Skyway From Horning Pleasurecraft

[NotDeadYet]

Any members with experience of this boat?  It's fairly new on the water and the online info and photos are a bit scant, so any info would be useful. (Being idiots, we've booked it anyway, lol)

 

Thanks and best boating wishes to all for 2022.

[Matt]

I have had a nose onboard and it is very nice so as long as you have clocked the bridges she won’t pass under I am sure you won’t be disappointed!

[SwanR]

I know someone who had Sunway or Skyway at Christmas. Not sure which one. But he rated it really highly and actually it was his second time hiring it. 

I saw him arrive at Womack Water so got a look at the outside. There is very little freeboard of any kind so side on mooring would be a challenge. If we hired it we would be planning all moorings to be stern on. Could be tempted at some point. 

[PaulN]

The Hoseasons website has a few more photos and the layout. Have you seen it?

https://www.hoseasons.co.uk/boat-holidays/horning-pleasurecraft-ltd-rhmb/skyway-bh2698?adult=2&region=21647&sortorder=12 

 

[Broads01]

Looks great inside from the Hoseasons photos and quite reasonably priced. Hoseasons say " will pass under Ludham at low states of the tide". I would imagine that should say something like " you might get under Ludham now and again but probably not".  It would be a great boat for heading south though.

[NotDeadYet]

2 hours ago, Matt said:

... as long as you have clocked the bridges she won’t pass

Yes, I've asked the yard for the air draft, but I'm expecting to not get into Thorpe, for example.

[NotDeadYet]

1 hour ago, PaulN said:

The Hoseasons website has a few more photos and the layout. Have you seen it?

Yes, thanks Paul. I hope to take a lot more photos, although a Captain's Blog video is not going to happen!

[NotDeadYet]

39 minutes ago, Broads01 said:

It would be a great boat for heading south though

That's the plan!

[NotDeadYet]

1 hour ago, SwanR said:

very little freeboard of any kind so side on mooring would be a challenge

I agree, but we are 2 up and the 'bathing platform' looks to be a handy step off holding both ropes.  Leaping off those high sides ain't for us!  As always, beam winds may be a factor.

[Broads01]

1 hour ago, NotDeadYet said:

I agree, but we are 2 up and the 'bathing platform' looks to be a handy step off holding both ropes.  Leaping off those high sides ain't for us!  As always, beam winds may be a factor.

I wouldn't recommend leaping off any boat. I think, though, if you want to try a side on mooring, you could potentially ease yourself on to the bank from a sitting or crouching position. I must admit I've never tried from a deck of that height though so don't quote me.

[ChrisB]

"Freeboard" is the measurement between the waterline and the deck so this boat has a high freeboard.

Sailors refer to a boats "Freeboard"  with reference to buoyancy and it's ability not to take a "Green one" ease of boarding etc is purely co- incidental.

[andyg]

Saw her out on the rivers in October. She looks so much better in the flesh so to speak. She seem to be popular with clives customers. Sten on moorings won't be a problem. To be fair all Horning Pleasurecraft boats I saw in October looked really well turned out. 

[SwanR]

I agree. If I booked this one it would probably be an out of season trip when moorings should be plentiful and I would think it would be cosy inside. 

[Broads01]

2 minutes ago, SwanR said:

I agree. If I booked this one it would probably be an out of season trip when moorings should be plentiful and I would think it would be cosy inside. 

Yes, a nice interior but the option of full on Broads views and fresh air whenever you want it, the perfect combination.

[CambridgeCabby]

Yes the freeboard is fairly high but there is a foothold to make it easier on both sides , she is a lovely very well refitted boat you’ll have a wonderful land comfortable time I’m sure , if you are in any way worried ie the freeboard height then you can purchase a rope ladder such as this one for relatively little money 

[NotDeadYet]

21 minutes ago, CambridgeCabby said:

you can purchase a rope ladder

I have some irrelevant past experience with this kind of laddery thing, but these days an elevator or a davit/derrick would be more appropriate :-) Thanks for the info about the boat - we are very much looking forward to our week.  

[Dan]

2 hours ago, andyg said:

....To be fair all Horning Pleasurecraft boats I saw in October looked really well turned out. 

They seem to be adding high quality boats (in original gel) as the right ones comes along, and then it will be interesting to see how many of the new design in production appear 

It is a shame not to see the basin full of hireboats but I suppose you have to commend the approach (whilst never giving up hope of some Calypso's, Bahama's.....) 

Perhaps there will be some more additions soon, if the right boats appear

Dan

 

[NotDeadYet]

Going back to Skyway, she will do wonders for our personal fitness - the only way in (not including the windows) is up the outside steps and down the inside ones.  As for loading our stuff, that may be through the window!  

[Smoggy]

I wouldn't fancy trying to moor stern on from the inside helm on that, visability looks pretty poor from the pic.

[NotDeadYet]

2 hours ago, Smoggy said:

I wouldn't fancy trying to moor stern on from the inside helm on that, visability looks pretty poor from the pic.

I agree, but there is a window to stick your head out.  Also thinking about a couple of PMR radios or just sticking to the top deck, rain or shine.

[Broads01]

6 hours ago, NotDeadYet said:

just sticking to the top deck, rain or shine.

Yeah, that's the best way. If it's wet you can always steer inside in the most part and then do a quick swap over for mooring.

[oldgregg]

Definitely. I remember taking Commodore 1 in to Silverline because we wanted to go and look at their new boat. It was absolutely pelting it down outside but the visibility was so much better from up top that it was worth braving the elements down the dyke and I got her stern moored easily.

Skyway is a lovely boat, she does have quite a lot of freeboard as others have said but there is a step moulded into the side so you can step down more easily. The view from the flybridge is excellent and stern access is really good too.

I'd forget trying to get into Thorpe - We used to struggle to get Thunder there at 6'9" air draft!

[Wussername]

It is not the getting into Thorpe that you have to worry about. You either can or you can't. If the latter just pootle away.

It is when you are stuck the wrong side you are in a muddle.

[Roy]

I have known boats to get through one bridge on a riding tide by the time they have cruised to the other bridge the are stuck there till the tide turns. 

 

If if you want to go to Thorpe I’d suggest noting in the cut near to Thorpe and walk there. 

 

[oldgregg]

I'd say Skyway is way too tall to chance it.

You might get through on a really low tide but then you'll be dragging the bottom in places and there's quite a lot of junk such as fishing nets to be found down there on a low tide. And as others have said, you'll need a similarly low tide to get back out again.

I remember touching the bottom in Thunder (and she draws less than two foot) and then a bit further down having to avoid another boat which had got fishing line round the prop.