Boat Hire

Royal Rapier - 20ft Day Boat for Hire 

We have received numerous enquiries to recommend day boat hire companies from our guests. With our own 30ft quay heading at the bottom of the garden, we decided to invest in a day boat and offer to our guests for the duration of their holiday. I have now received my Hire Boat Operators Licence, upgraded the Boat Safety Scheme certificate, tolls and insurance and she is now ready to go.

She is available for hire for the duration of your holiday.

The price includes lifejackets for up to 8 people, instruction, breakdown cover, 3^rd party insurance and a free tank of fuel!

You are required to complete our Boat Hire Customer Declaration including watching the following videos before hiring from us, please click here.

Boat Operating Instructions

Water Safety

• Watch Broads Authority Safety Videos (click here) or search ‘Broads Boating Essentials’
• Always wear a buoyancy aid on boat, while getting on and off and when close to the water's edge. It is a hire condition that they must be worn at all times for your safety. Wear sensible clothing and shoes
• Always two persons onboard
• Keep a close eye on children who can fall overboard without anyone noticing
• Check the weather and you must consider Notice to Mariners (click here) or search ‘Notice to Mariners Norfolk Broads’
• Don't swim, no matter how hot it is, the water in the rivers and broads is always cold
• Don't jump off a moving boat and don't sit on the front deck of a day boat
• Don't try to stop your boat by pushing with your hand or foot
• Don't reverse your boat towards anyone in the water, that's where the propeller is
• Confirm adequate fuel for journey or identify fuel stop
• Identify boat hook for fending off boats or obstacles
• Identify life ring and confirm attached to boat before using
• Avoid alcohol, drink drive limit applies
• Using the boat is not permitted before dawn and after dusk
• There is an Apple AirTag fitted to the boat for safety and security purposes 

In Case of Emergency

• Call 999 and ask for Coastguard
• HM Coastguard 01262 607 334/5 ask for the Duty Standby Manager at the Broads Authority to be paged and ask them to contact you and supply appropriate contact details
• Non urgent call 101 ask for Broadsbeat
• For Breakdown call Norfolk Broads Recovery Service on 01692 630 498
• Owner 07786 062 681 or 07808 938 018

Boat Operation

• Check water filter for weed, remove the centre console, undo brass nut on right hand side, remove filter, remove weed, insert filter, tighten brass nut, refit centre console
• Turn battery isolator on
• Ensure engine stop (Pull / Push Control) on dash is pushed in to start
• Ensure throttle in neutral
• Ensure bilge pump is in ‘Automatic Mode’
• Start engine with key
• Check horn functions
• Allow engine to run for a couple of minutes
• Look out for other traffic on water
• Untie boat from mooring, ensure all lines are inside the boat
• Push throttle forward for forward, pull throttle backwards for reverse
• To stop engine Pull to stop
• The boat only reverses in a straight line, the steering wheel has little effect in reverse

Rules of the Water

• Keep a look out at all times
• Keep near to the right hand bank
• Speed limits in the Broads vary between 3 mph and 6 mph, use GPS speedometer at all times
• Sailing boats have right of way. They may tack (zig-zag) across the water and you should try to pass them as they move away from you
• In some areas specific channels may be provided for your safety, stay within that channel
• No wake
• Show curtsey to all other river users including non-motorised craft, fishermen etc.
• Do as instructed by Broads Authority Rangers, emergency services, quay heading staff etc.