NORWICH BOAT TOUR FIELD GUIDE
A Slow‑Day Escape Aboard Wayford Marine’s Thunderbird Picnic Boat — Eight Seats, One Sliding Sunshine Roof
Self‑drive picnic boat rentals from Wayford Marine for 2–7 hours: easy to handle, fitted galley and w.c., and pet‑friendly for a relaxed day on the water.
A Slow‑Day Escape Aboard Wayford Marine’s Thunderbird Picnic Boat — Eight Seats, One Sliding Sunshine Roof.
Wayford Marine’s newly designed Picnic Boat Thunderbird is built for a convivial day afloat: compact galley with a two‑ring burner, crockery and running water for tea and coffee, an onboard w.c. and a large sliding sunshine roof. The craft is easy to drive with good visibility and manoeuvrability, supplied with life jackets, fuel, insurance and car parking, and is available seasonally from Easter until the end of October; pets are welcome, and full instructions are provided to hirers.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Built for Picnics — Galley, W.C. and a Sunshine Roof
A purpose‑designed galley (two‑ring burner, crockery and running water) lets you brew tea or coffee aboard; a dedicated onboard w.c. and a large sliding roof make the boat a comfortable base for a relaxed riverside picnic.
Simple to Drive, Easy to Navigate
Designed for good visibility and manoeuvrability, the Thunderbird is straightforward for novices to handle with full instructions provided; if needed a pilot can assist to pass under bridges.
What’s Covered in Your Hire
Rates include life jackets, fuel, insurance and car parking, so you arrive prepared and board ready for a day of cruising without extra admin.
What the day feels like
What the Day Feels Like
You meet at Wayford Marine, receive a concise briefing and then set out on a self‑drive rental that’s built to accommodate relaxed, sociable cruising. For groups up to eight the boat’s galley and sheltered seating turn short rentals into leisurely picnics; with life jackets and fuel included you can spend anywhere from a couple of hours to a half‑day afloat between Easter and late October.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this boat suits — and who it doesn’t
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
Boats are available from Easter until the end of October; hire durations run from 2 to 7 hours so you can plan a short outing or a longer afternoon on the water.
Bring provisions for your picnic and any pet supplies you need; life jackets are provided by the operator, and fuel, insurance and car parking are included in the hire price.
Meet at Wayford Marine for check‑in and a briefing; full instructions are given and the boats are easy to handle — a pilot can be provided if required to pass under bridges.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long can I hire the Picnic Boat Thunderbird?
Hires run between 2 and 7 hours.
Where do I meet to start the hire?
The meeting point and departure location is Wayford Marine.
Can I bring my dog?
Yes — pets are welcome, with a maximum of two pets allowed on board.
Do I need boating experience to hire?
Boats are easy to drive and full instructions are given to hirers, making them suitable for novices; nevertheless, the hirer must be at least 18 years old.
What’s included in the hire price?
Hire prices include life jackets, fuel, insurance and car parking.
When is the boat available during the year?
The boats are available from Easter until the end of October.