pets welcome
life jackets supplied
Bedding providedNorfolk Broads Boating Holidays for First Time Boaters
Never driven a Broads holiday boat before? Good. That’s how most people start.
All of our customers were first-time boaters once, and some have been coming back for over 40 years.
If you’re the one persuading the family (or your mates) this is a brilliant idea… but you’re quietly thinking…“Please don’t let me look like a muppet at the first mooring” — you’re exactly who this holiday is for.
We have carefully selected the following Norfolk Broads holiday boats for first timers. If you would like assistance choosing your boat, please call us on 01603 782625
Quick Facts for First-Time Skippers
- No experience or special licence needed
- Proper hands-on demo + trial run before you leave the yard
- Broads cruising is slow and steady (you’ll generally be within 3–6mph speed limits)
- For an easier first trip, stay on the Northern Rivers and north of Acle Bridge (tides get stronger nearer Great Yarmouth)
- Lifejackets provided for everyone — and yes, we even have dog lifejackets (refundable deposit)
- If your route involves low bridges (Wroxham / Potter Heigham), a bridge pilot is required
For the Sensible One in the Family
This isn’t “survival boating”. Our holiday boats are properly equipped floating holiday cottages — warm, comfortable, and cleaned ready for you. If the weather turns, you’re still cosy. If you’ve got questions, we’re at the end of the phone — and if you need an engineer, we’ve got you covered (including after hours if required).
What makes Barnes brilliant for beginners?
You’ll arrive between 2 and 4 pm, get settled on board, then one of our team will take you through everything — including a proper in-water trial run. No rushing. No jargon. Just calm, practical help until you feel confident.
What other first timers say
“I’ll be honest, I wasn’t sure this was a good idea. None of us had driven a boat before. But the training was clear, the rivers are calm and by day two we were completely relaxed. We stayed north of Acle as advised and it was perfect for building confidence. We’ve already booked again.”
“We hired our first boat with Barnes Brinkcraft in the early 1980s. We were complete beginners. Forty years later, we’re still coming back. That probably says everything.”
Ready to take the helm?
We have carefully selected the following boats for first timers. You can check availability online.
If you would like assistance choosing your boat, please call us on 01603 782625, we are here to help.
Filter Options
PRELUDE
Sleeps 8 + 2
Brinks Prelude a New Norfolk Broads Boat Built by Barnes Brinkcraft for friends and family to enjoy...[more]
ROYALL SATIN
Sleeps 2+1
A very comfortable and spacious boat for couples, very easy to handle....[more]
ROYALL VELVET 2
Sleeps 2+1
An extremely comfortable 2 berth cruiser with a 'walkaround' double berth. ...[more]
ROYALL VELVET 3
Sleeps 2+1
The single level design interior makes this a great boat for anyone with mobility problems....[more]
SONNET
Sleeps 2+2
A modern single level cruiser that will pass under all Broads bridges at low tide....[more]
BELMORE
Sleeps 2+2
A practical boat for 'all seasons' boating fitted with a bow thruster for easy manoeurvering....[more]
ENCORE-PLUS
Sleeps 2+2
NEW 2020 and 2021 - This boat is designed to get to parts of the Norfolk Broads that other boats c...[more]
ENCORE
Sleeps 2+2
This boat was built in 2017 season - A classic design single level cruiser with a modern interior. ...[more]
BELMORE TC
Sleeps 3
A practical boat for 'all seasons' boating fitted with a bow thruster for easy manoeurvering....[more]
BLENHEIM
Sleeps 4
A very spacious cruiser for up to 4 people, wide side decks and easy access at the bow and stern....[more]
RAPIDE
Sleeps 4
A dual steer cruiser with a spacious outside deck area to enjoy the sunshine....[more]
TEMPO
Sleeps 4+2
New. Boats built from 2019 to 2022 A seriously comfortable boat with excellent electronics make th...[more]
SERENADE
Sleeps 4+2
The super modern low-line design, light and airy interior and flexible bed layout makes this boat a ...[more]
CONCERTO
Sleeps 4+2
Dual steering positions and comfortable accommodation for up to 6 people....[more]
ROYALL COMMANDER
Sleeps 5+1
A perfect cruiser for families with the large raised centre cockpit saloon. ...[more]
PHANTOM
Sleeps 6
A dual steer cruiser with a spacious outside deck area to enjoy the sunshine....[more]
REXMORE
Sleeps 6+2
A great boat with very flexible accommodation, with one cabin converting into either 2 single berth...[more]
ROYALL AMBASSADOR
Sleeps 6+2
A spacious cruiser with good accommodation in 3 cabins - central raised steering position. ...[more]
MELODY
Sleeps 7
A stylish modern cruiser with dual steering positions and outside seating area. Making it an ideal...[more]
CORSAIR
Sleeps 7
A dual steer cruiser with a spacious outside deck area to enjoy the sunshine....[more]
LULLABY
Sleeps 8
A stylish and comfortable cruiser with dual steering positions and outside seating area....[more]
CONCORDE
Sleeps 8
A dual steer cruiser with a spacious outside deck area to enjoy the sunshine....[more]
ULTIMA 2
Sleeps 8+3
A large & spacious cruiser, with lots of single berths. ideal for two families or groups of friend...[more]
EMPEROR
Sleeps 8+4
A great cruiser for large parties or friends sharing, with accommodation for up to 12 people. **...[more]
ULTIMA 1
Sleeps 8+4
A modern, large & spacious Cruiser, ideal for two families or groups of friends sharing....[more]
SYMPHONY
Sleeps 10
An older style but comfortable cruiser with plenty of room for large groups or families....[more]
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.
Yes, by 9 am please, ready for our staff to get on board and sort her out for the next customers.
