Help Hub
Help Hub
-
Do you supply lifejackets
Yes we supply lifejackets for adults and children
-
How much is Car parking for a week
Outside car parking is £17.50 for a week
-
How does the day hire work
Here’s how day boat hire works at Martham Boats:
You can hire electric or diesel day launches, sailing half-deckers, or canoes/kayaks for anything from a day to a full week. Day launches and half-deckers each seat up to 6 people. You’ll get a full briefing before departure, covering boat handling and safety, and buoyancy aids are included in the hire.
-
Day Launches: Available 9am–4pm (day rate) sessions. Ideal for cruising to places like Hickling Broad or Horsey Mere.
-
Half-Deckers (sailing boats): Gunter rigged, with a full awning. Day and week hire available. Optional camping mattresses (limit of 2 per boat) can be booked in advance.
-
Canoes/Kayaks:3 or 6hr Canoes hire fit 2-3 adults or 2 adults + 2 small children; kayaks are solo. Great for gently paddling along the River Thurne.
All hires include a briefing, and there’s onsite parking and riverside facilities available.
-
-
Can you get under Potter Heigham Bridge.
Potter Heigham Bridge is one of the lowest and trickiest bridges on the Norfolk Broads—so here’s what you need to know:
🌉 Potter Heigham Bridge Facts:
-
Average clearance is just 6’6” (1.98m) at low water, and can be much less at high tide.
-
It’s notoriously tight, and most motor cruisers and yachts from Martham Boats can pass under it at normal tide .
-
Only specially designed day boats or small craft with very low air draft can get through.
👨✈️ Pilot Required:
-
Yes, Martham Boats pilot is required to take any boat through this is between the hours of 8am to 4.30pm Monday to Saturday.
-
Just call the yard on 01493740249 when a pilot is required
-
-
Can you get under Ludham and Wroxham bridges and if so do I need a pilot
Great question! Here's how it works for Ludham and Wroxham Bridges when you're cruising from Martham:
🌉 Ludham Bridge
-
Clearance: Around 8'6" (2.6m) but it varies with tide and weather.
-
Martham Boats' yachts and most cruisers will pass under Ludham Bridge.
-
No pilot required here, but you still must check the clearance before approaching.
-
Make sure your lower your canopy and mast to pass under this bridge.
🌉 Wroxham Bridge
-
Clearance: Very low—about 6'6" (2m) on average.
-
You may take the craft under Wroxham Bridge if you feel confident or you can get a pilot.
-
All of Martham-hired boats pass under Wroxham, as long as you have over 6ft clearence.
- Do Not Forget to lower your canopy or mast in plenty of time before navigating the bridges
-
-
Do you provide pots and pans.
Yes, Martham Boats provides pots, pans, and basic cooking utensils in all motor cruisers, yachts, and riverside bungalows.
You’ll typically find:
-
Saucepans and frying pans
-
Cooking utensils (spatula, serving spoons, etc.)
-
Kettle (usually a stovetop one)
-
Cutlery, plates, bowls, mugs, and glasses
-
Basic kitchen items like a tin opener and chopping board
The galley is set up for everyday cooking, so you’ll just need to bring your own food and any special ingredients.
-
-
Do you provide bedding.
Yes, Martham Boats provides clean and laundered bedding on all of their cruisers and riverside bungalows.
Here’s what you can expect:
-
Cruisers Sheets, duvets, and pillows are all included.
-
Beds are made up for your arrival, so there’s no need to bring your own unless you prefer it
- Yachts have laundered sleeping bags, and pillow cases.
- Tea towels, dish cloth, floor cloths, are all included.
- Towels can be supplied for overseas guests.
-
-
Can you wild swim in the Broads.
Martham Boats would advice not to wild swim, but please be aware of
⚠️ Safety Tips:
-
Never swim in marinas, near locks, or at boatyards, as it’s unsafe and often prohibited.
-
Wear a bright swim cap or use a tow float for visibility.
-
Avoid swimming alone or far from your boat—currents can surprise you.
-
Be cautious of cold water shock, especially early or late in the season.
-
-
Can I get to the boatyard to start my holiday by public transport.
Yes, you can reach Martham Boats by public transport, though it involves a combination of train and local bus or taxi:
🚆 By Train:
-
The nearest mainline station is Great Yarmouth.
-
You can also get trains to Acle or Norwich, depending on your route.
🚌 From Great Yarmouth or Acle:
-
Local buses run towards Martham, but they may not stop close to Cess Road where the boatyard is.
-
The Coastal Clipper 1 or 1A buses can get you to the village of Martham or Rollesby, then you’d need to walk or take a short taxi ride.
🚖 Taxi Options:
-
From Great Yarmouth, it’s about a 25–30 minute taxi ride.
-
Booking a taxi in advance is recommended during holiday seasons.
🚐 Martham Boats Transport Service:
They also offer a pickup service from nearby train or coach stations (like Acle or Great Yarmouth). Just call 01493 740249 in advance
-
-
Do you require any qualifications to hire a yacht.
ChatGPT said:
You do not need formal qualifications to hire a yacht from Martham Boats, but some sailing experience is strongly recommended.
Here’s how it works:
-
For experienced sailors: If you’ve helmed before and know the basics of sail handling and navigation, you’re good to go. A handover is still provided to cover the boat's specifics and local guidance.
-
For beginners: If you’re new to sailing, Martham Boats offers sailing taster sessions or refresher lessons with an experienced instructor. You’ll get hands-on practice and safety guidance to help you feel confident before setting off.
-
No certificate required: There’s no RYA qualification or license needed, but you should be honest about your ability when booking so they can advise the best fit and support.
- Minimum Age: Lead hirer must over the age of 18 years.
-
-
Do you require any qualifications to hire a Motor Cruiser.
No, you don’t need any formal qualifications or boating license to hire a motor cruiser from Martham Boats.
Here’s what is required instead:
-
Minimum age: The lead hirer must be over 18.
-
Safety briefing: On arrival, you’ll be given a full handover and safety briefing covering how to operate the motor cruiser, navigation basics, mooring, and safety procedures.
-
Support: If you’re unsure or new to boating, the team is happy to spend extra time with you during handover or assist during your trip.
-
Assistance available: You’ll have access to on-call support if you run into any issues while on the water.
-
-
We have two inflatable paddle boards. Can we bring them with us if we have a yacht/motor cruiser.
Yes, you’re very welcome to bring your inflatable paddle boards with you when hiring a yacht or motor cruiser from Martham Boats.
Here are a few things to keep in mind:
-
Storage: Most yachts and cruisers have deck space or topside storage where deflated paddle boards can be kept when not in use.
-
Inflation: You can inflate your boards on the quay or deck—manual pumps are fine, but check battery usage if you're using an electric pump (as onboard power is limited).
-
Use: You can launch the boards directly from your boat when moored or from many of the quiet riverside spots along the River Thurne, Hickling Broad, or Horsey Mere.
-
Safety: Be sure to carry buoyancy aids, and it’s a good idea to stay close to shore and avoid busy boating lanes.
-
-
Can I get my groceries delivered to the yard before I leave on my break.
Yes, you can have groceries delivered to Martham Boats before your trip. Many guests arrange deliveries from major supermarkets like Tesco, Sainsbury’s, or Asda directly to the boatyard on the day of their arrival.
Here’s how to do it smoothly:
-
Address for delivery:
makefileMartham Boats Cess Road Martham Great Yarmouth Norfolk NR29 4RF Tel: 01493 740249 -
Add your name + boat name in the delivery notes if known.
-
Choose a time slot that matches your arrival or shortly after check-in (typically 2–3 pm for boats).
-
Notify the office in advance if you're arranging a delivery—they’ll help make sure it reaches your boat.
-
-
My wife has a hair dryer can she use this on your boats
Most boats at Martham Boats have 12V electrical systems and do not support standard high-wattage household appliances like hair dryers. Using a regular hair dryer typically requires a 240V power supply, which many boats in the fleet do not have.
However, here are a few options:
-
Check for boats with shore power – Some cruisers might have access to shore power where 240V appliances can be used, but you should confirm this in advance.
-
Use a 12V hair dryer – These are specifically designed for boat or car use and can be plugged into a 12V socket, and we can supply.
-
Use marina facilities – If moored at a marina with onshore amenities, your wife might be able to use the hair dryer in their facilities.
Would you like me to help identify which boats (if any) have 240V power or suggest a suitable 12V hair dryer?
-
-
Do you allow dogs
Dogs are allowed at Martham Boats on most of the craft and accommodations, but not all properties are pet-friendly. For example, the riverside bungalow "Quiet Hours" specifically has a no pet policy.
If you're planning to bring a dog, it's best to contact the Martham Boats office directly at 01493 740249 or email info@marthamboats.com to confirm dog-friendly availability for your chosen boat or bungalow.
Would you like help picking a dog-friendly boat or accommodation?
-
Do you provide lifejacket for dogs
No we can not cater for the different sizes of dogs. we suggest that you supply your own.
-
How much sailing experience do i need
You don’t need prior sailing experience to enjoy a sailing holiday with Martham Boats. Here’s how it works:
-
No experience? No problem – Martham Boats offers sailing taster sessions and refresher lessons with experienced helms to help you get started or build confidence. You’ll learn to steer, trim sails, and handle the boat safely.
- We have different type of yachts - the yacht can be suited to your experience and ability.
-
Experienced sailors – If you already have sailing experience, you're welcome to hire any of the traditional yachts or half deckers for self-skippered cruising or racing events like the Three Rivers Race or Barton Regatta.
-
Safety and support – All hirers receive safety briefings and support, and help is always available via the office or on-call engineers if you need assistance during your trip.
-