Pilotage advice: Brancaster to Burnham Overy via Norton channel

[Nimrod18]

Can anyone offer any practical pilotage advice for transiting through the Norton Channel (the gap behind Scott Head Island) between Brancaster and Burnham (and vice versa). I have a Westerly Nimrod that draws 1.2m plate down and 0.2ish plate up. The channel looks like a tempting short cut to avoid a longer transit along the coast but there’s surprisingly little mention of it. I have Havens of the Wash and Humber and it only speaks in generic terms - anyone have any practical experience, in one or both directions, that they could share? Thanks in advance.

 

[tillergirl]

I have absolutely no knowledge of that area but I recall a few years back (2-3) 'Keep Turning Left' made a video of doing that transit. I'll see if I can find it.

No, my mistake. Going through the vids, what I was thinking of was his 'back way' but it was from Wells to Blakeney rather than what you want. Going Wells to Wisbech he went 'outside'. Sorry

 

[Applescruffs]

I think Dylan did it in a duck punt... it’s a bit smaller than a Westerly !

But I’m sure it’s do-able but pick the tides with care

Cheers

 

[Puffin10032]

IRC Dylan did Blakeney to Wells in the Slug and Wells to Blakeney through the salt marsh in his duck punt. I sailed my dinghy at Brancaster one day last summer and briefly put my nose into the Norton Channel. There seemed to be plenty of depth for a small craft. I understand that at high tide you cannot wade across to Scolt Island so imagine there must be at least a metre of water. Maybe email one of the sailing clubs as they're sure to know how big a boat can get through and when?

 

[MrCramp]

Yes it is possible. Last time I was there I spoke to a couple in a Skipper 14 who had just transited the channel. They holidayed thereabouts every year and always did a day trip through the channel. Here is a link the Overy Staithe Sailing club that briefly mentions the passage.
http://www.overystaithesc.org.uk/saildir.html
I intend to do the trip one day, either in my Skipper 14 or in a big dinghy. Please let us know if you do it.

 

[Motor_Sailor]

You'll get through with your draft.

More likely to get a tail wind from Brancaster to Overy so can you run with your plate up.

There used to be a 'Round Scolt Head Race' when I was a lad.

 

[Habebty]

Done it in my tender but had to get out and push for a bit Pick a spring tide but don’t get neaped.

 

[Marmalade]

wow - looks tight - no local knowledge here, but the chart shows soundings are sparse and the nearest one to the entrance to that passage shows it drying to 4m! Need a biggish tide I'd have thought...

 

[Nimrod18]

Thanks all for replies to date. I’ve pinged Brancaster sailing club to see if they can provide any advice. There is a video of a French (?) couple who did a round Scott Head Island in their GP14, but there’s only a few frames of the Norton Channel / Creek.

Agree with the notion of West to East, or downwind at least. I’d probably aim to enter the creek at HW-2ish on the assumption that there’s enough water to start up. The caveat is that I don’t want to be bumping the bottom near the oyster beds in Brancaster. If I could get over the hump and into Burnham harbour by HW-1, then I’d have the option of heading to Burnham and drying out or, stretch target, punch out and try to get to Wells by HW+1 before the ebb really kicked in. A lot of assumptions in there though...

 

[Nimrod18]

I had this from a local sailor who passed it to me via email. It's pasted here with his permission (my thanks to him):

"The creek completely dries at low water to sand and mud although there is a small area for swimming and paddling at Overy And Brancaster at The Hole. Some locals walk over to the island BUT you must be sure of tide times.
The creek starts to fill in approx two hours before HW and flows in from both harbours but mostly from the Brancaster end. At low neaps HW depth is only about two feet mid channel. At Springs it is about 5 ft but on big springs the tide can cover the marsh and finding the channel can be difficult and it is easy to inadvertently end up in six inches of water on the marsh. At HW the tide runs easterly from Brancaster and flows out at Overy Staithe entrance. At springs the tide runs very strongly. The Overy sailors often sail up the creek and return on the favourable tide just after HW. Brancaster sailors sail up the creek approx 45 minutes before HW and return just before the strong adverse tide at HW. The creek is mostly steep sided but very narrow in places.
All this makes it appear the journey very difficult but if you get it right it is very rewarding on a lovely evening .... just like the broads with the added risk of stranding!

Sailing out to the sea from both harbours is very nice given good weather but gets very rough when the wind has some north in it in both harbours, (wind over tide) but don’t leave it to late on return. Mooring up with a snack and a bottle of something in both harbours is bliss!

I suggest you wait for moderate springs and chat to the locals in advance."