TedNewman

The weather was fine and we had a great time - looking for the next slot now!!

Went down the Chet a couple of weeks back with the Alpha Rapide which is 42 X 12 so not small - yes we had to breath in a couple of times but otherwise OK and we went by several boats going both ways.

Hi Jim No not quite - loved the Broads but the caravan still outweighs the options Have a job to get down to The Sahara in a boat

I have been asked to report on our first trip on the Broads and to report on the boat! First the boat:- An Alphacraft Rapide which I was worried about as I had read a couple of rather damning reports HOWEVER I need not have been concerned as this boat was easy to ‘’drive’’, especially with its bow thrusters, and comfortable to live with plus it is designed to go under ALL Broads bridges. The boat was easy to access from land except when there was a very high tide and then I deployed my secret weapon (an old milk crate) which was placed in a strategic position for our lady guest who suffers very badly from arthritis BUT as it was there we all used it. Getting around the outside is easy as there is a good walk way all the way round the vessel with steps leading up from the lower bow section to higher stern area and this can be accessed either from the stern doors or the upper steering position via a small door. There are hand holds all the way round for those of a nervous disposition and there is a very good open seating area as well as two ‘’sun decks’’. The steering positions are fine but the seats could do with being somewhat lower however we managed without a problem and without any serious ‘’back aches’’ however we did take it in turns to steer although I did do the lions share. The cabins were fine with a two drawer cabinet and a three quarter sized hanging cupboard in each plus there is a full sized wardrobe in the lounge area. The beds were snug but comfortable even for me and I am not small. The toilets were a little strange but absolutely usable even if not designed to read the newspaper on! Plus the area was a ‘’wet room’ so you either just wash or have a shower and there is plenty of hot water. Head room was fine along the main walking and working areas but a little confined behind the large lounge table – you just had to remember when standing up! The galley was well equipped with gas hob, oven and grill plus a large 12 volt electric fridge. There was also a microwave and a toaster, neither of which we used. The boat was well stocked with all other equipment such as pots, pans, crockery and cutlery. In the lounge area there was a 240 volt flat screen TV and DVD plus Playstation . The boat was heated by a powerful diesel heater with a 12 volt fan air blower which warmed the boat up rapidly BUT it was needed to keep it on full time as it was very cold in the evenings and not that warm during the day although we did not get any rain. Here the boat showed its limitations as to keep the 12 volt system batteries charged we often had to run the engine when moored. The boat employs three separate electrical circuits :- two batteries for the 12 volts, two batteries with an inverter for the 240 volts and a dedicated battery for the engine BUT it lacked a ‘’shore connection’’ for the electrics so it relied entirely on its own batteries and charging systems – personally I would either scrap the 240 volts and dedicate all four batteries to 12 volts or add a ‘’shore connector’’. TVs come in all shapes and form at 12 volts and one can toast bread under the grill plus a microwave is not an essential for life! Finally the boat is now a few years old and is rather tired and really could do with a refit. Now for the trip:- There were four of us all novices and made more difficult that my wife’s cousin and husband speak no English so I could not shout instructions on mooring but relied on my wife to translate. Not knowing what to expect never having driven a boat before I was surprised how relatively easy it is – providing one takes the good advice given on this (and other ) forums and takes it slowly and it is imperative to know your knots. Our first night we spent at Brampton, unfortunately the pub was closed but we had brought food along with us so the ‘’girls’’ cooked up a splendid meal plus the actual moorings were very quiet. The second day we visited, Rockland Broad then Lodden for lunch – a pretty little town – we then proceeded to Reedham, where we walked around the village and decided to stay for the night and have our evening meal in the Lord Nelson, the food was good and plentiful and the staff cheerful BUT the pub was not heated and we had to sit in our anoraks. The third day we followed the Yare to Breydon BUT did not cross it! We just turned down the Waveny stopping at Burgh Castle for morning coffee and a walk along the bank. After that we sailed on towards Burgh St Peter for lunch, passing under St Olaves bridge and Somerleyton Bridge where the water was extremely high but we made it with about 3 inches to spare without lowering the windshield. At the Waveny River Centre we explored a little then had lunch before continuing to Beccles for the night. Beccles really is a lovely little town and the yacht station very accommodating so we enjoyed our stop here. On the fourth day we sailed back towards Brundall stopping at Reedham again for our lunch this time – here the Broads Authority Ranger insisted we moored outside the Lord Nelson despite the ‘’Private Moorings’’ sign as he said that all the mooring came under the Broad Authority jurisdiction and the Lord Nelson had no rights to put up this sign! We then sailed up stream going via Surlingham Broad to the Ferry House for the night – an excellent stop with a first rate pub where we had our last evenings meal - good food, well cooked and presented by very friendly staff. The fifth and final day was just a forty minute ‘’drive’’ back to Brundall where I was very pleased with my efforts and managed to get the boat right back into its original parking position! The weather could have been warmer but it never rained on us so we all stayed ‘’on top’’ for the whole trip which we thoroughly enjoyed – I am now planning the next trip for just the two of us perhaps next Spring time – any tips on an excellent two berth vessel, whilst I won’t go as far as to say money does not count, the class and luxury of the boat is of paramount importance. And finally many thanks to all those that posted greetings, advice and tips as this information proved invaluable to us Ted & Karin Newman plus Michael & Gisela Temme

Thanks Martin - good tips! By The Way the Rapide is listed as having bow thrusters.

Well tomorrow sees us taking to the water! Hopefully the boat and not the crew If you wonder why I am posting so much it is so that I will be able to quickly find all the useful information on my laptop

The day is almost here - tomorrow we take possession of the Alpha Rapide for four days of (hopefully) fun on the southern Broads all suggestions have been ''logged'' and will be looked at as we move along! By this time next week we should know if Broads boating is for us or not!

Thanks Alan - your tips and recommendation are very reassuring and I am sure will be helpful - I have printed them out and will be putting them to good use from tomorrow! We hope to be at the Alpha Craft yard in Brundall around 1 pm ready for our hand-over demonstration (which I eagerly await) the problem is two of the party speak very little English (they come from the old DDR (East Germany) where English was not taught) so I have to take it all in and translate later! Should be good fun HOWEVER they do enjoy a glass of wine or a cold beer! If any of you see us in the Alpha Rapide give us a wave

Many thanks all - if you see four bumbling old fools next week - then do please feel free to have a good laugh I (we) promise to try not to collide with you and/or the infrastructure of the Broads

So Jill are you saying the list mentioned by Alan is not accurate? Very important for us first timers!

Alan - what an excellent list -many thanks as we shall also be doing our first trip this coming Monday Starting in Brundall with the Alpha Rapide.

We agree with original posters prognosis! We have been on four days so far - one to the Royal Artillery Barracks for the shooting and archery , three to the Olympic Park and have seen the tennis, swimming, athletics and track events plus the wondrous goal-ball PLUS a trip to the top of the Orbit! Tomorrow we are off to the Greenwich Dome (the 02) to see the wheelchair basketball. We (my wife and I) are in absolute awe of these ''Super Human Beings'' and their powers to overcome their disabilities - makes me feel ashamed to moan about my arthritic knees And as was said the noise from the crowds is something else BUT even more stunning was the silence (called for) in goal-ball where the blind competitors rely on hearing a little bell in the ball BUT huge roars when one team scores

Must say that I think they are beautiful both inside and out going from their web site pictures!! But then what do I know? Until September 17th I wont have even stepped on a Broads Cruiser Then perhaps I might form different ideas as to what makes a boat beautiful

Thanks Martin - those tall ships also have mooring problems !! BUT they have the advantage of having a couple of small tenders/tugs to help them and they need them when the tide is in full flow . BTW there are 15 of them and they are running two hours trips from here ( The Royal Arsenal at Woolwich) to Greenwich by the Cutty Sark and back. Oh and just to add I (we) are really grateful for all the comments, tips and suggestions - please keep them coming

PS - a couple of pictures from our apartment of the tall ships here for the Olympics.:-