Marmalade
Well-Known Member
Which marina does the panel recommend for a couple of nights in Lowestoft? 13m. 2m draft. Sailing up from harwich and staying for a couple of days to see family before heading to Ijmuiden
Lowestoft advice
- Thread starter Marmalade
- Start date
Plum
Well-Known Member
For me, it is always the The Royal Norfolk & Suffolk Yacht Club, otherwise you have to arrange a bridge lift. Safe secure marina with very good facilities.
Www.solocoastalsailing.co.uk
LittleSister
Well-Known Member
Info from ABP Lowestoft on bridge lifts, etc. here -
https://www.abports.co.uk/media/0lvd3x21/small-craft-and-yachts-notice.pdf
WoodyP
Well-Known Member
I have used the Lowestoft Cruising club visitors moorings. The bridge really isn't much hassle, however you will miss out on the excellent WC facilities at RNSYC, and the convenience of their bar and restaurant.
johnalison
Well-Known Member
Lowestoft-Ijmuiden was our preferred crossing as we could do it in a day and be ready to move on the following day without the hassle of a night trip, which we would reserve for longer legs.
davidej
Well-Known Member
While I agree with plum that the Nobs and Snobs (RNSYC ) is the place to go, you can also get into the Hamilton Dock marina without going through the bridge.
Leighb
Well-Known Member
I may be wrong, but I have a feeling that Hamilton Dock Marina disappeared a few years ago and the space is now used by wind farm vessels?
We always enjoyed the hospitality of the RN&SYC, although it can be a bit bumpy sometimes with any easterly swell.
LittleSister
Well-Known Member
I believe that's correct. I read of this some years ago, and saw only work vessels in that dock when I walked past a few weeks ago.
Cantata
Well-Known Member
Hamilton Dock was closed off to the likes of us at least 5 years ago.
Greemble
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- 4 Nov 2012
- Messages
- 1,517
- Location
- Close to the Edge, Down by a River
I'd agree with this, but then I would have to declare an interest
See the link in my sig...
No bar or restaurant, but you can find those nearby.
We do have showers and WC facilities, too.
Daydream believer
Well-Known Member
I have sailed from Bradwell to Ijmuiden SH before, in 25 hours. Harwich is quite a bit shorter, so one could do it without bothering with Lowestoft. (sailors do not need relatives 
they upset timetables)
I have been to Lowestoft sometimes, when it has been busy & meant rafting up.
It can also be noisy, if there is a party on in the club house. Being busy, can make getting a meal awkward.
But if one is there I recommend going in the snug & reading the letter from the chap that won the olympic medal that is on the wall. Chap could not stop for the presentation because he was late for work. Imagine the uproar if that happened now.
they upset timetables)I have been to Lowestoft sometimes, when it has been busy & meant rafting up.
It can also be noisy, if there is a party on in the club house. Being busy, can make getting a meal awkward.
But if one is there I recommend going in the snug & reading the letter from the chap that won the olympic medal that is on the wall. Chap could not stop for the presentation because he was late for work. Imagine the uproar if that happened now.
Last edited:
Plum
Well-Known Member
Sometimes it is a bit choppy/rolly outside the harbour to prepare the boat for going into the Royal Norfolk and Suffolk Yacht Club Marina or under the bridge and there is not that much space in the outer harbour at LW so, being singlehanded, I ask the Port Control to go into the Waveney Dock, where there is lots of sheltered space and mostly deserted, then call Port Control again when I want to cross from there to the marina. Port Control are always helpful.
www.solocoastalsailing.co.uk
www.solocoastalsailing.co.uk
Greg2
Well-Known Member
As already said the RNSYC is the best place for a night or two. Easy access from the sea, good visitor moorings, nice historic clubhouse with good food and beer. Easy access to the seafront and the town centre if they are of interest and the train station is nearby if you fancy popping up to Norwich.
Marmalade
Well-Known Member
Many thanks all RNSYC then…
johnalison
Well-Known Member
Bradwell-Ijmuiden in 25 hrs sounds impressive, but the overnight trip would leave me needing a day off before being willing to speak to anyone let alone continue my trip. We would leave Lowestoft at 6am and arrive Ijmuiden around 2230 and either continue east via Den Helder or inland. By this time I was in my mid 70s and less tolerant of sleep loss.I have sailed from Bradwell to Ijmuiden SH before, in 25 hours. Harwich is quite a bit shorter, so one could do it without bothering with Lowestoft. (sailors do not need relatives
I have been to Lowestoft sometimes, when it has been busy & meant rafting up.
It can also be noisy, if there is a party on in the club house. Being busy, can make getting a meal awkward.
But if one is there I recommend going in the snug & reading the letter from the chap that won the olympic medal that is on the wall. Chap could not stop for the presentation because he was late for work. Imagine the uproar if that happened now.
On the only occasion I went via Lowestoft on the return, we arrived at the club too late for their dinner and were recommended to go to Wetherspoons nearby. Never again. The food was revolting.
Slowboat35
Well-Known Member
The Nobs and Snobs is a wonderful yacht club but...
Food, drink, facilities and comfort in the magnificent clubhouse is excellent.
The moorings are liable to heave in certain conditions and can sometimes be quite uncomfortable and rolly. (Swell or wind with any Easting in it I'd say) Strong Easterly? Avoid.
Bridge lifts to proceed further inside are dead easy on telephone request but at c.2hr published fixed intervals. Last time I used it the waiting pontoon in the Hamilton dock was so silted it was almost unusable at low tide for a draft of 1,7m (it may have been dredged since) but was and doubtless still is foul beyond belief with guano. No way do you want your shore lines on that. There is no waiting pontoon upstream.
The new bridge will totally screw up access to the excellent Haven marina and Crusing club - this is iminent. I've seen no explanation as to how they plan to deal with simultaneous inbounds and outbounds which must by necessity involve one or other bridges doing a 10 minutes spaced double lift which I believe the authorities are resolutely opposed to even consider. Air draft under the new bridge is not great for any but small yachts.
Gt Yarmouth (a much underrated stop-over) is now similarly encumbered with a badly designed new lift bridge forming a daunting tide-race and eddies at times - added to the misery of a remotely 'controlled' Peel Port being totally unaware and uncaring of the needs of yachts.
Food, drink, facilities and comfort in the magnificent clubhouse is excellent.
The moorings are liable to heave in certain conditions and can sometimes be quite uncomfortable and rolly. (Swell or wind with any Easting in it I'd say) Strong Easterly? Avoid.
Bridge lifts to proceed further inside are dead easy on telephone request but at c.2hr published fixed intervals. Last time I used it the waiting pontoon in the Hamilton dock was so silted it was almost unusable at low tide for a draft of 1,7m (it may have been dredged since) but was and doubtless still is foul beyond belief with guano. No way do you want your shore lines on that. There is no waiting pontoon upstream.
The new bridge will totally screw up access to the excellent Haven marina and Crusing club - this is iminent. I've seen no explanation as to how they plan to deal with simultaneous inbounds and outbounds which must by necessity involve one or other bridges doing a 10 minutes spaced double lift which I believe the authorities are resolutely opposed to even consider. Air draft under the new bridge is not great for any but small yachts.
Gt Yarmouth (a much underrated stop-over) is now similarly encumbered with a badly designed new lift bridge forming a daunting tide-race and eddies at times - added to the misery of a remotely 'controlled' Peel Port being totally unaware and uncaring of the needs of yachts.
Plum
Well-Known Member
I was not aware there was anywhere to moor there. Is this a new facility?
www.solocoastalsailing.co.uk
Greg2
Well-Known Member
Unless you can get under the bridges Town Quay is it.
Always been there but it is a wall on the river subject to the tides and to the vagaries of some elements of the local populace. Not sure I would think if it as under-rated.
.
Last edited:
Greg2
Well-Known Member
All entirely accurate but to provide some context on the moorings it is only in the wrong conditions that they are subiect to a bit of swell. Sure, it can be not too good on occasion but I wouldn’t say that during the season it should be avoided. For context we moored there for five seasons.
.
Slowboat35
Well-Known Member
Gt Yarmouth town wall is much maligned imo. It's subject to tide, of course it is, just like any harbour. Are we all getting so soft and mollycoddled with floating pontoons that we can't cope with an ordinary harbour wall and tidal range? And even if you can get above the bridges there's no mooring until the Berney Arms 6 miles away - entry subject to swingeing Broads Aurhority taxes. Allegedly charges can be incurred but I've never been asked to pay.
The harbour wall certainly gets a fairly brisk current but I use that to advantage when mooring, it allows good control of the boat alongside the wall while the crew scrambles up with a breast line and a spring and you're secure. If your boat handles well in astern that makes it even easier - come alongside that way, even better control. You might want to use a fenderboard as the wall is not fair.
Town noise never seemed to me to be annoying, noisy youths on the quayside tend to be further downstream and Yarmouth is an interesting place, interesting architecture particularly around the mooring wall, decent eateries and as long as you stay off the seafront, the ghastly 'golden mile', it's not a bad place at all. Excellent - and I mean excellent town/fishing museum (Time and Tide) too.
No facilities, but as an overnight, overtide or rest stop I'd recommend it. Shelter is 110% in all conditions.
The new bridge though may become a pain - that remains to be seen.
Plenty of shops close by, a huge Sainsbury's ½ mile away.
ps. I did make a point of explaining in what weather conditions the RNSYC becomes uncomfortable!
Last edited:
