Captain

To be honest I don't think it's been a good season for anyone so far. The all inclusive brigade have been hit hardest I suspect because of the huge margin they pile on to fuel costs when calculating prices. Never been a fan of all inclusive for 5/10 mins inconvenience you could save 50-150 pounds on Diesel, easy money IMHO. As to prices better to charge a fair price to start with which tends to retain loyalty (Kris cruisers are doing okay on the Thames, still down on 22) although from what I have seen even some of the smaller lower prices yards are well down 20% plus on the last few years. I get the feeling those that can afford to go away are heading off to the all inclusive holidays abroad rather than boats as they have been set free from covid restrictions. Of course all inclusive abroad includes food and drink so in the current climate worth a fair chunk of change plus almost guaranteed good weather. Hopefully we will have a good summer and last minute bookings. Expect plenty more discounts. To be open I am currently sitting on Broom Bolero an all inclusive boat I like the Southern Broads usually stick with Pacific Sunshine however she wasn't available and the choice is limited. I could have saved over £150 if I had booked closer to the time. I also see the base prices have been cut and not just special offers, I guess online they can fluctuate like the airlines. Neil

Hi JudyC, I believe you need to approach the boatyards direct rather than via Hoseasons. As you say Richardsons no longer allow solo cruising. Whilst I cannot guarantee this for 2023, Barnes Brinkcraft, Bridgecraft, Pacific Cruisers and Martham boats are all worth a try and I believe have hired to solo parties in the recent past, not sure about Ferry Marina. Please bear in mind they may have certain stipulations, size of the boat, previous experience, previous hirer etc however no harm in asking. Neil

Hi Simon, I have got two or three of those brochures at home they all date from the early 80s. They were around for atleast three years maybe more. I think I spotted them advertised in boating magazines so either asked for copies to be sent or possibly picked up in travel agents. I don't recognise the two yards you mention either, although the Caversham yard appears to be on the same island as Caversham boat services currently sits. I know Bridge boats were also on the island and CBS took over however wasn't aware of any others although I am no Thames expert Neil

Hi catcouk, I am really enjoying your holiday tale. With regard to the colour of the Spring Horizon I believe no 1 in the class was the first of 40 odd Horizon craft Acle bathtubs to be built back in 1977 onwards not the first Horizon 35 that was Richardsons Superline cc 1972. It appears to be in a unique livery all the others were grey. I guess they therefore want to retain as long as possible being the first hire boat operated by Richardsons after they had sold the Stalham operation to Rank in 1974. The last Horizon 35 boat built being Bright Horizon 3 in 1985 made up of the remains of a 42 mould after Richardsons had reacquired the Stalham operation and I believe the first boat built at Stalham after the return of the family. Neil

Hi, According to the database it was ex Brooms hire boat Seachief 2. Neil

Hi, 30 years old however nonetheless an addition Soaring light 2 at Woods. Brinks Encore 7 brand new at Barnes. Fair Regal 2 new at NBD In theory Richardsons have atleast one new boat for 23, likely to be Broadway 7 in addition to the 20 Silverline. Evita at NYA is not new however is there flagship addition, looks like another Haines offering. Also due for 23 is Fleetline, Clives new 46ft Centre cockpit flagship which is still in build. Neil

A sad day indeed, the loss of one of the last true broads boatyards and arguably the last to have both a relatively modern and immaculately turned out fleet plus even less choice and infrastructure on the South. Just look at Silver Mirage, 34 years old and practically a new boat, virtually everything has been updated or replaced and yet the boats remain reasonably priced, let's hope it stays that way. As to Richardsons not having enough room, we'll they have sold about 100 boats on the last 3/4 years so plenty of room. Also I too wonder whether they are leasing the boats from Silverline, must be 1-2m pounds of boats there. Neil

Looking at availability for next season on the waterways holidays website Barnes appear to have sold and it can change as boats can miraculously reappear such as the ex Alpha boats, the following: Curlew Royale Topliner (all remaining) Braemore And the strangest of all Serenade 8 one of the newest boats in the fleet, that may have gone earlier however not sure why perhaps less popular than expected and 8 is a big class. The second hand value may have been pretty good and would help pay for the new Preludes although Waterways website isn't full proof as it doesn't list Woods Ruby Light 2 and that has been on hire for a year. New boats so far at Barnes are Prelude 2 and Encore 7 Neil

Hi Jean, Thanks for your clarification it was very helpful and those single doors are better than the fiddly double doors. Interesting they have removed the stern thrusters perhaps more trouble than they were worth and expensive to replace when rarely needed. Simon, I agree with your comment on the steering wheel, they spend thousands on a refurb on a modern boat worth perhaps 65k second hand and fit a steering wheel out of a 60s Caribbean or 1k day boat. Saying that it wouldn't stop me from hiring her although I am sure they could have found a better one in an arcade. Neil

Hi Jean, A very enjoyable holiday tale thanks. I like the look of Rose, I hired Jade back in 2013 and Swan Reflection and Romance on various occasions between 2012 and 2019 however the double helmsman seat, bow and stern thrusters rear view camera and island bed are nice touches. Was the bed a sprung mattress or foam and what did the settee feel like, as I get older I am getting fussy about my beds/berths and it's very subjective as to what is comfortable. I find some beds very hard and others are worn out and soft which can end up being hard as you feel the board underneath. Thanks Neil

Hi, I thought it wouldn't be long before Woods started selling a few boats as they have added the Soaring Light/s, Ruby Light 2 and Platinum light to the fleet in the last few months and they may add some more in the next year or two I suspect. Interesting that we are losing two more aft cockpit boats, I am assuming that they are less popular than the much older bathtubs in the fleet. From a personal point of view it is sad to see the reduction in choice of designs and classes, there are now just a handful of aft cockpit boats on the entire network with Richardsons selling the Broadland Saturn's leaving just San Luis and Pedro whilst Woods only have Crystal Light. Silverline have one, Ferry three and Pacific have one that's about it for a design which used to account for a large chunk of the hire fleets. I forgot Martham have one and Eastwood Whelpton have one too. Neil

Hi Jean, The Swan platinum boats date between 2000 and 2015. I would have thought personally the oldest platinum boats should be perhaps 2011 to include the Broadsman although the older members must be due a refurb or upgrade to retain that status unless they bring in lower levels such as gold or silver. Moon Adventure dates from 1998 so is really pushing it for Platinum status Neil

Indeed, although Richardsons have around 70 platinum fleet boats that will still leave 120 odd classic boats including roughly 50 Bountys 30- 44s and 10 Horizons. Neil

I see atleast two of the boats on the sales list are still on hire at the moment for 23 year as David mentioned. San Diego for example already has 16 weeks booked on it for next season so no shortage of demand for some of these old timers. Therefore may still be three Entrepreneurs on hire next season San Lucia, Diego and Elena Neil

Very interesting Dan, thanks for that. Another 20 boats out of the fleet brings it down to 190 boats if you include the new Broadway 7. The smallest the fleet has been for perhaps 35 years and should free up atleast one of the marinas with around 100 boats going in 3/4 years within a yard capable of operating 330 plus. I see most/all of the Aquafibre Entrepreneurs are going after one went last year. Atleast they are keeping some of the classics including San Luis/Pedro the oldest Grp craft on hire on the Broads. Andy I too had a soft spot for Braemore, I had here in 2008 from Barnes had originally booked Opal Star the last boat built by Moores however Barnes took over and she wasn't part of the deal so was offered Braemore 2 instead. No 2 is on the Thames at Chertsey/ Staines the last time I saw here. I wasn't so keen on the steering in the corner bit of greenhouse without an opening window although the roof opened behind you Vision was restricted as you couldn't pop your head out. I see no 1 only has a small 2 burner hob and oven, no 2 had a full size cooker and fan assisted oven back then so some things have taken a step back particularly on a boat designed for upto 6 Neil

Hi, Yes the hydraulic thrusters do take power from the drive to the extent that I have stalled twice in neutral. Some are better than others although electric maybe more likely to burn out I prefer electric. Then you can concentrate on throttle use for maneuvers rather than worrying about putting some throttle on in neutral to ensure the thrusters are fully powered, having to come out of neutral to complete the mooring is an extra hassle although this maybe just me and boat I was on at the time had slow tickover Neil

That's interesting Andy, Waterside Marine had 2 Connoisseur 37ft 2 berths for sale recently. Since they only built 4 of that particular fit. Its strange both were for sale at the same time and place as both must be from private sources. I must admit when Woods added the 1st to their fleet and picked up a number of bookings I thought they would interested in the 2nd particularly as it was an internal sale. On the subject of Richardsons they have added atleast 7 purchases since the boat build freeze in 2020 to 2022. I believe they were built between 2011 and 2019/20 including 3 Haines 31, 2 Heritage 286s a Sheerline 950 and a Viking based on the Alpha 31 mould Neil

Hi, I believe the restaurant at Burehaven in Horning ex Chumley and Hawke may have been Bennigans before it was converted into chalets by Len Funnell in 1990 ish. Previously it had been Chumlies, Nandos and Vandyke. Neil

Hi Broads 01 Yes Marthams grp boat is certainly an oldie however according to The Horning boat database it was built in 1976. Must have been re registered around 2011. That makes it late Elysian 27 as it could have been mid 60s. I believe Rhapsody was refitted in 2001/2 Neil

Dave cc, If had uploaded my data onto a spreadsheet I could have worked out the average age of the hire fleets although it would be an estimate as some boats are a little sketchy. It's certainly more than 20 years on the Broads before they are retired, maybe the canals is closer to that as they seem to be cheaper to build. Most boats or atleast the reasonably popular ones currently see 35-40 years in service. I have seen boats retired after a couple of seasons others still going after 50 odd years. The oldest Grp boat is probably San Pedro at Richardsons an Aquafibre Ocean 30 from around 1967. Richardsons also have the oldest bathtub which I believe is Rhapsody 1 ex Tropicana from Mixer Marine from cc 1972 most of the other Bounty 37s date from 1974-87 and Calypso from 1973. The oldest wooden boat, well Zoe a yacht at Martham boats dates from 1898 and Janet and Jocelyn from around 1950. Neil

Thanks Cambridge Cabby, You have answered my reconciliation query. I was two boats out between my calculation for total yard fleets and total number for the different styles, I included Summercrafts 2 Aquafibres however forgot to include them as a hire fleet. School boy error! Neil

Hi NeilB, What a shame Richardsons still have 2 half built boats. Must have been thousands invested in those boats. I can possibly understand the sedan being mothballed as this may have given them issues as a new design however they already have 17/18 of the centre steers you would think it would be worthwhile trying to finish it. Neil

Hi No problem. As to Maycraft, I am making an assumption that as Mayfair is available on three different start days then it's likely they use both for holidays and fit day hire in as and when available however I haven't asked them or spoken to any customers so you are just as likely to be correct. What I can say is that they have 2 of only 3/4 remaining Hampton 25s on hire on the Broads, although I believe Bridge stores at St Olaves did and may still have one for day hire. There are 2 more on the Thames at Caversham. Neil

Hi, private boats now that would be project and a half! Craig is sadly no longer around to help with some of the data although his database is still a wealth of information Neil

Hi, For those interested a few weeks back I put my anorak on and calculated the approximate number of hire boats at each yard, the number of each type and style. Some of this is based on knowledge otherwise some on estimated figures however I believe I should be within 1 or 2% . According to my calcs of hire cruisers ie those available for weekend and weekly hire exc small day boats there are cc 630 cruisers plus 2 in build made up 114 different varieties ie sizes and types. Plus 58 yachts 200 centre cockpit 197 forward steer 164 Dual steer 54 sedan 17 aft cockpit Boatyards have: Richardsons 209 Herbert Woods 124 +1 in build plus 9 day cruisers Barnes Brinkcraft 87 + 1 in build plus 12 day cruisers Faircraft NBD 63 plus 7 day cruisers Ferry Marina 44 plus 9 day cruisers Brooms 25 Silverline 20 Bridgecraft 20 Martham 10 + 22 yachts Horning Pleasurecraft 9 Pacific 9 NYA 4 Maycraft 2 Eastwood Whelpton 1+ 16 yachts Ludham sailing (Hunters) 14 yachts Martham Ferry (Olivers) 3 yachts Swallowtail 3 yachts I won't list out all the different styles of boat however the mosr numerous single design was the Alpha 44 Dual steer at 31 followed by Alpha 35 Dual steer at 30 although if you combine the mark 1 and mark 3 Bounty 37s you have 32 left, not bad for one of the oldest Grp boats on the Broads 31 of which are at Richardsons. Hope this is of interest to any other boat nerds like myself. Neil