Norfolk Broads mast up

Leighb

Leighb

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SWMBO has decided that it would be fun to investigate the Broads next year, she has been told there are no problems with cruising some of the rivers with our mast up and 1.4m draft.

Sounds as if it could be fun, but is it practicable and what are the snags? There must be some.

We did charter a sailing boat from Acle years ago, but that had a lowering mast.

Any one here done this or know about such a trip?
 
We took our Merry Fisher mobo from Burnham up through Lowestoft to the Southern Broads last July. Had a great time and no real problems.

Best to check the bridge opening times at Lowestoft and book the passage through Mutford lock in advance. After that, there is a bridge at Somerleyton and another at Reedham that will open on request using channel 12 (check this). Can't comment on the Northern part as we didn't get that far this time.

Our draft is 1m. 1.4 should be OK unless you get too ambitious.
 
Falling Star said:
We took our Merry Fisher mobo from Burnham up through Lowestoft to the Southern Broads last July. Had a great time and no real problems.

Best to check the bridge opening times at Lowestoft and book the passage through Mutford lock in advance. After that, there is a bridge at Somerleyton and another at Reedham that will open on request using channel 12 (check this). Can't comment on the Northern part as we didn't get that far this time.

Our draft is 1m. 1.4 should be OK unless you get too ambitious.
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Not sure but i think you can get to Bungay dependent on depth.
Habenty might know
 
The draft of your vessel will not present a problem. We are over 1.5m (mobo) and have no issues. You can come in via Gt Yarmouth, both the Haven bridge and Breydon bridge will lift for you if booked 24hrs in advance http://www.eastportuk.co.uk/Bridge-Openings.
Going up the Yare, Reedham will swing for you (VHF 12) then you're clear up to Norwich (Whitlingham). Lovely place to eat at the Water's Edge a few miles after Brundall.
Going up the Waveney, you will need to go up the Yare until just before Reedham and then go down the New Cut which will then join the Waveney. There is a bridge (24') at the Haddiscoe end of the New Cut. If you try to go straight up the Waveney from Breydon, you will only get as far as St Olaves bridge which is v low.
No chance of going to the northern broads as you won't get under Vauxhall bridge or the other one.
More bridge heights here http://www.broads-authority.gov.uk/boating/navigating/bridge-heights.html

Hope this helps.
 
The swing bridges at Reedham and Somerleyton can be unreliable when it's hot. As mentioned above,Haddiscoe bridge is your main restrictor for height. If you have a bilge keel look out for some shallow bankside moorings. Enter via Lowesoft and Mutford lock for Beccles,or via Yarmouth (craphole) for the Yare.
I took my old Pegasus 800 up there one year and was able to lower the mast for Haddiscoe bridge.
 
Habebty said:
The swing bridges at Reedham and Somerleyton can be unreliable when it's hot. As mentioned above,Haddiscoe bridge is your main restrictor for height. If you have a bilge keel look out for some shallow bankside moorings. Enter via Lowesoft and Mutford lock for Beccles,or via Yarmouth (craphole) for the Yare.
I took my old Pegasus 800 up there one year and was able to lower the mast for Haddiscoe bridge.
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Ah for Bungay > read Beccles :o
 
Thanks all, it looks as if we will have to go up to Yarmouth and enter that way, I had hoped we could go via Lowestoft but there is no way we can get through Haddiscoe as our air draft has to be at least 35' or more.

Still the Yare up to Norwich looks good and we will investigate further. Any more advice or tips would be most welcome.
 
Leighb said:
Thanks all, it looks as if we will have to go up to Yarmouth and enter that way, I had hoped we could go via Lowestoft but there is no way we can get through Haddiscoe as our air draft has to be at least 35' or more.

Still the Yare up to Norwich looks good and we will investigate further. Any more advice or tips would be most welcome.
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Lots of fenders for Yarmouth
 
Leighb said:
Thanks all, it looks as if we will have to go up to Yarmouth and enter that way, I had hoped we could go via Lowestoft but there is no way we can get through Haddiscoe as our air draft has to be at least 35' or more.

Still the Yare up to Norwich looks good and we will investigate further. Any more advice or tips would be most welcome.
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You can go in via Lowestoft, but (as said above) only up the Waveney to Beccles (nice enough, though).

Going up the Yare towards Norwich I think from memory with 35' mast you will need to time your passage under Postwick Bridge (Norwich outskirts) to avoid high tide.

Other tips -
Watch out for trees above when you're choosing mooring berths;
Allow yourself plenty of time - it's a place to take slowly enjoying the view, not rushing to get somewhere.
Note the telephone number/VHF channel of 'Broads Control' - good source of info and help if you should need it (as are the River Wardens in their launches).
sailorman said:
Lots of fenders for Yarmouth
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And a BIG fender board, and plenty of rope. Watch out for dog poop on the Town Quay. Better still, time your arrival to avoid having to stop in Gt. Yarmouth at all, and get straight past and into the Broads. Note that you have to book the Yarmouth bridge lift not just at least 24 hours ahead, but also during office hours Monday to Friday only (as we found arriving on a bank holiday weekend!).
 
Lots of good advice, thanks everyone, what is the tidal range at Norwich, just wondering if we can get under Postwick Bridge at Low water? Or might there not be enough depth then?
 
Crikey yes, forgot about Postwick Bridge, sorry! We've always had plenty of depth at LAT.

Bring a tender to explore Norwich. You can go quite a long way through the city by river, but in a small boat.
 
Thanks for all comments and advice. I have unearthed the Hamilton's Broads Navigation booklet and accompanying charts that we used on a Broads holiday in about 1980. Makes interesting reading, but no doubt very out of date?

I have looked online and it seems that this publication no longer exists. Can anyone recommend a current "Pilot" for the Broads with similar detail?
 
I don't think you really need a pilot book for the Broads. A road map would do!

BRIDGES - The Broads Authority website I linked to (and other sites) gives details of the bridge heights and lifting arrangements. You do need a map (road map or OS map will do) to work out where they are as they are usually listed by name, rather than sequence on the river or route.

Otherwise, just stop when you see somewhere you like the look of!
 
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