Norfolk Broads Tips

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mont

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Summer holiday cruise is onto Norfolk broads, entry via Lowestoft.
Any tips on decent mooring spots (hook up & pubs etc).
We are flybridge (3.5m air). Taking extra fenders already.
 
You might not find some helpful info in "The Art of Coarse Sailing" by Michael Green.

[ QUOTE ]
Harking back to the time when yachts were made of wood, this bestselling classic - even more relevant for the Coarse Sailor of the millennium who, in times of crisis, is wont to forget nautical language and shout 'For God's sake, turn left!' - will appeal to all those sailing buffs who mostly find themselves boating around in muck rather than mucking around in boats!

[/ QUOTE ]
 
google "shorebase " and "the broads directory"also ask on the Fairline Holiday owners club website as quite a few of the members are based on the Broads

cheers Joe
 
Here goes....

Moorings in Lowestoft: Royal Norfolk & Suffolk Yacht Club just inside the harbour mouth with town centre nearby, plenty of visitors moorings and a nice, friendly club. Ideal first or last stop; Haven Marina further into the harbour (under the road bridge & you will need to go through on one of the timed openings) with plenty of pontoon moorings and modern facilities including a nice restaurant and bar (but not much else nearby).

To get into the Broads you go through Mutford Lock (pre-book). They will arrange a swing on the railway bridge and you can buy the temp Broads licence when you pay for the lock.

Just the other side of the lock is Oulton Broad. Pubs, restaurants and a chandlery nearby and moorings can be booked (same guys who do the lock). They put private boats on a pontoon away from the hire craft.

Into the Broads (approx a mile after leaving Oulton Broad) the river splits and you can go left down the Waveney to Beccles. Approx half a mile down the river is the Waveney River Centre (shop/pub/swimming pool), then several miles of picturesque river before the town of Beccles. You probably won't get under the bridge into the mooring basin but there are a few free moorings just next to the bridge. Various pubs/shops/reataurants in the town.

Back on the main river you need to take the 'New Cut' to Reedham as you won't get under the bridge at St Olaves. Try to do the 'cut' near high water - recent works have meant some boats have grounded/hit obstructions at low water.

Pubs on southern rivers (Yare) worth a visit are Reedham Ferry (about a mile outside Reedham), Coldham Hall at Brundall and perhaps the Woods End at Bramerton. The River Chet to Loddon is very pretty but narrow and twisty. This can be off-putting but we took our Broom Ocean 37 up there regularly. Some pleasant moorings on the left as you approach Loddon - best to moor here. you can walk into town accross the fields.

You may get onto the northern rivers via Breydon Water and Gt yarmouth at low water but it will be a bit snug under the bridges if you don't get it right. Some flybridge boats do get under and we used to leave the screen up on the Broom. You will need to book a lift for Breydon Bridge. Plenty more pubs etc on the Northern rivers but also more hire craft (use those fenders). Not as knowledgable about the best pubs etc as we tend to stick to the sea/southern rivers.

Ther are plenty of free 24 hour moorings but you struggle to find electric hook up on the Broads, with the exception of Waveney River Centre & Oulton Broad, unless you get into a marina e.g. Brundall Bay at Brundall.

Well, I think that's about it....... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
Based on entry via Lowestoft you could have a pre broads stop at Haven Marina - pub and restaurant there and full marina facilities.

Once you go onto the broads via Mutford Lock (you can get your broads registration here) you enter Oulton Broad and the South Broads. Key possibilites for you are Beccles, (not much marina wise at beccles but good facilties at Waveney River Centre on route, Norwich with Brundall on route (Brundall Bay Marina also good faciliites) and going North to Great Yarmouth (not much here!). You air draft will restrict access to the North Broads on all but the lowest tides.

All of the locations i have mentioned on the south broads have of course lots of nice stops between them particularly on the pub front but unless you aim for the key marinas there will be nights where you may have to opt for free mooring sites without hook ups.

Any specific question feel free to PM me. Oh and watch the speed 6mph fine 6.6mph you will be hung, drawn, quartered and wallet raided if we are to believe the threats!! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

Will
 
Cant fault the replies from Greg and Will.
There are two bridges:Somerleyton and Reedham that you will need to get swing. Radio on approach CH12/14 someone here will inform correct channel. but be prepared to wait. if its a very hot day in the summer Somerleyton sometimes gets stuck cos the rails expand

Enjoy
but watch your speed.
 
The other posts give excellent advice, but centre around the southern broads, which IMHO are not a patch on the northern bit. Time your arrival at Yarmouth for slack water and you'll get your 3.5m under both bridges with care, but keep a good lookout for hanging rusty bolts on the old railway bridge!

The northern part is much more picturesque than the south and you can do Acle, Potter Heigham, Horning, Wroxham and North Walsham. Unforunately you won't get under Ludham bridge so the lovely Barton broad and Stalham are out. When in Horning, keep an eye out for a peaceful little mooring for the Petersfield Hotel - mooring is free if you use their excellent restaurant.

Enjoy and keep an eye open for clueless hire boat drivers in 50foot bathtubs! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
"Enjoy and keep an eye open for clueless hire boat drivers in 50foot bathtubs! "

And bloody minded yoties who insist on tacking along reaches that are barely double thier length wide!!!

David
 
The Waveney and Yare north of Brundall are nice but I agree, overall the northern rivers are prettier. I would reccomend doing both if taking the time to visit on a cruise
 
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