750XL

We (attempted) to go down there a few years ago in Brinks Duet when it was blowing a good 30kt+ wind side on. Never again on anything other than a calm day

The last few boats we've had, I specifically listened to how loud it was from the outside. Both times, almost silent. But have noticed in the past some larger boats have noisy whooshing, whistling and howling heating systems

Thanks for all the informative replies as ever, it's interesting to see peoples varying opinions.

These were 2 different experiences from 2 different yards I believe one was a Webasto(sp) diesel heater? Which was very warm The other was an electric heating system, which wasn't very warm.

May I ask peoples opinions on the usage of warm air heating overnight? I won't name the boatyards, but during our first out of season trip on another boat during the handover we were told it's fine to leave the diesel warm air heating on overnight no problem at all. Another year at a different boatyard we were told the electric warm air heating should only be used for brief periods, and not left on overnight. What are the pros and cons to leaving the warm air heating on overnight?

Funnily enough, those Heron maps are sold out everywhere online at the moment it seems (there’s one on eBay for £98…!) Got an old tatty one with a few coffee/beer/wine stains stashed away in the cupboard at my home in Manchester I’ll have to rescue next week. First time hiring with Herbert Woods but Prince of Light looks like a modest little boat. Hopefully the heating works okay then we’re happy. Tucked away in a few wild moorings for the week… hopelessly trying to catch some fish, again!

We loved your suggestion and have just booked Prince of Light for 11 nights in October for just less than £1000 all in. Very excited :) need to order a Broads map now! Any recommendations?

I think the other half would kill me if I booked something that 'old' We made it up the Ant on Brinks Duet (8ft 6"?) without a problem in April the other year, in fact looking back, I don't think I even checked the height! Just whizzed through as a first timer without a second thought. We couldn't get anywhere near on Pegasus last year in October '20, think the boat was 8ft 10" ish, and only about 7ft 6" was available under the bridge. I looked at this, does look interesting - but again, think my partner would kill me if I booked it. That's a fair point, perhaps one day if the bank balance allows Been looking at a few of the Brooms boats, again a bit pricey but they look great! Stopped in for a pump out last year and the guys were very friendly.

When we had it in October '20, aside from the previously mentioned problems (which have probably been sorted now!), the interior did look a little tired in places with various fittings and trim pieces falling off or warped. I'm sure with a bit of TLC it'll be the right boat for someone

We had Pegasus for a week in October last year. Enjoyed it on the whole and it was a nice boat, but had a few issues. Electric oven/microwave/hob/kettle/heating were a nightmare unless on shore power, and the warm air heating wasn’t very warm. But perhaps it’s been fixed since then! Rear outside deck is very narrow when getting on and off, and seemed even narrower after a pint or 2! We both managed to avoid the wet stuff though. Nice to fish off.

Almost £1400 for a week in October, bit pricey for 2 people in my opinion. Also, wonder what the air draft is? We couldn't get under Ludham in October with an 8ft 10" ish

We're a bit weary of hiring a 'sliding canopy' in October, have read lots of reviews on them being drafty, leaky etc. Tho perhaps, of course, I'm totally wrong! Prince of Light looks nice, hadn't seen that one in my searches before for some reason.

Hi all, just a bit of a moan from me to get it off my chest as the other half is sick of it now I think! We wanted to visit the Broads again for 7 or 10 nights in October, just the 2 of us so only a small boat required with a budget of £1000 ish! We've previously hired Brinks Duet which was good for the price (£600 ish maybe) and last October had a week onboard Waveney Pegasus (£900 ish), which had a few issues, but didn't ruin the holiday. High tides and an air draft of 8ft 10" or so stopped us going where we wanted past Ludham. Been looking at every website I can think of the past week and can't seem to find a reasonable boat for just the 2 of us in October. Few cheap Richardsons bath tubs going, but not sure we fancy the cold/rain/damp of October in one. There's some 'nicer' boats like the new Richardsons Haines 32 which isn't that far from Waveney Pegasus we had last year but over £1400 for a week.... gulp! I'm now sulking we're probably not able to go on the Broads in October.

I can't find either of these boats on Hoseasons or the Richardsons website?

We were (almost) first time anglers during our Broads trip and didn't catch a single fish for days at the start! Eventually got a bit better as the week progressed. On the last night somewhere between Waveny River Centre and Beccles whilst packing away everything on the boat I cast the line into the centre of the river with a heavy weight. Reeled it in and to my surprise there was an eel stuck on the end.... Tried our best (with limited fishing skills) to remove the hook but to no avail so had to cut the line as close to the hook as we could

Hi all, just a quick question out of pure curiosity more than anything else...! Are the Broads still used by any commercial shipping vessels? I'm aware of the Broads Tours 'paddle steamers' and a few other smaller trip boats, but was wondering if any cargo vessels still use the Broads etc? Thanks!

Absolutely, I was more referring to the below statement from an earlier poster: By which I meant, a £19,000 salary will attract thousands (if not tens of thousands) of applicants from around the country and abroad I'm sure. Whether the job is floating around lapping up the summer rays, or scraping goose poo off pontoons in the middle of December - there will be no shortage of people willing to do the work. Especially for something which is, in essence, a fairly average unskilled job.

Great pictures, thanks for sharing! We're looking at hiring Captain for our next visit to the Broads

As to who would do the job for 'only' £19k a year... I'd bet money on the fact that if the Broads Authority advertised for 1 ranger position, they'd get thousands of applications within only a week! Especially given the current state of affairs. Having been made redundant 3 times in the past 12 months in the airline industry, I'd probably be one of them!

Found this courtesy of Vaughan. Not that it matters now they're getting rid of their boats, I suppose.

Really enjoyed reading this thread, thanks for posting. We've been look at Broom Captain for a while now and each photo we see brings us closer to booking it for early next year

Not technically minded enough to understand it but wish I’d taken a photo under the hatches, just for interest of those clever minds like annv. You’re correct in saying the batteries weren’t all together though, only ones I noticed was a bank of 4 under the sofa. Presume there was also some (or all remaining) under the bed, as this is where the inverter and master switches were

Interesting to know, thank you. Didn’t realise they were part of the federation. Does that mean that HW, Richardson’s etc can moor at WRC for free also?

What happened to Broads Boating Co, may I ask?

Did have a nosey at most places and managed to squeeze our 28ft boat into what felt like a 27ft space with all the glaring eyes at Potter (needed a quick emergency maggot stop at Lathams). Was on a boat from Waveney River Centre so don’t think we were allowed into other yards, though maybe they’d have let us if we asked nicely - who knows :) Either way, much preferred the peace of mudweighting and wild mooring.