TerriDew Posted February 9, 2019 Share Posted February 9, 2019 Hello all, thank you for accepting me on the forum. Very excited about living in Norfolk and being so close to the broads. Just wondering if anybody has a boat that they would potentially hire out to myself and my partner this coming weekend? 15-17th feb 2019. We are looking to purchase a boat and would like to try it out as much as possible before taking the plunge! It seems this time of year a lot of the commercial boat hiring places aren’t yet open for business. Any info would be gratefully received! Best wishes Terri and Danny x 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vanessan Posted February 9, 2019 Share Posted February 9, 2019 Hi Terri and welcome to the forum. I feel it unlikely that anyone would be willing to hire a private boat out to you, I think our insurances would prohibit it. You may be lucky for someone to offer you a trip out with them in their boat - it’s a case of ‘watch this space’! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SPEEDTRIPLE Posted February 9, 2019 Share Posted February 9, 2019 Yes, i think Vanessan has hit the nail on the head. That said, you could always try a phone call to Herbert Woods, as i believe they might hire through the winter months. You don`t say which type of boat you are looking to buy, traditional aft cockpit, centre cockpit, forward drive, or sports cruiser?. Herbert Woods will likely have a number of those i`ve mentioned, but make sure you tell them exactly what type of boat you want to hire, as i`ve heard all too often of people hiring a high top dual steer, and then complain when they can`t get under any of the low bridges, which again is something to think about when you wish take the plunge and buy your own. Also, think about where you will be doing your cruising, if you already have plenty of experience in boat handling, you may wish to moor it on the southern rivers with their stronger tides and greater range of tidal difference. If you are NOT experienced, then the much slower tides and lesser tidal difference of the north rivers would be more beneficial, which i would seriously recommend. Some of the hire fleets have facebook pages, and often post up pages of how they are refurbing their fleet, Bridgecraft at Acle have, and they have already refurbed a number of their fleet and put them back in the water, so may be able to help. Freedom Boating at Thorpe also do, but they are based on the River Yare on the south rivers, and have strong fast flowing tides, which as i`ve said, if inexperienced, may be rather daunting for you. Anyway, have a think, and make a few phone calls, all you will hear is yes or no. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JennyMorgan Posted February 9, 2019 Share Posted February 9, 2019 Terri, if I were you I'd wander down to your local marina and see who's about. Boat owners tend to be a friendly crowd. Many brokers also arrange trial trips. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ranworthbreeze Posted February 9, 2019 Share Posted February 9, 2019 Hello Terri & Danny, Welcome to the forum. Regards Alan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SwanR Posted February 9, 2019 Share Posted February 9, 2019 Welcome Terri! Apart from the boat, which I can't help you with, have you just moved house to Norfolk? Would be interested to know as I would love to make that move at some point. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TerriDew Posted February 9, 2019 Author Share Posted February 9, 2019 32 minutes ago, ranworthbreeze said: Hello Terri & Danny, Welcome to the forum. Regards Alan Hello!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TerriDew Posted February 9, 2019 Author Share Posted February 9, 2019 Hello 16 minutes ago, SwanR said: Welcome Terri! Apart from the boat, which I can't help you with, have you just moved house to Norfolk? Would be interested to know as I would love to make that move at some point. Hello SwanR i live in Reepham Danny in Cromer. Norfolk is a great county. I highly recommend living here. We’re looking to buy a river cruiser in the near future. Have you got a boat on the broads? Terri Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TerriDew Posted February 9, 2019 Author Share Posted February 9, 2019 36 minutes ago, ranworthbreeze said: Hello Terri & Danny, Welcome to the forum. Regards Alan Hi Alan; thanks for the welcome. Friendly bunch of people you boaters seem to be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Posted February 9, 2019 Share Posted February 9, 2019 Give Andy Banner at Freedom a call on (01603) 858453, I would think they'll be able to help. http://www.freedomboatingholidays.co.uk/check-vacancy.php?startdate=15%2F02%2F2019&enddate=17%2F02%2F2019&people=2&dogs=0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TerriDew Posted February 9, 2019 Author Share Posted February 9, 2019 27 minutes ago, Paul said: Give Andy Banner at Freedom a call on (01603) 858453, I would think they'll be able to help. http://www.freedomboatingholidays.co.uk/check-vacancy.php?startdate=15%2F02%2F2019&enddate=17%2F02%2F2019&people=2&dogs=0 Oh thank you Paul. Some great options on their website. Will investigate! Regards Terri Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TerriDew Posted February 9, 2019 Author Share Posted February 9, 2019 2 hours ago, SPEEDTRIPLE said: Yes, i think Vanessan has hit the nail on the head. That said, you could always try a phone call to Herbert Woods, as i believe they might hire through the winter months. You don`t say which type of boat you are looking to buy, traditional aft cockpit, centre cockpit, forward drive, or sports cruiser?. Herbert Woods will likely have a number of those i`ve mentioned, but make sure you tell them exactly what type of boat you want to hire, as i`ve heard all too often of people hiring a high top dual steer, and then complain when they can`t get under any of the low bridges, which again is something to think about when you wish take the plunge and buy your own. Also, think about where you will be doing your cruising, if you already have plenty of experience in boat handling, you may wish to moor it on the southern rivers with their stronger tides and greater range of tidal difference. If you are NOT experienced, then the much slower tides and lesser tidal difference of the north rivers would be more beneficial, which i would seriously recommend. Some of the hire fleets have facebook pages, and often post up pages of how they are refurbing their fleet, Bridgecraft at Acle have, and they have already refurbed a number of their fleet and put them back in the water, so may be able to help. Freedom Boating at Thorpe also do, but they are based on the River Yare on the south rivers, and have strong fast flowing tides, which as i`ve said, if inexperienced, may be rather daunting for you. Anyway, have a think, and make a few phone calls, all you will hear is yes or no. Thank you so much for taking the time to write such a comprehensive reply. Looks like we have lots of options but I think the best thing to do is get out on the water and mix with other boaters to get a taste of what would suit us best. And have lots of fun in the process hopefully. We’re after a river cruiser boat hopefully with an outboard engine and intend to moor up and boat from Stalham mostly around north and mid broads Thank you again Terri. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JanetAnne Posted February 9, 2019 Share Posted February 9, 2019 I would also agree that looking round and trying as many boats as possible is a good move before committing to ownership. There are many on here that have discovered that what they actually want and what they think they want are worlds apart. Buying the wrong boat could lead to a very shaky start for your maritime adventures. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SwanR Posted February 9, 2019 Share Posted February 9, 2019 1 hour ago, TerriDew said: Have you got a boat on the broads? We thought seriously about whether to buy a boat given how much we love the Broads and how many times we were hiring. But in the end, for various reasons, we bought a static caravan at Lowestoft. Gets us close to the Broads and there are lots of places to enjoy. It works for us and is a nice halfway between staying in Essex and actually moving. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lulu Posted February 9, 2019 Share Posted February 9, 2019 Warm welcome to the forum. :) Yes, dont rush into buying otherwise you will end up joining the Buying Three Boats in a Year Club which a few of us are members of. Look at loads of different types of boat before deciding. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chelsea14Ian Posted February 9, 2019 Share Posted February 9, 2019 Welcome I agree with others most would not let out there boat.Try boat yards.However not sure you will get a boat next week. What type of boat are you after,age and price.Worth a visit to Brundall, Horning and Wroxham. Anyway good luck.Ian. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Posted February 9, 2019 Share Posted February 9, 2019 Welcome I can only echo all that has been said, in particular Lulu's comment but then I am the other founder member of the Three Boats in a Year Club! A lot depends on how much you will use your boat, your budget and any limiting physical factors (creaky knees in my case ) We moved to Norfolk last year, in our case because we retired, we have never looked back.. looking for your boat is part of the fun and just the beginning! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stranger Posted February 9, 2019 Share Posted February 9, 2019 Herbert Woods are doing 40%off short and full hires in March so try a mid week or weekend trial Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorfolkNog Posted February 9, 2019 Share Posted February 9, 2019 Yes, Herbert Woods would hire next week and Faircraft Loynes if you have deeper pockets! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smoggy Posted February 9, 2019 Share Posted February 9, 2019 On the northern rivers outboards can be a PITA with stern on moorings, not such an issue on the southern rivers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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