pets welcome
pets welcome
life jackets supplied
life jackets supplied
Bedding provided
Bedding provided
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Availability and Booking

Our breaks start on
Start date options shown in white.

PRELUDE

Boat from £227 per night

Brinks Prelude is something a bit special. Designed and built by our own team, this spacious electric hybrid cruiser offers a wonderfully peaceful way to explore the Norfolk Broads, with all the comfort you’d expect from our top-of-the-range Elite Fleet.

Enjoy quiet electric cruising, four beautifully appointed cabins, two proper shower rooms and a fantastic upper deck for relaxing with family and friends. With bow and stern thrusters to make mooring easier, she’s a pleasure to handle too.

Bow Thruster
Wi Fi Onboard
Dual Steering
Shore Power
Microwave
Warm Air Heating
Superior Battery Management
Solar Panels
Start Days:
Sleeps: 8 + 2 Guests
Fuel Deposit: £200
Damage Waiver: £40
Number of beds + number of fold-out beds.
Boat Plan

Brinks PRELUDE - Bridges

Will pass under the following bridges at suitable tides.   

Potter Heigham Bridge – No
Wroxham Bridge – No
Ludham Bridge – Yes
Beccles Old Bridge – No

For details on how to safely navigate a bridge please watch this video.

Brinks PRELUDE - Dimensions

Length 46ft (14m), Width 12ft (3.66m), Draft 8ft (2.44m) with Screen Down

Brinks PRELUDE – 360 Degree Walkthrough

Features you will love!

A quieter, more comfortable way to explore the Norfolk Broads

We’re rather proud of Brinks Prelude. Designed and built here at Barnes Brinkcraft, she combines innovative electric hybrid technology with the space and comfort of a really lovely holiday home on the water.

We now have five Preludes in our Elite Fleet, and they’re quite unlike anything else we’ve built.

Enjoy the peace and quiet

One of the best things about Prelude is her electric drive. Cruise gently along the river and, without the usual diesel engine noise, you can really enjoy the sounds of the Broads around you.

Quiet cruising, a cosy cabin and dinner on the hob – Prelude’s large onboard batteries can take care of the lot. Our customers regularly enjoy a full day on electric, although how long the batteries last depends on how far you cruise and what you use onboard. And there’s no need for range anxiety: when the batteries need a top-up, you can plug into shore power or use the onboard diesel generator. More freedom to explore, less time thinking about your next charging point.

Plenty of room for everyone

Prelude sleeps eight people in four comfortable cabins, with the option of making up an additional double bed in the saloon for two extra guests.

The fore and aft cabins have lovely queen-size beds, while the other two cabins can each be made up as either a double or two singles. Ideal if you’re holidaying with children, grandparents or a group of friends who would rather not share a double bed!

There are also two bathrooms, each with its own full-height shower cubicle. Proper showers with plenty of room to move around — a little touch of luxury that makes a big difference on a boating holiday.

Make yourself at home

The spacious saloon is light and welcoming, with large tinted windows, comfortable seating and an electric sunroof that lets the sunshine in.

The well-equipped galley has two fridges, a full-size electric oven, induction hob and microwave, so there’s plenty of room for everyone’s food and drink.

You’ll also find Wi-Fi, smart TVs and plenty of places to charge your phones and other devices.

Make the most of the outdoors

Head up to the large upper deck and you’ll find a picnic table and sun loungers — just the place for a leisurely lunch, an evening drink or simply watching the world go by.

There’s also a bathing platform at the stern, handy for getting into a rowing boat or launching a paddleboard.

Surprisingly easy to handle

Despite her generous size, Prelude is remarkably manoeuvrable.

Bow and stern thrusters help you move the front and back of the boat sideways, making mooring much easier. There’s also an electric mud weight, so no hauling a heavy weight up by hand.

You can steer from inside or outside, depending on the weather, and our team will take you through everything before you set off. No previous boating experience is needed.

A boating holiday with a difference

Whether you’re planning a family holiday or a relaxing break with friends, Prelude offers something a little different — peaceful cruising, lovely accommodation and plenty of space to enjoy the Broads together.

If you’re looking for a little extra comfort on your Norfolk Broads holiday, we think you’ll love her.


If you would like to know a little more about Brinks Prelude and Electric Hire boats, please read our blog post.

The Brinks Prelude class is our only 8+2 berth boat in our top-of-the-range Elite Fleet and is priced accordingly.

Other large holiday boats you might like to look at include Lullaby and Ultima 1.

Availability and Booking

Our breaks start on
Start date options shown in white.

Features

  • Wi-fi
  • Smart TV
  • Hair Dryer
  • Warm Air Heating
  • Electric Fridge
  • Microwave
  • Cooking Facilities
  • Fully equipped Galley
  • Bed Linen
  • Blankets
  • Towels
  • Tinted Windows
  • Island Beds
  • Electric Anchor Winch
Features
  • Wi-fi
  • Smart TV
  • Hair Dryer
  • Warm Air Heating
  • Electric Fridge
  • Microwave
  • Cooking Facilities
  • Fully equipped Galley
  • Bed Linen
  • Blankets
  • Towels
  • Tinted Windows
  • Island Beds
  • Electric Anchor Winch

Brinks PRELUDE - Bridges

Will pass under the following bridges at suitable tides.   

Potter Heigham Bridge – No
Wroxham Bridge – No
Ludham Bridge – Yes
Beccles Old Bridge – No

For details on how to safely navigate a bridge please watch this video.

Brinks PRELUDE - Dimensions

Length 46ft (14m), Width 12ft (3.66m), Draft 8ft (2.44m) with Screen Down

Brinks PRELUDE – 360 Degree Walkthrough

Brinks PRELUDE - Deposit and Damage Waiver

Fuel Deposit: £200.00, Damage Waiver: £40.00

Features you will love!

A quieter, more comfortable way to explore the Norfolk Broads

We’re rather proud of Brinks Prelude. Designed and built here at Barnes Brinkcraft, she combines innovative electric hybrid technology with the space and comfort of a really lovely holiday home on the water.

We now have five Preludes in our Elite Fleet, and they’re quite unlike anything else we’ve built.

Enjoy the peace and quiet

One of the best things about Prelude is her electric drive. Cruise gently along the river and, without the usual diesel engine noise, you can really enjoy the sounds of the Broads around you.

Quiet cruising, a cosy cabin and dinner on the hob – Prelude’s large onboard batteries can take care of the lot. Our customers regularly enjoy a full day on electric, although how long the batteries last depends on how far you cruise and what you use onboard. And there’s no need for range anxiety: when the batteries need a top-up, you can plug into shore power or use the onboard diesel generator. More freedom to explore, less time thinking about your next charging point.

Plenty of room for everyone

Prelude sleeps eight people in four comfortable cabins, with the option of making up an additional double bed in the saloon for two extra guests.

The fore and aft cabins have lovely queen-size beds, while the other two cabins can each be made up as either a double or two singles. Ideal if you’re holidaying with children, grandparents or a group of friends who would rather not share a double bed!

There are also two bathrooms, each with its own full-height shower cubicle. Proper showers with plenty of room to move around — a little touch of luxury that makes a big difference on a boating holiday.

Make yourself at home

The spacious saloon is light and welcoming, with large tinted windows, comfortable seating and an electric sunroof that lets the sunshine in.

The well-equipped galley has two fridges, a full-size electric oven, induction hob and microwave, so there’s plenty of room for everyone’s food and drink.

You’ll also find Wi-Fi, smart TVs and plenty of places to charge your phones and other devices.

Make the most of the outdoors

Head up to the large upper deck and you’ll find a picnic table and sun loungers — just the place for a leisurely lunch, an evening drink or simply watching the world go by.

There’s also a bathing platform at the stern, handy for getting into a rowing boat or launching a paddleboard.

Surprisingly easy to handle

Despite her generous size, Prelude is remarkably manoeuvrable.

Bow and stern thrusters help you move the front and back of the boat sideways, making mooring much easier. There’s also an electric mud weight, so no hauling a heavy weight up by hand.

You can steer from inside or outside, depending on the weather, and our team will take you through everything before you set off. No previous boating experience is needed.

A boating holiday with a difference

Whether you’re planning a family holiday or a relaxing break with friends, Prelude offers something a little different — peaceful cruising, lovely accommodation and plenty of space to enjoy the Broads together.

If you’re looking for a little extra comfort on your Norfolk Broads holiday, we think you’ll love her.


If you would like to know a little more about Brinks Prelude and Electric Hire boats, please read our blog post.

The Brinks Prelude class is our only 8+2 berth boat in our top-of-the-range Elite Fleet and is priced accordingly.

Other large holiday boats you might like to look at include Lullaby and Ultima 1.

Last minute availability and offers!

Frequently Asked Questions

No, you don’t need to have any experience or special licences to hire a Broads Cruiser. On arrival, we will give you a full demonstration of how to use, drive and moor the boat. You will also receive videos of how to handle a boat before you arrive.

We provide a manual (electronically and in hard copy onboard) to help you enjoy your holiday.

Our experienced crew will be happy to answer your questions before you leave the yard.

We would recommend at least one member of your crew have good mobility for moving about the deck and mooring.

On arrival at the boatyard, find yourself a temporary parking space outside reception.

A member of our team will direct you to your boat, getting your car as near as possible to the boat so you can unpack

Once you are ready, make your way back to reception with your car keys and paperwork for check-in.

We’ll book you in for your trial run at that point. We customise your tuition to suit your needs.

If the boat is not quite ready, we’ll take your mobile telephone number and contact you as soon as you can go onboard.

Boats will usually be available between 2 and 4 pm. We need them back at 9 am on your day of departure.
 
Some will be available earlier, but we can’t guarantee which boats will be ready early.
 
Each boat is
Pumped out (sewage removed from toilet tanks)
Filled up with fuel and water
Serviced by both the engineers and boat builders
Cleaned inside and out
Inspected by our head cleaner
 
We’re never quite sure what we will find when the boats return, which is why we don’t give you an exact pick-up time.
Yes, please give us a ring to let us know, and we’ll let you know where your boat is so you can go onboard when you arrive. We usually move the boat to just outside reception, so it’s easy to find.
 
In the morning, we will go through the check-in and trial run with you.
 
For safety reasons, you must not take the boat out of the yard until you have had a trial run.

Yes, by 9 am please, ready for our staff to get on board and sort her out for the next customers.

"Great time had. Lovely property close to all the local amenities, easy access into Norwich. Can't wait to return next year."
- Anonymous
"Booked a boat with Barnes Brinkcraft it was very quick and easy looking forward to our next trip"
- Stuart B
"Very helpful staff both when we booked and when we picked up the boat. We started holidaying in one of the houses which came with a day boat. This year we moved up to a boating holiday, which we loved. Just booked for next year."
- Sharon T
"Our first time on a boat on the Norfolk broads what a fantastic holiday we’ve had. We hired the Tempo 2 so easy to drive and moor up. Big thanks to Barnes Brinkcraft for taking care to make sure we could handle the boat. We’ve had a fab 7 day around the broads will be back thank you."
- Robert t
Verified reviews for PRELUDE:

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