Guest Posted August 14, 2018 Share Posted August 14, 2018 Leaving Bargate Broad today, we were rather surprised to see a widebeam cruiser heading towards us from the creek that leads up to the old Surlingham staithe, I called over over and asked them how far up they had been, "to the end" was the reply! I did tell them that normally its way to shallow for the boat they were on and lucky it was high tide or they would have got stuck. Even so they must have been scraping the mud in places though. I dread to think how difficult it would be to extract a cruiser from up there, but in the end no harm done on this occasion. There used to be a sign saying shallow water, no boats or words to that effect but its not there now, just an arrow saying to the river, maybe I should contact the BA about it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marshman Posted August 14, 2018 Share Posted August 14, 2018 I wouldn't even give a second thought - despite them saying that they got to the end, I really doubt that was the case! The last time I went up in a dinghy, the first bit is quite wide and easily navigable - beyond that there are some quite narrow bits and some fallen trees and that would inhibit them!! In fact its quite deep in places - it has to be to move the amount of water up there! Given the various dykes and open water it does rush in and out quite quickly but if they don't follow the sign to the river thats up to them. Even if you did put a notice, some punters would just ignore it and still go up! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JennyMorgan Posted August 14, 2018 Share Posted August 14, 2018 Not so much a problem with shallow water, more a problem with turning, some of those channels just get narrower and narrower and even narrower. Best go up there on a rising tide though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Posted August 14, 2018 Share Posted August 14, 2018 If you know the best route in and out you can get quite a sizeable boat up to Surlingham Staithe. Last time I went up there in a sailing Dinghy there was a Sealine 290 and a Bayliner moored on the staithe, as well as a number of dinghys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hylander Posted August 15, 2018 Share Posted August 15, 2018 Where on the map is Surlingham Staithe please? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuffaloBill Posted August 15, 2018 Share Posted August 15, 2018 There you go M. I doubt I'de risk going there! 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baitrunner Posted August 15, 2018 Share Posted August 15, 2018 Maybe the BA have dredged it to provide more navigable cruising and additional moorings? Nah, I reckon the sign fell down. Only been a short way up there in my dinghy (12" draft if that) and it seemed shallow. Was a few years ago though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldgregg Posted August 15, 2018 Share Posted August 15, 2018 There was a sign there over the winter, so perhaps someone has clouted it?Sent from the Norfolk Broads Network mobile app Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hylander Posted August 15, 2018 Share Posted August 15, 2018 1 hour ago, BuffaloBill said: There you go M. I doubt I'de risk going there! Good God no. You are right. Who in their right mind goes up there in a large boat? I thought at one time there were wooden stakes in the water preventing anyone going up there, there again may be dreaming again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 15, 2018 Share Posted August 15, 2018 So not as shallow up there as I thought then, I must go up to the staithe sometime, think I will leave the boat on Bargate and take the inflatable though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted August 15, 2018 Share Posted August 15, 2018 So not as shallow up there as I thought then, I must go up to the staithe sometime, think I will leave the boat on Bargate and take the inflatable thoughMe too!!!:-)Sent from the Norfolk Broads Network mobile app 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LondonRascal Posted August 15, 2018 Share Posted August 15, 2018 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grendel Posted August 15, 2018 Share Posted August 15, 2018 perfect trip for someone with a small williams rib I would say Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeamElla Posted August 15, 2018 Share Posted August 15, 2018 Hello Robin, The staithe is a pleasant stroll away from the Ferry House Pub (and the approach between the houses does not appear to cross any private land, merely passing between adjacent properties). As far as visiting by tender goes, there is a sign at the staithe which deters waterborne visitors. I can't remember the exact wording but it's something like one of these below:- "For the use of local residents only" or "Mooring limited to local residents tenders only" So anyone visiting by boat might get some grief from residents. Other than that it's a peaceful spot to visit on foot. Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Posted August 15, 2018 Share Posted August 15, 2018 Perhaps a subject for Lord Paul and his eye in the sky? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeamElla Posted August 15, 2018 Share Posted August 15, 2018 We've been in as far as Kings Fleet on an inflatable tender with electric outboard. Tried a few side passages too but found them blocked by fallen trees. I've got a video taken on part of the journey somewhere. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Posted August 15, 2018 Share Posted August 15, 2018 We took the rowing boat in to King's Fleet many years ago on a lads week. We moored Princess in the Bargate and rowed up and was surprised to see a Fair Lowliner, one of the 44 footers moored in there. I guess local knowledge is key. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hylander Posted August 15, 2018 Share Posted August 15, 2018 I guess local knowledge is key. I agree. Cant see us going up there any time soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeamElla Posted August 15, 2018 Share Posted August 15, 2018 It's just as well that 44 footer wasn't in there when we did this then............. (All we had pass us was canadian style canoes) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 15, 2018 Share Posted August 15, 2018 Is there such thing as a portable depth sounder that could be used on an inflatable? It would be a great little project to survey the area for depth and work out where it was safe to take a cruiser. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeamElla Posted August 15, 2018 Share Posted August 15, 2018 Yes there is. It's meant for fisherman and the transducer is hand held (looking something like a torch). Racking brains to remember manufacturer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Posted August 15, 2018 Share Posted August 15, 2018 5 minutes ago, TeamElla said: Racking brains to remember manufacturer. Cole-Palmer? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Posted August 15, 2018 Share Posted August 15, 2018 I much prefer the idea of some sacrificial lamb standing in the forepeak with a string and lead shouting "three fathoms ..... sand" ..... "Two Fathoms .... mud"! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeamElla Posted August 15, 2018 Share Posted August 15, 2018 Hello Paul, Cole Parmers is £300+ but at lease it floats if dropped. The thing to look out for is minimum depth measurement (as some cheap ones don't read less than 0.8 metres). Spec of the one on Cole Parmer's site unknown. Suggest cheaper option (your sacrificial crew member !) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kadensa Posted August 15, 2018 Share Posted August 15, 2018 Paul, your post, together with the Swallows and Amazons thread has a weird relevance, as I am at the moment reading 'Peter Duck', where the children along with Captain Flint sail to the Caribbean and they use the exact method you describe when mooring. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.