Broads01

I completely get the benefits of syndicate ownership but I've never liked the idea of the draw system for time allocation. I think you have a good deal though Matt with the school holidays share as for me that would cut out some of the uncertainty over what weeks I'd end up with. When I read about syndicates week allocation in tends to be on the one week per spring, summer, autumn, winter system so I'd be interested to know how often school holiday shares become available.

Do you mean Merlin, Fred? I notice Maffetts have gone back to just 2 boats this year (Merlin and Swallow), so no Jay, Kingfisher or the Alpha 42 whose name I forget.

I received the offer and I also noticed Barnes Brinkcraft are offering a 15% discount over the same period. I agree with Robin's comments re the Herbert Woods interiors and engines but nevertheless I might hire from them if their prices weren't so much higher than Richardsons in the first place. An offer like this one, similar to the Sky 'we'll give you a free TV' offer at the moment, just makes me think 'if you can afford to do that, why don't you just cut your original prices and make life simpler for everybody'.

I know rumours of Alpha's demise have been around for a while so surprising they were still accepting bookings for this year. I was never an Alpha fan to be honest because I didn't think their boats were great and the comments re them needing work doesn't surprise me. Nevertheless it's sad another South Broads yard has gone. I can remember in the 90s Alpha being one of the bigger Broads fleets with a St Olaves base as well as the Brundall one - how times have changed.

I agree with the comments so far about the programme. I was looking forward to it and it started reasonably I thought. The Ford Anglia connection was in keeping with the programme and there were some lovely shots of Brundall and the beautiful 1950s cruiser. The programme lost its way terribly though, with lack of focus as has already been said. I started getting frustrated when Len pulled the inflatable guitar out of the locker for the Bohemian Rhapsody thing. I found it frustrating that they didn't follow through on just simply showing what the holiday Fiona had was like instead of messing about with the nonsense they did. They could have stayed on the boat they chose, shown some of the lovely scenery to Norwich and eventually to Norwich Yacht Station. Instead we had a coconut shy set up at Surlingham Ferry which as far as boating was concerned was as far from Brundall as they got! Aaarrrhgghhh!

I can't help with the incident but your tale should serve as a warning to us all. I'm guilty of 'jumping' myself at those very moorings and the unevenness there isn't unique. I hope everything worked out ok and the hirers will carry on boating.

Good news indeed as that's on my route to Norfolk.

My memories of Hearts are mostly from the Pennant Holidays years in the 80s to early 90s and then in the Richardsons group til they closed. I hired from there once in 1989 (through Pennants). In those years their craft were on the basic side but wow what brilliant value they were. I was still a teenager in 1989 and booked that boat (Fiesta, a Safari 25) after saving money from a saturday job!

Vaughan, your tales about Hearts made good reading. I'm loyal to Richardsons at the moment, partly because of the service they give and partly because no-one can match them for value for money, especially when you take the loyalty scheme into account. I particularly like hiring from their Horizon Acle yard which has a really friendly vibe from the staff. I wish the Acle yard had capacity for a few more boats because I often (as per this year) end up going from Stalham because that's where the boat I want is located. Then I have to make do with starting the cruise on the upper Ant, what a terrible hardship! And yes I love the south too and usually head that way for part of the week (I like to get the cruising hours in, what's a boat for?!).

Ah yes Tempest I'd forgotten the saloon lighting issue. Its a minor issue in the scheme of things but one Richardsons could attend to cheaply and easily. Do bring a lamp though if you can fit one in your luggage, I certainly wish I'd had one.

I agree with Grace on the boat, I hired Concerto 5 last September and loved it in the main. Have a look at my review if you haven't done so already http://thenorfolkbroads.net/forum/topic/8547-concerto/. My only gripe was the bunks cabin which isn't suitable for tall adults in my view and headroom along the main walk way is a bit rubbish. That saloon-galley area is fab though. Personally I never fix stopping points as I like more flexibility than that but hopefully there'll be mooring space at all your chosen stops. I've found Sutton tough to find a space at recently though we did manage on our last night to squeeze in at Sutton Staithe boatyard.

Hi Adam. You can read my views and see some photos on the earlier thread http://thenorfolkbroads.net/forum/topic/9349-commodore-and-broadway-at-the-london-boat-show/

Thanks for the tip Iain. Being a motorcycle man I would love to ride those roads. I've no doubt at all the scenery is spectacular.

Very interested in the Loch Ness information Jonzo as this is somewhere I've long wanted to go boating. However, having watched those videos, especially the first one, not any more! I suffer from sea sickness, even on a benign channel crossing and the thought of battling 4 hours of that whilst trying to stay upright and stop the contents of the boat from hitting the floor fills me with dread.

Good to hear from you Dan. I tend to agree. I think their description " New design with the traditionnal spirit." is what caps it for me....

The film maker, Paul, is one of the best and is a member of the forum. Have a look at the 'Broadophile' thread which covers a later film of his (they're all good) http://www.thenorfolkbroads.net/forum/topic/4969-broadophile-video/#comment-69624

I've been reading this thread with interest and there's been some useful data posted. I've been toying with the idea of owning either a boat or a syndicate share in the future. I think its hard to assess anything in life purely on cost, for me it's all about value and fit for what you want. Those of you getting over 100 days afloat each year you're getting fantastic value for money in my view. Alas I work full time and live 5 hours from the Broads so I'd struggle to get close to that! As a frequent hirer and also wanting to spend some holiday time away from the Broads, I think syndicate ownership would suit me better. I'm currently a bit frustrated on that subject because I think the fixed week system would suit me better than the lottery one but the fixed week boats (Ranworth Breeze and Southern Crusader) both look lovely but I would miss the Ant far too much.

Sutton Staithe boatyard have a single holiday boat, a 2 berth sedan type as I recall.

And Broadway

A few pictures of Commodore taken on Saturday

You make your point well Robin and although Rhapsody isn't a boat I've been on the saloon photo does look really nice. I think its easy to underestimate the value of a standard stern door, both from a mooring and access perspective. Perhaps it comes down to how much you like island double beds - I think there's be room for a stern door on Commodore if they'd gone for a standard double (like Rhapsody). I do think Commodore does trump Rhapsody on the double cabins but I love island beds! (Climbing over your sleeping partner to use the toilet in the night isn't much fun!)

I thought I'd post my thoughts on Commodore and Broadway having seen them in detail on the Richardsons stand at the London Boat show: Broadway: This boat is low! I spent a while on the boat during the day and kept hearing comments from people about the headroom inside. I could see why - I'm 6 foot 0 and the ceiling felt lower than on older craft like the Bountys. The staff explained the boat was deliberately built low with bridges in mind and at 6 foot 7 clearance I'd say they did a great job. I found the cabins on the small side. The rear cabin has a conventional double across the stern as there's insufficient space for an island bed. The central cabin felt particularly cramped and storage seemed limited. I liked the saloon much more and the helmsman's position seems perched high by forward drive standards. The well at the front is spacious and the cushions are a nice touch. Commodore Wow! This boat is something special. The luxury forward cabin with its island bed is as per Broadsman but unlike Broadsman the rear cabin has an island berth as well. The rear cabin has a big rear window which I liked, just as well as there's no rear door so stern on access is via the rear steps and saloon entrance. The top deck is gorgeous with its reclining sun beds and fixed dining table, not to mention double padded helmsman's seat. The saloon is spacious and luxurious as you'd expect although the interior helm view didn't seem great. The boat has one major flaw for me - the galley is ridiculously small for a 6-8 berth boat. It would be small for a 2 berth boat and not one you'd want to attempt cooking in for a crew of that size. Overall, I think I'd have Broadsman over Commodore because of the back door and galley issues. Its close though because that Commodore top deck is so fabulous!

A few pictures from yesterday.

I went to the show yesterday and really enjoyed myself, mainly because I spent so much time on the Richardsons stand! I enjoyed the freedom to really chew over Commodore and Broadway, much more so than I would be able to from a look aboard in Stalham on changeover day. The Richardsons staff were great, very friendly and willing to chat and answer questions. I had a good chat with Greg Munford and he appreciated my positive feedback about the 5 day breaks that Richardsons offer. I'll post my views on the Richardsons boats in the hire boat section. I had a good chat with the lady from BCBM Boat Share and I also liked the Vikings, the classic Project 31 (beautiful) and the people who's name I forget that had fitted out a Broom 28 forward drive rather luxuriously. On the down side, my experience on the Brooms stand was incredibly similar to Robin. I was genuinely interested I the Cadet as a potential hireboat. I realised that it was a sale boat version on display so I asked the guy how different the fit out was from the hireboat version. He seemed to look down his nose at me and gave a very brief, non-informative response. As it happened, I was underwhelmed by the interior. It had a plain grey sofa that looked like it had come from Ikea. Also, I was disappointed there was no reference anywhere on the Broom stand to their hire boat operation - do they want to do business or not? The Princess and Sunseeker stands were kind of surreal for me. They were full of suited dealers paired up with well-healed clients and of course the boats were mega off the scale ships that would need a full time professional crew! Both had private client areas with no shortage of potential customers it seemed. With the sumptuous carpet under my feet I felt as if I was in a luxury hotel room I had no right to be in. As others have said, there was plenty of exhibitors that were nothing to do with boating, e.g Landrover, luxury lodges, drill bit sellers. This annoyed me to be honest, because as a customer of a boat show I expect it to be a boat show 100%, not having businesses who are there just for the footfall.

Thanks for all the replies. I shall be driving as far as Slough then train/tube/DLR. Based on the comments above I'll definitely take my own food with me! I know in reality there'll be a load I won't be interested in but hopefully I'll find plenty worth seeing apart from Richardsons. I'm not really a 'gin palace' or even a Sunseeker kind of guy, so that rules out lots of the exhibitors then! However, given I have a distant dream in my head of owning a boat one day (maybe or more likely shared ownership) it'll be good to nose at potentially affordable craft. I know Viking are there for example. I'll let you know how I get on.