Mast up on the Norfolk Broards

CliveG

CliveG

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Hi

I am planing to spend the end of the year on the northern part of the Norfolk Broads.
I intend to sail up the coast to Lowestoft and then through Oulton Broad and along the rivers to Yarmouth.
Drop the mast and go up to Acle then mast up again.
It takes about an hour to get the mast down and an hour to get it up again.

I know that there are fixed bridges up the River Bure.
I would like to sail as far as I can before lowering the mast.
To do this I need fairly calm water.

Can I get from Lowestoft onto Oulton with the mast up?
Can i get to Yarmouth with the mast up?
How often do they lift Bradon Bridge?
Is there somewhere to stop to drop the mast before the fixed bridges on the Bure?
 
Are you really sure?

Are you really sure you want to go to the Broads? The rivers are very narrow, and at times you'll be endlessly tacking and getting nowhere fast. Plus there's the hassle of hire boats crewed by tattooed loonies in vests who don't realise there are no brakes. The pubs are dire, and the facilities even worse. And, yes, I did keep a boat on the Broads for several years.
 
Lowestoft to oulton broad is quite straight forward. Lowestoft lift Bridge. through to lake Lothing wave to me as you pass Lowestoft haven Marina. Book the lock into Oulton Broad with the mast up.
Oulton Broad to Gt Yarmouth needs the mast down for Haddiscoe bridge.Would suggest keep the mast down until you get from Haddiscoe to Gt Yarmouth About 7 miles of reed lined river then 3 miles of estuary. Breydon bridge can be negotiated with mast down and round the corner about 3 cables is the 2 Bure bridges. Stop off at the yacht station must up and away you go to more reed lined rivers. Watch out for the hire cruisers.
 
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I'm glad you asked. SWMBO wants to have a look at the broads via Lowestoft this year but we can't raise and lower the mast so how far can we get?

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Duncan
If you go into Lowestoft and on to Oulton broad you can only get to Beccles (nice place) or St Olaves. Go into Yarmouth and you can then Go up as far as Norwich.Alas all rivers though. Yarmouth is a S$$t hole and not very accomodating to yachtsmen
 
I was at Loddon a month ago and a chap there said that I would not be able to get right up to Norwich now as some bridge (Norwich by-pass??) was too low. 11metres air draft. Was he correct or can you get right into Norwich, which is what I would like to do.
 
see post above with all the info.
also you can get to Yarmouth via Lowestoft and the Haddiscoe cut again depending on air draft. 7.3m at average high water.
Norwich, Postwick viaduct at the bypass is 10.7m at average high water.

These are the 2 highest bridges on the Broads. So if you are that high, then places of interest are few.
Lowestoft(eeugh), Gt Yarmouth,(worse), Reedham(ok but very fast current and stay clear of Saturdays when the new hireboaters are let loose - entertaining though), Brundall,(ok), Oulton Broad,(ok-great Steak & Ale pie in the Waveney Arms), Beccles,(ok - stay a few days and take the little ferry round to the Geldeston Locks - finest real ales), Waveney River Centre,(rip off), Loddon,(very tight run up the river, St. Olaves,(couple of pubs & the Priory restaurant) not much else to be recommended really if you are that restricted.

Trains to Norwich from - Gt. Yarmouth, Lowestoft, and in order, Oulton Broad, Reedham, Brundall.
 
Re: Are you really sure?

I have use of a mooring down stream of Potter bridge.
A friend has a boat at Ranworth.
The plan is to spend a couple of weekends with them before hauling out and trailing home to Cambridge.

Looking at the Broads Authority site we can not get under the Haddiscoe bridge.
So I think that we may as well drop the mast in Lowestoft and motor to Acle.
See how we feel at the end of the summer.

Thanks to all for the advice.
 
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