Broads01

They consistently have offers like this (admittedly not always as high as 40% discount) but it doesn't do them any favours in my view. If I'd already booked for March at full price and then saw this I'd be livid. It also begs the question, if they can afford to knock so much off, why don't they just set the prices lower in the first place and save themselves the hassle?

I haven't seen it but I would be interested to do so. Is the episode available online?

That's it David, thank you. At that time, there were a few cruisers available on the Severn and Avon. Apart from Evesham Marina I remember Corsair Cruisers at Upton-on-Severn having Bountys, including what are now Evesham Light and Malvern Light at Herbert Woods (then Malvern Corsair and Upton Corsair). I think Corsair Light may have been there also. I never really understood why the Severn and Avon went narrow boat-only not long after. You used to be able to take a cruiser on the Avon between Tewkesbury and Stratford-on-Avon and on the Severn between Stourport and Gloucester.

Thanks for posting the photos David. The boat we hired on the Severn and Avon was the Astral class, a 30 foot by 10 foot 6 centre cockpit from Evesham Marina. I still have the brochure picture in my head. Your 1976 Hoseasons brochure, apart from showing just how tiny that 2 berth boats were then, has a boatyard location I didn't know ever existed - Highcraft at Stokesby. Where was that situated exactly?

David, that front cover will be forever etched in my memory, even though I haven't seen it in real life for well over 30 years. I have a strong memory of my mother first showing me that cover on the evening of 5th November 1981. I remember the date because we were just about to attend a bonfire party and yet even though I loved bonfire night as a child seeing that brochure for the first time is what sticks in my memory. In 1982 we did indeed book through Hoseasons in the days when you could have a wide beam cruiser on the Severn and Avon.

Always down for me, especially as I'm often solo. If you have a lovely looking woodie like Broad Ambition I can see the advantage of lifting them to look your best, so to speak but it does seem a bit of unnecessary faff for the rest of us. I'm surprised to read a few comments about fenders trailing in the water and the disadvantages of such. Am I right in thinking that if a fender is touching the water it's adjusted too low? Great tip Vaughan and one I've never heard before. As I'm right-handed it's natural for me to coil in my left hand anyway. However now I can do so knowing I'm doing it right 😊

I don't have the 1983 brochure any longer but I did years ago and that pdf picture takes back. Pre-internet as a child then brochures were my link to Broads boating in the 51 weeks a year I wasn't in Norfolk. In 1983 I went with my parents for the second time on Aston Goblin from Loddon. It was a boat blighted by mechanical issues but I still enjoyed myself as much as on our first trip 2 years previously.

I actually really like the look of the exterior helm. The seat looks comfy and there is a foot well I believe. The interior looks a bit ordinary for the price they're asking but that's just a first impression from limited photos.

I've been a fan of Russell's video for a while and I've watched every episode of this adventure and I wasn't disappointed. There is some lovely river footage and Russell is always so watchable in his inimitable style. Robin and Sheila make an appearance, as do others who Russell met on his travels.

Anchorcraft closed around 20 years ago and Bridgecraft next door took over the site.

Not Brinks Harmony I don't think as they were Hampton if I recall.

I'm hoping not because that could impact on available mooring space and turning space. The day boats are on the main river so I'm wondering if there's space for the new craft there also.

It makes me smile how Richardsons (and others) recycle old boat names, in this case a name last used in the 1970s I believe. I can never decide if its a good idea to signal to their heritage or conversely they don't have the imagination to think up something new.

There's one interior photo on the Hoseasons website and from that it looks very nice. Whilst I've no doubt it could squeeze under Ludham, the fact that it's based at Horning and not Stalham suggests it can't always do so.

Very much at the luxury end of the market then. All the boat photos are the same. I know the boats haven't been completed yet but it would be nice to have some variety of choice.

Ah, OK, that's before my time. So in the background is that the corner by the Swan with Horning Sailing Club just off camera to the right?

What's the location?

Hi there and welcome. It was me who posted the photo of your boat on the thread https://forum.norfolkbroadsnetwork.com/topic/12724-boats-far-from-home/?tab=comments#comment-193993. I work in Bristol not far from your boat and its one of several ex-Broads craft in the city that make me feel nearer to the Broads than I really am. I always walk at lunch time and I walk in view of your boat from time to time.

I'm looking forward to that once again, Vaughan 😊 Actually, you've highlighted one of the big benefits of hiring over 'syndicating', namely the ability to match the boat to the crew and what you want to do on your holiday and change that every time if you want to. I hired 3 times in 2018, with a different crew on each occasion, so when solo I had a basic aft cockpit, when with Mrs Broads01 we had the delicious Swancraft (Mrs doesn't do basic) and with my mum and daughter we went with a basic fly bridge with loads of space and 3 cabins. Syndicate-wise Goosander is lovely for a crew of one or two but that's too restrictive for me and much as I like forward steers I wouldn't want that every time. Similarly Thunder and Lightning are both lovely and would suit a crew of 3-6 very well I think but whilst no doubt could be handled solo I'd rather have something much smaller.

I've only ever driven down that road once, around 20 years ago. It sticks in my mind how long it seemed to take and how relieved I was to reach WRC.

Thank you David for another enjoyable read and great photos. Four hours to clean the boat, blow that for a game of soldiers! I'd be tempted to pay someone else to do it as I do effectively when hiring.

That's good news, given the shortage of South Broads hire boats. It will make a very nice starting location I feel and a good choice of first/last night moorings.

I love the Aquafibre Lowliner 38 Jimbo, having hired Soprano from Richardsons 2 years ago. I like dual steers and I like fitting under Wroxham and Beccles also so it's a spot on design without a more recently built equivalent in my view. Regarding syndicates, potentially I would be interested because as a very regular hirer it would make a lot of sense. Alas I'm not a fan of the 'lottery' week allocation system favoured by many syndicates. However, I like the fixed rotation systems used by Lightning and Ranworth Breeze and the fixed week system for Southern Crusader. Annual budget contribution is also important in my view. These vary considerably from what I've seen - anything from a relatively measly £700-£800 for 4 weeks to a (over the top in my view) £1600 for a boat of similar value.

I always enjoy your tales, David. Looking forward to the rest.

I haven't hired from Maycraft, Neil but I did ask about Mayfair in a thread a few months back and I was told customers park in Lathams car park and are collected from there. I must admit that did put me off somewhat.