V8vogue

Saw the Jolly Ritchie coming out of Salhouse Broad this morning... I think the kids might have been naughty as the flag was no-where to be seen!

Hi folks, Well my 2014 brochure dropped through the door yesterday and it's very glossy and professional. It has the usual pictures of the cruisers, some have had their interiors taken at a different angle and it gives you much better idea of what's on board. This years has video and clickable content allowing you to access broads video footage and useful web links on your mobile or tablet. The only downside to it is that you need an app and they only do them for apple and android, while all of my stuff is windows based. However, this doesn't bother me too much as we will be experiencing it again in real life as I have just booked the FAIR SOVEREIGN for 2 weeks in May 2015 and hopefully this time there will be more than just us on the broads with an NBN Burgee flapping in the breeze.

Hi Eric, Thank you for the bridge information. Yes, Barbara at Faircraft did mention access and about the lack of a rear door. She was kind enough to suggest the Commodore and Royale as alternatives but my one track mind was made up.... Fair Sovereign. Although one of the reasons for liking the Fair President is that it has a gull-wing door on the portside for easy access to the main cabin, but alas that's a hire for another year. We got £83 back after a week on the Gliding Light and we had been everywhere except Beccles as we ran out of time. Colin

Yes indeed, we plan to invade the broads again in May for 2 weeks and have decided that the Sovereign is the right choice as there's only 2 of us and a couple of small dogs. I have looked at the air draft too and was wondering if it would go under Ludham Bridge as it's a nice place to moor and we quite enjoyed the walks and the breakfasts in the cafe. The choice has nothing to do with the whirlpool bath although it did catch the attention of my wife, but the fixed double in the stern (ooooeeerrrrrrr) clinched it. I would have liked to have hired the President, but I will need to work a little harder to pay for it so that's a hire for 2016.

The Sovereign. Seems like a nice boat.

Hi Chaps, Okay I'll take the bait... We had Gliding Light 3 for a week in May and to be honest it's a very capable boat, easy to steer, moor and looks good anywhere that you park it, especially at Norwich yacht club. The layout, yes, my wife did say that it was very 'Caravan'ish' and that they had shoehorned a lot of the stuff in. As for 6 Berths, it's down of paper as having 8! I'm 6' 2" and of a well built stature (Cuddly) and I did have a problem with the beds. The double in the stern was large enough for my wife on her own (Careful) and the double cabin in the middle (Port side Middle) was unusable due to it being the engine room as there was a strong smell of diesel, even with the vents and window open. We both eventually ended up in the bow section. It was a bit high off the ground but after a long day of fending off the rag and stick mob, rowers and the odd plonker on the wrong side of the broads they were a very welcome sight. This is really what sparked my original comment above regarding needing a bigger boat. Thing is, I have now found another one from Faircraft Loynes that meets the needs and ticks one or three more boxes hence the 'Perhaps not'. I really meant to do an review of the Gliding Light but never got around to it, So I will put one together soon and pop it into the Herbert Woods section on here. Sincerely, hook, line and sinker Colin

Or then again, perhaps not...

Hi folks, I have to be honest, the Sapphire Emblem is an odd looking beast, so much that we have decided to book her for May of next year for 2 weeks. We hired the Gliding Light 3 from Herbert Woods in May of this year and had a great time, but to quote a certain shark film: 'We're going to need a bigger boat' or words to that effect. I do hope that we get one with the cats eyes windows as there is an odd looking one (probably pre-production) without the sides on the flybridge, satellite dome that has different windows on Ferry marina's website.

Excellent, Thank you

Hello All, Does anyone know if there is an Ice Cream boat that serves the Northern Broads please? I have found the post about the one that serves Bramerton, but just wanted to know if one existed further up. Thank you Colin

Hi Andy, Thanks for that. The original idea was to try Thurne as it is as close, knowing my luck that will probably be full. Someone did say that you can moor at Swallowtail boatyard so we will probably play it by ear... famous last words! Colin

Hello Robin, Thank you. I enjoyed number 7 and that's a nice bit of parking (mooring). The great thing about your videos is that it gives the viewer a very good idea of what to expect afloat on the broads. It is good to know where all of the places to eat, sleep and fuel up are, especially for the likes of myself who's one and only trip on the broads was last year when my wife and I rented a day boat and pottered about. This year will be slightly different as we are returning in 44.65 days (counting down, cannot wait) for a week and have rented a cruiser from Herbert Woods. We will have the portable MiFi unit (Three) that you have been using and an electronic guide book by London Rascal. So we will know where to go. As for the radio, oddly enough I have a pair of those UV5R's in my watch list on fleabay so I will grab those too as they are quite easy to program... God bless youtube! Thank you again for a very enjoyable 7 day tour of the broads and I do hope that you continue to visit and make videos for many years to come. Kind regards Colin

Hi Robin, You are probably fed up hearing this, but your videos are superb. This, Womack Island will be our first stop when we set of from Herbert Woods in may, it is within range as it's a late afternoon pick up and after a 300 mile drive it'll be nice to have some peace and quiet to unwind. Quick question: The radio hanging upside down in front of your phone, is it a Marine VHF or PMR 446? Thanks again and we are looking forward to Number 7. Kind regards Colin

Hi Alan, Thank you, I have seen that type on fleabay. This time we are bringing a Chihuahua and a mental Cocker Spaniel. I am hoping that there will be only one or two instances of 'going overboard' but we shall see. Kind regards Colin

No you mis-understand me. We are bringing 2 of our 4 dogs with us and our cocker spaniel is a total nut job when it comes to water. If she jumps, slips or accidentally on purpose falls in, I know damn well that it's not going to be my wife who fishes her out! I know that swimming isn't allowed and I'm guaranteed to get folks pointing fingers and/or a roasting but I will get them a couple of life jackets just in case. Fifty nine and a half'ish days to go

Indeed I am Iain. I can't wait, even bought an Ordnance Survey map of the broads and with the information gleaned from this site I have started to mark all the places to moor, eat, see etc. It's going to be fun, especially as we are bringing a couple of our dogs... Been looking on fleabay for a wet suit as I know damn well what's going to happen!

Hello, Have just paid the balance for the boat hire and the countdown is at 60 days, I have also bought one of your Burgees... seemed the right thing to do . I will put a review up once we have experienced Herbert Woods and the Gliding Light 3. Enjoy Colin

Thanks Matt, I was expecting typical boating weather... WET, but if it's in the mid 20's then it'll be superb. I had forgotten about half term. It's a complete swindle, with the prices going up. Like Valentines day, as soon as it gets closer to the 14th, the prices of roses double or even triple. The day after, the price is back to normal. Bonkers. It'll be worth it, a chance to get away, recharge and no queues in airports and being shoe horned into a plane. Bliss

Hi NorfolkNog, Will do and Thank you. Hi BroadScot, it's 71 days for me and counting, my wife thinks that I'm nuts but... well I am a bit Hi Gracie, "Excellent Company and Service, Anyone can mess up and have problems but how they recover the situation can make all the difference and they certainly did for us." This is exactly how I see it, if they recover the situation then they deserve to do well. Thanks Folks.

Hello, We are hiring from Herbert woods for the first time and have booked the Gliding Light for a week. I have looked around this site and one or two others and found quite a number of photograph's of the boat. I found these very handy as I now know what to expect including some ropey looking windows and interiors. As for competitive prices, I was looking at Hoseason's and Blake's before Herbert's and for the class of boat on offer, found that Herbert's was the most reasonable (Cheapest) as they quote the price with the fuel supplement as opposed to the rest who add it on when you try to book. It's amazing how the same boat can cost £580 more for a weeks rental the day after we return it. Anyway, I'm excited as I will be celebrating my 50th birthday afloat on the Broads, away from the hustle and bustle of real life and I will be able to add some first hand experience of the company as a newbie to the forum. Colin

Excellent. Womak Staithe it is. As suggested, I can see no harm in rattling Herbert's doors a little earlier as they can only tell me to bugger off... Thank you.

Hi all, Many Thanks for the warm welcome and JTF you are correct. I have found a lot of very useful information, especially about where to moor overnight. To be honest that is my main concern for the first night as Hertbert Wood's check-in time is from 16:00. They have a message on their blog about an overnight mooring just off Womack Dyke, but I was thinking of doing it at Thurne. Any thoughts or recommendations please? Kind regards Colin

Hi Folks, My Name is Colin, I live in Lancashire and Thank you for allowing me into your forum. Last year my wife and I had a week in Stoke Ash near Eye and on one of the days we hired a day boat from Bridgecraft at acle. After a day of pottering around and being passed by all of the people in their big cruisers (everything looks big when you are in a day boat ) with their flags : and general finger pointing, I decided to come back... In May I will be 50 and being of the rag and stick fraternity have broken with tradition and booked a cruiser for a week with Herbert Woods. She's called Gliding Light 3 and as there will only be 2 of us and a dog, 3 if you like, I intend to have a look around your forum and see if I can glean some more information about where to go and what to do. I shall post soon. Colin .