“We recently had the pleasure of hiring a Barnes Brinkraft elite boat for 4 nights on the Norfolk Broads. The boat was superb as were all of the Barnes Brinkraft staff. From the booking process through to the holiday everything went smoothly. I highly recommend Barnes Brinkraft for anyone considering a stay on the Broads.”
“From booking, to the boat and the boating experience, we loved it and the service provided by all was first rate. Couple of niggles about the length of the beds from those over 5' 10' but we had a fabulous week.”
Thanks Barbara
What a lovely picture and great review. For anyone wanting to check the length of the beds on board a particular boat please do ring the office and they will be able to help you
We hope to see you again soon
All the best,
The Barnes Brinkcraft Team
“As first time boaters, we had a great time, we were instructed on how to use the boat, Casper was very informative and answered all our questions, and put us at ease, before we left the boatyard. We considered a great adventure”
“Another fantastic holiday on board Tempo 6. The standard of this boat is amazing. Real luxury. The handover from the boatyard was excellent and we were able to get underway shortly after the trial run. All in all, I would highly recommend Barnes Brinckcraft.”
“From start to finish everyone was very welcoming and polite. Nothing was too much trouble. Loved the boat Qartet 1 which was beautifully prepared for us which made all the difference for our lovely week on the Broads.”
Thanks Steven
Both for your review, great photo and some pretty impressive mooring up - in what looks like quite a small space to turn around in!
Kind regards,
The Barnes Brinkcraft Team
“Good location, easy to park the car. The boat in my opinion ( Royal Velvet II ) needs some money and TLC spent it felt and looked from it years of use, tired and dated, but was fit for purpose. A couple of days of work and about £500 to a £1,000 spent would significantly improve it.
One particular point to note for future clients is to make sure that the black water ( that’s the toilet ) tank is definitely empty before you leave, after just 3 days and with only 2 people on board it was evident it was full, in other words Brinks had not pumped it out prior to our departure.
We were over 4 hours away from Brinks so logically decided to have it pumped out at the nearest point at a cost of £20.00, ( receipt provided ) when we returned the boat I requested that the £20 be refunded and a staff member attempted to tell me that they don’t “normally refund pump out costs, and that we should have - 4 hours to get there remember - have returned to the Brinks location to have it pumped out FOC !
My answer was simple - no thanks, ludicrous waste of fuel and YOU make sure it’s empty BEFORE we depart, I got the refund but it should have been refunded without any discussion or a semi lecture.
Would I use Brinks again? Probably not due to the above.
With all that said all the staff, but one, were friendly, helpful and as would be expected.”
Hi Vince
Thank you for your honest review. We do try to be quite open about the fact that toilets will need to be emptied part way through a holiday. This is the information provided in our FAQ, I am only sorry we did not make that clearer on your handover
Will I need to have my toilet pumped out? (sewage tank emptied)
We recommend a pump out every 2 to 4 days. Boatyards will charge for this.
The sewage tank will be empty when you collect your boat The rate it fills up will depend entirely on how much it is used. You may find it helpful to use shore-based facilities where available.
All the best,
The Barnes Brinkcraft Team
“Booking process and follow-up emails are clear and concise.
On arrival, there was a friendly greeting and also on the ocassion we went to reception about an issue it was dealt with effectively”
“Friendly chap ,helpful. Only issue was the sliding top part of the screen was very crazed perspex and needed renewing as you couldn't see through it when it was up, and when lowered I had to sit on cushions to be able to see out over it ps I,m not short . apart ftom that a great experience , and would recommend.”
Hi Carl
Many thanks for the feedback. We look to renew the scratched window as part of the winter maintenance programme.
Kind regards,
The Barnes Brinkcraft Team
“My 4th time with Barnes having last tried a competitor who I shall not name. My return to Barnes says it all. The boat (Serenade 3) was spotless in collection and ready early. We had a fantastic holiday.”
Thank you Duncan - for both the review (we are blushing a bit here) and the picture
We hope to see you again soon
Kind regards,
The Barnes Brinkcraft Team
“Your staff are very well adept to ignore the paying client. To be told at 1300hrs that the boat will be ready in one hour. HA. 1600 HRS eventually. We were openly put in our place. "The elite boats" get the service. Perhaps other boatyards have the edge on you. Well they do in my experience over 40 years. Thanks for a dismal start to our experience. Couldn't think of a more unresponsive occasion to be ignored and clearance of your busy period. Perhaps some common sense could be applied. However I doubt that your owners are even bothered. First and last choice of Brinks. Good luck in the future. I do not wish any ill to any company. You reap what you sow.”
Hi Alan
I am sorry you felt ignored. Unlike some boatyards, we do not clean the elite fleet boats first, but clean the boats as and when they come back to the yard.
We also try to communicate very clearly that boats will become available between 2 and 4 pm. Given that the staff have a 1/2 hour break at 1 pm we should not have promised that the boat would be available at 2. but we will use this review as an opportunity to learn and improve our customer service
All the best,
The Barnes Brinkcraft Team
“We have had another good week with your services and craft, we have booked another week with you on a elite boat looking forward to our experience. Thanks Kate for giving good advice along with your whole crew your's sincerely Fay and Alan Fay.bright@outlook.com”
Thanks Fay
We are very much looking forward to seeing you again soon - and we’ll pass on your comments to Kate (she will be chuffed)
All the Best
The Team at Barnes Brinkcraft
“Working my way through the process was fairly easy, however I received acknowledgment that my payment had been received but no acknowledgment that the boat had been reserved.”
“The mattresses were hard and the quilts barely fitted the bed. Having to run the engine to cook for six people is a very poor state of affairs. The windscreen wipers were dangerously inadequate considering the bad weather we had, we had no alternative but to drive in the wind and rain on the upper deck. The toilets/showers were incredibly difficult to use because they were so small the taps were almost in accessible. No foldaway stools for the table for six people.”
Hi Jane
I am so sorry you did not enjoy your boating holiday. Unfortunately, there are always compromises on size when booking a boat. We do try and do our best to show as many pictures of the interior as possible so people can make informed choices.
A laundrette provides duvet covers in standard sizes, single or double
I am surprised that you had to run the engine to cook, as those that are run on electric should work from the engine battery, provided the boat had been run (and therefore the battery charged) for 3 or 4 hours. I am so sorry that was your experience - a quick call to our engineers may have enabled us to sort that issue out for you
Windscreen wipers on boats never quite match those on cars (there’s not much room for a big motor on a cruiser!), but your point is well made. - luckily your top speed would have been 6 mph rather than 0 mph on a boat
All the best,
The Barnes Brinkcraft Team
“Sonnet 2 - 2 adults and a dog. Well informed before and on arrival. Staff were helpful. Bed was comfy and everything worked. Spacious apart from the shower - my husband couldn’t stand up in it. I’m 5 foot and I was ok. Sliding roof both or all was great in the good weather.
Sonnet 2 could do with some new draft excluders on the roof and a new door seel on the bow. (Reported to staff)
Tips: Bring your own bedding as their pillows were rubbish. When you bring your own towels bring a shower / bath mat and oven glove.
We would book with Barnes again but probably upgrade. This boat is suitable for 2 adults,
It does sleep 4 but might be too cosy!
We enjoyed our stay!”
