norfolk broads yachting company

• History of Broads Yachting
• About The Broads

Continued...

Blake recognised that both visitor and yacht owner alike were losing out, as if it were easier to hire a boat then they would let for longer each year, hitherto the season was only 6 or 8 weeks long. So he first approached Ernest Collins the proprietor of the yard where he had hired his boat from and made him a proposition to the effect that, " if you let me be your sole agent, I will double your letting figures ". In 1908, the first "Blakes" charter catalogue appeared featuring all of Collins’ yachts and Harry Blake did exactly what he said he would. In fact so successful was his letting agency, that by the time of the First world war he represented all of the big yards and the hire business as we know it today was born.

(Click image to enlarge)

Origins in racing

The origins of the Norfolk Broads Yachting Co are however very firmly rooted in yacht racing. The Company was founded by a man called Frank Harding Chambers in around 1898 and its inception co-incided with, indeed contributed to what today we recognise was the zenith in racing yacht development on the Broads in the last century. With wide open stretches of flat water and a long heritage of boatbuilding almost omnipresent here, the Broads became a quite unique area of yacht development, both for cruising and racing yachts which locally have always been closely related. Even today by far the biggest local fleet of racing yachts is the "River Cruiser Class" with over 400 boats, many of them over 100 years old both cruising and racing alongside newly built boats.

It is indicative of the influence yacht racing had on the area as a whole when you consider that the Yare Sailing club (of Norwich) was in 1880; the biggest yacht club in the country (indeed the world!) with over 600 members. By 1900, local yachting regattas attracted so much commerce to the place they were held, that the nearest town council such as Wroxham, Oulton or Yarmouth would often themselves put up prize money.

Financially it was indeed a serious business, when by the end of the Victorian era wealthy gentlemen had racing yachts commissioned simply to race for prize money and betting wagers. To put this into a modern day perspective, the 1st prize for a single race was the equivalent of between 1 & 2 times the average weekly wage of the time. That is equivalent to several hundred pounds today, and whilst there is no record of what money changed hands between the gentlemen owners in wagers, it was likely to have been rather more than the official prize. It was not unknown for a good boat to annually earn in winnings, a sum equal to its build cost and by contrast, an unsuccessful boat might be simply broken up at the end of its first season. Many of the boats were professionally crewed too, the owner might come along but he rarely steered, with that sort of money at stake the helm went to an experienced waterman who spent his life on the river and instinctively knew every wind shift on the racing course.

To see more pictures of Yacht racing on the Broads 100 years ago, go to the " Yacht Racing in the Victorian and Edwardian era " Gallery, but don’t forget to come back and read the rest of the story!

About Frank Harding Chambers

Chambers designed a string of very successful racing yachts, including the "Raters" Grey Friar, which was raced by Sir Thomas Lipton (of America’s cup fame) and Caprice, which dominated the results here in 1900 earning all her build costs in that season. He also designed the racing cruiser Nathalie in 1904, which was one of the most successful Broads yachts ever. She still exists to this day (now called "Maidie") and there is an account of her restoration included here in one of the Photo Galleries, look for this when you have read the rest of the story!

© Mike Barnes / January 2005 / [email protected]

01252 796400

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Find Your Norfolk Broads Sailing Holiday

Sailing yacht holidays on the norfolk broads, further sailing holiday information.

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The Norfolk Broads offers some of the best UK inland waterways for sailing. Plan your holiday with our summary of the most popular routes.

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Ludham Marina Moorings

• Quiet rural location
• On site full boat yards services.
• Water and electricity available to all moorings.
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Our moorings are located in a newly built marina at our boatyard on Horsefen Road in Ludham, just off the River Thurne.

We can accommodate boats up to 45ft on our stern on, quay-headed moorings.  Mooring agreements run for one year, and boats moored with us must be comprehensively insured against third party damage, fire and sinking.

We are able to offer discounts on boat yard services for customers that moor with us:-

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NORFOLK BROADS YACHTING CO. LIMITED

Company number 02776469

• Company Overview for NORFOLK BROADS YACHTING CO. LIMITED (02776469)
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Next accounts made up to 31 December 2024 due by 30 September 2025

Last accounts made up to 31 December 2023

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Next statement date 16 December 2025 due by 30 December 2025

Last statement dated 16 December 2024

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Yacht Brokerage

Norfolk Yacht Agency & Brokerage

Norfolk Yacht Agency has two locations on the Norfolk Broads where you can see all the stock for sale.  One in Horning and one in Brundall.

We normally have over 100 boats for sale on site. Our sales teams are available 7 days a week to guide you through the choice, offer advice and help arrange your purchase. All new boats are sold under manufacturer's warranty. Our company-owned stock boats are offered with a range of warranties. We can also organise an independent survey for any used boat. We offer a part exchange facility on all our boats. We can also put you in touch with reputable and knowledgeable providers of finance and insurance. We are a recognised RYA teaching establishment with an instructor available for handling tuition. Successful completion of a training course is increasingly a requirement for insurance and for boating on European waterways.

Our cruising club offers a unique opportunity to experience offshore cruising alongside a professional support team and marine engineers as well as like minded boat owners. Founded in 2012, our Cruising Club provides reassurance to beginners allowing them to experience cruising alongside professionals whilst learning the ropes and socialising.

Our after sales back up is second to none. Our service centre at Brundall has full facilities for lift out, service, repairs and preparation of your new boat.We want you to find the perfect boat to suit your needs. At Norfolk Yacht Agency we provide the right service to help you get the most out of your boating. 

For more information please visit our website

You are also welcome to call into our office telephone or email us.

We also have a fabulous selection of luxury holiday cruisers for hire. 

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