PM:Adster

My first tip is to go for as long as you can. 2 nights is actually only one and a bit days as you might not be able to pick the boat up until about 3pm depending on if someone has had it before you, and you have to moor near your boatyard on your last night in order to have the boat back in time the following morning, so it is important to factor this into your logistics. However, you could easily have 2 wonderful nights if you are not bothered about going far and exploring the many rivers.

In terms of boatyards, Richardson's have the most boats and have various boatyards on the Broads. The main one being at Stalham which is located on the upper part of the river Ant. Barnes Brinkcraft and Norfolk Broads Direct are the other two *big* companies and both are based in Wroxham on the river Bure. Herbet Woods at Potter Heigham being amother. These have the biggest and best (depending on your own views) boats. Richardson’s and Barnes also have some right old mingers so check out some reviews on youtube (captain’s blog has done some if you can bare this sort of thing). There are lots of smaller boatyards dotted all over the Broads including on the southern rivers (South of Yarmouth) all the way down to Beccles. Broom at Brundell is a biggish yard that springs to mind.

In terms of boats it is down to your budget and the level of comfort/luxury you wish to enjoy. Depending on your own personal choice you could have a really nice luxury electric hybrid boat or you could have an old traditional wooden bone rattler. Older boats tend not to have much in the way of comforts, apart from the ones that have a little. Other things to consider are how good you are at driving boats. Bow thrusters make it easier to moor but you still need to concentrate on tides and winds etc (I’ll not bore you with all that quite yet).

This User Posted Link is an old forward steer cruiser known as *a bath tub* (due to the design of the hull etc). They are very popular and easy to drive but the driving position is low down and you have poor visibility of the back for reversing and stern mooring etc. As I said earlier there are some real old heaps of crap out there so make sure you research the reviews etc. The main reason people don't like them though is the low driving position. You miss some of the wonderful views across the landscape being so low down, however you are closer to nature and they usually have outside seating at the front and retractable rooves (yes rooves).

This User Posted Link sort of boat has a higher helm position but still has a low draft (meaning it will get under most of the bridges with ease).

Again, this User Posted Link sort is even higher but will not get under all the bridges unless tides are low and even then you can find yourself stuck on a certain side of a bridge until the next low tide. Don’t be put off by the pictures as most boats have fold down canopies for getting under the low bridges.

This User Posted Link sort of boat has dual steering. An inside and a flywheel (usually on the roof) position.

This User Posted Link is an old traditional cruiser from the 1950s. Centre cockpit with all round visibility. No luxury. No bow thrusters. Easy to handle but can be tricky to moor in strong winds. All cupboards, doors and shelves have just the right number of screws and nails needed to keep the thing working.

I haven’t used Richardson’s since the 80s but I know/knew Clive Richardson and he was always beyond nice. I haven’t used Barnes except for day boats. I have seen some of their new boats and they are very nice indeed. I think they have a loyalty scheme where you get free hampers of various sizes if you keep going back. I always use Martham boats. I love this User Posted Link boat and if i ever win the euromilions I’m going to buy it. It is simply a wonderful boat. A head turner. Oozes character. Granted, not for everyone.

This User Posted Link is a luxury electric boat. Has all the latest gadgets including Wi-Fi and a ps4 or Xbox. I wouldn’t mind trying this one day just to see what it is like.

Here User Posted Link is a lovely small yard restoring old boats, also on my to do list.

You really must decide which half you would prefer to go on as you won't be able to do both in 2 days because you must time your run through Yarmouth yatch station to allow for the tides and this can take the best part of a day depending on the times of slack water etc. My personal preference is the northern rivers, although the south is equally as beautiful and picturesque but is more tidal which is important for bridge clearances etc (this is also important on the northern rivers but varies less). The main reason I love that old boat so much is because it will go under Potter Heigham bridge (the lowest on the Broads). The upper reaches of the Thurne and Hickling Broad are simply stunning (and excellent for fishing), and because most boats can’t fit under the bridge you virtually have 10% of the Broads, without all the other boat w**kers, to yourself. Once you know where you are starting from and for how long for I could recommend loads of places to go etc, otherwise I’ll just list all the places on the Broads. You can’t go wrong as there are loads of places to go and pubs, nature reserves, museums etc. As was mentioned before the White Horse at Neatishead is very good. This is off Barton Broad on the river Ant not far from Stalham. Mooring available at Neatishead Staithe or Gay's Staithe, a little further to walk. Most boatyards have guides and recommended routes in their hand books which they go through during the hand over.

Wild mooring seems to be a thing again now. You basically moor up anywhere you can (not on private land obviously) on the river and just tie yourself to some trees or drop your mud weights. Some pubs charge you to moor outside overnight (I think most give you some back if you eat/drink in the pub but be careful as not all do – I’m thinking of the swan inn in horning possibly). Most staithes are free mooring, but some staithes have areas for free mooring and arears you will be charged an overnight fee (depends on parish councils and s**t I believe). These are usually popular places hence the charge. Most of the popular places start to fill up early afternoon so bare that in mind although it depends on the time of year etc. You said June. Are you thinking mid-week or weekend as this will make a difference.

Check out Norfolk Broads Network for better detailed info from experts.

Hope the links work.

Laters.

Posted By: Chris Peacock, Apr 4, 03:09:12