Bridges on the Broads

Otter

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I've tried looking at the tourist online maps and can't work out if I can get from The North Sea, via Great Yarmouth to the Marinas at Brundall without lowering a 30' mast.
 
hi ,
my first post on here so i'll do intrductions later .

regarding the broads , a few yrs ago i took a etap 26 up to the broads and went in at lowestoft and onto oulton broad through mutford lock .
we could go round as far as beccles one way and somerlayton the other , this was the limit
as we didnt want to lower the mast .

never the less it was a interesting and enjoyable trip , we started from woolverstone and if my memory serves it took about 9-10 hrs .

hopefully we should be becoming the new owners of a countess 28 in next few weeks and i'll certainly be planning another trip up that way .

nige.
 
I was puzzled by Leo's response and was going to look up the haven bridge.
With that working you should be able to get to Brundell.
Small cargo ships used to get up to Norwich.
The only thing to check is for any power cables crossing.
 
All the power cables go under water, with the exceptions of the ones at Whitlingham, on the outskirts of Norwich (ht circa 50'). Top tip, though, is to check with Network Rail that the Reedham Swing Bridge isn't closed for repair.
 
Yes you can get to Brundall with your mast up. We've taken ours (33foot-ish) through Great Yarmouth and up past Brundall to Trowse, just outside Norwich city centre (had to wait for tide to lower to be sure to clear under Postwick bridge, but that's beyond Brundall). You can in theory get to the city centre with mast up, but I think the last few bridges past Trowse are opened more rarely, or perhaps were out of action when we were looking into it.

See lots of navigational info, including bridge heights, at
http://www.broads-authority.gov.uk/boating/navigating.html
including notices to mariners if Reedham or any other bridge is out of action. (The Broads Authority is the navigation authority for the Broads, though not Great Yarmouth or Lowestoft ports.)

Beware that Great Yarmouth harbour is a dump that goes out of it's way to be unhelpful to leisure boats. The Haven bridge lifts (as does the one above it -giving acceess to Breydon Water and the Broads - can't remember name) and has to be booked the working day before the lift (note limited office hours). The times the bridge will open are limited. The two bridges are usually organised to open together.

You can stay on Great Yarmouth town quay but I would strongly advise against if you can avoid it (by timing arrival to pass straight through). Note there are deep gaps between the projecting baulks on the quay wall which make it nigh on impossible to keep fenders in place. Bring a large board with you to brdige these if you plan to stay on wall. Current can be strong and significant rise and fall of tide to deal with, as well as wash from passing craft (incl. Inshore Lifeboat passsing at speed past quay and under bridge!). Beware of dogsh*t on the quay.

Note that the Broads can be accessed through Lowestoft, but mostly only with mast down because of the lower/fixed bridges. There are yards and clubs there that will crane your mast, I am told.

Once in the Broads it's alll very straightforward and generally very relaxing (though do watch out for hire boats in the hands of the incompetent!). Free 24 hour moorings provided in a variety of locations by the Broads Authority, plus some at pubs, etc. Watch out for trees overhanging the moorings before you try to come alongside (How did I learn that?!) as they're primarily catering for motorboats.

Enjoy your visit.
 
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