Broads01

I agree, plus something that doesn't make the boat messy with the gravel you inevitably tread in. No need to apologise for the length of the posts, Kate, they've been good to read.

My elder daughter is 6ft 1 and seems to struggle with headroom no matter what the boat, Lowliner included. I'm only an inch shorter and yet rarely have a problem. I think all hireboats were designed assuming no human could possibly be more than 6ft tall.

Not sure which boat you mean specifically, Roy but I do like low level dual steers like the Af38s and Alpha 42s, another best of both worlds option. They were built in reasonable numbers around the early 90s but seemed to fall out of fashion quite quickly as far as new builds were concerned. I'm not really sure why that was.

I'm enjoying your daily tales, Kate. I have to say, walking from Horning to Hoveton in preference to cruising there by river is something I shall never do so so take it as a compliment I enjoyed reading about it .

Yep, forward steer boats are great for oop North, dualies are great down sauf. It's not clear cut though. If I go to Beccles, I tend to want to go to Geldeston as well and I'd rather not worry too much about St Olaves or having to be bang on low water at Great Yarmouth. Centre steers give you the best of both in many ways but don't give you the viewing height of a dualie.

It's been on Hoseasons a few weeks, Dan noticed it at the end of September

I remember Malcom saying private craft can moor at Barnes Brinkcraft for a modest fee but I don't know if there's any space there now their season has finished.

This has become a fascinating thread, gents. I always like reading about hire boat history covering the years before my time. I've always admired Hamptons. I only hired one once, now over 30 years ago but I've always considered them to be an elegant design well before their time. When I visit now, I'm always struck by how many are still around. It seems like they're literally in the hundreds, almost all ex-hire I think and all of them 45+ years old. I remember Hamptons boatyard quite well from the 80s and 90s with it's various "...Safari" classes and it's distinctive pea green colour scheme. Pacific Cruisers still have two of their boats in their original colour and there are privately owned ones still around in that colour also. I didn't realise that Hamptons were once with Blakes as I only ever remember them with Hoseasons.

Cunning plan indeed. Was there nowhere in Horning that wasn't flooded? I think you'll have some fun each time the dogs need the toilet...

Because sadly plenty of people will watch it, bumping up views, subscribers and advertising income. Personally I get no pleasure from watching others' misfortune.

Yes turning at the end is OK but a bit of a faff. I tend to reverse out so I don't have to bother turning even if I'm part way down the dyke.

https://www.eadt.co.uk/news/23900542.life-flooded-norfolk-broads-pub-geldeston-locks/

I must admit that when boating solo I tend to avoid using the rhond anchors, seeing it as too much faff to have two ropes in hand whilst trying to get rhond anchors organised at the same time. What's your technique?

Fascinating video, the Broom 29 seemed to be the one with which they had the biggest challenge. But there you go, Malcom, when you want to cruise the Ant you know what to do now!

I don't follow what you mean there, can you explain?

I completely agree.

Crown Cruisers weren't at Somerleyton for very long, if memory serves.

I remember the Alpha Craft hirefleet versions of these, not sure if they had one or two. One was called "Starfire" as I recall and had a full size 3 seater household sofa in the saloon. It's still on the Broads I think. I would imagine the airdraft is quite sensible.

Fantastic photo.

I'm sad about that, Vaughan. Your ongoing passion and deeply held connection to the Broads is always evident, despite the increasing sense of despondency and frustration that's evident too. I hope you and Susie will return.

Which hirefleet was that?

What a grim view of our beloved Broads world you have. Stay away if that's your wish, it's your loss. I'll keep boating as long as I'm blessed with good health to do so.

Never mind wellies, I think you need waders or even a dinghy!

I bet passing them on the Ant could get interesting.

What, Le Boat setting prices artificially high and then immediately discounting to make it look like a good deal, surely not! Joking apart, Le Boat are terrible at loading on prices for add-ons. Fuel is charged by the engine hour (so the total can bear no resemblance to what you've actually used), they charge for cleaning and their damage waiver and parking charges are ridiculous.