jamesbagnall Posted February 1, 2022 Share Posted February 1, 2022 Morning folks. I'm sure that this subject has been done to death over the years! However, I have just bought ex Brinkcraft 'Rhapsody' (for those that know the boat, it's the very weird looking Czech built 'River Boat 26, so please don't judge me!). She will allegedly go under Wroxham according to the old Blake's brochure, but wonder what people's experience of taller but 'thin' boats are at getting under the bridge? I measured her with a full water tank (tank is at the front) and I make her to be 6ft 9in. Which if Wroxham is 7ft 3in, makes it rather a tight squeeze!! However, I wonder, if with her being fairly narrow beam (8ft 2in) if she'll likely be OK? Also, I understand that the Wroxham pilot will only take hire boats through, is this definitely the case? Cheers, James. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CambridgeCabby Posted February 1, 2022 Share Posted February 1, 2022 If in any doubt a quick phone call to the pilot will tell you all you need to know 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YnysMon Posted February 1, 2022 Share Posted February 1, 2022 I think the Wroxham pilots have changed their policy. We've had confirmation that they will take our syndicate boat through. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrundallNavy Posted February 1, 2022 Share Posted February 1, 2022 Ask Barnes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamesbagnall Posted February 1, 2022 Author Share Posted February 1, 2022 1 minute ago, BrundallNavy said: Ask Barnes Yes, I called them. They were really helpful and remembered the boat well, but since it's been a few years out of their ownership, they couldn't really tell me much. I'm optimistic, as their own brochure from 2007 says it will pass under Wroxham. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldgregg Posted February 1, 2022 Share Posted February 1, 2022 55 minutes ago, jamesbagnall said: Morning folks. I'm sure that this subject has been done to death over the years! However, I have just bought ex Brinkcraft 'Rhapsody' (for those that know the boat, it's the very weird looking Czech built 'River Boat 26, so please don't judge me!). She will allegedly go under Wroxham according to the old Blake's brochure, but wonder what people's experience of taller but 'thin' boats are at getting under the bridge? I measured her with a full water tank (tank is at the front) and I make her to be 6ft 9in. Which if Wroxham is 7ft 3in, makes it rather a tight squeeze!! However, I wonder, if with her being fairly narrow beam (8ft 2in) if she'll likely be OK? Also, I understand that the Wroxham pilot will only take hire boats through, is this definitely the case? Cheers, James. Sounds about right. Boatyards will usually add a few inches to the real air draft figures to stop hirers chancing it, and as you say she’s quite narrow beam. The pilot might have a good idea but trying it is the only way to be sure. She’s narrow but doesn’t have the sculpted roof like broads boats do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BroadAmbition Posted February 1, 2022 Share Posted February 1, 2022 At 6ft 9” you’ll happily get her through most of the time at normal tide heights no problem Griff (But don’t try it going astern) 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grendel Posted February 1, 2022 Share Posted February 1, 2022 to be fair, 6 foot 9 under 7 foot 3 is a huge clearance by broads standards, just keep it central and take it easy 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulN Posted February 1, 2022 Share Posted February 1, 2022 I was nervous when I took our boat through for the first time last year, so I paid the pilot who will now take private boats. From memory I believe it was £15 for the return trip. We went through with the gauge reading 6'6" and it my opinion it was well worth £7.50 each way for the peace of mind. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lulu Posted February 1, 2022 Share Posted February 1, 2022 48 minutes ago, PaulN said: I was nervous when I took our boat through for the first time last year, so I paid the pilot who will now take private boats. From memory I believe it was £15 for the return trip. We went through with the gauge reading 6'6" and it my opinion it was well worth £7.50 each way for the peace of mind. That’s great news. I wasn’t sure if this was in place for private boats. Coltishall here we come! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
annv Posted February 1, 2022 Share Posted February 1, 2022 Hi James If you stand at rear of boat and site along highest part of boat on approaching if you can see the far underside of arch you will get through if only the near under arch you will ht it, alternatively attach a sprung pole to front pulpit rail the top being your highest part if pole goes under fine if it touches you have time to engage reverse and abandon the attempt. John 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamesbagnall Posted February 1, 2022 Author Share Posted February 1, 2022 2 minutes ago, annv said: Hi James If you stand at rear of boat and site along highest part of boat on approaching if you can see the far underside of arch you will get through if only the near under arch you will ht it, alternatively attach a sprung pole to front pulpit rail the top being your highest part if pole goes under fine if it touches you have time to engage reverse and abandon the attempt. John Thanks for the advice John. I've watched the bridge pilots pretty much running through at full throttle (assume to maintain steerage). In guessing that approaching slowly will lead to trouble, but give a better chance of engaging astern for an abort! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
annv Posted February 1, 2022 Share Posted February 1, 2022 By going through with full throttle they dig the water from underneath the boat giving more clearance along with better steerage. And its not there boat. John 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamesbagnall Posted February 1, 2022 Author Share Posted February 1, 2022 Just now, annv said: By going through with full throttle they dig the water from underneath the boat giving more clearance along with better steerage. John Ah, gotcha. So not much chance of aborting - a case of going for it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
annv Posted February 1, 2022 Share Posted February 1, 2022 Yes but they have done it many times before they are not silly just well practiced. John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grendel Posted February 1, 2022 Share Posted February 1, 2022 they might gain that extra inch of clearance they need by doing that, if you are doubtful, take it slowly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smoggy Posted February 1, 2022 Share Posted February 1, 2022 Remembering a big handful of astern throttle will cause the stern of a lot of boats to rise up, not good if you are getting tight under a bridge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cal Posted February 1, 2022 Share Posted February 1, 2022 Our Sealine S23 was very similar dimensions and that went through Wroxham no problem. Video here: 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cal Posted February 1, 2022 Share Posted February 1, 2022 Loads of room 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamesbagnall Posted February 1, 2022 Author Share Posted February 1, 2022 15 minutes ago, Cal said: Our Sealine S23 was very similar dimensions and that went through Wroxham no problem. Video here: Wow, impressive video! Thanks for the info. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smoggy Posted February 1, 2022 Share Posted February 1, 2022 I remember back in 2000 taking a richo's hire boat (dainty gem) under there (pilot not required then, only for ph) and on the way back back down we were just about to go under when I remembered we had 2 mountain bikes on the roof, we did manage to reverse in time but it was pretty damned close. We put them inside the boat and went for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bikertov Posted February 1, 2022 Share Posted February 1, 2022 45 minutes ago, Smoggy said: I remember back in 2000 taking a richo's hire boat (dainty gem) under there (pilot not required then, only for ph) and on the way back back down we were just about to go under when I remembered we had 2 mountain bikes on the roof, we did manage to reverse in time but it was pretty damned close. We put them inside the boat and went for it. They were mountain bikes - but very nearly human power pedal-skis A close call by the sound of it ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malanka Posted February 1, 2022 Share Posted February 1, 2022 . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malanka Posted February 1, 2022 Share Posted February 1, 2022 This is what tight squeeze looks like, especially whilst being towed. Well done to Robert from Sutton Staithe Boatyard for towing us all the way to the wet shed. 79655643-CDFE-4732-9C6E-1A5544DB98ED.MOV 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamesbagnall Posted February 1, 2022 Author Share Posted February 1, 2022 13 minutes ago, Malanka said: This is what tight squeeze looks like, especially whilst being towed. Well done to Robert from Sutton Staithe Boatyard for towing us all the way to the wet shed. 79655643-CDFE-4732-9C6E-1A5544DB98ED.MOV 15.6 MB · 0 downloads That's incredible! Pretty impressive for sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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