pets welcome 
life jackets supplied 
Bedding provided Budget Boating Holidays On the Norfolk Broads
Looking for cheap Norfolk Broads boat hire? The Barnes Brinkcraft “no frills” boats range is just for you. We’ve been in business for nearly 60 years and have some older boats in our fleet we classify as “no frills”. Please don’t be misled, they are good, all-round, well-maintained boats, and make for a really comfortable holiday on the water.
Just don’t expect to find the electric anchor winches or privacy glass you’d see on some of our luxury Norfolk Broads hire boats. You may also like our mid-range fleet of Norfolk Broads holiday boats.
All you need for your budget boating holiday
Our cheap hire boats have all you need on-board for a great holiday on the Norfolk Broads inc
- Fully equipped galley (kitchen)
- Bathroom(s) inc shower
- Heating
- Standard 3 pin plug
- Shore Power Lead
- TV
- Life Jackets
- Duvets, pillows, covers and sheets
All our boats now have at least one 240 plug so you can charge your phone if you no longer have a car charger.
Top tips for cheap Norfolk Broads boat hire
You’ll see we advertise our boats as Sleeping 2+2 or 6+2. The +2 means that you can make up the seating in the saloon (lounge) into a bed.
A boat sleeping 2+2 people is almost always cheaper than hiring 4 berth boat
Book a short break mid-week and get an extra day. For the same price as a 3-day break over the weekend, you can get a 4-day break mid-week.
Look out for of our special offers here
And don’t forget, if you are a returning customer. Booking direct with Barnes Brinkcraft and you get a free hamper
Favourite budget hire boats
Brinks Jazz. Great for a family or 2 couples
From £345 + fuel and damage waiver.
£87 pp based on 4 sharing
You can make Brinks Jazz’s cabin up as a double bed or twin bunks
The twin steering positions are useful in Spring and Autumn
The front well makes a great place for fishing
If you are bringing your canoe or paddleboard with you (or hiring one of ours) there is room to store them up top
She does have higher sides than some of our boats and internal stairs. That’s worth noting if you have seniors with dodgy hips or dogs in your party.
Brinks Emperor Ideal for a mates fishing trip where you’d like your own cabin
From £1006 + fuel and damage waiver
£126 pp based on 8 sharing
The roof on the centre cockpit rolls back, letting the sun and the air in
You can make both seating areas up into double beds
If you are tall or claustrophobic make sure you don’t get the single bunk in the middle! Its affectionately known as the coffin and we tend to use it for extra storage when we “borrow” this boat for a weekend
Peace of mind when hiring a budget hire boat from Barnes Brinkcraft
Before arriving at the yard, we’ll send you an email with links to this page. These short videos help you understand how to manage a boat safely
On arrival at the boatyard, a member of our team will show you how to use the boat, including a short trip downriver. This enables you to get used to the feel of boat handling, before venturing out on your own
The boatyard is a member of the Broads Hire Boat Federation and British Marine. and as such has to maintain strict safety standards
Each boat has a Boat Safety Certificate, Broads Authority Toll and a Gas Certificat
Booking cheap Norfolk Broads hire boats
Look at the layout of the boat carefully. Match the boat to the requirements of your party, and if you have any queries at all, please give us a ring. We’ll be happy to help
Filter Options
JAZZ
Sleeps 2+2
Ideal for couple or small family, perfect for first time boaters...
RAPIDE
Sleeps 4
A dual steer cruiser with a spacious outside deck area to enjoy the sunshine....
PHANTOM
Sleeps 6
A dual steer cruiser with a spacious outside deck area to enjoy the sunshine....
MERRYMORE
Sleeps 6+2
A good all-round family boat with easy access via the aft deck....
REXMORE
Sleeps 6+2
A great boat with very flexible accommodation, with one cabin converting into either 2 single berth...
ROYALL AMBASSADOR
Sleeps 6+2
A spacious cruiser with good accommodation in 3 cabins - central raised steering position. ...
CORSAIR
Sleeps 7
A dual steer cruiser with a spacious outside deck area to enjoy the sunshine....
CONCORDE
Sleeps 8
A dual steer cruiser with a spacious outside deck area to enjoy the sunshine....
ULTIMA 2
Sleeps 8+3
A large & spacious cruiser, with lots of single berths. ideal for two families or groups of friend...
EMPEROR
Sleeps 8+4
A great cruiser for large parties or friends sharing, with accommodation for up to 12 people. **...
ULTIMA 1
Sleeps 8+4
A modern, large & spacious Cruiser, ideal for two families or groups of friends sharing....
SYMPHONY
Sleeps 10
An older style but comfortable cruiser with plenty of room for large groups or families....
Frequently Asked Questions
No, you don’t need to have any experience or special licences to hire a Broads Cruiser. On arrival, we will give you a full demonstration of how to use, drive and moor the boat. You will also receive videos of how to handle a boat before you arrive.
We provide a manual (electronically and in hard copy onboard) to help you enjoy your holiday.
Our experienced crew will be happy to answer your questions before you leave the yard.
We would recommend at least one member of your crew have good mobility for moving about the deck and mooring.
On arrival at the boatyard, find yourself a temporary parking space outside reception.
A member of our team will direct you to your boat, getting your car as near as possible to the boat so you can unpack
Once you are ready, make your way back to reception with your car keys and paperwork for check-in.
We’ll book you in for your trial run at that point. We customise your tuition to suit your needs.
If the boat is not quite ready, we’ll take your mobile telephone number and contact you as soon as you can go onboard.
Yes, by 9 am please, ready for our staff to get on board and sort her out for the next customers.
All boats will have a hob and an oven or microwave. For full boat details, please check the website or give us a ring
Every boat will have a toilet and shower on board. The toilets are different from your domestic ones, but they are flushable (not a portaloo).
The shower gets hot water from a freshwater tank on board. The freshwater tank is small and will need topping up regularly (we recommend every day).
Quite a lot of moorings have bathroom facilities, and you may want to take advantage of these too.
We recommend a pump out every 2 to 4 days. Boatyards will charge for this.
The sewage tank will be empty when you collect your boat The rate it fills up will depend entirely on how much it is used. You may find it helpful to use shore-based facilities where available.
You will leave the boatyard with a full water tank. We recommend you top up the tank on a daily basis to ensure you have enough for showers etc. The tap water is safe to drink if boiled.
Yes, all boats have onboard heating.
All our boats have 240v power, so you can charge your phone and use a hairdryer
But, the power is limited, Which means you may not be able to use a kettle and a hairdryer at the same time
Yes, all boats are fitted with at least one 12v (car charger) and 240v socket (home socket). Elite Fleet boats have 240v sockets in each cabin.
A trip to Horning can take an hour and fifteen minutes or a day or two if you stop off and enjoy yourself on the way.
Please look at our itinerary page for advice on distances and itineraries.
Yes. There is a rise and fall throughout the broads. It’s small at the boatyard (usually less than 20 cm).
The tide and currents get stronger the closer you get to Great Yarmouth and the southern rivers.
Please take care at Great Yarmouth and ask the staff at the Yacht Station for advice. Tel 01493 842794.
There are no locks on the navigable bits of the Norfolk and Suffolk Broads, and you can turn a boat around almost everywhere, making finding your way around the broads both easy and hassle-free vs some canal trips.
You can, provided you visit during the fishing season and have a “trout, coarse fish and eel licence”, which can be purchased online here or from your nearest post office. The closed season is between March 15th and June 15th.
You can check if a boat will pass under a bridge by checking our website, app or skippers handbook.
If your boat goes under Wroxham or Potter Heigham bridge, you will need a pilot to drive the boat for you. At Wroxham, give us a ring, and we will send one of our team to help (at no charge). At Potter Heigham, you’ll find the pilot just by the bridge. (small charge)
Watch this video here to learn how to navigate bridges safely
If we have (or are predicted ) high tides, it may prevent boats from passing under a bridge
Children over the age of 14 are allowed to drive whilst under the constant supervision of an adult.
You are welcome to sensibly and safely moor, providing there are no signs asking you not to
Each village has a parish staith where mooring is often free, and the Broads Authority provides many more facilities.
There are lots more moorings available in other spots, and these may be chargeable, especially if they provide services.
You can also moor in any Hoseasons boatyard free of charge, provided they have space.
We provide a basic map, and you can buy a really detailed map from reception. Our app is also useful for navigating
We only ask for a security deposit for single-sex parties, and all under 25 mixed parties.
If we charge you a security deposit, we will ask you to check for any bumps and scrapes before you take your holiday. In the same way, you do when taking a hire car
Barnes Brinkcraft provides pots, pans, dishes, plates, crockery, cutlery, mugs, and glasses. Plus knives, bottle openers and spoons for prepping serving and stirring. Small chopping boards, tea towels and pan scrubs are also included. We even add a fruit bowl. We don’t supply champagne flutes (they fall over on boats if you get a bit of boat wash)
