Pre-arrival Customer FAQs

We have ample outside parking free of charge.

To help you prepare for your holiday with us and on the Norfolk Broads The Broads Authority have put together a series of short Broads Boating Essentials Videos with some really useful information and tips, please watch in advance of your holiday with us. 

All cruisers have specific check-in times, we will contact you prior to your arrival to advise of your cruisers arrival times.Our latest check in time is 3pm. If you arrive after office hours for any reason we have a procedure for late arrivals which means you cannot leave the marina on your boat until you have been checked in the following day and had your trial run.Your cruiser must be handed back to the marina by 9am on your day of departure.

You do not need previous experience to drive a boat, when you arrive you will be given a full demonstration of all equipment on the cruiser and a trial run to ensure you are happy driving and mooring a boat. You will also be given a manual providing useful information, instructions on operating your cruiser and reminders of safe navigation.

This varies on a combination of the following: tides, boat, distance, heating etc and unfortunately it’s not possible to estimate before your holiday begins. The engines are designed to be most efficient at the normal cruising speed so to conserve fuel you should always stick to, or go slower than the speed limits, which are generally between 3 mph and 6 mph. This will avoid riverbank erosion and also allow you to enjoy the wonderful constantly changing scenery and wildlife. You are advised to take advantage of the tides on the lower reaches of the river Bure and Southern rivers, check out the Broads Authority Tide Table to find out more.

Yes, we supply auto inflate buoyancy aids for adults and buoyancy aids for children. Full instruction on fitting, when and where to wear your lifejackets will be given.

Subject to availability you can moor at most other broads hire boat yards and some yacht stations. There are also 20 free 24 hour Broads Authority moorings, as well as some private moorings which are chargeable. Most riverside pubs provide moorings for customers.

You should always stick to, or go slower than the speed limits, which are generally between 3 mph and 6 mph to avoid riverbank erosion and also to enjoy the wonderful constantly changing scenery and wildlife. We have a cruising times table which gives a guide to how long it will take to travel between points.

Sorry, none of the boats will operate electrical equipment for medical reasons (e.g. A nebuliser to aid breathing).

Sorry no bicycles are permitted onboard.

All of our boats have diesel powered heating.

Yes, although they are relatively small and not as powerful as your fridge at home so not recommended for storing frozen food.

It’s called a galley! The galley on your holiday cruiser has a gas hob, oven, grill, microwave and sink. Crockery, kettle, pots and nonstick pans are supplied along with cutlery. We also have salt cellars, butter dishes, cafetieres and toasters which are available upon request.

There is a radio and Smart TV onboard your holiday cruiser for your entertainment. The boat has USB sockets and 12v car type chargers for charging telephones. We also have inverters for some 240v electrical appliances, although they will not support high powered devices. There are showers with hot and cold running waters and toilets aboard.

Yes you can, although hair dryers or straighteners which are more powerful than 1500w should not be used. We do provide hair dryers upon request.

We will supply all bed linen and towels, to suit the details provided on the pre arrival call we make prior to your holiday.

During the course of your hire period you may require a pump out service. This is available at boatyards, Yacht stations and some public mooring spots. We do advise that land based toilets are used as much as possible. Part week holidays do not normally require a pump out. However, the higher the occupancy and the longer the holiday, the more likely your toilet will need a pump out.

Pets are welcome, they are subject to a small additional charge.

We offer a modest welcome pack including things like washing up liquid, a sponge, coffee, tea and milk to get you started.

Toiletries, cleaning products, 2 ply toilet roll, bottled water. Warm clothes.

Yes, all our cruisers have Wi-Fi although coverage might not be great on the Norfolk Broads so it’s a good opportunity to have a break from Wi-Fi and enjoy your surroundings.

Yes, in general you can fish. Fishing is permitted from 15th June to 15th March with a National Rivers Authority Licence which can be bought from any Post office. Fishing equipment can be purchased locally if required.

Passing under bridges can be dangerous if not done properly. Know the air draft of your boat (the height of your boat from the waterline to the highest part of the boat) and check the clearance available on the gauge board at each bridge every time you pass through. The helm should ensure the boat and everyone onboard, is prepared well in advance of reaching the bridge. Windscreens should be lowered and anything that has been placed on top of the vessel removed. Crew members must get to a lower part of the vessel and prepare to duck down if necessary. Life jackets should be worn by everyone out on deck. Vessels travelling against the current (into the flow) must give way and allow vessels travelling with the current (being pushed by the flow) to pass through the bridge first. Most bridges also have advance gauge boards in place so you can see the available clearance before reaching a bridge in order to plan your timings ahead of your arrival.Potter Heigham and Wroxham bridges require the assistance of the bridge pilots if passable at the appropriate state of tide. Find out more NB In all cases, tidal levels can vary considerably and so affect the above figures.Clearance measurements for bridges given are at Average High Water during summer. There will be greater clearance near Low Water, especially at Great Yarmouth and in the southern rivers. Barometric pressure, rainfall and wind conditions affect river levels so caution should be exercised and bridge gauge boards carefully noted.

If you have any more questions which aren’t covered above, please email broom@broadshols.co.uk where we will be happy to help you with your queries.