Norfolk Broads Boating

[Tighnamara]

Have a boat booked for a week on the Broads in August, four adults.

Visited a long time ago (30 years) and expect it to be a lot busier...................

Will be starting at Stalham and looking to start on a basic plan, not wanting to be too specific and we will be open to changing as we want on the trip.

Any tips / recommendations for routes, pubs, overnight mooring, areas to visit etc would be great.

.......and must not do's ....................

Edited by Tighnamara on Thursday 10th July 11:59

[Road2Ruin]

Don't crash.

[Chainsaw Rebuild]

When I went, we found out half way through you can moor overnight in the middle of a broad (the lake bits). just keep far enough away from other boats that you cant swing into them.

Its fun - feel like "wild mooring"!
Also its free.

[123DWA]

Make sure its not a diesel boat! We did it last summer and it was the biggest mistake we made. Once the engine got to about 1500-2000rpm (which was comfortable cruising speed) we couldn't hear what each other were saying without shouting which got a bit tiresome

[scot_aln]

123DWA said:

Make sure its not a diesel boat! We did it last summer and it was the biggest mistake we made. Once the engine got to about 1500-2000rpm (which was comfortable cruising speed) we couldn't hear what each other were saying without shouting which got a bit tiresome

Aren't they pretty much all diesel? Does depend where the engine is relative to the steering though.

[forest07]

123DWA said:

Make sure its not a diesel boat! We did it last summer and it was the biggest mistake we made. Once the engine got to about 1500-2000rpm (which was comfortable cruising speed) we couldn't hear what each other were saying without shouting which got a bit tiresome

There are no petrol hire boats and there is no petrol sold at any boatyards.
The transmission can make some boats noises than others but we’ve never had an issue. 1200 rpm is the normal cruising speed not 2000rpm.

[MattyD803]

123DWA said:

Make sure its not a diesel boat! We did it last summer and it was the biggest mistake we made. Once the engine got to about 1500-2000rpm (which was comfortable cruising speed) we couldn't hear what each other were saying without shouting which got a bit tiresome

Yes - this can be an issue, but as mentioned else where, nearly all broads cruisers are diesels. The key is choosing a boat where the engine is not directly below the driving position. The longer/flatter style models tend to have the engine right at the back (or at least under the bed in the rear most cabin), whilst you drive from the front - hence glide along blissfully unaware an engine is even running.

If in doubt about this, call up a couple of boatyards direct and they will advise on models etc.

[alangla]

scot_aln said:

Aren't they pretty much all diesel? Does depend where the engine is relative to the steering though.

When I went to the Broads last year there were a fair number of battery powered day boats. Obviously not that useful for a longer period of sailing but they seemed perfect for a short sail given the way they were moving along silently. Needless to say I’d hired a diesel and it was bloody noisy!

[Peeping Turtle]

Re the noise, as others have pointed out, all hire boats are Diesel, however there are 2 types of crat, general river boats, and broad specific boats.

The river boats tend to have the helm at the back, and under your feet are the engines hence the noise, where as broad boats have the steering (and lounge area) at the front of the boat so as far away from the engine as possible giving a quieter experience.

The other benefit form a broads specific boat they will get under most, if not all, bridges (that can be very very low, especially as you approach them!

[Tighnamara]

Wasn’t expecting a discussion on diesel , good to be made aware but already committed as mate had booked the boat.

This is the one :

https://www.richardsonsboatingholidays.co.uk/all-b...

[MattyD803]

Tighnamara said:

Wasn t expecting a discussion on diesel , good to be made aware but already committed as mate had booked the boat.

This is the one :

https://www.richardsonsboatingholidays.co.uk/all-b...

That style of boat will have the engine located in the middle, directly beneath the driving & seating area, which is itself is sat on a raised platform over the engine. However, that's quite a modern model, so i'd suspect it won t be too loud really, especially with the roof down.

We've hired the older version of that 'style' of boat years ago and cruising with the roof up (due to weather) was quite noisy, but like I say, things have moved on,

All things said and done, it's not like you drive all day long anyway, and that type of boat is lovely for alfresco dinner on an evening. Pro's and con's to all these things.

Edited by MattyD803 on Friday 11th July 14:31