Budget Boating Holidays On the Norfolk Broads

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)