Dan

Ahh yes.. I wondered if you might spot that!! It's amazing how many errors brokers & boat sales companies seem to have. Quite a lot of the info is wrong.. they have some fitted by Crown Cruisers which aren't too. I guess they're correct to the best of their knowledge but they really should know their Alpha's from their Aquafibres!! Dan

Whatho everyone! Definately one for us boat fanatics..... Le Boat have improved their boats for sale section: http://www.leboat.co.uk/flotte/boats_for_sale Actually it's quite a good site, the 'photo gallery' section is quite good, though some boats are better reprsented in pictures than others, and some are clearly used on a few boats which is a bit less great/less useful I notice that "Falmouth Harbour" that was is one of them for sale..... interesting how these boats re-surface sometimes ten (or so) years later in another country! Enjoy! Dan

Hi Dale It doesn't massively matter as both fleets run to similar standards, though Horizon is a smaller site but both teams seem to take pride in their work & standard of boat turn-out. Both locations are in attractive parts of the Broads and whichever you pick you're likely to cruise the same places, but just in a different order. If both craft are available then maybe the only thing between them is Crystal Gem is white & orange & Clear Horizon is grey and blue.... some if you have a colour aversion to any of them maybe that'll sort it!! All this is making me want to book a holiday too! Dan

Hi Dale A couple of others spring to mind that might allow all fixed berths whilst keeping to your initial budget.. Bahama & Bahama Major, and Crystal Gem which is the same layout as Clear Horizon. Emerald Gem (Fri ir Mon start only though) should also be not too far off brief I think. The Bahama's & Major's only have a sliding sunroof instead of full sliding canopy... which might be a nice bonus if it's sunny (it's bound to be ) All are still from the Richardsons group. I guess if you can live with stretching the budget then Sovereign does get you a slightly newer/more modern boat for your money, and if sharing the cost out I guess then there is benefits in spending more! The raise saloon also gives you slightly better views than the single level design you are also now considering. Whilst on the subject of budgeting, worth checking rhe price you are looking at includes all the 'standard extras' such as fuel, damage waiver etc that you have to pay. Have a great holiday whatever you decide Dan

Hi Geoff Good to hear you got booked up... you can start marking the days off the wall now Have a great trip Dan

Hi Mandy When I was a young anklebiter many yards wouldnt touch us until 21 or 25.... so we headed to Richardsons who welcomed us. Funnily enough as the grey hairs increase they're the yard that is still getting my money as I still remember those yards who turned us away All the best Dan

Hi Simon Great to see you posting again. Sorry to hear all you have and are going through... can we not club together to get you your own pc parcel sent out so you can keep in touch more regularly All the best Dan

Hello Folks I have the 1949, 1952, 66-69 in pdf form on the computer. If anyone's interested let me know and I' can send them to you All the best Dan

Jonzo.. do you know what the bunk room on them is like? I seem to remember it a bit tight, but assuming the height of the bunks is well spaced I guess the bottom bunk could be ok for an adult? Dan P.S The saloon layout is very sociable on Contessa, and the windows are certainly a good size.. so no probs there

Hi Geoff Had to look at Supreme's layout to see what you mean. The reason they've done it is, I think, because no-one does have to enter the cabin in the night to get through to a loo. The aft cabin has a bathroom, and the forward double cabin is seperate.. you'd come out of there and there's a bathroom, or you'd leave the 'open' cabin, through your dividing door and the bathroom is there without disturbing the people in the seperate double cabin - if that makes sense. If they'd made the 'open' cabin a seperate cabin it'd have to have been a very claustrophic double cabin, whereas being open it is airy & spacious, and can also be set out as two singles which if seperate it couldnt - as a seperate cabin the door would have forced a set berth layout not the either or configuration. The only downside your left with when its open is that if you wanted to be up at different times to one another those in the aft cabin couldnt get through without disturbing you. We tend to all get up at similar times so weren't bothered by this but I guess it could be a problem depending on personal preference, but all things considered I think they made the right choice... and the boat layout is flexible and can allow all doubles - something quite rare in its price range... so we were well chuffed! Dan

Whoopsie.. the old forget the attachment trick there! Dan

Hello Geoff Contessa is a nice boat, but I think it's fair to say aft boarding is (along with height as the only other really ) her biggest weakness. I've attached a picture, like John says it's a climb up really. The Fine Gem's are good for the money, and very spacious... but if she's available Supreme is the one to go for as the interiors 100% new (*for 2008) after being totally refitted rather than updated in places, and the layout very flexible... the bow thruster also making mooring a doddle! Dan P.S Good to hear your up for helping on the past fleets... must catch up on that at some point!

..at least one of Richardsons San Remo's had one on the wall last week when Jonzo & I were having a good nosey! Wonder if Clive would let you borrow it to obtain a copy Dan

.. and it did make a cracking photo! Dan

A lot of the companies dont start hiring until a little later in the month. Freedom definately do though, and are flexible on the length of your holiday: www.freedomboatingholidays.co.uk All the best Dan

Wowsers. Hope he gets better soon Dan

No probs, Access isn't bad at all (though unless levels are low you you have the usual level of step up to get on), and I was suprised how spacious the boat felt for a 30ft x 10ft ish design.. Dan

Was passing through Stalham yesterday as Barbados (or Barbadoss as I call her) emerged from the shed... absolutely first class inside & outside too. The quality of paint finish was very high.. was really looking like a new boat, other than the design giving it clearly away I guess! Clive.. is someone at the boatyard short sighted or been struggling to read the boat names??! Good to see investment into great quality at the lower end of the hireboat affordability range too... I cant think of many, if anyone else doing this - normally only building super expensive luxury boats - great stuff! Affordable boating at great quality! Dan

I'm with Mr Richardson Senior.. couldn't have put it better myself! Dan

Faircraft are maintained and turned out at quite a high standard, and the boats still quite new so I'm sure you'll not be disappointed and will have a great holiday! Enjoy Dan

Please no-one answer until after the quiz.... or I've got to think of another question! Dan

Brian They used to be at Belaugh, as Belaugh Boats, but merged with another fleet and moved to their current location for 2003 or 4 Dan

The boats always look first class outside. I didn't think they allowed pets, but I checked and that is fine - so maybe a recent change.... either that or another blonde moment! Dan

Hi Jonny Yes, that's true - though the standard of craft is then being lowered I guess Dan

Just a thought.. if you really do want a dual steer, and also want low rear access (the two often not going together) what about looking at "True Freedom", or one of this style of craft - because assuming the layout is satisfactory this seems to meet the brief? All the best Dan