Broads01

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.

I was about to say that's an iconic Broads view that's completely unchanged but then I noticed there was no quay heading in those days.

I'm another Swancraft fan having hired Roamer this year. They're good value compared to the competition but significantly more expensive than Richardsons budget boats. The interiors are a class above, however. Symphony has been mentioned and that's a great shout for a cheaper option.

I received my Richardsons brochure this week having requested it online. In the past I've received one automatically as a customer but not this time. However not everybody wants a brochure so making it request-only seems a logical step. It's a superb brochure - not only the boat detail but also in terms of the number of pages devoted to selling the Broads as a holiday destination and providing guidance on handling a boat. There's also coverage of Richardsons' holiday park destinations. In the light of the discussion about the demise of Hoseasons brochure it's good to see Richardsons still very much keeping their brochure on. Regarding the fleet there are no new designs included but two more Commanders for next year. I haven't done a boat by boat comparison to 2018 (I'm almost that geeky but not quite) but I did spot Crown Gem has gone. All the other older two berths are still there, however, including Mermaid, Serene Gem and Tropical Gem. The usual set of Horizons and Bountys remains - long live budget boating.

Yes I always think of the yellow post as the symbolic dividing line.

Alan, I'm very sad to read this and very sorry for your loss. My sincere condolences.

Sometimes Google can find Web pages more effectively than searching for them yourself on the website in question. So it proved just now when Google brought up https://www.hoseasons.co.uk/brochure-request. Tantalisingly, the page has a 'Request brochure' button but clicking it just takes you to a page stating 'Sorry no brochures are available to order'. I'm now thinking the 2019 brochure could, in all seriousness, become a rare collector's item.

Interesting! Perhaps they're trying to produce as few copies as possible. I assume you're a previous customer and that's why you received one. I haven't booked through Hoseasons for many years (I could never see the point) so I probably don't deserve a copy.

I was always similarly anorakie, Fred. I remember a phase in the 80s where a few boatyards swapped from Hoseasons to Blake. Amongst them were Barnes Brinkcraft and Faircraft Loynes so it was strange to see the Hoseasons logo return to their current fleet.

Once upon a time as a child and for years after I used to love receiving the Hoseasons brochure each year. Then that darn Internet went and ruined everything and booking online became the thing. In recent years, the Hoseasons brochure became a shadow of its former self, now with tiny photos, lack of prices, wrongly labelled photos and only a partial view of the Richardson fleet. Nevertheless I fancied giving it a try once again only to find the option to order one on the website no longer seems to exist. On a more positive note, the larger boatyards are all producing good old fashioned colour brochures with large boat photos and transparent pricing. There's still something very nice about having the paper version, especially in winter when you want to be transported to sunnier times.

Like the 'boggo' word, sums up what you mean very well. What do you mean by Brooms being 'wrecked'?

I agree. I do like Loddon Staithe for a daytime stop but overnight I prefer the relative space and tranquility of Pyes Mill.

Thanks Malcom. Langley Dyke is an oft missed gem, I love it there.