Davydine

I just love being afloat! On the Norfolk Broads I can't argue with what Gracie said above, I think my ideal boat would be a Broom Skipper or the old Aquafibre 35 with the seat at the bow, because they remind me of childhood holidays. We used to have a sailing boat (Moody 34) that we sailed around the Essex and Suffolk coast, but there is much in common with holidays on the Broads, sailing to country pubs like the Green man at Bradwell or the Ramsholt arms, anchoring in Pyefleet round the back of Mersea island or The Rocks on the Deben are just magical. We would sometimes sail to Belgium / Holland (we DID mean to go to sea!) I loved the sense of sailing overnight and arriving in a new country Soon we will be flotilla sailing in Greece, swimming in the sea and mooring outside a taverna. All are lovely in their own way and I get to holiday afloat!

He everyone, It's funny how these things go, but having chatted about how much we enjoy our Norfolk Broads holidays to some friends, they want to come with us, so we have upgraded to Regal Light! Thanks everyone for your help.

I love how threads on this forum can start in one place and meander off in an entirely different direction. To summarise the answers to my original question, it sounds as though the Connoisseurs may offer a little more space than “Flash” but aren't a great step in terms of the overall quality. Having hired “Flash” before, I know what I am getting, basic but comfortable, so we may just stick with that. With regards to the question of hand holds, I will add that we hired Astral Light last year which is an Aquafibre Lowliner 44. I really didn't like walking along the aft deck, because, although hand rails are fitted, the deck is very high, so the hand holds are hard to reach.

Thanks all, this will be a second Broads holiday next year, we already have a week booked, and so we deliberately chose “Flash” because it was the cheapest boat that had 3 separate cabins, which suits our needs perfectly. I know that the Connoisseur boats aren't a huge upgrade, I am trying to decide which layout I prefer. The saloon and galley look more spacious but I am not sure about the side entrance. I did spot that there were a couple of Connoisseur boats with bow thrusters but they are even more expensive and I don't want to spend the money just for a bow thruster. Thanks, David

Hi all, We have booked Flash of Light from Herbert Woods for a weekend break next year, but I am considering upgrading to one of the connoisseur boats, either Sapphire or Amber light. Just wondering if anyone here has any thoughts. thanks David

I have to agree with you, we hired Bolero in April and it was a lovely boat, but not in the same league as some of the newer platinum fleet.

Just been looking at Woods new Platinum Light and it seems that your wish has been granted and there are no steps from the saloon. Personally on a boat that size, sleeping 8 people I prefer to have the steps from the saloon to the upper deck, otherwise you are disturbing the people in the aft cabin every time you want to go in and out. To my mind it is also a safety issue if there were a fire in the galley.

When we hired from Stalham this Easter the hand over was pretty good but I have hired from them several times so I am not viewing it as a total novice. The boat had an air draught of 8'6” and the chap did say that we would definitely get under Ludham bridge, which we did comfortably, despite the height gauge saying 8' To my mind the problem is when boats and bridges aren't measured accurately. I can understand a couple of inches safety buffer, but when the gauges say you shouldn't get through and the boat fits with several inches clearance then it just confuses people. David

Yes, that's me in the fetching yellow number!

Ahh, Brink of day… I think we hired her in '78…

Hope you had a good weekend, it was lovely to meet you in Ranworth!

Oops, yes, looks like one of their Alphas, possibly evening light, canopy on both sides wide open! It will be damp in the morning!

Some lovely pictures, looks like you had a lovely time. We saw you on Friday morning, we were one of the stream of Richardsons boats heading up the Ant, We had just come through Ludham bridge. Luna looked lovely, but I am biased because I have a soft spot for a Skipper! Cheers, David

Looks like you are having a fabulous time! We passed you and Lulu (I think) yesterday as you were heading down towards Ludham bridge, we were aboard Bolero.

I assume the Leopard 50 is a sailing catamaran? If so, the Max Prop makes sense as it feathers when sailing with the engines off to reduce drag. Not sure that the added cost and complexity would add any value to a motor boat

Thank you, i could spend hors on this!

Exactly this! Life jackets only work if worn! I do actually have 4 automatic life jackets in the garage from the days when we had our own boat, but they are about 15 years old, so I would be reluctant to actually trust my life to them. We have a rule that when we are under way, the children must wear life jackets on deck. I will always put mine on because I can't really expect the kids to wear theirs if I am not. I am a confident swimmer but a sudden immersion in cold water and I wouldn't fancy my chances. I prefer the auto inflating ones because they are more comfortable and therefore more likely to be worn. I recently went for a swim in Windermere, deliberately, with a group of cold water swimmers. It was an interesting and sobering experience. It was 4.5 degrees! I know how shocking it was going in in a controlled way. Falling in fully clothed and unexpectedly, no thank you! David

Just saw this Broom 30 on Apollo Duck… not connected to it in any way but thought of this thread… https://motorboats.apolloduck.co.uk/boat/broom-30-for-sale/692517

Thank you, That's what I hoped.

Hi all, Slightly strange question I know, but can anyone who has hired from Richardsons recently tell me what type of life jackets they use? Are they the auto inflating type, or just a foam buoyancy aid? Thanks, David

I had heard similar figures, also that the pension pot has a £147 million deficit that the parent company has refused to fill, but at the same time have sponsored a golf tournament to the tune of £148 million! One point worth making, please can we use “P&O Ferries” and not just “P&O” because P&O cruises is an entirely separate organisation owned by Carnival and it would be unfair for them to be tarred with the same brush when they have done nothing wrong.

You missed my point. The law of whichever country may legally allow them to dismiss staff in this way, but people aren't made redundant, jobs are. The jobs still exist, so the people cant have lost jobs through redundancy. Semantics really and not really relevant given the seriousness of the situation. Either way, P&O ferries have treated people appallingly and I hope they are punished accordingly.

Being pedantic, but they weren't made redundant, they were sacked and replaced with cheaper labour. Their jobs still exist so they can't be made redundant.

There is a Pedro's In Kendal (although it has changed its name to Pedro's Casa) and I think there used to be one in Windermere.

That sounds like episode 1, episode 2 is the one they are talking about with Sunetra Sarker. Personally I rather like the series.