New Broads visitor looking for advice

[JimMc]

Hello all,

C

After many years of thinking "I'd like to go on the Broads", I've decided to do it. However, I don't know the area and I know nothing about the boat hire options, so I'd appreciate any help and advice on a last-minute first trip.

We will be two adults and two teenagers - one of each type. Any suggestion on what to look for in a hire?

Looking at some of the boat hire websites, I note that some boats won't go under some bridges. For example, Richardson's boat Astral Gem "Will not pass under Potter Heigham, Wroxham, Beccles or Wayford Bridge" but I've no idea if this is a major drawback or not. Could this make or break a holiday or is it just a minor inconvenience.

Any areas particularly worth visiting for a first trip?

Many thanks

Jim

PS Oh and what's a bow thruster, if it's not an ageing porn star?

[goodall_m1]

Welcome to the forum Jim.

Not being able to get through the lower bridges does stop you getting to the upper reaches of the rivers and I do like the quiet stretches, e.g. above Wroxham up to Coltishall, and above Wayford up to Dilham.

(Take a look at my "holiday tales" blogs and you will find photos of those stretches)

Getting through Potter bridge is less of a problem as most boats that "will pass through Potter Heigham bridge at suitable tides" usually find that the tides are never suitable! (I managed to do it on one trip about 15 years ago)

I have never gone through Beccles bridge yet as you need to be there when the tide times are convenient, and anyway most of my cruises have been in the northern section.

I would reckon that, with the amount of water falling from the sky this summer, the river levels must be high at the moment!

A bow thruster is a little propeller in a tube that goes through the bow of your boat. It allows you to push the bow left or right when maneuvering and can be very useful especially when trying to handle larger craft.

It can come in very handy when mooring up or when trying to get out of a tight mooring space.

Used in conjunction with a bit of power to use the rudder to push the stern over it can actually let you make a boat go sideways!

Some of the newer boats are now coming with stern thrusters as well but I reckon that that must take some of the skill out of boat handling.

As to which boat to hire for four, I cant really say much as I am usually going out with five kids on board and hence look for the bigger ones!

[JimMc]

Thanks for that. It clarifies things a bit.

Can I ask another question: do all boats have the capacity to take bikes on board? If not, how do you find out which ones do? I can't see anything on the websites.

Regards

Jim

[NorfolkNog]

Hi Jim and welcome.

I don't think the bridges are a major problem. They tend to be near the end of the navigable rivers and although there are some pretty stretches beyond them there is plenty to see and do on the rest of the network. I wouldn’t worry unduly.

As far as I am aware most boat operators on the Broads do not allow bikes. They are more common on canal boats but there is a risk of damage to fibre glass Broads cruisers and there isn’t really a safe place to stow them. You could ask, but I think most would say no. Sorry!!

[ranworthbreeze]

Hello Jim,

Welcome to the forum.

We hired bikes when we went on the canals many years ago; we hired two and arranged by the hire company, the idea was to go on the bikes to local shops etc.

It did not work out however and storage was a pain they went on the roof during the day but had to be stored in the narrow passageway when we went out or overnight.

The other problem we had to take them off the roof for every bridge, the Trent & Mersey Canal has some very tight bridges.

You will have to ask the hire companies if you can have bikes on board but as previously stated I would think this doubtful.

With regards to the bridges as stated Potter Heigham may be a bridge to far but you can check on the hire craft to see which will comfortably go through.

I would choose your boat so it can get through Wroxham and Ludham bridges.

For Wroxham and Potter Heigham most of the hire companies will insist that you use the pilot. It maybe worth your while to see the video’s of passage through these bridges. Royal’s had to pilot two of there boats through Wroxham bridge recently because of the river level, well worth a watch.

With regards to the lower bridge at Beccles this is 6 foot 8 inches at average high tide, the first bridge you come to is 12 foot so you can always get into the Yacht Station to moor, good facilities here and at the Oulton Broad Yacht station £7.60 per night in season for stern mooring, plus electric hook up if required. In the toilet block at Beccles there is a washing machine & dryer also individual showers. Tokens for use can be purchased when you pay the harbour master. Oulton broad is slightly different with regards to when you pay.

Enjoy your visit but watch out for the Broads Bug; once caught there is no cure!

Regards

Alan