Broads01

Strange treatment from NBD I feel. It sounds like the staff on the phone couldn't be bothered to do much, very disappointing. It contrasts with the service Scrumpy received from Brooms, although I would be cautious about assuming Commodore will be available just because it's on Hoseasons website. Alpha Craft were on Hoseasons website this time last year! Far Horizon Jonzo? Nice boat and it'll be nice to be able to start from the old Horning Pleasurecraft site. Alas for me the inabilty to cruise the Ant above Ludham would be a frustration far too much to bare!

From what I've read Richardsons at that time wasn't owned by the Richardsons family. Didn't they sell it to the Rank Organisation and buy it back in 1984? I recall as a child seeing Richardsons in the Blakes brochure (as they were in 1979 I think) but they changed to Hoseasons in the 1980s.

Ah, 17 years since it was just the two of you, I get it now. I like Pacific Cruisers. I've been with them twice but not since 2006. Let us know how you get on.

Erm, sorry Iain, absolutely no idea what you're talking about. No doubt all will become clear!

17 years! What have you been doing? I've been away from the Broads for a year now (but back in October) and that's a year too long for me. Have a great time.

I've just realised this is the same school that are still coming, hiring from Herbert Woods nowadays http://www.boarding.org.uk/media/news/article/2401/60-Years-of-Boating-on-the-Norfolk-Broads-for-Steyning-Students

I love watching the old cine films on the Broadland Memories Youtube channel and here's a gem that's been uploaded recently. It shows a big school trip (Steyning Grammar School) in October 1979. It was a huge group (several coaches are seen to leave Richardsons at the end!) and must have taken some organising. The group of Richardsons large craft look a little old and tired, even for the time, with the exception of a couple of Bounty 37s, then ultra-modern. I enjoy watching films like this that show Broads boating as it was before I first visited. In this film you can see all the boats 'beached' at Salhouse in the days before the quay heading was introduced - it takes me back to my first visits to the Broads as a child in the early 1980s. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIOUxwTpaNQ&list=PL0267B651EEEF31D5

Your recent experience worries me Jonzo given that I was boating at the same Tim last year and I had few issues with mooring availability. I guess you had great weather (which I didn't) and that always has a big impact on traffic as people decide to hire/ use their own boat at the last minute. I'm wondering also if the loss of south Broads hire yards is impacting as late availability for a weekend break in September on the south Broads must be non-existent, forcing customers north.

Likewise I've used Premier Inn a few times over the years, only once in Norfolk as it happens and always liked them. My wife and I stayed at a brand new one in Edinburgh this year and it was brilliant, especially the bed which had a comfy luxurious feel about it. I like Travelodge as well and they're brilliant value, especially if you book well ahead. I like the one at Acle and my daughter and I have rooms there next month for £31 each (booked almost a year ago).

Great write up and photos Jean. I echo all that's been said about Horizon Craft. I have wonderful memories of hiring from there and I feel sad about them going. I'll be visiting in October on what I think will be their last week of hiring and I shall wish them all the best.

On the issue of hire boats moving after dark, whilst the vast majority of hirers are sensible about this, there's always been the issue of people pushing on well after dusk, mainly due to bad planning I think. They sometimes have the mistaken belief that switching the cabin lights on will somehow act as headlights! On several occasions I've moored for the last night on the outer edge of Richardsons and seen several boats coming in when it was dark or almost. Why they didn't moor much earlier and return to Stalham in daylight is beyond my understanding.

Robin is probably the expert on that having taken Siesta and Belmore through on multiple occasions. What I can say is I don't think either gauge is correct!

Enjoying your write up as always! I'm really surprised you can't use the upper helm with the screens lowered. That's a horrible design flaw and puts me off hiring Moon Beam or one of its sisters. I have a fair bit of experience of dual steers and I always prefer the upper helm unless the weather is completely horrible, especially for negotiating tricky bits like Ludham Bridge. Who wants to swap from outside to inside and back again? On the mooring for the night at lunchtime issue, to be honest it would drive me nuts just sitting on the boat doing nothing for a whole afternoon as I do love helming the boat and getting to see plenty of places. In peak season I'll take my chances on available moorings at the busy spots because you can always wild moor and almost always moor in a boatyard. Some places rarely fill up - Salhouse Spit comes to mind. I guess it comes down to personal preference and how much you want to be in a popular spot.

Yep, great blog, thanks for sharing. I'm loving the look of that side entrance on your boat, great for extra fresh air I bet. Good to hear about Brooms super-efficient service.

Regarding the washroom/heads, whilst I wouldn't necessarily agree with Robin that the shower area is well proportioned, it's no worse than boats of similar size and it may not bother you at all.

Richardsons have done a fair bit over the years, as with all their older boats, to keep them fresh and modern. Robin did an excellent review of White Champagne which illustrates this very well. It's still got the original pink wash basins in the cabins though!

You're right JM, only recently pensioned off. Richardsons had Eastern Gem, previously named Modern Gem. They still have several of the larger 46 foot version (White Champagne, Pink Champagne, Alcapulco, Challenger class) which will remain for a good few years I feel.

What was the year? Around 1980?

Thanks for the tip. Do you mean the former Aston Boats base?

Hi there and welcome. I haven't hired Siesta but I've hired the same design elsewhere. Siesta was originally built by Broom and is well screwed together. It and its sister Mystic Horizon were acquired by Richardsons from Le Boat who still operate similar as the Capri class on the Thames and in Europe. Good points are good weather protection, comfy main cabin with good size bed, rear deck is lovely to sit in when sun shines, sun roof is a good size and you can get your head outside if you're tall enough. Bad points are from the saloon sofa you can't see out the windows, washroom is cramped and they are quite high (watch yourself at bridges like Ludham and St Olaves). I've written some more stuff on my write up of my Thames trip on Capri. http://forum.norfolkbroadsnetwork.com/topic/10619-a-broads-guy-goes-all-thames/

You're very kind Bob. It's Tobago 3 we're on as it happens. I won't be in Norfolk until after you (on Soprano from October 23rd) but I'll look forward to your report and photos.

Thanks Bob, that's all good stuff. Having hired San Elena, albeit some time ago I'm familiar with the benefits of this design. On Tobago, I think the full width central saloon with extra seating, which is a modification from the original single level walk through design, is a great benefit, even for a smaller crew. I've never hired a boat with a bow thruster anyway so I don't miss what I've never had. When I'm at Stalham next month I'll try and get a look aboard and take some photos.

Tobago now booked, due in part to replies here and partly due to Richardsons typically wonky pricing. How can 4 nights on Tobago in August cost £795 when its smaller sisters like San Lucia cost £831? I'm lucky enough to now have two short breaks next year. Apart from Tobago I have a solo 5 night voyage aboard Broadland Wave 2 in May (my second time on that boat).

Great spot at Oulton Broad, I've never been on the outside of the marina and never thought to book ahead. Great tip!

Thanks lady and gentlemen. I was tempted by Dominica too Jonzo (which is already almost fully booked for August). I like the fit out but ideally we need 4 cabins and I can't be bothered with faffing about with a saloon sofa bed! The other advantage of the older Tobago type is the large rear 'patio' area and easy rear access, neither of which Dominica has.