andyg

Thanks Nigel, I feel a bit guilty as it was Me that asked for old photo. In my opinion thats exactly what both guys have done. I don't personally know either gentleman apart from seeing there input on this forum and enjoying Vaughan voice overs on the many harts cruiser video on you tube ( very good btw Vaughan ) I never intended to cause a fuss.

Hi Vaughan, thats it exactly how I remember it. Thank you very much. The only film we have that is still watchable is of mum and dad on the old Hampton boat. They went one sept it's was quite windy with strong sunshine, they both came home with what my dad called wind burn lol, bright red faces with big white patches around there eyes lol. Great memories of them, dad went on to hire the old Gainsborough girl a very similar boat to yours a think. Thanks again for the photo I will show my brother.

Yes that's the boats, n334 was the boat we hired. Thanks very much.

Hi everyone, I'm looking for info or any pictures members may have and would like to share of a boatyard we use to hire from on womck water in the mid to late 70s. Two of the boat names were ST Tristan Sir Galahad, I think. My father and older brother use to hire from them and the cine film we have has now perished unfortunately.

With a fleet of approx 130 boats I'd say they still have 50% + sitting on the yard. They still have boats moored out on the main river, both the side dyke and back basin are still quite full. That said there is probably quite a few going out today ( Monday ) as a staycation destination the broads offer a great covid escape in my opinion, once your aboard and away you can isolate as much as you want and get away from the madness.. I'm sure there are a lot of yard owners whom have slept better this weekend.

Good luck Andy in whatever you choose to pursue. I've always enjoyed your very informative posts,Best of luck for the future.

Yes the diamonds weren't great tbh. Which was a shame because you'd of quite happily of ate your dinner of the deck 😏 after hiring royals one it was a bit of a shock. I've just seen they have refitted the one on offer which is good to hear. I've hired Gainsborough girl and again it needed updating and apart from the uncomfortable upper helm it was probably the cleanest best maintained boat I've ever hired. Even the engine bay was spotless. Good to see them keeping there had in.

I looked onboard three of there boats last spring, they are without doubt very well maintained externally,but the three I looked on were all in need of internal refitting. Faded upholstery on two and showing its age. Lots on internal wood with water stain damage and just a very dated look. Sorry just my opinion !!

There's one of the Grande girls sitting on ferry marina yard, I wondered if it was being added to there fleet.

I'd have to agree with that, apart from a very deep clean and some cosmetic works and a full mechanical check over it should be good to go.

Not one of alpha's better boats IMHO, a few of the old alpha boats are working again in hire fleets. Bridge craft and Barnes are running a few. I'm not aware of any having total refits. The boats were originally designed for the French canals I believe. That said they have happily been used on the broads for a good 20 years now. Not a problem if you except the height limitations. It's sure is a whole lot of boat for the money.

I remember the days of huge expansion at Richardson, we hired modern gem 3 a brand new horizon 35. We were delayed taking over the boat as they were still putting the finishing touches to the boat. We had a great holiday. We returned 18 months later to what we thought was a different yard. A lot of the new fiberglass boats were in a very sorry state. Our boat was an amber gem, my father refused to take it out as the rubber running strake was hanging in the water clearly broken. The boat itself wasn't very clean inside or out. I remember my father being very disappointed as he'd always been a Richardson customer. We never returned to Stalham again. So I'd have to agree with ST take on it having witnessed the fleets demise. Good to see things have changed and I'm sure there are yards out there who'd love some of the new Richardson builds. I've no doubt Len will push NBD forward we may even see more of his floating sheds appear in the fleet. As for the development, really don't see a problem, why not ??

The boats at loddon belong to bill maxted or did and apart from the old Sanderson's boat formed part of his hire fleet. I spoke to him quite a few years back now about buying sandling. I think he suffered some serious health issues so unsure his still around. I really nice chap I seem to remember.

It's one of the old alpha moulds that barnes now own and are producing again. I believe silver line and barnes are also building the 35ft flybridge version with the first one already launched by barnes. Called tempo I think, they have a short video on the web site and very smart looking it is.

I received a 25% last minute discount four years ago,so I guess they have always had a discount policy. But I dont remember it ever being anythink like it is now. No idea who the new owners are, are they new to the boat hiring business??

Been keeping an eye on herbert woods fleet movements since there new webcam went live. They seem to be doing ok, no idea if they offer the same level of discounts. Most weeks they have had over 60% of the fleet out with loads of space in the yard.

Just had a look at the new web cam, fantastic picture quality. Personally I cant see anything that could be called intrusive. Zoom in on a public area, find that a bit of a bizarre comment it's a public area. I could quite happily walk around the seating area by the bridge filming on my phone as do many thousands of day trippers each month. Just dont get that point what so ever, I'm sure that herbert woods thought about all the privacy and data protection issues before this web cam went live, just enjoy the views.

I have to say I've been surprised by the level of discounts being offered by ferry, I understand the yard is under new ownership. The new owners have obviously made a huge investment buying the ferry operation I've no idea who the new owners are or their background in the holiday, boat hire industry is. Could this be a case of just trying to get the cash coming in after such a huge initial outlay on the back of slow early bookings. You can also see cost cuttings in their new build graceful emblem, no bonded windows is the one that sticks out for me. Shame really as the metal framed windows just dont look right.

I see barnes have posted some details of their new boat of Facebook. It's a remodel alpha craft designed mold andthey are promising some new build, tech and design features. I knew that had been working on the mold tool for some time. Great to see further investment in hire craft. Any news from richardsons on the new sedan boat that's in development.

I would normally drive, but am unable to at the moment due to a health issue. Thanks for the info.

I also saw this yesterday and called them, yep it's True I enquired about a boat and couldn't believe the size of the discount. Think we will take advantage of the offer.

Hi guys, looking for some info on cabs from Norwich stn to ferry marina, are cab firms in Norwich happy to go out that far ? Cost isn't a problem. Does Keith still run his cab in horning, thinking of the return journey. Thanks in advance

Some memories their, my family hired Phoenix from potter. Seem to remember she had a green painted hull back then ? And I'm sure it's around the time of the massive investment in the richardsons fleet.

Cant see that needing to much TLC before it go off to work. Booking it for sept

Thanks for the info guys, good to see the yard will keep going big fan of ferry marina.