catcouk

Can I say a big thank you to all the replies - always great to hear accurate information from a different perspective. I think it's the initial outlay that makes me consider syndicates as more expensive but you are right about getting money back at the end. Also, for me as a teacher, I could never find a syndicate that I could make use of for more than one week a year.

Just to offer an alternative opinion, hiring is very convenient (especially if you become a regular with a friendly boatyard). I could be completely wrong but a week on a syndicate boat didn't seem that different from a hire boat but with a hire boat, none of the problems are yours. If I'm missing something, please feel free to correct me. I am far from educated in the world of syndicates and ownership!

I feel as though I should log my first trip as an adult too which was also my son's first trip. It was an awesome week aboard my favourite ever boat, Contessa from Richardson's (an Aquafibre Crystal 37 dual steer). We went with friends and the rest of my family came too, albeit aboard a second boat. So much fun and marked a wonderful return to the broads after a 15 year gap. The boy was only 8 weeks old and we knew the wife might not be up for much after labour so I suggested the broads as an easy holiday where she could just sit in the lounge if worst came to worst. When asked how this was different to staying at home, I said the view would always be changing and it would be beautiful!

I suspect my journey started before I was born when my parents honeymooned on the smallest aft cockpit cruiser in 1980. My first cruise was in the early 90s when our family hired San Christian 3 (a bathtub from Richardson's). Beyond knowing it was Easter time (still my preferred time to visit), I can't remember much. I seem to have a vague memory of eating battenburg 'window' cake whilst mid weighting somewhere above Potter Heigham (maybe Hickling) and that my parents had a bed in the saloon that folder down out of the wall. After that, we had one other bathtub before largely having centre cockpit sliding canopy cruisers. We could only afford to do it every other year but I remember the excitement of browsing the Hoseason's catalogue 'helping' our parents choose that year's boat! Happy memories!

The price of a day boat is almost the cost of a short break! Oww!

For those that have followed this thread, I did threaten to release a video showing exactly what we got up to. Apologies it has taken so long, I had a few issues with my video editing software refusing to publish it. But here is what our holiday looked like even with me having Long Covid (so no lovely walks like in the past but still a great time) - I hope that it can be useful to others worried about a trip. Someone on the Internet did comment on my boat review video telling me that Long Covid (that I suffer from) doesn't exist. Whilst I absolutely respect their right to an opinion, it seems a little rude telling me that the illness I suffer from can't possibly exist - they're now blocked!

Ah! The good ol' Force 10! Still used by many youth organisations. In fact, we are taking our year group on a camping residential trip in a month and, I suspect, Force 10s will be the order of the day! As you say - memories! (I notice you didn't necessarily describe them as god memories though...)

They set up a two lane one-way check in road during Covid and have kept that set up (it works really well). The signs are just where you meet the first member of staff who gives you some basic information and tells you which quay you will find your boat - all in a 'drive-thru' style.

To add to the conversation, I mentioned this to Mrs Catcouk. She remembers seeing the sign too but assumed that the sign specifically referred to people 'chartering' the 'posh' boats (not the riff raff like us 'iring a bafftub...). Sums up the whole debate if you ask me!

I saw that sign and chuckled. They have really tried to make the old yard look up-to-date and the use of the word charter instead of hire speaks volumes. Maybe it will help make the experience that bit more pleasant for new boaters. But, as someone above already said, it is definitely just camping on water!

I'm doing my bit! Two other families we're good friends with also poised to join us for future adventures with their young children.

Great question. I have no idea but I'm intrigued to hear the answer!

I agree about the trial run but, as a hangover from Covid rules, Richardsons only allowed two adults with the yard crew member on the boat. For us, that meant just me as my wife had to stay behind to look after our boy. Thought it was a bit odd that this rule was still in place.

There is an outtake with exactly that! He remembered to point out the warm air heating duct though...

Here is my latest contribution to the world of YouTube boat reviews. If I seem a bit harassed during it, that is because I was desperately trying to keep my son out of shot (for privacy reasons) although, to be fair, he quite rightly was reminding me of things I had missed! (At the time of posting, YouTube was still processing the video for HD in case that makes a difference for you).

My favourite mooring moment of disaster is not on the broads. We had a senior instructor at a sailing centre; he was a great guy and really knew his stuff but he'd give us a hard time of we ballsed up. At the end of one session, we were bringing our groups back in and we could all see the pontoon. The boss was closest and, to this day, I don't know what went wrong. His boat came in far too fast. My guess is that he was trying to show off some fancy move (he was helming). They were so fast in fact that his boat didn't just hit the pontoon, it ended up sat on top of it. Funniest thing I ever saw as a sailing instructor. And yes, the boss did quite a bit of flack from all of us over that one! So yes, even the best of us have dodgy mooring moments!

Even if I could afford it, I'd still rather hire one of the classic fleet. I can't lie - microwaves are really useful but otherwise I enjoy the simpler living offered. Also, the interior of many if the newer boats look quite sterile (in my opinion).

I think they are mostly good value. I would guess a similar holiday is a static caravan (in terms of accomodation) but the view never changes out of the windows with those! Mind you, they are warmer in the morning...

The wife books those sorts of holidays (not really my thing). I cringe whenever she starts to mention prices and then booking fees and then whatever else. There have been occasions when we've had to pay the city tax on arrival too (but that has only ever been a few quid).

It was only a short break. With just three of us, every two days seems plenty. You're probably right though - if we'd gone with friends, we might have to go daily.

That's a beautiful looking boat. I suspect there might be a few bridge clearance issues with that awesome flying bridge! Lovely amount of space too.

They told me yesterday (as I handed the boat back) that they had 55 leaving Kingfisher Quay yesterday and a further 47 from Swan Quay. I hope it all went swiftly for them as handing over 100 boats is one heck of a undertaking!

This subject has been well covered and debated elsewhere but I thought I would document my experience this year from a costs perspective. We hired the cheapest boat on the Broads for a short break in the Easter school holidays (although some schools hadn't started their holidays yet). Spring Horizon was advertised as being available from £313 but was £370 for when we wanted it. After insurance, waivers, and fuel deposit, it was actually £490 (all add-ons experienced hirers know to expect). It was quiet whilst we were away so we didn't struggle to find a free mooring overnight at all. The only mooring we did pay for was Salhouse Broad at £2.50 for an hour (£6 for any longer). This did include water though which was the only time we topped up. And that's it for us. We didn't use much fuel so we even got £18 back. But we have the benefit of experience. With less experience, we may have needed to pay for overnight moorings at some of the more popular locations. Looks like £15 a night is representative. Assuming the novice boater does that twice, that's an extra £30. Every time I've taken a boat, the handover person has always advised me to fill up with water daily. At our first stop, that would have been £4 (but I think Ludham Bridge is pretty exceptional). £2 is more likely so that adds another £8 to the trip. I don't think daily top up is necessary though? Without anything else, a holiday 'from £313' has cost more like £530 (but many holidays face this kind of 'hidden cost' structure). Add to that the potential fuel cost that might be due at the end. Again, first timers might not know to expect that. I haven't spoken about the cost of food/ eating out/ visiting places because that is everyone's preference. It would also be an additional cost to any holiday. I did speak to a family who were on their second boating holiday and felt that the cost they spent on food was the same as at home but they chose not to eat out (as did we). Perfectly reasonable for keeping costs down but not great for local businesses. I don't really know if there is a point or opinion I am trying to make here. All holidays cost more than we'd like. The question is, would the average person find value here? Also, does that same average person see a boating holiday as a one off experience regardless of any other factors? I would argue that those on this forum (myself included) are not in a position to consider these points as we clearly share a love for the Broads. Maybe we find ourselves in a place where those of us that love the Broads will keep coming because we have no other choice. Meanwhile, many of those first timers had no intention to come back anyway as they have their boat holiday and then go on to look for their next experience?

I have written up our full holiday elsewhere but here is a brief summary of what we actually did on our short break that I hope can be a help to others: Moored at Ludham Bridge overnight; explored the little shop and bakery in the morning. Visited the Stracey Arms shop and cafe saw the donkeys and goats. Moored at Salhouse Broad and walked up the slight hill to the coffee shack. Got ice cream from the ice cream boat (just above Salhouse Broad). Moored at Hoveton St John Staithe overnight (under the bridge) which is by the back of Roys car park; had McDonalds; visited the Broads Information Centre. Got the train from Wroxham & Hoveton station (we visited the North Norfolk Railway but the world is your oyster). Moored at Coltishall Common overnight; right by two pubs. Mudweighted in Malthouse Broad to have lunch (my wife had to lift the mudweight). Visited Toad Hole Cottage at How Hill (replica of an original marshman's cottage). Moored at Irstead Staithe (could also have been Gaye's Staithe of needed) and used my e-bike to visit the Barton Boardwalk. The Boardwalk is amazingly accessible IF you can get there. Moored overnight at Wayford Bridge (pub close by) but might be more sensible to spend the last night back at the yard. I've planned a video but I haven't decided if the footage I have is good enough yet...

Someone suggested the boats were totally wrapped but, as we left, I noticed this tell tale sign of paint... Whilst back at the yard, I did ask our yard crew member about the change. He said he didn't know but had assumed it was to do with selling. However, he did say many of the boats had had something on the hull refreshed (I can't remember what he said) which he didn't think made much sense if they were to be sold. I'll have to ask those in power...