Entering the Broads?

[Bettyblue]

Can any help with information about getting into the Broads at Lowestoft? I realise that with a keel of 1.65 mtrs and a mast on a 33 sailing yacht I will not get all that far but I like the idea of having a little look into the Broads. How far might I get and on which broads? Could I get to stay overnight and if so what arrangements (mooring etc) would I need to consider. I will be sailing from the Orwell and planning to enter at Lowestoft. As ever, any information would be gratefully recieved. Thank you.

 

[pvb]

Frankly, it's not worth the effort. The bits of the Broads you could reach aren't in any way attractive, and you won't enjoy it. We had several years there, and were glad to leave.

 

[pennycar9]

Hello Andy,
I may be able to offer a little advice here. I keep my boat on lake lothing at Lowestoft and you would need to pass our Marina on the way into the fresh water side.
On entry to lowestoft you are faced with the Bascule bridge which allows you through to Lake Lothing. There are fixed lifting times so look in the almanac for the times. You will have to prebook the passage through the swing bridge and lock in to Oulton Broard. Peter who is the harbour master at Oulton is very helpful and if you give him a ring prior to your arrival he will book the passge throuh the lock. Once through the lock you are into the Soutern Broards and the yacht station will be on your port side. carry on up Oulton broard and you come into the river Waveney where you can go to Beccles or up as far as Norwich by way of the river yare. There are not many Broads in this area, and if you draw 1.6 you are fairly limited anyway, air draft is another consideration as there are numerous fixed bridges. You have to have a Broads Licence which will be available from the Yacht Station at Oulton. There are plenty of free moorings. Nice cruising area, look out for the holiday boaters, Try and get a Hamiltons Guide to the Norfolk Broards. Enjoy!!!

 

[FrancisRutter]

B_M is right except that you may well not get nearer to Norwich than St. Olaves, unless you can lower your mast. There is a 'high' bridge at St. Olaves, but I could not get under it with a Westerly Griffon. The other bridge, which goes on to Braydon is really quite low and I could not do that even with the mast down at high tide.
Nearer Norwich is the Southern bypass, quite a reasonable air draft, but a possible block.

 

[Bettyblue]

Thanks to those who have replied. We know we won't get far, we just thought it would be a fun thing to have a look around inside the broads for a couple of days.

 

[andrewbodenham]

Your 1.6m draught may cause a few problems - most proper Broads yachts draw only a metre or so - real skimming dish hulls. However, if you like pottering then you will find much to interest you, even though the Souther Broads (i.e. the system south of Yarmouth) is generall considered to be less picturesque than the Northern rivers. You'll find plenty of moorings, often free, and some nice riverside pubs and villages. It all depends how tall your mast is - if you can get under the New Cut bridge at St Olaves (about 7m) then you could get right up to Norwich. You need the Ordnance Survey map OL40 to see what lies in wait.
To really experience Broads sailing you could leave your boat at Lowestoft and get the bus / train up to Ludham near Wroxham. There you go to Hunter's Yard and hire one of their 1930's gaff-rigged yachts or halfdeckers for a couple of days. That's proper Broads sailing.

 

[luddites]

Enter at Yarfmouth instead and go up the Yare. You can then experience Rockland and Surlingham broads, both small but beautifully formed. Draft should be Ok in the channels. All possible with mast up but did hear there was a problem with Reedham rail bridge opening? Perhaps someome more local can elaborate?
Quite a few years since we have done this but IMHO well worth the effort if you also stop at Reedham ferry and Brundall.

 

[rogerdog]

would also try a post on here - plenty of advice in addition to the already (excellent) advice from here

broads site

Well worth a look - but you will be limited in the areas you can explore - 100% endorse the idea of hiring a shallow draught, with easily stepped mast craft (or try the dark side and hire a small mobo for the day -we had great fun )