Broads access

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Portland Billy

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I'm considering a trip from the Thames to the Broads in June (if permitted).
We've done the trip several times before, but our current boat has 12ft airdraught. Our previous boat (targa37) was close to this and we were able to navigate through Yarmouth bridges at normal low tide.
I have the bridge clearances, but the 'mean' low tide clearance is not given.
Any advice?
 
Easticks28 said:
The two bridges at Yarmouth will certainly be a squeeze at any thing other than LW springs . Best not plan to visit the Nothern Broads.
The Southern rivers (Yare, Waveny) should be OK, subject to the swing bridges at Reedham ande Somerleyton working as normal.
Norfolk Broads Bridge Clearances
Click to expand...
Plus the Carlton swing bridge at Mutford Lock, can’t remember the clearance, but it might be tight near HW..
 
Portland Billy said:
I'm considering a trip from the Thames to the Broads in June (if permitted).
We've done the trip several times before, but our current boat has 12ft airdraught. Our previous boat (targa37) was close to this and we were able to navigate through Yarmouth bridges at normal low tide.
I have the bridge clearances, but the 'mean' low tide clearance is not given.
Any advice?
Click to expand...
I visited the broads in 2019 from the River Crouch and as I wanted to avoid pre-booking of bridge-lifts or lock openings, like you, wanted to enter at Gt Yarmouth. I too had great difficulty finding good bridge height data which the Broads Aufhority measure against "mean HW" and another website measured against "MHWS" even though they quoted the same heights. I phoned both the Broads Aughority and Peel Ports (who operate the Yarmouth Haven bridge) and neither could give me a good answer or understood what Chart Datum was, they both just said "check the height gauge when you arrive" ! However, I did eventually find the HAT (highest astronomical tide) for Gt. Yarmouth and the HAT bridge clearance and derived the following:-
Yarmouth Haven bridge closed is 4.80m above CD
Vauxhall fixed bridge is 3.96m above CD (if you want to go to the northern broads)
Bredon fixed span is 5.86 above CD (if you want to go to the southern broads)
I used Gorlestone on Sea tide tables to determine my eta window.
Traveling from the south, using the tidal currents, you will obviously be going in and out at LW anyway.

I provide no guarantee to the above data, all I can say is that I did not hit any bridges and had a great time on the northern Broads, within the constraints of my 3.0m airdraft.

www.solocoastalsailing.co.uk
 
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I have been through the Yarmouth bridges at low water with a Sealine 365 and a Fairline Targa 37. Both of which are around the 12ft airdraught (slightly less). My present boat (sealine S41) is 12ft and it would be helpful if a measurement of mean LW clearance could be obtained. I know I will have to rely on the downtide guages on the day of transit, but it would be nice to know if such transit was feasible.
Southern Broads are no problem so long as swing bridges are operating.
 
Portland Billy said:
I have been through the Yarmouth bridges at low water with a Sealine 365 and a Fairline Targa 37. Both of which are around the 12ft airdraught (slightly less). My present boat (sealine S41) is 12ft and it would be helpful if a measurement of mean LW clearance could be obtained. I know I will have to rely on the downtide guages on the day of transit, but it would be nice to know if such transit was feasible.
Southern Broads are no problem so long as swing bridges are operating.
Click to expand...
As your airdraft will be a tight squeeze under Yarmouth Vauxhall bridge, working from "mean LW" will not be accurate enough. Recommend you work from the data in my post #5 and see which days in June will have the best LW heights.

Where on the Thames will you be starting from? and will you stop anywhere on the way to Gt Yarmouth?

Www.solocoastalsailing.co.uk
 
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From www.thegreenbook.org.uk

GREAT YARMOUTH BRIDGES AND BREYDON WATER Breydon Bridge and the Haven Bridge are lifting bridges. The clearance at mean high water springs is 3.96m (side spans) / 3.50m (centre span) and 2.90m respectively. Pleasure craft capable of passing under Breydon Bridge are requested to use the right-hand span in each direction. Lifts of Breydon Bridge and the Haven Bridge must be booked.

Amazed at the datums quoted by the Broads Authority! They are well known as a rule unto themselves in most matters and seldom do anything the easy or conventional way it they can complicate it or make it more costly.
I hope the above is useful.
 
I'm sure I have measured clearances for my boat referenced to level above CD going by the gt.yarmouth tide gauge when the online still worked but unfortunately it will be in my log on the boat 90 miles away so not able to visit, if I find it I'll post what I have.
The gauge near haven bridge is very close to the bridge so too late on a running tide.
 
pathadis said:
Have a look at this website Project Troll this has live readings on some of the bridges. I'm told the readings given are calibrated to the height boards next to the bridge.
Click to expand...
Thanks! Initial check shows my Heights above CD in my post #5 are about right (within 0.1m). Will continue to monitor over several days.

www.solocoastalsailing.co.uk
 
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A lot easier to come in via Lowestoft, set bridge lifts for the bascule bridge if required or spend your fist night in the RNSYC. Carlton railway bridge is 15ft at LW
We are broads based with a 16ft AD and only once in the last 8yrs have we left and entered via GY
 
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It lacks a measuring board so you can see what you have got been under a few times with 5m air draft boat at getting towards low water and had a lot to spare
 
I'm not sure that everyone would think that three seperate bridges (inc Somerleyton) and a lock (one bridge operating a fixed schedule that probably isn't convenient) plus the potential hazard of shallow water in Oulton Broad is somehow easier than a simple pair of bridges that operate as one and no depth issues.
Lowestoft entry also precludes any sailing vessel not much bigger than a day-boat from getting past Haddiscoe thus making the available area of "The Broads" very limited indeed from that direction.
 
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I do agree slowboat but haven bridge is not always working hopefully when it’s had it’s update in March it will be more reliable
But getting out a Lowestoft is not as bad as it sounds
 
Slowboat35 said:
I'm not sure that everyone would think that three seperate bridges (inc Somerleyton) and a lock (one bridge operating a fixed schedule that probably isn't convenient) plus the potential hazard of shallow water in Oulton Broad is somehow easier than a simple pair of bridges that operate as one and no depth issues.
Lowestoft entry also precludes any sailing vessel not much bigger than a day-boat from getting past Haddiscoe thus making the available area of "The Broads" very limited indeed from that direction.
Click to expand...
the OP has a seaine s41 with an AD of 12 ft I hardley think he will have a problem with HADDISCOE at 24ft all the others swing, his cruising area will be just the same as coming in via GY, neither is the depth an issue, as suggested lowestoft is accessible at any state of tide and an over night at RNSYC does not require any bridge lift
SIMI you are correct - my mistake ! Carlton railway is 15ft hw
 
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