisy and it warmed the forward shower room up which dried towels nicely since the towel rail was on the engine bulkhead. The bed thwart ships seems to be a thing with some boats and I personally can't stand it, with some it also means that the space at the side of the bed is minimal, hired two like this (Royall Satin and Brinks Encore). Swancraft had the better idea with the bedhead on the outside of the boat and plenty of room down the sides of the bed. The above is only my opinion of course.

Agreed about the windows, had a boat last year with all sliding windows and if you had them open and it rained the inside of the boat got nearly as wet as the outside. Clive Like the look of it, was hoping the airdraft might be nearer 8ft (thinking Ludham bridge when the water is high). When do you expect to have layouts available to see and when is it likely to go on hire?

Hi David This boat does NOT have any "grab" rails fore or aft, the picture you show is an old one of a similar boat before Brinks Encores were built. We hired Encore 1 twice last year and I did a mini review plus two holiday tales so you may like to check them out: I know another NBN member '"Meg" hired Encore 2 last year and also recently this year and she took a small step as mentioned by "DAVIDH" above, I'm not sure if you can PM her yet but I will and point her in the direction of this topic so she may get in touch with you. As "oldgregg" says there are generally people willing to help if you are on a formal mooring. Enjoy yourself.

How about this one? This was Commander (not Commodore as in previous picture) second week of June. They had moored in the early evening when most people were in the pub but give them their due they left just before 08:00 the following morning so didn't give anybody a problem.

Enjoy yourselves, weather still looking good.

Thanks Helen & Jean for your comments, still photography is what we really enjoy but the video fills in some of the cruising time. Yes, I am never too sure, when Richardsons were doing the pump out I asked how many flushes once the light came on and was told one maybe two. This type of toilet is all very well but they use an awful lot of water, when we had boats with the old 'dump through' type we managed to last the whole week but now we only go 3 to 4 days because you can never be sure and we always use the shore loos at Womack or Ranworth.

This will probably be a fairly short write-up but there will be a link to the video at the end which contains even more stills this time. Saturday 9th June As usual on arrival in the area we stopped at Hoveton to visit the toilets and have a look at the river. Having noted that the car park behind the toilets (belonging to the Kings Head?) was now controlled by ANPR cameras and payable we parked in Roy’s car park and walked across the road. We then went on to Womack to have our sandwiches and coffee. At about mid-day decided to go on to Stalham where we went into reception to be told that they would open at 13:00 not 12:30 as previously because they had an awful lot of boats going out. Duly opened just after 13:00 and we were checked in being told that the boat was ready so it was off to collect lifejackets and on to the boat on Swan Quay. Once the boat was loaded the car was parked and after a short wait the instructor came on board, since we had been in April on the same boat it was a very brief handover and signing the paperwork. Left the yard at 14:00 a bit undecided where would be our first stop but since we hadn’t been to Barton Turf in April decided to make for there. We were going to moor on Paddy’s Lane but there was space on Barton Turf Staithe so we went in there. We did see a couple of Kingfishers sitting together on a branch while we were coming down Stalham dyke but it was too busy to stop unfortunately. Had a walk round to Paddy’s Lane in the hope of photographing dragonflies and butterflies but only a few very flighty damselflies however we did see some Southern Marsh Orchids so not a total loss. It had been a dry day and evening but there was heavy rain overnight but thankfully this was the only rain for the whole week. Sunday 10th June Topped up with water and assisted neighbouring boat with water hose taken across Swan Roamer. Left the staithe at about 08:00, destination Womack. A slow steady run down the Ant and onto the Bure and then Thurne, passed a lot of paddle boarders after St Benet’s and on the Thurne, it seems to be the latest craze now on a Sunday. Found plenty of space on the staithe at Womack, moored near the water hose. A quiet peaceful, afternoon photographing a Grebe with boats coming and going, by the end of the afternoon the staithe was full. At about 20:30 a HW boat next but one to us decided to start his engine but only for about 15 minutes so I guess he needed his heating on so no real problem, as a point of interest this was really the only occasion anybody ran their engine on moorings the whole week. Monday 11th June Topped up with water, usual slow job. Having left Womack just before 08:00 we decided that a meal at Neatishead was called for so it was a slow cruise down the Thurne, up the Bure and Ant to Lime Kiln Dyke, near the end of the dyke we spotted a deer on the right hand bank in a house garden so it was a quick astern to stop the boat, we were only crawling anyway (Roamer really will go slow), and a short bit of video before the deer decided he/she wasn’t going to pose any longer. Once at Neatishead Staithe we only found one of Nancy Oldfield’s yachts moored there so reversed in on the west side leaving space for a boat at the end. Phone call made to book a table at the White Horse. By 13:00 there was only one space left but there was some movement of boats out and in during the afternoon. Lovely afternoon and usual good meal in the evening but on return to the staithe found one of Richardsons Commanders moored across the corner effectively blocking everybody in. We were all a bit concerned what was going to happen in the morning but give Commander’s occupants their due they actually left just before 08:00 in the morning. Tuesday 12th June Topped up with water (again). We left just after 08:00 and successfully navigated between the boats either side at the end of the staithe, actually hardly had to use the bow thruster so it was a quiet exit. Decided to make for How Hill to check out the insect population but the only thing we saw were some baby rabbits which were fairly tame. Left How Hill after an hour or so and decided to go Kingfisher hunting so proceeded to Stalham Dyke but nothing seen. We then made for Sutton Staithe for the rest of the day and night and found plenty of space, I started to become surprised about having no problem with moorings even though it was busy on the rivers and very few boats left in the yards. The weather started to improve during the afternoon with fewer clouds. Wednesday 13th June Lovely early morning with a light mist on the water. Reversed out of the staithe and turned on the broad, then made our way to Richardsons for a pump out (red indicator not lit but played safe) and refilled with water. Then up to Wayford Bridge and back to How Hill. This time we decided to take the Nature Trail since the weather had been dry for a few days but the first field was still quite soggy, however, we were rewarded with Swallowtails and plenty of dragon and damsel flies. The weather turned very nice in the afternoon. Thursday 14th June Very windy this morning and we had decided to pick up water at Russell’s on South Walsham, I don’t know why but it always seems to be windy when we go down there and once down Fleet Dyke the wind had really picked up, still Russell’s only charge a pound for water. Decided that we would go back to Womack for the rest of the day so it was a slow cruise again, the staithe was quite full this time but we still found enough space for Roamer. A lovely sunny afternoon just lazing and talking to people. At about 18:30 ish a private boat came along the moored boats very close and could be heard complaining that there was no room for him, what did he expect at that time of day? Then lo and behold a hire boat did the same thing just after 19:00 and he was quite intimidating coming very close to the moored boats bow on, eventually he left and was seen going round the island but where he eventually moored I don’t know since he wasn’t on the island in the mooring. Friday 15th June Last real day so we headed to Cockshoot for a few hours and then on to Paddy’s Lane for another couple of hours. About 16:00 we left and proceeded back to Richardsons to find it very busy still with boats going out, in fact I had to wait for a couple of boats to come out of Swan Quay before I could venture in, while waiting we got a very slight nudge on the stern from a boat out on his trial run but it was only gentle. Saturday 16th June Loaded the car and waited for the quay office to open together with all the others. Once open checked in with the office and refuelled to find that we had only used £22.41 of fuel (at £1.15/l) so plenty of refund (still surprised they give cash back rather than refunding to credit card), they must love us. Overall an excellent week but still no Kingfisher or Otter photographs, we will succeed one year. That’s it until next year now when we have the same boat booked again. This is the link to the video:

Hi Topcat Indeed we are back on Swan Roamer later this year but I don't like to advertise when on an open forum, however if you have any questions about the boat I will willingly try to answer them as I'm sure Simon will as well.

Could't agree more, thats what we do when we have electric toilets, the old "dump through" ones were better in the respect that you could see exactly how full the tank was although they could smell a bit after a week. When we had Roamer in April we had a pump out on the Wednesday (picked up Saturday) just to be safe, in fact we have done that on all boats with the electric toilets but the old style toilets would last us the full week.

A few points I forgot to mention: 1. Plenty of headroom except fore & aft doors. 2. Canopies have no handles to open/close them, can be quite stiff to move until they have cleared the brush draught excluders, I found the best way was to push on the window frame until clear of the draught excluders.. Always had handles previously with this type of canopy. 3. Oven is 'auto ignition' but not the hob (was originally I think), didn't find any matches on-board but we always take a 'gas match' (bbq lighter) anyway. 4. I am sure the mattress was originally a sprung interior one but now rubber, however good & thick and quite comfortable, more than can be said for the boat we had last year. Look after her, we are back in June on her, and enjoy.

I think the reason for our low fuel usage is that we stick to the Northern Rivers, only cruise 3-4 hours per day and I am very gentle with the throttle, very rarely above 4mph equivalent. Swan Roamer is shaft drive which some people say is more economical than hydraulic but on the Aquafibre Opals (hydraulic) we have hired in the past we still only use about the same amount of fuel (depending on heater usage of course).

I must say that this was the best boat we have ever had, even better than the brand new one we had last year, the only thing it is really missing is a winch for the mud weight. I have always found that all yards we have hired from have been very good as far as call outs are concerned.

A bit different this year, starting from Stalham instead of Wroxham where we had hired from for many years. There will be a link to the video at the end of this writeup but a distinct lack of wildlife, the goslings appeared to be just hatching but no duckings, no coots, few Grebes, plenty of Marsh Harriers and plenty of Herons. Bare with a lot of photographs/video of a couple of baby rabbits (kits) and a Heron stalking fish. Just a short few notes about the boat: Very impressed, the first thing of note was that the bed was made up (not expected) with a spare blanket which was used on most nights, towels supplied (expected), hard flooring throughout. Plenty of storage space in the bedroom and galley but no drawers or cupboards in the saloon. The bed was across the boat with the headboard against the windows and plenty of space down the sides of it, hooray at last, the bathroom with whirlpool bath (not used) and fully automatic electric flush toilet and the door opening into the bedroom, again hooray at last. Helm position good but boat is too high for me (6ft) to see over the top when standing, bow thruster, no GPS, demisters for the windscreen which proved useful one morning, no mud weight winch though. Gauges for fuel and water but the holding tank only has a “FULL” light, no gauge. Saturday 21st April On arrival in the area we detoured to Womack for sandwiches and coffee then made our way to Richardsons at about 12:00. We were told that checkin didn’t open until 12:30 so after a long chat with one of Richardsons staff (may have been Clive) we went and located the boat on Swan Quay. Back to the office at 12:30 to be checked in and given a map, brochure, paperwork and picked up a Broadcaster. Proceeded to the boat via the Buoyancy Aid office, checked in to the Quay office at 13:00 as instructed, and then loaded the boat. The instructor came on board and took me round the decks having first insisted that I wear my lifejacket, rather surprised to find a lump hammer provided for the Rhond Anchors. After being shown where everything was and how to operate it (do not touch the engine or weed filter) the instructor asked if I wanted a trial run, this was declined, so engine started (at 13:45), into reverse to hold the boat against the quay, the instructor untied and we were away in lovely sunshine. We headed down the Ant with the intention of mooring at Irstead if possible (no such luck) or continue to How Hill which was to be. Good mooring near the cottage and then a walk up to the grassed area where some considerable time was spent watching a couple of baby rabbits munching grass, I had been hoping for a few early Damselflies and Butterflies but no luck, I guess the poor weather has delayed everything. Once back on the boat we finished unpacking and then thought about tea of Chilli (brought with us frozen) and rice. Quite an early night (as is our wont on the Broads) at about 21:00. How Hill staithe stayed quite empty all night, in fact we found that all moorings were half empty every day and the rivers very quiet. Sunday 22nd April Left How Hill at about 08:15 and were a bit undecided where we were heading so proceed north as far as Jonny Crow’s Staithe then decided to make for Womack so it was about turn and back down the Ant. Made a detour down to South Walsham with my wife at the helm, some boats she will helm others she won’t but she was happy with this one. Arrived at Womack, relaxed for the afternoon, had a chat with a few people, filled up with water and decided to eat at the Kings Arms in the evening. Dropped the mud weight overnight. Kings Arms pretty busy, food good but far too much of it, I had Baked Brie and a Sirloin Steak and my wife had Battered Cod and Chips, neither of us could manage a dessert, in hindsight I wish I had gone for the Carvery since the steak was a bit underdone for my liking (once it arrived I remembered that the waitress hadn’t asked how I wanted it). Monday 23rd April Nearly put my back out retrieving the mud weight this morning (had a winch for many years) and vowed not to drop it again unless absolutely essential. Left Womack at about 08:30 having decided on Neatishead for tonight. Saw a Marsh Harrier in a tree above How Hill but no photos I’m afraid as it flew right over the boat before I could grab the camera. Got to Neatishead at about 12:00 to find just two boats there so we moored on the end nearest the dyke on the east side. During the afternoon a guy on a private boat opposite us decided to fish (he really should have known better, if it had been a hired boat I would have mentioned it to him), a little later a BA launch came up and had words with him. We went up to the shop for a few bits and pieces then just had a quiet afternoon. Tuesday 24rd April Left Neatishead just after 08:00 and stopped at Gay’s Staithe to top up the water even though it wasn’t strictly necessary according to the gauge. Saw two Kingfishers perching down the Ant but again failed to get photographs (I will succeed one day with a good one). We had intended to go down to Russells at South Walsham for a pump out but decided to head for Ranworth instead, on arrival at about 11:30 found plenty of spaces (in fact there were spaces all afternoon and overnight). The weather had now started to deteriorate but we did manage a walk between showers then heavy rain in the evening and overnight. Wednesday 25th April Today we headed to Stalham having decided that a pump out was in order to play safe. Bit of a surprise at Richardsons, we didn’t have to pay since it was one of their boats. After the pump out we tried for Irstead but again no luck so it was Gay’s Staithe and managed to get one of the side on moorings. There was heavy rain and then hail across Barton Broad so I slowed right down in the hope that it would stop before we wanted to moor which it duly did. Sunshine and showers all afternoon and evening but a lot of time was spent photographing/videoing a Heron stalking fish. Thursday 26th April Woke up this morning to find that the fridge had defrosted itself overnight. Due to the fact that everywhere was going to be pretty wet and soggy and we needed an engineer decided that Womack (again) was going to be our best option. On the way across Barton Broad I noticed that the Rev Counter was playing up, every so often it would jump by 200 revs (but no engine note change) and even when steady it seemed to be reading low so another reason to call Richardsons. Once we got to Womack (again stacks of space) I called Richardsons and spoke to an engineer who advised a visit was necessary. Engineer arrived and found a connection in the engine bay that was loose (3 turns on the nut) and he replaced the fridge with a brand new one albeit smaller than the original. Good service. Nice sunny afternoon apart from one shower. Friday 27th April Woke to a sunny morning but checking the weather forecast showed that it wasn’t going to last with heavy rain forecast from about 10:00 all day. We had intended to have our last night at Sutton Staithe but once the rain started, as forecast, the decision was made to continue (demister used) to Sutton Staithe but then pack, clean up, go to Richardsons and then drive home. Arrival at the yard was uneventful and efficient, fuel used was just over £31 so a nice refund of nearly £119. The drive home was horrendous in places with very heavy rain so I think we did the right thing. An excellent week (apart from the rain in the latter half), very pleased with the boat and Richardsons. This is the link to the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDV9H0xHdFI I have just noticed that there are one or two clips out of order but I will leave them for now, sorry about that. I always sync the time on the cameras and video camera but the video camera never fully syncs on clip times with the cameras.

Has anybody thought to try Summercraft, I know they hired to solo cruisers a few years ago. You would need to contact Sue at Summercraft direct rather than through Hoseasons (or who ever they may be now).

Any update on the calendars?

Working now, just ordered my extra 2.

I'll have another 2 once the glitch is sorted. So that makes 3 total for me, the kids are going to love their Christmas present!!

Just tried to order the other two singularly but still failed. Is this because I only asked for one initially?