COMMODORE from Richardsons Boating Holidays of Stalham
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 21 เม.ย. 2019
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The third boat review of Easter 2019 and a personal take of this very popular type of craft as hired by friends of ours. I nearly hired one myself but as an old hand at hiring on the Norfolk Broads, thought better of it. For me, the lack of a rear view when using the main helm was an issue. Yes, there is a flying bridge, but as our friends found, at the start of the week it was way too cold to use it and by the end of the week they were all burnt from the sun...so didn't want to use it as there is no shade.
Another drawback on this type of craft that I failed to mention, it won't go under a number of bridges and therefore you will miss out on some very scenic parts of the Broads. Also, one of the crew became very sea sick although had never experienced this on previous outings on a boat. She discovered that if she stood up in the main saloon she could see out and that prevented the sickness but if she sat down, the windows are so high that she could not see out very well and that kicked off the sea sickness. The lounge was also small and cannot seat and full crew and there is very little work surface in what is a very small kitchen, so preparing food onboard was difficult.
Other than that, the crew had a great holiday and why not...its the Norfolk Broads after all :)
![เจ้าผู้เดียว - ดิด คิตตี้ [OFFICIAL MV]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/q0NLCYKBOTo/mqdefault.jpg)
Enjoyed your Walkthrough and a nice looking boat, especially the space up top. Definitely looks like a summer boat as the saloon looks a bit compact for such a large boat but that could just be a trick of the camera
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.
Are these boats available to buy? I've tried looking online, but I can only see them to rent. Ideal river boats by the looks of it
was'nt too impressed with inside , thought it might a little more plush lol , it all looked abit plain , especially the kitchen , for what you pay for it . but outside looked nice , & Yes , i could see that back being a danger to kids if you took your eyes off of them for second .
I've hired San Salvador from richos a classic bathtub next April if everyone who is going with me likes it looking at a bigger boat for October but Darent take a newer boat as I'll probably break it lol
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
Hi, What's the clearance like for Ludham bridge? I imagine it's right with it being 8ft 6?
*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 ?
is there any downside to this boat ?as im interested in hiring this boat next time we go on the broads as this year's is already booked and paid for which as you know we've got Broadsman in Sept for 2 week's
No major downside noted. Boat handled really well and it has nice wide deck.
It’s SALOOOOOOOON ! And also, why don’t you use the storage!
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.
Hi can I ask what make of boat this is, thanks
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.
Is that the commander one ?
It's not by name, but it's very similar to the Commander class of boat in many ways.
Where's the fridge?
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.
Does it have WIFI?
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