JimG

This made me laugh.....any others?

Thanks for the info guys, perhaps just some blankets and cushions to lay on then (still tempting fate with the weather). First time on a dual steer boat, very much looking forward to it.

Many thanks for all the info folks.

Thanks Howard.

Just been perusing the Barnes Brinkcraft webcam, a few boats going under the bridge. We are hoping to go under at low tide in a few weeks which is 08.30ish. Do the pilots work this early?

I'm planning a solo cruise at the beginning of next year, February of March time. I know Freedom boats hire this early in the season, anyone know of any other yards that do the same? I'd prefer to be on the Northern Broads as it'll only be for the weekend.

Freedom boats have a couple of old Aston's. Rambling Freedom and Song of Freedom. I was on the former last year and London Rascal blogged the latter recently. Both still look good

Thought I'd share this with you....... In 1998 six of us hired Aston Jupiter from Aston's Beccles yard. At the front of the boat was a Hoseasons flag which was according to the boatyard the same height as the canopy when full retracted. So we are approaching Wroxham bridge (before pilots were compulsory) with the canopy fully back, the flag goes under nicely........and........crash. The top of the canopy hits the bridge and gets knocked off completely!!!!! Thankfully the dinghy we are towing is tied with two ropes creating a triangle shape with the stern of the boat. This is where the canopy lands!!!!! A local boatyard fishes the canopy out of The Bure and places it as well as possible back in place. Obviously Aston Boats get in touch and we agree to return the boat a day early to get in repaired. Now about that flag that was supposed to be the same height as the canopy.......it was at a slight angle and therefore no good. Amazingly the boatyard saw the funny side and still refunded our security deposit, they deemed the incident accidental. I hired another two Aston Boats after that so they obviously didn't bear a grudge

don't remember Aston Norwich but I always hired from the Beccles yard. Aston Jupiter, Aston Thames and Aston Concorde were ones I had.

Hi Iain, I've hired Aston Concorde too, nice little boat. I believe Freedom boats have the same design in Song of Freedom.

Good afternoon all, I used Aston Boats very fairly frequently until they ceased to exist, never the same boat twice though. More recently it's been Richardsons simply because of value for money and choice. These include, Broadland Lass, Broadland Breeze, Major Gem, Voyager, Broadland Mercury, and Ibiza. Ibiza I've hired two years in succession, we have a lads weekend every Oct and it's perfect for that.

fine with me. Thanks.

Apologies for for starting a similar thread to another, maybe one of the mods can move it if need be.

Simple enough thread. What's the best boat you or your family has hired? Mine is Admiral 6, we went on her in 1986, I was 10.

...........so the thread about curry has achieved 'hot' status.

Iain, I'm a guard not a driver, so less stressful and more time to browse the forum

I'm a train guard.......nothing surprises me anymore!!!

Iain, even better.......proper trains, well almost proper. Diesel things!!!

The thought of someone getting on a train with an oar under each arm has tickled me!!!

My work is trains trains trains, so I check in daily to read about boats boats boats. And for me more activity means longer spent on here which means I don't have to watch tv soaps with the wife! AND THIS IS MY 50TH POST!!!!!

Freedom, ha ha I don't ALWAYS hire with Richos. I hired Rambling Freedom last year and thought it was spot on!!! When I'm on a short break however, I stay up north!!!

I have thought about a syndicate and haven't ruled out the idea completely. I just love the idea of owning my own even if it means being poor(er).

Hi guys, many many thanks for all the information, facts and figures you've all provided. Very helpful indeed!!

I'd be interested too. Beats the Charlie and Lola calendar the wife always buys!!!

ha ha, don't panic it won't be for a while yet, just putting the feelers out. I always hire from you anyway, Ibiza in a few weeks, Bolero next August