Wells (Next the Sea)

Habebty

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As I can't be arsed with ATIS, Schengen, Holding bloody tanks, and multiple leccy sockets, I have decided to enjoy a spot of loafing in Wells Next The Sea last week of June first week of July. Any of the Kings Lynn Chapter of this forum fancy a beer look out for Habebty in the harbour then.

Having never ventured north of Lowestoft, any top tips for going "north" "round the top" or any other phrase you like /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Any bad spots for crab pots etc. and has anyone used those reefs at Sea Palling to anchor yet as discussed earlier this year?
Funny thing is, I have to drive further to get to my boat than I would to drive to Wells from home/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
Coincidentally a very good mate on 'the other ECF' returned from Wells on Sunday after a quick weekend jaunt from Boston, so I'm sure a few of us can make it. Personally speaking we're looking forward to meeting his new auto helm and I'm sure our maggot murdering Joe would be up for it.
That is of course, if those even further away than Kings Lynne are invited /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
As for Sea Palling, Baston Jock did it last year so may be worth a PM. The trip itself isn't any worse than some I've done in the shelter of an estuary down South /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif
D3B may also be up for it though it would mean a return journey which might be a little too far, and maybe even our Lowestoft complainant might make it /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif
There are of course, our Wells residents that may show thier heads too /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
I can't be arsed with ATIS, Schengen, Holding tanks or even multiple leccy sockets either. That's why I'm gong to Ostend.

Venture further north than Lowestoft and the dragons, capped men with clipboards, them that speak funny and indeed them waving funny forms, sheets, certification requirements and rubber stamps will get you, and you jolly well know it.

Ostend is a far safer bet.
 
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[Ostend is a far safer bet. ]

Gods own Kingdom

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GOD


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YOUNG GOD

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Coincidentally a very good mate on 'the other ECF' returned from Wells on Sunday after a quick weekend jaunt from Boston

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I guess that'd be me then! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Even I was a bit fed up of Ferrets, Whippets and flat caps over the weekend, but at least the water was shallow enough to make me feel at home.
They now have running water at Wells, but I'd stay south if I were you.....





















......that should keep the buggers away.... /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
 
Who ever could you be talking of, I know of no Lowestoft complainant, I do know of a cumudgeon who lives in the area though. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

I can recommend a little anchorage at Sea Palling, We go there now and again but there has been recent activity with pumping sand behind the reefs, so not sure what the water depth is at the moment. There are 2 Beacons with Cardinal marks opposite the village slipway as far as I am aware that is the only bay with any depth of water, Very little tidal flow, and all round nice spot, wouldnt want to be there in a blow.
Our Cruising club based in Lowestoft are having a day up at Sea Palling in June, Might see you there.
 
We anchored at Sea Palling last summer to sit out the adverse tide whilst on passage from Lowestoft to Blakeney. It was great and certainly beats plugging on regardless.... our former tactic.

We used the main entrance marked by cardinals, as already mentioned, but a large fishing boat used other gaps and pools whilst we were there so there must be reasonable water. Or at least there was, but I know nothing of any recent 'sand moving' operations.

As for crab pots, they are a concern all the way from Mundesley to Sheringham and a nightmare if you keep inshore around Cromer. We always do and haven't come to grief yet, but are always on constant alert and wouldn't dream of taking this route by night. In a way it all adds to the fun.... so long as you miss them!
 
Crab pots ask my husband!!he was sailing from Wells to Lowestoft and ended up being towed by the RNLI from near Cromer to Lowestoft.
We sailed that part of the coast lots, well off shore when we had a 9ft draft, close in on our heavenly twins.
Not sure if you have seen the Wells harbour website, it is useful.
Be warned Wells entrance can be tricky in certain weather conditions, but once you get over that, it is a lovely place to pick up a swinging mooring or berth alongside.
May be worth contacting Bob Smith the Harbour master he is a real nice bloke and can give you any advice you may need.
 
I'm sure our maggot murdering Joe would be up for it.
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If I get back in and have time to do a couple of shakedown runs I'm up for that,you'll have stopped walking in the Wash by then /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 
the charts ask you to stay outside of the 10m contour between Cromer and Sherringham beween april and october as this is the happy hunting grounds of the crab fishermen.As bridgit mary wrote,sea palling is an anchorage behind the sea defences but no good in a blow.Acess at wells is HW+ or - 2 hours,there are visitor pontoons at wells,as stated Bob the harbourmaster is the best guy to speak to.Ive taken the enrance at night and also in a F6 northerly,it was a bit hairy but okay,dont know if ill make it in june as the parts for my boat dont arrive untill early june.The curry house is close to the moorings and there is a top restaurant in the town center.

From Lowestoft it is doable in a day,if you miss the tide for the wells bar, anchor out in Holkam bay,i made the mistake of dropping the hook close to the outer bouy one night,when the tide started to move it woke me up very quickly the motion was quite violent.If you have children with you,a quick look at blakeny point is well worth it for the seal colony.
 
I'll second the advice about anchoring near the channel, quite violent is a good description! I was a bit early on Sat and did just that after seeing the breaking waves in the channel and chickening out. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

I was there a total of 10 minutes, after which I watched a couple of boats go into Wells and thought "Bollox to this!" /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

If a trip to the chippie is more your style (for us "skint" sailors /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif ) be aware that it closes at 9pm! /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
 
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it is a lovely place to pick up a swinging mooring or berth alongside

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I was under the impression that an ability to take the ground was a requirement for Wells. Will 1.5m deep, long keel be OK?
 
Last time I was there drawing 1m I was sitting on mud on ther visitors pontoon. Things mnay have changed - Bob the HM if still there is a great chap.
 

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