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Hi James. Generally you will collect your craft after 2pm on your very first day, so you won't make Breydon Water that evening. What we did was head for an overnight at Acle Bridge and hit the Bridge Inn for some food. However, the tides were just right for us as we set off the following morning on an outgoing tide to take us the two and a half hours down to Breydon. We did stop at Stokesby on the way; not many moorings there but little play park for the kids (and the adults) to stop them going stir crazy. Downstream from Stokesby there is no moorings until Yarmouth Yacht station. So, the tides were kind to us. However, whenever I have gone I have always crossed to the southern Broads, but adjusted my route accordingly. Best tide table to use is www.norfolk-broads.org/tides/tide_report.asp as you can adjust the dates to when you plan to go and start to think ahead. Have fun!

The Commodore class of boats, as well as The Broadsman class are designed and manufactured by Richardson's themself. They are built at their Stalham boat yard and I must add, they are built with quality in mind in my opinion.

Hi Stuart. The fridge is located on the left of the small corridor leading to the front master cabin. It effectively sits under the internal steering position and yes, not quite in the kitchen itself but close.

That's not good and such a shame to hear this. We as a family have just got back from a week on an older Richardsons boat, Tobago. The boat was great but developed a fuel leak. I didnt get the chance to film it as I normally would do because as soon as we got our stuff off it, it was taken away. I ended up spending £250 on fuel including fuel deposit only to get back £54 at the end. Is it that Richardson's arr cutting corners with the maintenance of the boats to save money?

Yes, there is onboard WiFi that works off the EE system. You have to sign in each time though which becomes frustrating as you also have to wait for a code to be text to you too.

@@JimFraser1 Booked for July thanks

@@jetrex1986 have fun. Just returned yesterday from 7 nights on a Richardsons boat called Tobago. A bit of advice...when you collect the boat you would have paid £150 fuel deposit so you will be told it has a full tank. Your boat should have a fuel gauge so check its full. If its not working then have them demo strate with the fuel filling hose that it is full. I have just got back yesterday from 7 nights on a Richardsons boat and three days in, having travelled across Breydon Water, I stopped at the Waveney River Centre for a pump out and thought I would top up the fuel as I was caught short a couple of years ago because the boat had not been filled. And hey, I ended up again filling up another £100... no way had I used that amount of fuel. Anyway, Richardsons argued that I had but the boat was found to have a fuel leak in the end. Its worth checking that you leave with a full tank. Other than that, you'll have a great time...enjoy :)

@@JimFraser1 Thanks for the info James

You must be sad if you want Wi-Fi on the broads

Hi. Yes, the Broadsman class of boat can reach those areas and under normal tides it will pass under Beccles Bridge to reach Geldeston. However, my only advice is to keep a close eye on the slack water times to cross Breydon Water. If you've not hired a boat before on the Broads, Breydon Water is the large expanse of water near Great Yarmouth that divides the southern and northern Broads river system. If you are coming down from the Northern Broads and Stalham it's best to choose an outgoing tide to cruise with down to Yarmouth itself. If you dont, and you try and cruise to Yarmouth with a incoming flood tide, you are going to rip through your fuel and it will take longer in travel time. If you cruise down your Yarmouth and get the right time, just at low water or, better still, one hour after low water then you get slack water to cross Breydon. At slack water the tide is turning and as you pass onto the Southern Broads you pick up a flood tide that you cruise with...and in your case, up the River Waveney to the left as you get across Breydon. Obviously, definitely need to think then about the return journey to the Northern Broads and again, thoroughly recommend getting a slack tide on Breydon in order to get the flood tide to take you back up the Bure towards Stalham or Wroxham. However, top tip here; if you are thinking of overnight at Great Yarmouth and its Yacht Station when heading back north, anytime two hours before low water is good...you get the outgoing tide to take you across Breydon and you punch against the tide coming down the River Bure for a very short distance to the Yacht Station and as you moor, the boat is facing the right way and the tide coming against you makes the craft more responsive to come alongside. BUT I GIVE YOU A WARNING: The tide at Yarmouth can be very strong. Keep all on the boat inside the craft and those who are going to jump ashore with ropes must wear life jackets. In my years of holidaying on The Broads, I have seen two fatalities at Yarmouth Yacht Station from people falling in trying to moor whilst not paying attention to the fast flowing river there at times. And finally, the above is merely advice. Hundreds of craft with folk on with little experience make that same journey year on year and come back for more having thoroughly enjoyed their holiday. So, good luck if you do hire a boat. I am out on a Richardson boat again in two weeks and I am making a beeline for Geldeston as my second night and yes, would love to see the Geldeston Locks Inn open again one day...it was and hopefully will be again one of the highlights of the Rivers that make up The Broads :)

@@JimFraser1 hi mate thanks for the info yes iv crossed braydon water many times iv had a few boats in the past my dad lives on broadveiw road in oulton broad Lowestoft he’s got a sealine f33 flybridge been around boats all my life and lived in Lowestoft for 30 years so very familiar with the the Norfolk and southern broads.geldeston is a lovely place u will love the locks inn grate little pub on the river hope u in-joy buddy 😁

@@Rivaboyz1987 lucky you growing up in them there parts. You.must know the route to Oulton Broad like the back of your hand. Having read your reply, I will add that the Broadsman will also pass under Somerleyton Swing Bridge without the need to have it open up...unlike your dads craft I would imagine, but love seeing that bridge open up :)

@@JimFraser1 indeed very lucky we used to water ski on the broads years ago but it’s banned now well u can water ski but only for half a mile between oulton broad and somerleyton after 4 🕰bit pointless no fun anymore to many rules 🕰yea that was half the reason I commented soon as I c the video on CZcams of that boat I thought that looks a low boat I wonder if I can get down to the old mans moor up in oulton broad for the night then up to beccles to see my sister then in to geldeston to see my brother then up to Brundall and Norwich go shopping meet up with sun old mates check the pubs out.the swing bridge got stuck last year for over a day at reedham my dad had to spend the night on his boat as it was 5 in the morning before it was fixed 😆I love the broads now I don’t live there it’s my holiday not stayed on a boat yet this will be the new thing every year i think haha

Good question and that very much depends on what time of year you want to go. Best advice is to visit the boat owners website at www.richardsonsboatingholidays.co.uk/

@@JimFraser1 fantastic. Thank you

It's not by name, but it's very similar to the Commander class of boat in many ways.

Yes, it's an amazing holiday. The Broads is not the Great Lakes but its waterways are one of the UK's hidden gems whether by boat or by car...although the boat wins hands down for me :)

@@JimFraser1 Yes, that sounds like a great way to travel. Slow travelling to really enjoy the scenery. I would love to do that. All I need is a captain to drive the boat for me LOL Thanks for your response my friend.

Yep, have to agree with that as our junk doesn't do the boat justice. Broadsman remains the firnest craft I have had the pleasure of hiring on the Broads...and I've been coming since a child with my mum and dad for over 50 years.

On the two times we have hired Broadsman, never heard a buzzing noise. The engine is at the rear so is noise greater in rear cabin? Richardson's will send maintenance staff to you where ever you are on the Broads if it's a problem.

@@JimFraser1 Thanks for the reply. It’s actually in the main bedroom - sounds like a whirring noise. Is it some sort of pump perhaps?

@@RonsterRoo sounds like tap water pump. Turn it off...there is a switch either on the helm panel or in the electric panel near the rear door...but dont forget to turn it on again in the morning to get water out of your taps.

@@JimFraser1 Turned out it was resolved by switching off the satellite system, thing must have been rotating looking for a signal due to the tree cover here. Glad I found it, I’d have been insane by the end of our holiday otherwise, what a racket!!

Where’s your advice for mooring at Great Yarmouth for a day?

Hi Anthony, thanks for adding a comment...which was four months ago and I have just seen it. I feel for you with regards your complaint. Such an issue of a leaking window is not good and clearly impacted your holiday. However, if I may, I too have had issues with boats I have hired, albeit rarely. What I have found, and particularly with Richardsons, that day or night they will repond to a fault and even send their service and maintenace staff out to any location on the Broads river system to deal with the issue. I am aware tgat the craft I am hiring is not always looked after well by previous hirers and as such, have to accept from time to time that a fault may occurr. I hope that this experience has not detracted from taking future holidays on the boats or indeed, from Richarcsons themself. i myself are back on board for a week at the end of April 21 and as such, have chosen an older craft that better suites our sleeping arrangements. My family and myself will miss the more luxury and modern feel of a Broadsman class craft but watch this space...I will report on that craft and try to do it without the coveted 'just been burgled' look about it. Thank you again for your comment and view of the Broadsman class series of boats, of which there are many.

If you don’t like the sound of water on the hull perhaps you shouldn’t choose a boating holiday 🤣

Well, that depends on how you look at it. I have 5 kids, so that's 7 of us and we normally take the mother-in-law along too. So, for less than £150 per person we all get a great holiday. If I was to skimp and book a static caravan in the UK, it would be cheaper. However, if the weather is not good you are kind of stuck. On a boat, at least you can move around still. Also, I could take the family abroad, which I do, but as you can imagine, it costs way more per person. Having said all that, next Easter we have got a less expensive craft as we need a different layout, so there are cheaper options, but you get what you pay for...so the mother-in-law is rowing us!!! :)

@@JimFraser1 Yep i see your point but to be confined wih the Mother in law in a Boat. No No I would finish up using her has fishing bait or the Anchor lol.

Just paid 3k for a week on one

Hi. Only when there are exceptionally low tides. If you are looking to go under Potter Higham bridge as a must, I would choose another craft so as not to be disappointed. However, there are not many large craft that can pass through these days to my knowledge. On an upbeat note, Broadsman will pass through all other bridges, save for the odd exceptional high tide.

Mmmm, actually, as a rule of thumb the main living area of a yacht is generally referred to as a Saloon. However, on a motorboat/cabin cruiser the main living area is generally referred to as Salon, particularly on plans. As a further point to the above, if you read the major life afloat magazines, Yachting always uses "saloon", while MotorBoating uses "salon" in their articles; Salon being the French 'le Salon' for Saloon. And, when looking back at old Hoseasons and Blakes boating holiday brochures the plans of the boats used the term Salon. But, it's a preference thing, a bit like sailing or cruising...and I'd be damned if you will ever get me on a yacht!!! 🤣

Fair play James. No Yachts for me neither.

Yes, I can’t believe it was filmed with a half-eaten sandwich on the table and without tidying the saloon.

Wow, great story. I must pay more attention to what folk write. Thank you for sharing and yes, it is a bit of an odd bath and certainly odd to see one on a boat. But some will choosebthis boat because of the bath and rightly so, it works...and the plumbing probably easier to install when it was new. :)

No major downside noted. Boat handled really well and it has nice wide deck.

we've got Broadsman from Richos in Sept this year for 2 weeks, it will only be our second trip as the first one was in 2018 and we had Swan radiance from richos, everything was going great until I got a couple of posts wrong on Barton Broad as we was coming across from the gayes staithe direction and going across towards Ludham when we came across a red and green post on the same side so we thought we was in the right channel until we suddenly heard a crunch, yes you've guessed it we ran aground and we called our for help and one of the blokes came over to us from the yacht moorings and give us a right mouth full and said cant you fucking read, it says on the sign over there that this is shallow water, and politely replied from where we are and the way that sign is facing we cant read it as we can read round corners you idiot, he said dont call me an idiot so I said well dont swear at me or ill jump in here and come over and put you out, he was having none of it that the board wasn't facing towards us in the direction we was going and that the board can only be seen if you were coming in the direction towards us from Ludham still he wouldn't have it, in the end we got richardsons out and we explained what happened and what that idiot said to us and the language used for no reason, one of the lads went over to the sign looked at it and took a photo came back looked at the confusing posts photographed them also and said that we was right that the posts that we come across was misleading especially to first timers like we were, and that yes the notice was facing the wrong way round he showed the same bloke that had a go at us and still he wouldn't have it and called the lad from richos a big fat liar with that the lad phoned through to the boatyard told them the trouble he was having and next thing the broads authority was in attendance and even they said the post were confusing and that notice was not facing towards us and that there was no other signs, and this time the bloke remained quiet he didn't call them a liar and I wondered why he didn't call them a liar does anyone know why he wouldn't challenge the authority or rangers whatever you call them, anyway richos checked the boat no damage done and the lads joked when we said we been south and they said how is it you get across Breydon without getting stuck but get stuck here as its been known for first timers to run aground there and not here and they laughed their heads off so did we come to that, anyway they watched us until we reached the fork turn for Dilham, and this happened on the Thursday 2 days before our holiday ended, but it ruined our wedding anniversary as we had to make alternative plans as we was going to go back to Acle bridge and have a meal at the pub and stay overnight but we didn't think there would be room left by the time we reached there after spending nearly 2 hours grounded, and I said to the lads I could kick myself as weve had the boat 2 weeks had no problems and with 2 days left this happened, fair do's to the lads they said never mind it does happen and that we weren't the first and wont be the last to do it and they also said they've had to pull people out thats been going for years and with hearing that we felt a lot better

LOL! We’ve got San Salvador booked in a couple of weeks time. I hope it’s not too much of a bathtub! 🤣

You poor things. I hope it didn’t put you off boating on the Broads

*tight

Hi. Yes, it can be tight and I recommend that you use internal wheelhouse and ensure no one's up top. However, we did come under Lidham bridge on upstream pass heading back to boatyard using upper steering position as there was room to do so :)

@@JimFraser1 cheers for that, have booked Commander, what was maximum height gauge at when you went under and how much clearance would you say you had left? Just wondering if they over compensate with the height of the boat.

DJ Vlogs Whoops, just seen your reply. Sorry for delay but working out of he country. Good choice of boat and boatyard. I can't remember what the height was but when I get a chance I will look through our photos as I am sure I have a video of it coming under the bridge. In fact the person steering from the upper deck just passed under the bridge and then lost the ability to steer altogether. He managed to use the bow and stern thrusters to get the boat to the bank only to find one of the kids on board had turned the switch that changes from upper steering to lower steering positions so watch for that little nugget!!! Have a great holiday...we are all back at Easter 2020 and having the same boats again :)

@@JimFraser1 hi are you able to post up a video of it going under ?

Another great question Anthony and sorry, I forgot to point this out in my video...but I was excited to be on holiday on a great boat and on the Norfolk Broads, so I will excuse myself. Yes, Broadsman A definitely has a shore power cable. I must admit that for our week over Easter we never used it. Batteries remained good but we were doing a lot of cruising, this probably helping to keep them charged. But don't ask me how to turn on the shore power at the posts at the quay. I believe you need to purchase some sort of smart card...but don't quote me on that.

@@JimFraser1 yes you do need to purchase electric cards which cost £1 each, ive just made my last payment for the pet friendly broadsman for next year so our countdown as now begun for our second broads adventure as we had Swan radiance last year and we found it so easy for our first time we decided to try a larger boat, Richardson made me laugh as I messaged them asking if all their broadsman boats had mechanical mud weight winches as its not mentioned in their brochures and their reply was none of the broadsman boats have the mechanical winches for mud weights, even though I knew I had seen this system on broadsman but couldn't remember where and it was this vlog I seen it, I dont think the staff know what their boats have, last year they said swan radiance didn't have a shore electric cable and after me taking one there was one already onboard, cant wait for Sept 2020 looking forward to seeing how broadsman handles and how easy she is to Moor up

September 2020 for us too

@@liamsmalley9997 what date and what boat?

@@tonyp011 7th september 2 weeks, tobago :)

Hi Anthony. Another good question that I cannot fully answer. I would probably be right in saying yes, as Richardsons do tend to normalise their individual fleet. You are, though, very wise to have chosen Broadsman over Commodore for a two week trip. Broadsman will pass under nearly all the bridges on the Broads subject to normal tidal conditions. Broadsman will also pass under Potter Higham Bridge under lower than average low tides (but I wouldn't bank on there being one when you go so don't schedule a trip through that bridge. If you had taken Commodore, which is a nice boat if you like the great out doors, and particularly for a 1 week trip, then you would have missed going under Wroxham and Beccles Bridges, and the stunning scenery that is had above them. Have a great trip (jealous am I), and I hope the quick run through I did has done your ride justice :)

@@JimFraser1I meant to ask if all the broadsman boats have the electric winches, I know Richardson have 2 categories for the Broadsman which are A and P but dont know which is the pet friendly ones, however by the sound of it you would think the cat P would be the pet ones but who knows with Richardson with which ones they allocated as the pet ones

Hi again Anthony. Your not wrong regards which category of boat allows pets, and that's a question I don't have the answer for. However, the canopy on the Broadsman boats is very heavy and therefore I would imagine that the canopy on your chosen boat is electric. May I suggest to you that you give them a call. I have always found Richardson's staff to be very friendly and informative, and that may just give you the info your looking for. Don't get me wrong, I love a good question and also love answering them, but I admit to not having all the answers. :)

Admirals Adventures, thank you and yes in all aspects. The Commodore is a fantastic looking craft and in most areas, spacious too. However, your right in thinking that with a full compliment on board, the salon area does lack space. If I am a tad further critical, for such a large boat, the kitchen is also somewhat lacking in terms of a working surface and storage. One also has to take into consideration that this craft will not pass under Wroxham, Beccles or Potter Higham bridges; the later being fairly standard these days for many hire craft due to higher tides, but to miss what is arguably one of the most serene stretches of navigable water on the Broads, that being upstream from Wroxham to Coltishall, is what would prevent me from hiring this craft personally. The river upstream from Beccles Bridge is also a really great stretch and combined with an overnight stop at Geldeston Locks Inn, it's again a must do part of the Broads. But, alas, you ideally need more than 7 nights and a fair slack water timing on Breydon Water to cruise to Geldeston. On a positive note; if you are on board Commodore with teenagers, they tend to loose themselves in their cabin during poorer weather so that frees up space in the Salon.

@@JimFraser1 would broadsman get under Beccles bridge ?

@@tonyp011 yes, Broadsman should have no problems getting under Beccles Bridge providing there is no unusual high water.

Good question. We only popped in to have a swim in their heated pool and use the nearby shower block. During the day there was no mooring fees and we wasn't charged to fill up with water, which had to be done on the fuel pump mooring out on the main river as there is no longer a water tap inside the marina at the short stay moorings. There is a charge for overnight moorings but I didn't pay attention to it. Please review their website or give them a call, but I think it wasn't expensive for mooring overnight.

Anthony Parker our Broadsman did not have a safe and nobody brought one to my attention on the Sunlit Horizon or the Commodore. In all the years I have been going I certainly have never experienced any break ins to our craft...that's not to say it doesn't happen, but there are plenty of hiding places on the boats if a safe is not fitted. I believe the rear view cameras are standard across the Broadsman range...wouldn't consider using it for reversing though as it's very small, however, you get a really good view towards the rear of the boat from the pilots seat. The camera is handy to see if anybody is sitting on the built in seat on the stern. If they are then they are well out of visual sight so that's where the camera comes in handy...and the rear seat on the stern is the best seat in the house if the weather is kind. Electric mud-weights are again standard on the Broadsman. It was my first time with it and found it hard to judge the slack, but enjoyed a very good last night moored just off the main channel on Barton Broad by mud-weight. I think your gonna love Broadsman.

Nobody on this boat called Jesus...LOL! Yes, it happens every year and even when we go camping...nobody listens to me regards packing, but we are a rather large family (five kids ranging from 19 through to 3 years) so it's only to be expected. I will say that our Broadsman handled it really well and yes, we could have packed it all away and folded up the bags...but we were on Holiday!!! :)

Hi Ben, sorry for delay in replying which was due to using an iPad which wont let you reply!!! YES, the Super 2 as I called her does have a 12V car type socket built into the controls column bottom left. If you watch the video again look out for the rest switch with the cap beside....the cap being the charger. It was the only 12V socket and I must admit I didn't use it so its an assumption that it was a working socket.

I am in no doubt Mr Smith that your capable cabin cruiser piloting skills would enable you to thread this 42ft long by 12ft wide, with an air draft of nearly 7ft, through the eye of the needle that is Wroxham Bridge. In fact, so confident am I of your skills I would even stand on the bank and video you taking this craft through Potter Higham bridge.....then I could make a small fortune here on CZcams :)))))))