Greg2
Well-known member
I am late in commenting in this so won’t repeat what’s already been said other than to provide some perspective.
We live in the Broads area and have had boats on the Broads for years - all seagoing mobos ranging from 32’ to 41’ in length. We recently moved coastal for a change but whilst on the Broads we have always been based on the southern rivers. Notably fewer hire boats than on the northern side and altogether quieter with lots of privately owned boats. The northern rivers are nice but very busy and you do take the risk of having your pride and joy bashed into. We haven't taken our boats up there for years - partly because of air draft and partly because we prefer the quieter life of the south.
Reedham and Somerleyton swing bridges have been problematic for years, but in reality we have muddled through. Money is now being spent on refurbishment so hopefully the situation will improve.
Moorings in marinas have been a lot scarcer since Covid so as already mentioned, getting a berth would be the first priority.
Not sure if the OP is seagoing but to clarify the situation on bridges, the Haven at Gt Yarmouth is being repaired and should be operational in the coming months. Breydon bridge (also at Gt Yarmouth) has a higher span and lifts but is also out of a action but being repaired. We anticipate both being operational in the summer. The rail swing bridge at Oulton Broad is kaput but they were swinging by hand on appointment. In any case, at low water it has plenty of height.
Overall, the Broads are lovely but I would say a little wilder and more ‘natural’ than the Thames. We took our boat to the Thames by sea some years ago and whilst we thoroughly enjoyed it I was struck by the difference between the two environments.
We live in the Broads area and have had boats on the Broads for years - all seagoing mobos ranging from 32’ to 41’ in length. We recently moved coastal for a change but whilst on the Broads we have always been based on the southern rivers. Notably fewer hire boats than on the northern side and altogether quieter with lots of privately owned boats. The northern rivers are nice but very busy and you do take the risk of having your pride and joy bashed into. We haven't taken our boats up there for years - partly because of air draft and partly because we prefer the quieter life of the south.
Reedham and Somerleyton swing bridges have been problematic for years, but in reality we have muddled through. Money is now being spent on refurbishment so hopefully the situation will improve.
Moorings in marinas have been a lot scarcer since Covid so as already mentioned, getting a berth would be the first priority.
Not sure if the OP is seagoing but to clarify the situation on bridges, the Haven at Gt Yarmouth is being repaired and should be operational in the coming months. Breydon bridge (also at Gt Yarmouth) has a higher span and lifts but is also out of a action but being repaired. We anticipate both being operational in the summer. The rail swing bridge at Oulton Broad is kaput but they were swinging by hand on appointment. In any case, at low water it has plenty of height.
Overall, the Broads are lovely but I would say a little wilder and more ‘natural’ than the Thames. We took our boat to the Thames by sea some years ago and whilst we thoroughly enjoyed it I was struck by the difference between the two environments.
