Richardsons 45 flybridge

[C.Ricko]

the pumps are a 'gulper' type, they are not the fastest pump but wont block and will pump a pen through the valves!

 

They are rubber mounted...

 

I think they are a little noisy from inside but did not realise they caused a problem outside the boat...

[BroadScot]

Hi Clive,

 

As I said in my report about the noisy water pump also on Broadway, you could waken the dead moored stern on to other craft. Its VERY noisy indeed.

 

Requires some sound proofing methinks somehow.

 

Iain

[BroadAmbition]

I can quote for fitting a Nanni in BA if you want to upgrade?

 

Upgrade?

 

A pair of paddles would be an upgrade from owt french

 

 

Goes off muttering

 

 

Griff

[dnks34]

I think people can forget that these modern comforts afloat do come with drawbacks! I hear boaty noises all the time and cant say they have bothered me enough to keep me awake, Rowdiness on the other hand is far more infuriating to me than any mechanical noise but we are all different

[BroadScot]

I think people can forget that these modern comforts afloat do come with drawbacks! I hear boaty noises all the time and cant say they have bothered me enough to keep me awake, Rowdiness on the other hand is far more infuriating to me than any mechanical noise but we are all different

These are electric heads, and trust me they are very efficient, but noisy! I started on wooden hire boats and yes the Godwins were very quiet. Perhaps its where the pump is mounted?

 

 

Iain

[dnks34]

I dont know Iain but the plungers on my Jabsco's can make a fair racket when trying to get rid of a lengthy one

[BroadScot]

I dont know Iain but the plungers on my Jabsco's can make a fair racket when trying to get rid of a lengthy one

Diet Suggestion,

 

Drink more..EAT less, job done!

 

Iain

[Matt]

Clive I can only assume that with all of these "problems" you will need to off load it. I will start the bidding at £500.

[BroadScot]

Have you won the Lottery, Matt? Throwing money away with gay abandon!

 

 

Iain.

[dnks34]

£510 right here!!!

[Matt]

£510.50........

[dnks34]

£510.50........

Thats done me

[LondonRascal]

I too was able to get onboard Commodore at the NBN Meet - which I think turned into a one boat boat show with everyone wanting to get a look on Commodore

 

Now If I put my 'review hat'  on I would point out some of the good things about this boat and some negatives - let's begin with the positive.

 

The outside space is amazing because it is further forward that on other raft of this type you get more space up top - the sun loungers with their adjustable backs that can lay flat or be able to sit up with, the seating area looked just right too and the very clever Lagun table leg which gives smooth adjustability but firm support  (look into these if you own your own boat people) I thought the side door from the upper helm to the side deck was very innovative and the colour contrast around the helm fitted in well.  All in all very nice indeed!

 

Inside - and the first of my negatives (I am going to be in the minority) but the steps from the outside helm into the saloon are steep and to me need not be there.  I liked the removal of them on Brinks Rhapsody  which really opened up the saloon so much - but with a hatch above meant talking to or handing up things to the helm outside was possible.  I also thought the lack of a fixed table took away some of the 'luxury' simply because one has to put up and take down the table so you are compromising - Rhapsody had a large fixed table and I liked that about it.

 

The electric sunroof complete with sunblind - how much nicer is that than the usual opening hatch arrangement on other craft, the big bonded windows despite being tinted really still let the light flood in and give the inside helm a very open feeling and I would be confident to helm from inside without feeling too 'trapped'.  The provision of an electric sidling window by the inside helm why some may call a gimmick is very useful when you need to open the window - one touch lowering would be nice.   Under the helm a standard Waeco fridge is to be found - I have to agree for a boat of this class and size something larger would be preferred, or a separate second one away from the galley perhaps to cater for keeping drinks chilled.

 

I thought the galley was rather compact but very well fitted - the rest of the boat is very much in the style and fit out one expects from other Richardson's new builds, but the real show stopper to me is the master cabin at the stern.  By pacing the berth under the outside table it mans any headroom loss is mitigated as it is above the berth - the large window (which opens) makes this just perfect - imagine being moored on a quiet wild mooring, opening the curtain and looking out from bed to the river around you. 

 

Overall I think she is a stunning boat as far as design, that features a lot of creative thinking and classic ideas that stand the test of time (the molded in bin as an example) yes there is some new tech as far as batteries, heating systems , central locking (really?) and the sound system but I think what Richardson's have done is keep things a little conservative with fit out and the underlying systems but gone all out with design and longevity and ease of turning around the boat after each hire.  Barnes Brinkcraft have little control over the outside design of their new builds, but throw everything into the interior and new ideas with propulsion and power.

 

You pay your money, you make your choice - but what is for certain this boat is going to make a lot of people who see her wonder 'where do you hire that boat from' and want to make enquiries - perhaps you need to put your website on the back of the boat to help that process along Clive.  She is a credit to all who put so much work into her.

 

On an aside, having just hired one of Richardson's classic fleet boats (Princess 2) the warm welcome, and efficiency on arrival and return and cleanliness of the boat made me realise with Ricahrdson's if matters not if you get the best and newest or their cheap and cheerful you're a customer and valued not just a booking reference and money, well done.

[Oddfellow]

I took a look recently as Dan and co dropped by and found the new Commodore to be a nicely designed boat. Truly green with envy. Yes, there are some things that I would have done differently, but that's easy for me to say! 

 

Commodore is a great design that looks stunning on the water; perhaps it will spur other large yards on to create some new competitive designs. 

 

What we want now, Clive, is a Retro Commodore version - a bit longer perhaps? Maybe a Commodore 64?

[C.Ricko]

Hi Robin,

Glad you liked her,

the stairs from saloon to upper deck are needed as there is no aft door, they are better than the other boats and only really a secondary access, I think it is safer for passing tea to the driver

 

As for the table, it is easier to put a table on fixed posts but then it is - fixed in position, we find with our alpha centre cockpit boats the table is in the way much of the time wheras the drop leaf tables don't have to be completely opened up..

 

the inverter is 3kw so we should be  able to put a kettle and toaster on there now without fear of problems but as the whole set up is new to us we have not 'fully loaded' her just yet.

 

Cant defend the fridge size!

[C.Ricko]

I forgot to say that we don't need to cheapen  the look of our boats  with web addresses etc, as it wont take long to realise whose boats they are and as you know  Google works wonders when searching for websites, our name is on the back at both sides so we prefer to keep the 'private' look...

You didn't mention the touchscreen heater controls or sprung mattresses

Perhaps you need to hire her and review her properly

All good feedback though. ..

[JawsOrca]

Touchscreen heater controls? Central locking?.. Clive you are meant to be building these for the hire market not for your own expensive tastes.. I'm starting to think we made the wrong move getting our own boat (although my annual moorings are still less than week on commodore )  

[dnks34]

What sort of heating system have you installed on her just out of interest? The touchscreen heating controls and the power window by the helm is very innovative imho.

[BroadScot]

Ah, but has it got a Beam me up Scotty Button on it?    At this rate with all these new toys on all those new boats, the hirers will require to take weekend courses on how to USE all these new fangle - dangled instruments! Either that or send the five year old I-pad specialists!

 

 

Iain.

[C.Ricko]

Eberspacher hot water heater, means we can have heated towel rails which people seem to like, it also gives us the ability to have demisters and hot air blown heaters..

all the other kit is tried and tested on the automotive marketand big boat market,  and in the scheme of things not over extravagant, the hire boats and local builds need to step our game up to get up to date and keep ahead of the rest of the country.

the trick is installing them into non standard fittings and trying to make them bulletproof. - time will tell!

[riyadhcrew]

Clive,

 

The more I hear, the better she gets. I just pray that she is looked after this year, as I am an early hirer next year. Good luck Clive with what you are doing for us.

[dnks34]

We will take very good care of her in october for our week atleast Riyadhcrew!

That is the only issue with these new fangled gizmos, all it can take is for one rodney to come along and try and test them all to destruction and you starting getting problems but im all for modernism and moving with the times so hopefully people will take care of all the kit!

The only worry with the females in our party (the wife and my mother) is being cold so im glad to hear shes got a top notch heating system installed.

[BroadScot]

We will take very good care of her in october for our week atleast Riyadhcrew!

That is the only issue with these new fangled gizmos, all it can take is for one rodney to come along and try and test them all to destruction and you starting getting problems but im all for modernism and moving with the times so hopefully people will take care of all the kit!

The only worry with the females in our party (the wife and my mother) is being cold so im glad to hear shes got a top notch heating system installed.

You can always use the back up heating supply!..... A guid bottle of Scotland's Finest!

 

 

Iain

[LondonRascal]

See, what I should have done is got everyone off Commodore when at Salhouse, grabbed my camera and 'So welcome to the review of Commodore which I have not hired from Richardson's'...

 

Editing the review of Princees which I did hire

[Siddy]

Thanks for the pics jonzo it's looking good and can't wait till Sept for our turn.