Broads01

Sanderson's finishing has been rumoured for a while as I recall but I guess it's there in black and white now. I've never hired from them but I'm sad nevertheless. One of the last old fashioned boatyards, one where "yard" was the right description and I mean that in an affectionate way. Reedham quay won't be the same.

Happy memories. I visited there twice that very same month. I remember the staff were eager to fit as many boats as they could on the staithe so as to maximise business. One crew committed the cardinal sin of outstaying their welcome, sitting in their saloon with the TV on they were very much reprimanded!

I didn't know the Horizon 35 had a predecessor but that hull shape is unmistakeable. The superstructure bears no resemblance, however, so presumably the Horizon 35 just used a "borrowed" hull shape?

I know this subject has been discussed before but I spotted this 1997 brochure cover on eBay and was reminded that in the 1990s, getting through Potter bridge was the norm. Here we have two low level dual steers at Horsey, each needing around 6 ft 9 clearance. Twenty-four years on and it seems Martham's are the only hire boats to be able to negotiate the bridge with any regularity. Will we ever see a return to the clearances we had back then?

That's somewhere I would never expect to see a Broads cruiser and it was still in its Aston colours.

I don't remember the Railway Tavern at Reedham. Where exactly was it?

Great website, really good to see the old photos linked up with modern ones on the same page, it helps pinpoint where these old pubs were.

I'm another one for Postwick Viaduct, always my first view of a Broads river on the way and my last view on the way home.

I'd base at one of the Southern locations that's lost all its fleets, namely St Olaves, Oulton Broad or Beccles. I'd specialise in offering older boats that had had a complete gut out and replacement interior, in the way Richardsons used to do so well. That way I'd hope to offer value for money boating.

I can see why that hinged top didn't last very long. It reminds me of a current hire boat which I think may be just as bad: https://www.ferry-marina.co.uk/holiday-cruisers/sleeps-2-to-4/garnet-emblem/

Yes indeed and Horsey busy also, even though the clothing being worn suggests it was filmed early or late season.

I enjoyed this short video because it seems to capture the period beautifully. It's a reminder how much boat comforts have improved in the last 46 years. Back then the presenter told us "most boats have a shower"....

I'm trying to imagine cruising past four abreast at the Yacht Station and how narrow it must have felt compared to nowadays. That could have been fun with a fast tide and traffic in the opposite direction.

Thanks, Fred, I had no idea Astons hadn't always been in the basin. I have happy memories of Mistral Craft, holidaying with them in 1986, their final year.

And I'm another March hopeful, booked for March 27th and just paid the balance this week. I'm still hopeful but very uncertain. I also have a booking at Ferry Marina for 15 Feb which isn't cancelled yet but I'm resigned to postponing. Nevertheless I'm feeling as positive as I've ever been. Please, please I and my family can stay well because I feel lucky to be so and able to look ahead to plans in the summer.

Fascinating thread and photos. On my second ever visit to the Broads as a twelve year old in 1983 we hired from Aston's in London. At that time the basin was fully occupied by their boats and they had the Beccles operation also. I always think of that holiday when I pass the basin now. After Aston's moved out of Loddon, the Princess Cruisers name returned briefly at the same location. They hired two boats as I recall, Mercury Princess (ex Aston Mercury?) and an aft cockpit 2 berth (Sabre Princess?). I assume the owners were unrelated to the previous Princess Cruisers.

Very enjoyable, what a brilliant snapshot of the time. Was the hire cruiser from Jack Powles?

That's not the point, this has got nothing to do with whether Sainsbury's are right or wrong. I'm pleased the "event" was dispersed quickly.

Don't get me wrong, David, in the current climate I wouldn't expect any holiday business to be delivering the service level I would normally expect. However, I still think the website should show correct information. You say the booking season doesn't get underway until the new year but I know I'm not alone in booking months before that. Plus the new year is only two days away.

There's nothing more frustrating when you're looking at holidays online than an inaccurate website. Imagine taking an interest in a boat on Hoseasons website only to realise later that the picture is a of a different boat or that the boat has actually long since disappeared. Whatever the staffing pressures, it's abysmal and there's no excuse.

You could but it's worth cruising as far as the Yacht Station even if you don't intend mooring there. I always enjoy the experience of cruising towards the city centre, just because it's so different to cruising everywhere else and you really feel like you've travelled somewhere. One of the many joys of the Broads is the degree of variation in scenery between different places.

The Yacht Station may be closed but is there anything to stop you mooring there?

I love the top picture, Dan. What year was that taken, around 1970 I suspect? I agree with you, it would be amazing to have an updated Caribbean or Bermuda back on hire.

Good to hear from you, Clive. The refits sound excellent. I'll be very interested to see internal photos when available. I remember Castle Craft very well, probably because their colour scheme was distinctive as Dan's brochure pic shows (Blakes Blue Chip, no less, that takes me back). It's some years since they finished so I assume the boat's been in private hands in the mean time.

Brilliant tip, thank you.