Hi Robin both my wife and I are pensioners who like fishng and love the broads and these boats Have given us many happy holidays over the past 40 years.We used to bring our 2boys and the mother with us (see was in her 70 & 80s and they proved ideal with their wide decks and low freeboard. Love the blogs and the boat Rhapsody were on once appeared in one of your blogs. Keep up the good work
Hi Robin , we just had a 4 night break on this very boat , thanks very much for all the vids you did on this boat as it helped me alot on most aspects on boating on the broads and the inside bits and bobs on the boat itself , we had a great time even though waiting for the wroxham bridge pilot was a bit stressful but that was only because i think i went at the most busiest time and had no where to go while waiting for the pilot to become free . we are now looking to book again in october now im a bit more confident im going for a bit bigger boat , thanks again .. Chris ...
Great to hear Chris and pleased you enjoyed it - good tip so far as the Wroxham Pilot is concerned is call ahead and agree a time with him so you can arrive and be taken through without hanging about and stressing in the chaos around there. I am on the Broads beginning of October for a week with two Jewel of Lights from Herbert Woods for the annual 'Lads Week' - great time of year to go.
Hi Robin good to see you back again. An interesting review we have had a similar boat from Richardson's on our last two visits and we agree they are very good value for money and are generally in good condition, having been refurbished. We have got Star Gem booked for 10 days in October Total price with discounts £615.60, now that is really good value. We are looking forward to the trip and as always watching your adventures only serves to encourage us to book more often. I think Richardson's in recent years have done a good job providing value for money holidays with excellent service, although it is a shame the Acle Bridge operation had to close ( they offered a very good personal service ). Well once again thank you for another excellent review and keep up the good work. Kind regards, Bob and Ying.
Hired one of these from Richardsons for our honeymoon and absolutely loved it but when we hired a much more expensive boat from Barnes Brinkcraft a year later we had nothing but problems and also really rude customer service from Barnes Brinkcraft. We also found with the more expensive boat having a higher air draft that it was more restrictive with times for going under bridges so when we come back to the broads it would be a bathtub boat from Richardsons for us.
Well that is a mix of emotions if every I see it - congrats to spending your Honeymoon on the best place in the world to get away and enjoy a holiday, but sorry to hear your next visit with Barnes left you unhappy. I think with Barnes they do have some very new, very expensive boats and also their 'lower cost' boats are still newer and of a more modern style - but it means you expect perhaps more and if you do not get it or their service was not what you expected you've got 'further to fall' so far as your opinion goes. If you have a cheap holiday that was not perfect you can sort of shrug your shoulders and say 'well what do you expect it was cheap'. After not being on the Broads for a decade, in 2011 I returned and it was on one of the Star Gem boats, thank god they replaced the the armchairs now with some modern comfy things but alas the larger fridge has gone and the small Waeco job has been put in instead. Spacious cruisers these but watch out for the double in the back cabin, it is not very long so you may be forced to sort of sleep 'diagonally'
Sorry to have taken so long to reply. Your question is hard to answer, it is like saying what do you think is best an iPhone or Samsung S8. I would say why iPhone of course and you might say 'how can you possibly say that'. But yes, you could live on board a boat like this - people do 'as they come' or make significant changes to them interior wise to make them more suitable to their needs, but lets look at the facts of living on a boat: Unlike other waterways the Norfolk Broads is not 'set up' for those who want to live on their boat, as a liveaboard you would be almsot looked down upon - perhaps as the area is more popular and know as a destination for those on holiday. Very few berths will be found in marina's willing to accept those who want to live on their boat and you are limited to how long you can stay at any single mooring for (so far as Broads Authority ones with By Laws and at other locals you could say morally so you do not stop others their right to moor also). It is a very small space to spend every day in and everything about it will be different to shore based accommodation. You need to be able to get water, pay for your toilet to be pumped out, conserve battery power and find means to generate it, get fuel, deal with everyday things like washing and drying clothes - what about having a car? Where do you park it, how do you insure it if you have not got a private address, what about banking, work etc etc it all is set up for the 'social norm' of shore based living. So you see if you intend to make this cross over it is not just the boat you need to think about but the lifestyle change that is required. I was thinking about doing this myself but I would not want to compromise so it would be a choice - spend £300k on a 3 bedroom detached house or by a 60ft motor yacht and kit it out with a vast amount of equipment to make living on it very little so far as compromise between boat living and shore based living. In the end sense prevailed and I have taken a step away from this. I fall outside the typical 'live on a boat type' who usually contemplate the move for financial reasons, and are keen on a more free and basic lifestyle that living on a boat affords. I just could not be truly comfy doing that myself and personally could never deal with a wood burner lol. So, you see we are all different if that is your wish and dream seriously grab it with both hands and go for it but know that the journey won't be as smooth as you may think, perhaps first move is bye boat then spend a good amount of time on it and think 'can i do this full time?' if you can let life's lines go and live the dream.
Thank you Robin, another excellent boat review. One question about the heating; were you able to fire it up without having to run the engine? Cheers, Chris (aka "The bof")
If you are unable to start a hot air heater without the engine first running, there are issues with the batteries. They do take a good amount of Amps on initial start up mind you, because the Glow Plug stays on for about a minute to ensure ignition of the fuel. But a single battery in good condition should cope with this enhanced load - 2 or 3 of them should easily. However it is a fact batteries on hire boats take real punishment because how many who hire know or even care about battery management? Not taking more than 50% out of your batteries before re-charge and how can a boatyard justify thousands of pounds on new sets of batteries (think about it one battery can cost over £70 each) So it is advisable that you start the engine, then put on the heater and after 5 minutes turn off the engine since then the heater will only be consuming 2-3 Amps. If however you've had a good five hours of engine run in the day, moor up start the engine get the heater going and turn the engine off only to find an hour to two later the heater turns off due to low current - time to get the boatyard involved since this means your batteries really are toast.
I'd like to but that would mean having to pay to hire the boats to review them, and also since Richardson's no longer allow solo hirers that further complicates matters. While the boat reviews have been helpful to a lot, owning four boats now means it is unlikely I will be hiring boats for some time to come.
I love the broads, I love the Captains blogs, I tolerate the man boobs, but I do hate the bath tubs of the boat scene. If you want a decent boat to visit the Broads on, the alpha 44 with dual steer is the 4x4 in my opinion to appreciate the Broads in it's full! :)
great blogs I heard you say once your mam writes why don't you and your mam write a illustrated book with all your knowledge about boating and the broards you show how to do it much more than the boat yards do and know where all the nice places are it would be much better than a leaflet keep up the good work fantastic
I've been told I should do a book, but I prefer the video diaries people can tag along with me and watch the places I go. My Mum is writing a Norfolk Broads Ghost story and I am trying to get her to self publish on Amazon.
The Captain's Blog good on her I hope it goes great I love a good ghost story and I've falling in love with the broards keep up the blogs they fantastic can't wait for next installment
I think you’ve answered you’re own question. No they don’t because they only have a 12 volt DC system. A Microwave of course need mains 240 volt AC. Even boats equipped with an Inverter to take the 12v DC from a battery and convert to 240v AC that have a microwave won’t mean it will be like home. A Microwave takes an incredible amount of wattage - an 800w oven might actually consume almost 2,000w in use. Because of this you need to run the engine when you use the microwave at a fast tick over but even then your be using more power from the battery than the engine Alternator can replace (charge). I’d say if you fancy things like a microwave, ability to take a decent hairdryer or hair straighteners etc look for new build boats from the likes of Barnes Brinkcraft or Horning Ferry Marina who have very advanced battery systems and powerful charging systems to cope with such. Otherwise I’m afraid I recommend the oven/stove only on a boat.
Horny just looking at this boat....joke...but apart from looks the steering position & colour are a deal breaker.... Thanks as always for the comprehensive review...if I owned this boat I'd ram the bank & use it as a nicely laid out caravan...
Hi Robin both my wife and I are pensioners who like fishng and love the broads and these boats Have given us many happy holidays over the past 40 years.We used to bring our 2boys and the mother with us (see was in her 70 & 80s and they proved ideal with their wide decks and low freeboard. Love the blogs and the boat Rhapsody were on once appeared in one of your blogs. Keep up the good work
Hi Robin , we just had a 4 night break on this very boat , thanks very much for all the vids you did on this boat as it helped me alot on most aspects on boating on the broads and the inside bits and bobs on the boat itself , we had a great time even though waiting for the wroxham bridge pilot was a bit stressful but that was only because i think i went at the most busiest time and had no where to go while waiting for the pilot to become free . we are now looking to book again in october now im a bit more confident im going for a bit bigger boat , thanks again .. Chris ...
Great to hear Chris and pleased you enjoyed it - good tip so far as the Wroxham Pilot is concerned is call ahead and agree a time with him so you can arrive and be taken through without hanging about and stressing in the chaos around there. I am on the Broads beginning of October for a week with two Jewel of Lights from Herbert Woods for the annual 'Lads Week' - great time of year to go.
Hi Robin good to see you back again. An interesting review we have had a similar boat from Richardson's on our last two visits and we agree they are very good value for money and are generally in good condition, having been refurbished.
We have got Star Gem booked for 10 days in October Total price with discounts £615.60, now that is really good value. We are looking forward to the trip and as always watching your adventures only serves to encourage us to book more often.
I think Richardson's in recent years have done a good job providing value for money holidays with excellent service, although it is a shame the Acle Bridge operation had to close ( they offered a very good personal service ).
Well once again thank you for another excellent review and keep up the good work.
Kind regards,
Bob and Ying.
A superb review of Bronze Gem Two. With its 6 ft 9 in air draft, it can get under Potter Heigham Bridge, subject to river levels of course.
Robin, I was on the broads last week on Queen of Light from Herbert Woods, picked the right weekend with the weather!
A good review, a classic boat.
Hired one of these from Richardsons for our honeymoon and absolutely loved it but when we hired a much more expensive boat from Barnes Brinkcraft a year later we had nothing but problems and also really rude customer service from Barnes Brinkcraft. We also found with the more expensive boat having a higher air draft that it was more restrictive with times for going under bridges so when we come back to the broads it would be a bathtub boat from Richardsons for us.
Well that is a mix of emotions if every I see it - congrats to spending your Honeymoon on the best place in the world to get away and enjoy a holiday, but sorry to hear your next visit with Barnes left you unhappy. I think with Barnes they do have some very new, very expensive boats and also their 'lower cost' boats are still newer and of a more modern style - but it means you expect perhaps more and if you do not get it or their service was not what you expected you've got 'further to fall' so far as your opinion goes.
If you have a cheap holiday that was not perfect you can sort of shrug your shoulders and say 'well what do you expect it was cheap'.
After not being on the Broads for a decade, in 2011 I returned and it was on one of the Star Gem boats, thank god they replaced the the armchairs now with some modern comfy things but alas the larger fridge has gone and the small Waeco job has been put in instead. Spacious cruisers these but watch out for the double in the back cabin, it is not very long so you may be forced to sort of sleep 'diagonally'
Can I ask, in your opinion, would you say these boats are viable as a permanent live-aboard?
Sorry to have taken so long to reply. Your question is hard to answer, it is like saying what do you think is best an iPhone or Samsung S8. I would say why iPhone of course and you might say 'how can you possibly say that'.
But yes, you could live on board a boat like this - people do 'as they come' or make significant changes to them interior wise to make them more suitable to their needs, but lets look at the facts of living on a boat:
Unlike other waterways the Norfolk Broads is not 'set up' for those who want to live on their boat, as a liveaboard you would be almsot looked down upon - perhaps as the area is more popular and know as a destination for those on holiday. Very few berths will be found in marina's willing to accept those who want to live on their boat and you are limited to how long you can stay at any single mooring for (so far as Broads Authority ones with By Laws and at other locals you could say morally so you do not stop others their right to moor also).
It is a very small space to spend every day in and everything about it will be different to shore based accommodation. You need to be able to get water, pay for your toilet to be pumped out, conserve battery power and find means to generate it, get fuel, deal with everyday things like washing and drying clothes - what about having a car? Where do you park it, how do you insure it if you have not got a private address, what about banking, work etc etc it all is set up for the 'social norm' of shore based living.
So you see if you intend to make this cross over it is not just the boat you need to think about but the lifestyle change that is required. I was thinking about doing this myself but I would not want to compromise so it would be a choice - spend £300k on a 3 bedroom detached house or by a 60ft motor yacht and kit it out with a vast amount of equipment to make living on it very little so far as compromise between boat living and shore based living. In the end sense prevailed and I have taken a step away from this. I fall outside the typical 'live on a boat type' who usually contemplate the move for financial reasons, and are keen on a more free and basic lifestyle that living on a boat affords. I just could not be truly comfy doing that myself and personally could never deal with a wood burner lol.
So, you see we are all different if that is your wish and dream seriously grab it with both hands and go for it but know that the journey won't be as smooth as you may think, perhaps first move is bye boat then spend a good amount of time on it and think 'can i do this full time?' if you can let life's lines go and live the dream.
Please can you do an updated review of Bronze Gem for 2023
Sadly, no. I no longer hire boats and have not been boating since October 2022
Thank you Robin, another excellent boat review.
One question about the heating; were you able to fire it up without having to run the engine?
Cheers,
Chris (aka "The bof")
If you are unable to start a hot air heater without the engine first running, there are issues with the batteries. They do take a good amount of Amps on initial start up mind you, because the Glow Plug stays on for about a minute to ensure ignition of the fuel. But a single battery in good condition should cope with this enhanced load - 2 or 3 of them should easily.
However it is a fact batteries on hire boats take real punishment because how many who hire know or even care about battery management? Not taking more than 50% out of your batteries before re-charge and how can a boatyard justify thousands of pounds on new sets of batteries (think about it one battery can cost over £70 each)
So it is advisable that you start the engine, then put on the heater and after 5 minutes turn off the engine since then the heater will only be consuming 2-3 Amps. If however you've had a good five hours of engine run in the day, moor up start the engine get the heater going and turn the engine off only to find an hour to two later the heater turns off due to low current - time to get the boatyard involved since this means your batteries really are toast.
Thanks Robin!
Could you do some reviews on the platinum fleet boats like Commander, Broadsman, Monaco ETC ??
I'd like to but that would mean having to pay to hire the boats to review them, and also since Richardson's no longer allow solo hirers that further complicates matters. While the boat reviews have been helpful to a lot, owning four boats now means it is unlikely I will be hiring boats for some time to come.
The Captain's Blog Ok also I like your new boat :-)
I love the broads, I love the Captains blogs, I tolerate the man boobs, but I do hate the bath tubs of the boat scene. If you want a decent boat to visit the Broads on, the alpha 44 with dual steer is the 4x4 in my opinion to appreciate the Broads in it's full! :)
And the award for best comment of 2017 goes to you :)
great blogs I heard you say once your mam writes why don't you and your mam write a illustrated book with all your knowledge about boating and the broards you show how to do it much more than the boat yards do and know where all the nice places are it would be much better than a leaflet keep up the good work fantastic
I've been told I should do a book, but I prefer the video diaries people can tag along with me and watch the places I go. My Mum is writing a Norfolk Broads Ghost story and I am trying to get her to self publish on Amazon.
The Captain's Blog good on her I hope it goes great I love a good ghost story and I've falling in love with the broards keep up the blogs they fantastic can't wait for next installment
Hi. Do Richardson’s 12v boats have microwaves please?
I think you’ve answered you’re own question. No they don’t because they only have a 12 volt DC system. A Microwave of course need mains 240 volt AC.
Even boats equipped with an Inverter to take the 12v DC from a battery and convert to 240v AC that have a microwave won’t mean it will be like home. A Microwave takes an incredible amount of wattage - an 800w oven might actually consume almost 2,000w in use. Because of this you need to run the engine when you use the microwave at a fast tick over but even then your be using more power from the battery than the engine Alternator can replace (charge). I’d say if you fancy things like a microwave, ability to take a decent hairdryer or hair straighteners etc look for new build boats from the likes of Barnes Brinkcraft or Horning Ferry Marina who have very advanced battery systems and powerful charging systems to cope with such. Otherwise I’m afraid I recommend the oven/stove only on a boat.
Horny just looking at this boat....joke...but apart from looks the steering position & colour are a deal breaker....
Thanks as always for the comprehensive review...if I owned this boat I'd ram the bank & use it as a nicely laid out caravan...
Most modern electric razors come with a two point plug as these are used all over the world for electric razors
no one gets a signal at horning
If you use O2 full 4G outside Swan Pub these days :)
Monaco is rubbish in the rain
First