Advice needed - Broads yachts

[Guest]

I'm after buying one of these - traditional wooden build, preferably gaff rig, probably around 25 feet - ie definitely at the smaller end of the range. I want to sail it, not do it up, so it has got to come in fairly good nick.

I suspect there are many on this forum who will feel these yachts are the retirement homes of sailing. But I love them, as well as Broads sailing, and my heart is in Norfolk, I want a boat there.

My problem is that I am having problems finding out the basic information about price, the extent of the secondhand market and any specific upkeep problems - apart from knocking out the dents from the holiday cruisers. I don't want to approach the boatyards until I know a little more about the subject.

Any offers? Advice? Dire warnings? Glowing testimonials? Misty-eyed recollections of your own experiences frying bacon and eggs at Wroxham in the morning before getting all the way down to Oulton in a single day's sailing? All welcome.

 

[Guest]

Try TOPSAIL MARINE ...... www.topsail.co.uk ..... who are brokers for Broads boats etc.

There are various brokers around the area that offer boats and a good rummage around their lists should do the trick.

I have no connection to any brokers or business in this category and wish you luck ----- I don't sail the broads, but have always wished to and can imagine it can be very good.

 

[bryantee]

Good luck,the satisfaction of sailing on the broads is immeasurable.I started on the Broads in the 60s.The fellow at the horning yard said ,motor down to Wroxham Broad .and put the sails up .In a weeks time you will sail back in to the yard,and I Did.Trying to start the 4HP Stewart Turner was a Bitch.That s why they give you a Quant Pole.The boys learnt on later trips to drop the mast with the sails still up and shoot the bridges(some of them not recomended) and the 8 Knot tide at Yarmouth is something else. Also dont forget the hunters fleet www.huntersyard.co.uk they know where all the sailing yachts are.

 

[Jeremy_W]

Shooting bridges

I had almost forgotten the joy of shooting the bridges at Potter Heigham. It was a wonderful combination: Shoot one bridge - rehoist mast and set sails to give steerage way - shoot second bridge and run straight into a powerboat fresh out of Herbert Woods, driven by some clown with not the slightest clue what he is playing at.

 

[Guest]

Re: Shooting bridges

I've never quite had the guts to shoot Potter Heigham bridge but I was once crewing a yacht when it was done at St Olaves (on the southern river near Reedham) by a far more experienced hand than I... all good fun.

I was in the water within half an hour of taking my first Broads yacht out. I fell overboard while trying to urgently come to terms with the principles of stern-on mooring, having already done the equivalent of a handbrake turn to keep the mast clear of a closed rail bridge at Somerleyton. For a stately old lady, she had a remarkably small turning circle.

A man from the boatyard came down a bit later to see how we were getting on and found me dripping and drinking neat Scotch whisky. His reaction: "Did your feet touch the bottom?" said in broad Norfolk.

Wonderful times - with the benefit of hindsight and some rose-coloured spectacles. Thanks for those tips, I shall have a look and any new ones always welcome.

 

[Guest]

You really must charter a Hustler from Hunter's yard at Womack water and you will glean all you need to know about broads boats. They do not have engines of any kind so you ought to know what you are doing!
Best wishes
Ray

 

[Guest]

I hope that they throw in a quanting pole (and that the phrase 'throw in' does not foreshadow the future...)

 

[bryantee]

as a :Friend of the hunters fleet: I must give them a plug.Visit http://www.huntersyard.co.uk/

 

[Guest]

Fruitbat,
A quant pole is standard equipment for a Hustler or indeed any of the Hunter boats . Please visit the website as suggested by another responder( who is a friend of the hunters , and has never regretted a minute of it I bet.) ( I too am a friend )
Please please give them a try for an experience of several lifetimes
Ray

 

[Wensum]

If you want a traditional Broads yacht (known as a "river cruiser") I suggest you think twice about a wooden hull. It is hard to find one in excellent shape and they require a lot of care and maintenance. A wooden hull can be a money pit.
But there are plenty of GRP hulls carrying all the traditional rig features. A bit more expensive to buy but much better value.
My friend with whom I sail a lot on the Broads bought a GRP river cruiser this year. He couldn't find anything through brokers but got his by advertising (a run of several days is needed) in the Eastern Daily Press.

 

[Guest]

Thanks for this - interesting stuff and much appreciated. But can't GRP hulls bring awful maintenance problems with them too - blistering, osmosis, etc? Forgive me, I'm no expert, but I had read some deeply worrying things about this.

I'd trust anyone with the posting name 'Wensum' to know their stuff on this topic... As a matter of interest I used to work for the EDP, but that was many years ago. I've been checking out their classified section from time to time (don't live in Norfolk any more) but no joy - it's interesting to hear that a 'boat wanted' ad worked, as I can find very little thro' brokers.

The thing is, I might just have found a wooden boat in tip-top shape - see my most recent post.

 

[Wensum]

A wooden river cruiser in 'tip top shape' is something of a rarety. Before you buy I suggest you have it lifted out and surveyed, which could save you a LOT of money.
Try Colin Buttifant, who has the Swallow Tail Yard at Ludham, and has forgotten more about Broads yachts than I'll ever know. He's a very decent bloke.
Good luck and Good Sailing!