2 Couples Classic Sailing Charter

Apollo · January 18, 2022

Hi Broads crew!

My friend’s girlfriend is looking to charter a classic sailboat on the broads in the 30’ range for his birthday.

We’re thinking of a whole week and looking for a vessel with 2 double berths (or at least convertible as such). Budget is around £800 for the rental, probably in April or may.

Does anyone have any recommendations, reservations, advice for us?

Thank you for reading!

YnysMon · January 18, 2022

Try Hunter's Yard. We've sailed with them several times and I've written up our holidays in the Holiday Tales section. The four berth yachts that we have hired are Lullaby and Lustre (both built 1932) and Lucent (built more recently, but to the same specs as her older sisters). Lustre and Lucent now have electric 'quants' fitted, but Lullaby has no engine. So if you want the most authentic experience she's the one to go for. We have also hired a couple of their 2-berth boats one year and Wood Violet, a 3 berth boat on a couple of occasions.

https://www.huntersyard.co.uk/

Alternatively, you could have a look at Martham Boats or Eastwood Whelpton.

https://www.marthamboats.com/hire/yachts

https://www.eastwood-whelpton.co.uk/

Welcome to the forum by the way.

Helen

charlesa · January 18, 2022

Hello Apollo,
I think that the main issue you are going to have is finding a yacht with double berths.

The "America" class from Martham looks as if it might do the job though:

https://www.marthamboats.com/hire/yachts/1-america

A lovely yacht but quite big at 36ft long.

Hope you have a lovely trip.

marshman · January 18, 2022

You have forgotten the best two - Womack Classic from Colin Buttifant! His boats are very good indeed!

http://www.swallowtailboats.co.uk/hirefleet.html

Often overlooked but real quality here as well. Both yards anything other than run of the mill!!

https://www.broadssailingholidays.co.uk/boat-hire

Good old fashioned diesels - be warned though, those bigger sailing boats are powerful old boats!!!

BrundallNavy · January 18, 2022

Don’t forget Oliver’s Sailing at Martham Ferry.

https://www.broadssailingholidays.co.uk/

marshman · January 18, 2022

That is the link I posted - same one so it should work!!!!

charlesa · January 19, 2022

17 hours ago, marshman said:

You have forgotten the best two - Womack Classic from Colin Buttifant! His boats are very good indeed!

http://www.swallowtailboats.co.uk/hirefleet.html

Often overlooked but real quality here as well. Both yards anything other than run of the mill!!

https://www.broadssailingholidays.co.uk/boat-hire

Good old fashioned diesels - be warned though, those bigger sailing boats are powerful old boats!!!

I hadn't forgotten them MM, fantastic yachts, but the OP wants double beds I believe !

ChrisB · January 19, 2022

The America class boats are lovely. But having sailed on one I would just say they are powerful boats and can be a bit of a handful in the confines of the Northern Rivers. I would suggest that they need experienced crew.

marshman · January 19, 2022

Perhaps they could alternate the use of the bed!!

I would be far more interested in the performance and condition and viability of the boat - rather than prioritising the sleeping arrangements!!! That would be very secondary - given that these are boats designed specifically for use on the Broads I am sure the OP will be well aware there are design constraints and it is not like a motor cruiser where you can pick what you like - there will be many other design issues relative to the accommodation which will take some getting used to, rather than where you want a kip!!! Space will still be very much at a premium!!!

I would also reiterate the comments of Chris B as to these boats - I have sailed many boats on the Broads and offshore and there is not any experience quite like sailing something like this! They are very powerful and when I returned Womack Classic to Colin, who I know well and commented on it, he said, you should try that design with a full rig!!!! At the time, I had my son with me, and he can handle a boat too, and the two of us had no issues, but these boats are not really for novices and you can easily underestimate the power that area of sail can provide in anything more than a breeze.

Please do not let me put you off, you could be exceptionally experienced offshore and in a dinghy and very capable but anything like that will give you a bit of a thrill, especially in a decent breeze!!!!

YnysMon · January 19, 2022

Following the comments that some of the boats you can hire can be a bit of a handful, I'd like to mention that the Hunter's boats are very forgiving. They are fun to sail too and turn on a pin. I can remember tacking down the tree lined reach below Horning, passing an Eastwood Whelpton and leaving them far behind.

BrundallNavy · January 19, 2022

South Seas from Upton fits the OP’s needs.

https://www.eastwood-whelpton.co.uk/the-fleet/gaff-rigged/south-seas/

Apollo · January 29, 2022

Thanks a lot to everyone for the suggestions! Sorry for taking so long to respond, I actually live on a broads cruiser full time (but in London) and I've had my hands full of grease and oil for a week as I am doing some extensive repairs.

The fact that we already live on a boat is also the reason why we are looking for a bit of comfort, we'd like to not feel like we're going on a busman's holiday :default_blush: