Dan

Sounds like lots of fun, reminds me of our Opal Gem trip out last year (where at one point I thought I may have to re-mortgage the house) and makes me sad it will be April before I can turn up at reception at Richardsons! Dan

It was good that... taken just a year before I first had a Broads holiday. I think that was probably Savoy's last year as I think it had finished by I came over the next summer. Did look very dated, but I suppose twenty years is a fair time span and much has accelerated along since then. I quite enjoyed seeing Water Gem (Bounty 27 AC) as I first remembered them from when I first saw them in Scotland in '89 and from my '95 Broadland holiday when they looked like in that video Dan

Yeah, you're right, they are striking and quite imposing. When I was a nipper the one that Maidboats used in the brochure (Maid Oriana) I used to think looked the business so I think you might be on to something. Sleek boats I thought, especially with tinted glass which was not unheard of Dan

Oooooh yeah, that it does.... Was almost tempted to get a Faircraft brochure last week (or whenever it was) Dan

I am not a fan of the appearance, canopy design, wall carpet everywhere, cheap upholstery etc to be honest, though it is good to see some new smaller/aft cockpit designs, in theory. Whoever came up with the idea of an island bed that almost fits, but not quite so the bottom bit hinges?? Was the pub about to close? On a more positive note I suppose there has been one or two nice looking Funnell designs over the years Dan

Hmmm.... I would hire it if the layout suited the party, but it's a bit expensive/unsuited to two, and don't fink I would be hiring for a week with four where the layout would fit. It does seem a bit of a crying shame it's not on short breaks where it would suit requirements rather well - could someone suggest it to Mr R?! Dan

Oosh! Teak & holly flooring now!

Great pictures/tale Simon. I hired this very boat back in 1999 and it looked vey different inside back then. Sadly I have no internals but it really does look nice and smart now & was very tired back then. The new style of chairs are bang on in my opinion, and much better than the two previous styles they've replaced. I love the Westward Sedan's, they look nice, handle well and you can stick your head out of the sunroof as you go if the weather's good! For this reason I think it's a shame none of the bigger (and even better looking) 38ft survived or got any refit treatment Dan

Hi Jim Never hired her though did look inside a year or two back. Was quite spacious and unquestionably superb value in recent times - I seem to remember it is quite a bit cheaper than say Trinidad or Distant Horizon although is basically a larger version of the same design style!? At the time I seem to remember we thought it was a bit dated and plain in fitout (but not unpleasant) and is quite tall. I think if it ran on short breaks we would have booked it but for our weekly requirements really we all like to have a permanent cabin so it has never quite made it off the consideration list.... yet I think someone may be along to sing the virtues of this particular style of Aquafibre before long..... Dan

Looks great, thanks for posting them. The saloon was especially useful as off the plan it was a bit hard to figure if it was a bit tight but the settee looks a decent size Dan

Hi Jim Sedan's often have them, Solitaire Emblem also has that sort of thing going on, again not for everyone or too everyone's (anyone's?) tastes, but just for a different set of reasons I guess Dan

I've booked Broadway (number 2) as well. Looks good value and nicely proportioned at 38ft. I think the internal ones on site are of Carousel... might have to try and get inside when I'm over next week Dan

Could be handy.... hadn't booked anything but rang up today and booked a Broadway and perhaps I will be tempted again! Almost went for Sunlit Horizon as looks fantastic value for next year (cheaper & better than a Madeira), but Broadway has less levels to fall down after a case of wine Dan

Whatho Everyone Has anyone else received their new Hoseasons brochure yet? I have only just picked mine up as I thought it was a shoe catalogue my other half had ordered Lots of new photos of boats, even if still a bit small.... If you didn't know better you would be forgiven for thinking Bridgecraft are as big as Richardsons/Horizon but most other fleets seem to feature all of an operators craft.... Dan

Having now seen the logo well it looks alright. What they aimed to do in their brief (according to the EDP article) they have achieved. It does suit their core or growing core business better than the previous one, and boating is very green & leafy too, though how well that emblem works on a cruiser will be intriguing to see, but clearly that has not been at the forefront of their mind as other areas of the business have accelerated and become key focuses over boating. Simon Altham was in charge of Parks & Lodges I think before taking on the big man's chair, so perhaps the acceleration or focus towards this is inevitable as well. They generally do a good job and I think they unquestionably understand what their customers want, if you were to generalise it (not everyone wants the same so you have to do this to some extent, whilst remembering & not alienating or ignoring the smaller percentages). Unfortunately the members here do not make up the biggest part of their business, or even reflect the majority of people who hire their boats I suspect. Personally I think it's alright... though I don't like the obsession with capitalisation that seems to grow every year in usage! Dan

Hard to comment too much without having seen the logo but I don't think there was anything too wrong with the bluebird logo and the connotations that go with it. Just who is this Altham man???! Upmarket may be alright commercially, and certainly people want quality more and more, even if at bargain prices. I think everyone should be able to have a holiday so it is important that there is choice still at low prices too, but equally businesses must evolve to survive. Dan

Noticed a bit back that the hype/spin/press releases of not long ago about Herbert Woods buying the Le Boat Craft and how delighted (etc etc) each company was to be working with each other with Le Boat as a booking agent for them didn't seem to last long! Latest brochure has no Norfolk presence, nor has the website for some time! Strange companies at times, but at least Le Boat are still on the Thames (roll on my next holiday!) Dan

A nice problem for the forum to have I guess When time is tight here I tend to just be more selective with the ones I click on depending on the thread title but still like to make time to at least have a quick look in most days Dan

Forgot to mention... by the look of Richardsons Sales website and their availablity checker it looks like some names mentioned here (such as Distat Horizon number 1 and all the Petite Gem's) are being thrown out/retired at the end of the season Dan

I never like hiring the same boat twice but I'm sure it will happen some time! It's nearly always Richardsons as the boat always does what it should, is well priced, the service is good and flexible/real enough to vary to the customer and the loyalty thing makes it worthwhile too. There's a few designs I like that they dont run though, so at soe point a change might happen, but when I've considered it before you normally just end up with something different to plan A from Richardsons that stacks up as better value overall Dan

I'm not too into last minute deals, perhaps that was considered a good plan in days gone by but surely any long term business would have learnt, especially in a seasonal industry that getting the business in early gives a much better level of protection and is a better way to treat your best customers than panicking last minute if its a bit sparse and having a fire sale to keep going? I would only want to deal with a business that gives its best deals to a customer that books early and wants to be loyal to the brand. Anyone wanting to gear their key offers towards bigger discounts for someone last minute (and the lower level of brand loyalty that goes with that behaviour) is not for me. I may not have explained that too well but I know what I mean! I guess the 5% is alright, especially added with the already competitive pricing and the fact no-one seems to be doing or commenting on any better being out there. Perhaps I will have to see if I have another loyalty card discount accrued yet! Dan

Hi Everyone Was just having a bit of a browse on a few dates for next year and was a bit disappointed there didn't seem to be any particularly enticing offers to make me take the plunge? The 5% at Richardsons was a bit disappointing from last years offer, although in fairness they did have a brand new Platinum fleet 4/6 berth that was £130 cheaper than a 1990s ex Connoisseur (no early offer at Woods then?), which was suprising so as ever I guess Richardsons value is competitive. Has anyone found anything stronger or quite irrestible and got anything booked up already? Dan

Oi - no pi*s taking.... poopy pants! Dan

Here's a couple of brochure extracts. The Richardsons one from 1991 doesn't imply there was more than one though? The Harvey Eastwood's were all Santa Something - but the Santa Elena's were the ones with the hard top... Dan

Hi David Here's a better quality version for you... Dan