andyg

Really ?? I have loads of times, add in a personal injury and we'll were into a whole different ball game. Insurance companies will wiggle out of anything they can. The idea that an assessor turns up with an open cheque book is nieve. How do I know this..my sister is one, not boats but commercial property, all over the world. Her job ?? Save the company money it's as simple as that. Sadly I believe Vaughan comments are of a world that dosent exist anymore. If in this case the repairs run into thousands then the insurers will dig very deep into the claim.

I seem to remember most of the old. Broadland lass tropical gems classes etc at Stalham all seemed to have soft decks especially towards the stern. Originally built by Wilds back in the 60s and 70s I guess. You always got puddles of water sitting in the same areas after it had rained. Would that be osmosis or just wear and tear ?? Is it repairable??

Some really great photos, thanks for sharing. Interesting to see in your wroxham photos, that Barnes haven't developed the old royalls site. I haven't been round there since Nigel and Sarah sold up I'd thought they'd of knocked all that down and either built on it or create more basin space for there fleet. Guess it's all in the pipeline.

Lots of 2nd hand Alphacrafts coming to market very soon lol..

They had hoped to launch her mid summer so they told me.

Woods new 46ft dual steer is now available to book from oct. She's about half way through her fitt out. A lot later than originally planned so guess they are having supply or staffing issues as well.

I agree just leave the window that's already there.

Must be very upsetting for the owner of the damaged craft. I guess the debate on hire boat tuitions will gone on for ever. Some folk take to Helming a boat naturally and some clearly shouldn't be anywhere near a boat. Same could be said for car drivers as well. I was a 1st time customer of bridgecraft this year and there procedures were very thorough indeed. Mark one of the owners did my hand over and he covered just about everything. You then had to sign hoseasons paperwork confirming you had watched the ba videos for hirer's and you'd received adequate tuition. I was Informed if I wasn't comfortable or confident handling the boat I was to call the yard or pop in and more assistance would be given. What more could they do ?? I don't accept the hirer's account of just watching a video that's utter nonsense in my opinion. I will say that I found hw hand overs pretty poor.

The upper deck seating isn't new, I've hired a couple of these now from woods and there all fitted with the integrated seats table and sunbeds. It's a very nice place to be in good weather. The access steps from the saloon to the upper helm should be scrapped in my opinion there to steep and are pretty useless in the rain. The table on the sundeck could do with some work. It's set to low I totally understand why but an adjustable one would be so much better. Woods will be launching there new one of this design before the end of the summer it will be interesting to see how they compare. No doubt prelude will be crammed full of tech as are all barnes new builds of late. I often wonder how barnes can afford to build at the rate they do but over bigger yards can't. Two of these have go to set you back a good half a million pounds I'm guessing. But it's good to see they have the confidence to do that.

Lol Dan, of course we often forget where the Hull originates from. Gosh I wonder how many 100s have been produced over the years. There's not too many inland waterways in the UK where you won't find an old FB Wilds or Alphacraft designed boat moored up. I guess Mr Wilds and Gillings were ahead of there time.

Cheers Mouldy. I like that new rear window hope that opens. Most just leave that blank. I do have a soft spot for this design...Langford was ahead of his time coming up with the original concept. The moulds your talking about were sitting outside the shed back in May.

Talking of the future etc, I wonder if hoseason can tell from there data if many 1st time visitors that holidayed during the covid staycation bubble have returned. That would be an interesting snippet of info. As for hoseason staying around I guess that's all down to how much commission they can demand. Time will tell. I learned something new this year, I've always tried to book direct with the yard assuming they didn't pay commission on my booking, I was wrong. They still get there bit...

Of course they will, wasn't the new sedan boat destined to be based at Horning before Clive departure. Another member also mentioned he saw them putting together a set of Broadway moulds unless he ment broadsman.

Stupid question Clive.. why all the coloured tape..

I would imagine Andrew it's all about consolidation, Clive leaving the family business and following his passion must of been a huge blow to the business. I've no doubt that their father taught both Clive and Paul all they needed to known. I'm sure both richardsons and Horning pleasure craft will be around for some time yet..

Looks great Clive, will the hire craft have the same colour scheme or is this a private customer's spec. Is that jamoric??

Thanks for the info Neil, I knew clive had the new engine for the new build and I believe he said it had been fitted. Any idea where the bonded windows are manufactured ? Is it locally ?? Makes sense now for barnes to put prelude in the water and get it out of the way instead of taken up space in the shed. Quite easy to cover up the exposed window openings.

Good point, I didn't give that a thought. Just goes to show how use to just picking things of the shelf wed got use to..our convenient life styles aren't that convenient anymore lol... my wife's new car delivery date has been put back to January...

Barnes have now launched the 1st of there new brinks prelude class, a 46ft dual steer. Unusually for them the boat isn't finished, she was launched without her windows or stern doors fitted and with the interior not complete. I did notice the other week they had another hull still in its mould outside the shed, maybe they need to clear some space. But great to see continued investment into there fleet, not doubt it will fitted with loads of tech and a quality internal fit out as you'd expect from new barnes boats.

Fantastic read thanks for sharing, I really do struggle to understand why HW don't look after these boats more. They are some of there more popular craft. Back in May I was in woods yard and saw one of the bigger old cc boats which was clearly privately owned. It looked absolutely fantastic, it clearly had been recently re painted gleaming white all over with the decks painted navy blue. Why woods couldn't do this is beyond me. Some of there cc fleet look absolutely dreadful in my opinion.

Who on earth are you referring to as the Holy unwashed ?? Wow. The broads have been commercialised since the 1970/1980. Some 50 years ago !! If its as bad as you say why on earth do you still visit. Sorry but I found them both offensive and arrogant comments. Live and let live and please try and cheer up...

Drl at womack had one of these boats, they were in the process of totally refitting it when they went belly up. Wonder what happened to the boat.

Increase in energy costs have forced sale lol.

One of many eyesores on the broads tbh, to be fair though nowhere near as many as there use to be. Always makes me chuckle when I go past. Someone obviously has made the effort to change the bulb over the years, why ?? Lol. It's fibreglass so it could be made good with some investment and effort.

Reminds me of GT Yarmouth tbh...very similar in appearance 🤔