[A Connoisseur Inspired By The Rascal]

2 hours ago, Broads01 said:

I remember that Captain's Blog. The design is 30 years old now but still looks fresh I think. What tends to put me off is the side door which is blocked when the roof is back. I hired one of the original 37 foot designs some years ago and that aspect proved awkward at stern-on moorings in particular. The design does have something about it though so hopefully you'll have a great time.

Yes that was something I did think was a negative, but as mentioned it does have an upside.

[A Connoisseur Inspired By The Rascal]

Hi All, 

Thought I would share an upcoming trip I have on the Broads later in October, 4 nights from the 17th on Radiant Light, one of the Connoisseur Cruiser fleet at HW (I'm sure you all know that).

I haven't been up to Norfolk since May last year when we hired Glittering Light, which for some reason I have a soft spot for, hired it several times now. Having found it difficult to find the right time to do a family trip, it will be me and my Brother for a peaceful short break. We booked it a few months back and could not decide on a boat, nothing expensive, we are fine with something older and a little rough around the edges. After watching an old Captain's blog which featured a similar boat (Western Light) we thought lets give one of those a go. They are a familiar sight but the engine noise always put me off hiring one but the Blog convinced me to try one out, I like this style of boat, with the sliding canopy etc and low air draught so really looking forward to picking it up, can't wait to get on the river. 

[A Bargain?]

An interesting discussion here. Following on from the points made by Robin, how did hire companies market themselves in the 60s, 70s and 80s. Newspapers and TV ads?  The ageing loyal customer base mentioned, somehow became engaged with the Broads. Many starting with holidays with parents I guess, that was my introduction back in the 80s, no idea how my Dad from East London knew about the Broads. Probably good old word of mouth, times have changed. What is the first thing people of a younger age do when seeking information, go online or social media, and that is how to reach out to them. I'm not suggesting this is a negative thing just the way it is in my opinion. If I was a hire company I would want a social influencer all over my boats, that would reach out to a younger genaration.  After a long absence from the broads I introduced my girls to boating in 2020, all three under the age of 16 at the time., they loved it and continue to do so. 

[Hire Yards Of Yesteryear]

1 hour ago, Davydine said:

I don't think anyone has mentioned High Craft at Thorpe, who used to have boats named after hills in the Peak District I think?

Hiring from High Craft was my first experience of the Broads in the 80s as a young boy with my Dad, the boat was called High n Mighty from memory, then we had a boat called High Genesis which was brand new around 85. There was another hire yard in the same dyke, was that Classic Cruisers? Not sure if that has been mentioned.

[Lionesse Football]

1 hour ago, Lastdraft said:

A lot of people on here are comparing the women's game with the mens ? it can not be compared, OK same rules, same size pitch, but there it ends. If the England women's team were to play against a very average 2nd division EFL team in a competitive match they would be hammered. It is an inferior product, slower, technically inferior, ladies lack the passion and aggression not to mention the strength and fitness of a male professional. A great achievement and a great performance I agree in its context of a women's game but  not to be compared to the real thing.

Its like drinking alcohol free lager, why ?.........

Think your the one making comparisons .  Your post was clearly made to get a reaction .

[Breydon Water Catches People Out Again!]

6 hours ago, Vaughan said:

Do you really think we don't take those measures?  I really get rather tired of these armchair forum suggestions that we just cast people off and wish them a happy holiday.  If you knew what it was really like to be responsible for people's safety on a boatyard, or how many sleepless nights are involved . . . . .

All right, let's look at it another way. How many times did volunteer rescue services get called out to the Breydon flats last year? Compared to the number of boats that crossed there safely?

 

 I am afraid our modern risk averse society will not be changed by filling in another form on the hire boat trial run.

Apologies for introducing myself in the middle of this debate . I have been reading , with interest various threads on this Forum for a while now and  I respect the fact that some of the regular contributors are clearly very knowledgeable about the Hire industry .  My experience of hand overs has been a bit as described above . 

Having not been on the Broads for a number of years in 2001 , I had a boat from Moores , asked if I was happy to go out without a trial .Then 2020 first time back for 19 years hired from Woods and asked if I was confident to go out without a trial . Both times my answer was yes , rightly or wrongly  and off I went . No mention of Breydon water .

I not sure if this is typical or not , it seems that the expectations of yard managers may not always be carried out by all staff . 

I did hire from Stalham in October last year , this was very different . I was asked of my boating experience and then told we are still going for a trial run , which I was fine by me . No mention of Breydon .