Broads01

The Broads Boating Company have had a very good first year, if their regular Facebook posts are anything to go by. I'm pleased for them, considering how sad I was a year ago when Horizon finished. I agree it's sad to see Maffetts go. I never hired from them but I wish I had because having been with Pacific I know what a lovely start location Loddon is. My late father hired Merlin in 2009 and had a fabulous time.

"Slick operation" describes Richardsons very well. It's the biggest Broads hire boat operator and the best in my view. I'm not just saying that, I've just counted I've hired from them 15 times so far, plus 3 bookings for next year.

100% agree. Plus mooring in Wroxham below the bridge has become so difficult, going through the bridge is the most practical option in many ways.

I'm enjoying your tale Adam. The Broad just upstream of Horning is Hoveton Little Broad, also called Black Horse Broad.

I think it depends how much cruising you're planning to do, Glenn. In common with Howard I've never used electric hook up or even hired a boat equipped for it. I do however like to cruise 4-5 hours a day and I find that's fine for using warm air heating without much needing to run the engine further.

I think there's room for both brochures and the online way. I agree with you to a point, Robin, in that online is king in terms of many things, 360 degree interior views and easy bookings out of office hours comes to mind. However, much as I referred to the brochures of my youth, I do think there's a place for them now too as a medium for presenting and selling the boat hire products on offer. We've been discussing Hoseasons and yet some of the hire operators themselves offer brochures much better than Hoseasons, having larger photos and exact prices. I was impressed with Barnes 2018 brochure I received last week and Richardsons, Herbert Woods and NBD have always produced good brochures. How long that will continue I don't know.

I'm a little surprised at that, given that Barnes had a class of that design some years back (Brink of Day) but got rid. The yard seems bursting to capacity already so I'm wondering how long they can keep increasing the fleet.

I have happy childhood memories of excitement at this time of year anticipating and then receiving new brochures. Alas in recent years the Hoseasons brochure has been poor with limited information, tiny boat photos and no accurate pricing, only a price range. It seems only a matter of time before the brochure is dropped altogether. Browsing online is better than a brochure in many ways but I'll miss the tangible thing. The Hoseasons brochure is a vinyl record in a world of online downloads.

Congratulations Robin. Wow it sounds like you have a huge amount of work ahead, I hope you enjoy it.

Robin, have you done a deal on the boat yet?

Spot on Arthur, thanks. I'll pay £2.49 and take a look at that.

Richard, what was the Martham Boats programme called?

Just looked up Lady Christina http://www.littleships.co.uk/ladychristina.html I suspect it wouldn't be cheap to hire in the summer but what a stunning looking boat.

I really enjoyed the programme and so pleased they finally came to the Broads having visited so many other places. The series has never been a conventional holiday programme and I think it's all the better for that. I enjoyed the aerial photography and I think they covered the historical aspects very well. One or two of the editing choices were a bit odd like when they jumped from being on Breydon one minute to being on the Police boat on the Thurne the next but that's only because I was able to spot where they were. The only part I didn't like was the Great Yarmouth piece which was too long and the Roy Hudd thing not relevant. Lady Christina from Little Ships - what a gorgeous looking boat. I think that's why I enjoyed the programme so much, I kept wishing I was on their boat.

I think St Olaves is somewhere you get swashing noise no matter what boat you're on. Your electric/generator hybrid time thing sounds like a lot of bother! I think I'll stick to conventional diesels for a while.

I enjoyed your video Jean. You certainly had plenty of sun. The river looked busier than I expected for mid October but good weather always brings last minute bookings and it's no bad thing.

I guess if you really wanted to moor bow on you'd be best moving the mudweight to the stern to keep it in place. But is reversing a boat really that hard?

Beautifully written tale as always and lovely photos, thank you. You'll love Gainsborough Girl, which I hired in 2010. Like a number of the Summercraft fleet it was originally at Brister Craft and is built very well. I took her south on that trip and the views from the top deck at places like the Chet are brilliant.

55 foot? I take it Potter Heigham bridge might be a tight squeeze..

I don't agree MM, I think an offer too low just risks annoying the vendor and making them non-responsive. Good luck Robin, hoping you can agree a deal.

Thank you Jean. I've just read your tale as I sit at my work desk about to log on and having been transported to Broads world I feel set up for the day now.

And here's my boat review

Hi Robncaz and welcome. I hired Soprano a year ago and loved it. We didn't use the interior helm position.

I can understand the environmental benefits of a shower not tipping out in to the river. Was it the same for the sinks? Unfortunately I don't think it's a practical option however unless pump out facilities increase. Boatyards don't tend to offer the service on turnaround days. Just a personal preference, but I've never been one to use public shower blocks. Give me a cramped little shower on a boat any day.

I would have loved negotiating Horning. It wouldn't be the same without keen saily types making things a challenge. Passing through Horning when it's quiet is almost a disappointment.