olliverdrake

Thanks Guys Will arm myself with a hose Glenn

Good evening folks We are spending Christmas afloat thanks to The Broads Boating Company. I have, as probably many of you do, a missus and kids who will think that everything aboard will be as at home and in endless supply. Knowing that this is not the case I was wondering where I am able to fill up with water on both the northern and not too far into the southern broads should we get across Breydon, tides and weather permitting. Forum members help would be much appreciated. Glenn

The missus !

Hired 6 times in the last 16 months from Richardson's and on every occasion have had top class customer service. Have used other yards in the past and can't really fault the service we have received but I can honestly say that on our return to Richos I have been blown away with the service, cleanliness and quality of the boats. Someone there has their finger on the pulse and the award, in my opinion, is well deserved. Small cogs in any business are as valuable as the large ones and Richardson's clearly appreciate this. It shines through as you pull up in your car and are greeted by all the staff. As an employer myself I take my hat off to the staff around, what must be, a great management team. I congratulate Clive but I must also congratulate ALL the staff employed by him. A very well deserved award Glenn

Congratulations Robin. I have followed your blogs for a few years now and gleaned some excellent tips for while afloat from yourself, your blogs and other forum members Just love it when you talk endlessly. I wish you all the happiness in the world for the life change. From what I know of you it would seem that it couldn't happen to a nicer guy !! For the record I'm not jealous. Regarding diesel. I use domestic heating oil at home and use a website called boilerjuice.com . They will also supply red diesel. You may be very surprised at the quote you will get on 3000 litres. All the best for the future and please don't stop the blogs I'm sure they would be missed ! Glenn

Thanks for the info Alan. Must get some cards in readiness then. Cheers

Maybe this is a silly question but are any of these electric posts turned off out of season ? We are spending Christmas afloat and would like the luxury of possibly being able to hook up for heat should the need arise. Would like to bring an oil radiator to take the overnight chill off. Any advice would be grateful. Glenn

That's such a shame as I have hired with Richo's many times over the years. I did have a spell with Barnes and Royalls but have recently returned to Richo's and I have honestly been blown away by the way things have changed. I remember my parents hiring a houseboat probably late 70's early 80's somewhere near the boatyard. There used to be a clubhouse which I can only describe as a working mans club close to the river but I was too young to remember where it was or what it was called. Would love to know if it was part of Richo's and what happened to it and exactly where it was. I'm sure some of you remember ? I also remember when Rank took over and things went down hill but the current team, I think, have got things almost spot on. You can see the investment in the place and the boats. Long may it continue and long may the broads hold so many beautiful memories for us all. I wouldn't discount Richo's when hiring. Such a wide range to chose from and the backup of a large team to help should the need arise. My advice is to ask at arrivals and then ask again. They will come good if you are persistent. I think that most hirers who do not follow a forum such as this would not be aware that a boat can be plugged into shore power and will run the engine as per the instruction/skippers manual thus burning fuel without the need. If the business was mine I would do the same. Fuel will generate profit and the amount of hires a year would be worth a lot in lost profit if every boat was able to hook up to a BA post. Glenn

At the rate I have hired in the last 15 months tourism must have increased

Hi SwanR We hired a Broadsman last year and when I arrived I asked for a shore power lead. We signed for the boat and went to Tesco in Stalham for supplies and were told that a lead would be left on the back of the boat for when we returned. When this did not happen I went to arrivals and again asked for one and they did supply one. Again this year we Hired Rapture end of September and I asked for one and were given one. We left this on board when we returned and had the good fortune to be able to return for a 4 night break on the same boat 3 weeks later. The lead was still in the wardrobe. So they will supply one. I guess you just have to be persistent. There could be all sorts of reasons they don't want to supply the leads as I'm sure we can all work out. Glenn

Cheers Jay I am reasonably sure that this boat is not equipped with a shore power connection for hookup to the posts. Although I could be wrong. A call to the boatyard might be my best option. I do already have said lead so I will take with me anyway. I really just wanted advice/experiences from other forumites and clarification as to the safety of such a lead. I'm sure I have read a thread on this some months ago. Fully intend enjoying ! Glenn

Hi Howard I have only ever used shore power on one occasion at Bramerton last year. Got the shock of my life ( not literally ) when I hooked up and looked at the little screen. I'm sure it said £300 in credit. Could be wrong it might have been £3.00 but I do know I didn't use one of the BA cards and ended up giving them to the next hirers when they boarded our boat as we were taking a second boat that day. I do remember the boatyard being very hesitant in supplying the shore power lead though, or maybe that was just me?. In all honesty we didn't really need it but boys and their toys. These modern cruisers are more than equipped for in season cruising but I know there will be a heavy demand on the batteries during the darkest month of the year. Although I wouldn't think running the engine will be a problem at moorings before and after 8 it would be nice for a little luxury ( warmth ) over Christmas should the need arise and the facility is available. If it's there why not make use of it. The lead you describe is exactly what I was thinking as I do know that the inverter wouldn't handle the radiator, or if it did it wouldn't be long before the engine was needed. I do know that the posts are fitted with RCD's so should be perfectly safe. Again if anybody knows different or can offer further advice I would be more than happy to listen. Glenn

I'm not sure if the boat has an electric hookup but was going to take a cable with a 13 amp household socket and secure inside the boat should we have a cold spell. We could then use a small oil filled radiator to take the overnight chill off. The boat does have 240 volt but the batteries would take a battering with a radiator running overnight. I'm sure if this is not a good idea someone can advise a more suitable setup.

I;m guessing they turn the electric posts off too. Or are they free out of season ?

So 53 days and counting then :-)

Ok folks....Iv'e done it !! I spoke with Lindsey at The Broads Boating Company this afternoon and she was more than helpful. Got a great deal on Hoveton for 4 nights and the bonus is we can pick the boat up as early as we like and return mid afternoon before it gets dark. She honestly couldn't do enough to help. Also offered a deal not to be refused for a short break in January for returning customers. Not sure I should post on here so I'll keep the deal to myself but I very much doubt I will be able to take advantage due to work commitments. Will have to see if I can juggle things a little. So Christmas afloat and I cant wait. Thanks to all of you for your help and advice and if you see us out and about we promise to give an extra special Christmas wave. Glenn

Thanks for that Andy. I can understand the pitfalls involved. Myself and the missus may well see you next year for a cheeky short break.

Many many thanks for all your words of wisdom. I have taken all on board ( pardon the pun ). I will be doing some digging over the next few days. Afloat is a must though. I just can't imagine what it would be like to wake up Christmas morning and be able to pootle down the river for a couple of hours. Fingers crossed I will be able to experience it this year though and bring to an end a year that has had many magical memories of the broads for our whole family. As for night nav.....YES PLEASE !!!. Would love to experience that but fully understand the legalities so not until I eventually take the plunge and hopefully become an owner. I will of course let you all know what I end up doing and thanks for all the advice and tips I have picked up since reading this forum over the past 18 months. I have learnt many things that have made my time afloat quite easy. Although Wayford Bridge backwards was not as easy as Griff made Wroxham look. LOL Many thanks to you all Glenn

We are in need of some serious help please ! We have so far visited the broads 3 times this year. The last time was last weekend on a spare of the moment short break aboard Swan Rapture having only given her back 3 weeks previous on a heavenly week with just myself and the missus. It's the first holiday we have ever had away without kids in tow and we had such a relaxing,enjoyable week we just had to follow it up with a spare of the moment short break alone as we were missing the place so much. We only booked it on the Sunday and were collecting the boat on the Friday of the same week !! On the last 2 visits we have convinced the kids that we were only going to support the various businesses and excellent pubs so when we return with them in May of next year everything remains the same as it was when we came with the children in May of this year. My 11 year old daughter was very worried that we hadn't visited the Bridge Inn on our short break last week and is concerned that it will not be open on our return in May. So even the kids are smitten with the Broads Anyway my problem is as follows. Firstly am I going completely mad ? I can't spend more than 2 months away from the Broads without going cold turkey. I have ties down in Lowestoft for the business I am in ( fish ) and I cannot go a week without making an excuse for having a business trip down and crossing the river at Beccles on the 146. I have even taken to listening, repeatedly, to Life On Mars by David Bowie. I cannot go a couple of days without looking at the Broads map and deciding where to go today and what pub to have lunch or dinner at. Or saying to the missus that we were here this time last week. It's got that bad that she is even saying the same to me. Next problem is that we really want to spend Christmas afloat. Our older children from past relationships have now flown the nest and have made plans with partners etc to have Christmas with their new found loves so it has left us with an ideal opportunity to spend Christmas away from the rat race. I know that most of the hire yards close in late October until early March and do not hire over the break but we really would like to be able to wake up Christmas morning this year, looking out over a broad or river, and not having to be restricted to the usual routine of all that Christmas brings to so many of us. With all the above in mind can any of you good folk please convince me that I am, firstly, not going completely mad and also point me in the direction to a hire yard that can make my, and my familys, Christmas dreams come true. Like I said I need help !! Glenn

That boat looks very creative

Thank you all so much for the warm welcome. Feel just that little but closer to the Broads. Eight weeks and counting unless I can get down there on business before then. Usually come back from Lowestoft through Acle, always stop at the bridge inn for a half and a walk along the river, then on to Potter for cakes for the kids from Lathams and never miss an opportunity to have a stroll round Richardsons before a final stop at Wroxham then the drive back to Grimsby. Cant wait Glenn

Cheers Guys and Gracie I have been reading the forum for near on a year now. Such a wide range of topics discussed and I must say that the knowledge I have gained from you all has made for an easier time while afloat. Thanks for the welcomes Glenn

Good morning and Hi everyone I joined the forum late last year and have only just plucked up the courage to write my first post. Don't know why because you all seem a decent bunch. Anyway I started coming on the Broads when I was about 8 years old ( 40 years ago ) with my parents. I remember those holidays as some of the best ever. The feeling of being somewhere just totally different from the fast paced life we all lead in the towns and cities we live. Peace and quiet and back then the waiting for the TV picture to slowly get smaller and smaller on the black and white screen, if you could get a signal, told you it was time for bed unless you wanted to run the batteries flat and not be able to start the boat the following morning. Being able to drive a boat at that age is certainly got the heart racing especially when mooring in tight spots. I continued as a young lad to hire with my mates. Never got up to the antics of recently though. I remember hiring a boat from Horning Pleasurecraft in October 1987. I think it was Calypso. Yes the year of the hurricane. I, unfortunately could not make the holiday and nearly cancelled but my dad said he and mum would go instead. They were moored at the Berney Arms, always a favourite with my parents back then, when the hurricane struck. According to dad there were boats losing their tops but everyone helped each other out and the landlord of the pub came out hand helped secure what they could and took everyone into the pub out of harms way even though they had lost power. Both my parent said it was the best holiday they ever had on the broads ! . I miss that pub when I come down now. Always tried to pick the seat where the spider came down when you gave the landlord a nod. Such a shame how the place has ended up although I read that it may yet re open. Lets hope so and good luck to the new tennants. I then missed a few years in the late 80's and early 90's when I started a family but towards the end of the 90's the pull was too great and I just had to introduce my own kids to the Broads. We would always meet with a customer of mine on the Friday night in the Ferry at Horning for a few pints and a good old catchup ready to return the boat the next day usually with a rather fuzzy head. Some of you may know Maurice Read who co owned R Thorpe fish merchants in Lowestoft. Sadly passed away a few years ago now. Always an absolute gentleman and with the laid back Suffolk approach to life. Nothing phased the guy. I, again, missed a few years in the mid 00's until in 2007 we were flooded at home and had to vacate our home to have the kitchen fitted. Seemed a good idea to hire a boat for the week and let the tradesmen get on with it. We hired one of the Romany's from barnes as this had the washer and dishwasher and electric cooker etc etc and 240 volt power !. Never had 240 volt on a boat. Although this had to be powered by generator which was a little noisy and annoying having to spark it up to just boil the kettle or make toast. Until last year I haven't hired since 2010 so I thought it was now time to get back on the wagon and return to where my heart was. I brought my children from my second partner with me, 10,12 and 14 years old. We hired Broadsman from Richo's and what a surprise I had. In the few years I had missed the boats had got all up to date and techy. We were all amazed and the missus was over the moon to be able to use a hairdryer and straighteners ( as they do ). I wanted to give the kids the same experience as I had as a child so the day we took Broadsman back we boarded Crystal Gem for 3 days. All the memories cam flooding back and I'm sure the kids got sick of my stories and the countless times I told them that this was proper boating. I did, however, not miss the old gas heaters mounted on the wall and the single battery for domestic and engine. We had such a good time that on the last day I booked Glistening Horizon from Acle for a further three days to make our stay a full 2 weeks. What a boat and what a yard !!. We all loved the boat so much i have it booked for May next year. I had caught the bug big time and we returned in May of this year with all 6 of my children and 1 grandchild. Best holiday any of us have ever had ! So much so that myself and the missus are returning late September this year on Swan Rapture for a week and we are now counting down the days and planning where best to go although I guess I should know better than to plan anything when on the Broads. Sorry for such a long post but I could have gone on for a lot longer. Hope you all didn't get bored by the end. Glenn