Dan

Wowsers... that's an amazingly generous offer Clive! It would be rude to turn it down! I could do with calling over to see you, so it might kill two birds with one stone. I'll drop you an email once I've picked myself up off the floor! All the best Dan

It's interesting to hear everyones different opinions and thoughts on boat styles. Indeed it seems as with most stuff we all like different, but I guess in that there must still be higher percentages of success on some designs. Personally I'm not convinced dual steers are the most popular or highest demand boats on the broads. I think they will certainly book well for the first 5 years or so, mainly because they are new though and the comfort, onboard facilities and 'newness' is enough for a lot of people to choose them. As the dual steers get older I'm not convinced they stay the best booked boats on the waters as once some of the above loses its appeal the designs disadvantages (mainly height) can lose bookings. I quite like the dual steers. They are not totally ideal to the Broads though as they restrict you from some of the best bits of the Broads (getting to Coltishall or Geldeston for example). I love hiring them abroad, but if I'm out for a week on the Broads I tend to go for something with lower height, but for a weekend they tend to get me everywhere I want to go in the time I've got, and if you are lucky with the weather then you're well placed to make on and get a good river view too.... Best sign off... all this making me want to get out boating! Only 3 months to wait! Dan

Hi Jonzo When I saw the picture I was a little disappointed as I thought it looked a bit like a floating caravan with a bit stuck on the roof. However, I'll reserve judgement until I've seen it in the flesh... but I think it might be fair to say it's biggest strengths are going to be it's comfort, layout/internal use of space. I'm still looking forward to my holiday on her Dan

Hi Marshman I think it's an exterior one which people are amazed are in short supply... and they are. There is one I believe in a certain hireboat info section of a certain website that I do indeed still frequent on occasion Dan

A-ha! Yup, it's the absence of the rubbing strake that's made the hull look so different I think! I'm not sure on the size of the aft deck, I think they arent quite as deep on Caribbeans as say a Bermuda so it's hard to be sure from the picture whether it is shorter still. All the best Dan P.S Lab' - Did you used to work for Wilds then?

Good heavens Jimbo... **** indeed! Terry - hey no probs... these old pics are all great. What is it about the hull or rear profile of that boat that looks wrong or different to later Caribbeans? I know the roof line & rear door differs on the smaller/larger designs from 'Wilds, but something on the early Caribbeans look different but i cant figure what? OK.... I'll get my coat, I mean anorak! Take care everyone, sleep well Dan

Hi John Yeah... I'm not sure quite where that Bounty Traveller moors, but no doubt we may soon find out. I think you're in the right place.... the entrance to Hipperson's current site is in the location you describe. I know what you mean about how old fashioned it looks... maybe it's the house that does it. Today it's much the same but has been extended, rendered & painted white. It actually looks much prettier in this photo as it was I think Take care Dan

Hi Everyone Just been looking through some photos and thought these were maybe worth sharing. Those die hard traditionalists amongst us best look away now! Dan

Hi Jonny It looks like a Flickering Light and a Morning Light. If your interested send me your address by pm and I will post you a disc some Pennant Brochures I have that have been scanned into pdf form so you can browse them on your pc if you wanted (they're too large to email) All the best Dan

Hey Carol What a brilliant thread! Thanks for taking time to post the links.. great stuff Dan

Hi Jonny Just seen this thread.... great pictures, for posting them. Good to see some of the boats you hired, the Pennant Holidays name took me back! All the best Dan

Hi Clive Interesting stuff....good to see you've joined the forum, welcome, welcome Dan

I don't have favourites Sue OK OK, that one's hard to substantiate! Richardsons good value, reliability and regular investment in updating the fleet wins the day most times in this house Dan

Brian, You wouldn't be favouring your sponsors would you?! Dan

Wow... just caught up with this thread again. The scenery really does look absolutely stunning... I'll definately be keeping it in mind for one year, hopefully not too far away Best Wishes Dan

Hi Marshman Good to hear that they are out and about with the first one... hopefully I wont have to wait too long to see a picture now All the best Dan

Hi James Hey, thanks for that, great to hear of them coming on well.... will certainly keep an eye on the website. I quite liked the layout and the idea that the galley was close/open plan to the saloon so it was not so far for me to shout requests through to the galley whilst having my feet up! Dan

Hello Perry Yes, I guess we all like different, it's good there are still some new designs that go under most of the bridges... we certainly like to some times. Ferry's expanded fleet and new workshop I guess isn't welcomed by everyone, although I guess that's true of everything. Development or change is often not welcomed by all, especially when it surrounds places you love as they are, but then again for things to survive things have to change, and seeing the hire industry survive to a good level is important to me! I love Horning, don't actually mind their new boat shed too much and am glad I can start and end my holiday at one of my favourite Broadland spots, and also have a better chance of being able to moor there! It's a shame we cant get under Wroxham with her, but to be honest with just four days that's the only place we'll have to miss out on that we might have cruised if we'd booked some old floating caravan as is more the norm! I'm growing to like the bow thrusters... actually quite handy for getting in and setting off with just the two of us I suppose! Dan

Hi Boys John - Yeah, plus there's no view through the windows - just white.... not impossible they did that on purpose anyway but as its unusual did make me wonder if the boat was sat in a shed somewhere still being worked on hence maybe putting some white paper or something over the window! I had a bit of a wander at Ferry a week or so ago, there was Quartz Emblem & Coral Emblem looking very smart but couldn't see one of these. David - who's told you of my boat handling & parking capabilities or lack of them then?! The external helm does look good, fingers crossed for dry weather! All the best Dan

Yay... another holiday booked, this time four days in early summer next year on Silver Emblem from Ferry Marina. Quite a new design, and hard to gauge beauty from the artists impression but the layout looked interesting and I fancied spoiling us a little so have dug a bit depper for once! Has anyone seen one of these boats yet... there's an internal picture in Hoseasons, but I'm wondering if only the bit in the picture was finished and all the bit out of shot was still under construction?! Looks nice in the brochure, hasn't been built yet? Or has someone spotted one/any views on them? Here's the link to see more on them http://www.hoseasons.co.uk/UKBoat.aspx? ... h=FindBoat Dan

Hi Steve The situation re the toilets is the same throughout France... the boats are built with holding tanks but the French Government will not invest in pump out facilities! Dan

Hi Sue That's a shame... still a good day for it, hope you had a good time All the best Dan

Apolagies... just seen that it was the Lot! Were the locks hard work, and how many were there if you don't mind me asking. Also was there a lock keeper or must you do it yourself? All the best Dan

Hello Steve What stunning pictures.... which river is that and which base/boat did you choose? I must hire again in France soon... though we'll have to see if funds allow for 2009 (sadly I suspect not ) Best Wishes Dan

Hi Folks Does it make a difference if I book a boat that still has space heating as this is not run off diesel... so would I pay more for fuel used as not getting any rebate or 60/40 split etc? When we boat abroad the amount we are charged for fuel is unbelievable, often about a fifth of what the boat hire was, I'm really hoping its not going to totally wallop the cost of holidays All the best Dan P.S I really think a move to include fuel in the cost would be much better, but I see some canal operators who did include it from next year aren't, so perhaps it has/is sadly working the other way?