Norfolk Broads - LIVE!

I think I will leave it to the video review to let you decide what your impressions are of this new cruiser on the Norfolk Broads, but I for one have been one over by it's sheer luxury and innovation. Yes it is a premium boat, attracting a premium price but unlike other boats for hire, this is a boat without compromise.  There is no need to worry about brining a high powered appliances with you because it has the capacity to run them - and of course the power generation onboard to keep them going. A domestic electric induction hob cooker, fan assisted oven, electric kettle, toaster and domestic sized fridge and separate 24 bottle wine chiller - then there is the thermostatically controlled individual heating to every cabin - heated toilet/shower compartments with heated towel rails, premium flat screen televisions in each cabin with the ability to play DVDs, CD's and play Movies saved to USB drives coupled with a Radio/CD player with an MP3 input option a...

Brinks Royale is not the most practical of boats, but it does not pretend to be - it is a 'sporty boat' idea for a couple but will sleep up to four people.  It has a great social space which on sunny days with the canopy stowed is lovely to sit out in the cockpit, a table is included for alfresco dining too.  A high boat affording good views but that height means bridge passages can be tricky at times and the boat is easily caught by the wind - not helped by the planning hull which lacks the keel of a displacement boat to keep things more on the straight than the wiggly. Overall though I found Royale to be a very nice comfortable boat but I think having hired her I'll stick to the less sporty and more practical with things like more drawers and height and proper cabins.

Song of Freedom proved to be a very nice, cosy and warm boat.  Although it was not that cold you could certainly tell that the heating would keep things toasty and I liked the way the boat was in four compartments, from forward cabin to saloon, to cockpit to aft cabin - all with their own doors. It is funny how it seems everything these days needs to be bigger, fatter, longer, wider from cars to pushchairs not to mention boats - but it goes to show how a good design and use of space can make 30 feet feel far larger and have plenty of space and drawers to stow your things. Good to handle, and considering the hours we did many against tides I thought frugal on fuel too.  Would be a really nice small family boat and while not the most modern has some nice touches - such as a refitted galley and salon space to make evenings spent on board pleasant, rounded off with a fair price you really can't go wrong. So now you can watch the walkthrough and see ...