Welcome to the Green Wyvern Broads River Cruiser catalogue.

For over 100 years local boatbuilders have created a special breed of yacht especially for the Norfolk and Suffolk Broads and Rivers. Many of these boats have not survived the ravages of time and while there are now nearly 400 registered with the River Cruiser Class, goodness knows how many have actually been built.

Since the early 80s glass fibre versions have been built and many modern gadgets can now be found on board even the oldest craft. These boats do not form a natural class as nearly all Broads cruising yachts are different and, when it comes to racing, an occasionally controvertial handicapping system is used in an attempt to equalise the differences; however, there are some rules laid down to preserve the nature of the class. River Cruisers must have a cockpit or well with a substantial coaming and seating for at least two people, a cabin at least 6ft long between bulkheads and at least 3ft between floorboards and lowered coachroof with at least 2 berths (with matresses). There must be a forepeak with hatch to allow the mast to swing and the mast must be mounted in a tabernacle stepped on the hog. The boat must be designed specifically and exclusively for use on the Broads. Yachts built before 1975 may be exempted from most of the rules...

In reality most of these yachts are comfortable craft with good cooking facilities, usually with lifting roofs and well equipped cabins. Most yachts have an engine of some description, occasionally inboard, frequently an outboard although there are still purists who refuse such assistance, preferring to use the traditional quant when the wind disappears. A few sailors even still prefer to tackle the passage through Great Yarmouth without an engine though this art is now fading.

This site is an attempt to catalogue the currently registered (and numbered) River Cruisers. Where possible, a photograph and a brief history is included together with any details of the boat that are available.

The River Cruiser Class does not own this site and any comments are not necessarily the views of the RCC. The assistance and encouragement of the RCC and its members has been of great help and I have credited those photos and text acquired elsewhere.

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