Moorings

[Gracie]

Wonder if anyone knows the answer to this, can a hire boat moor anywhere past the Red Lion pub in Coltishall upto the end of navigation? Often cruised up there but get a bit nervous because it's seems shallow in places. We prefer wild moorings, would be nice to have lunch at one of the pubs and then moor up past there and sleep it off Lol.

 

Grace 

[MauriceMynah]

Oh Gracie, You will love it there!

Go past the Rising Sun and follow the river along. I splits into two with the left fork saying "Unsuitable for cruisers". That's correct, do not attempt to go up that left fork but carry on with the right fork. It gets narrow and slightly faster flowing for a bit, but then you get to the remains of Horsted Mill and the navigation terminates at Coltishall Lock. It's a wild mooring of sorts in a "not very wild" way! 

The fishing there, or in the weir pool near by is good and it's a short walk to the Recruiting Sergeant, one of my favourite pubs with great food.

I would say it's a good mooring but some of the longer boats may find it a bit tight for manoeuvring. Personally I wouldn't advise a novice up there if they're in anything over 38' 

Maybe I'll get to show you my maggot there sometime!

Best wishes, John the Fish (JtF)

[Hockham Admiral]

Hi, Grace (and hello, JTF!)

 

You can go to the head of navigation in a hire boat but you may not!

 

A sign at the Rising Sun quite categorically says "No Hire boats beyond here"....... sorry but that's how it is...    

[MauriceMynah]

How long has that been the case? I had no idea! This must be a fairly new development as Coltishall lock was one of the spots we used to like to visit quite frequently a few years back, and that was in a hire craft.

[Gracie]

Thank you for the quick response, of course I mean't the Rising Sun, been in there enough times so should know by now.

 

I guess it's a no then, such a shame it's a lovely stretch of river.

 

JTF, don't forget the beer 

[BuffaloBill]

Once you pass The Rising Sun it does get very weedy and

I do mean very! Also there are lots of underwater roots

stretching out into the navigation area which you can hear

scraping along the bottom if the tide is a little bit low so

there is a possibility of prop fouling. Maybe that's why Hire

yards don't like their boats up that section. Maybe Clive will

come along and give his views soon.

We usually go up that section early in the year before the 

weed growth gets too dense, but we are private.

[Bobby]

Having moored at Horstead many times in my own boat I can agree that the river can be very weedy and shallow on that stretch. It is no wonder that hire fleets give it a big no no.

For private boats, if you moor on the right hand side at Horstead (going upstream) it is handy for shopping and petrol if you have a petrol boat. Best moor on the left if you want the pub.

On the right hand side, the meadow has many ditches and if you do not know the way back and do not have a strong torch it is difficult to find your boat at night.

Bobby.

[mbird]

A few months ago we were lucky enough to spend a weekend on the Northern rivers aboard Broad Ambition, with some fellow forumites also along with us as guests aboard The Corsican. We went up to the end of navigation, and I remarked on passing The Rising Sun that the sign saying no hire boats beyond that point seemed to have disappeared, so I am not sure if it is still the case.

 

Here's a picture of Simon (Mirage on here) expertly turning The Corsican near the lock

 

[Bobby]

It is a good idea to check the weed filter after venturing up that piece of river. There is a lot of chopped up streamer weed suspended in the water.

Bobby.

[MauriceMynah]

Sorry Gracie, it would seem that I've tried to lead you astray. You moor up by the Rising Sun and come aboard Nyx. I'll take you up to the end for a quickie in the Recruiting Sergeant.

[Gracie]

Thanks again everyone, we have cruised past the Rising Sun a couple of times and don't recall seeing a sign, but will abide by rules and not do it again.

JTF, might just take you up on that offer I am easily led astray lol, people will start talking if we're not careful.

Grace

[Hockham Admiral]

Thanks again everyone, we have cruised past the Rising Sun a couple of times and don't recall seeing a sign, but will abide by rules and not do it again.

JTF, might just take you up on that offer I am easily led astray lol, people will start talking if we're not careful.

Grace

Grace, Hi.

I contacted the BA this morning after I'd read what Mark and others said. Here's what I heard; straight from Andy, the BA head ranger for the Northern Broads:

 

"We have never prohibited navigation to Horstead and the sign doing so was not ours. This winter we will be busy cutting back the trees overhanging that stretch of river to help make it easier.

Next winter it is, at the moment, planned to dredge from the Rising Sun to the head of navigation".

 

So if your hire company does not specifically prohibit it then follow the guidelines the guys have written  above! 

[littlesprite]

Well done John, whilst rumour and guesswork have there place it's always better to see the facts.

Many thanks.

[ExMemberBobdog]

... and the Broads Rangers were cutting back the trees on the bank opposite the Rising Sun, and for a couple of hundred yards upstream, only last week, so John's info is bang up to date. Bear in mind they'll only dredge a central channel, not all the way to the bank, so still need to be careful with a larger boat.

[Gracie]

Hi Hockham Admiral, thank you again for the info, how very kind of you to go out of your way to answer my question,will look forward to mooring up there in the future (boat yard allowing).

Any ideas who might have put the sign up? Maybe a cheeky local who wants to keep it all to themselves and who could blame them.

Grace

[CooWee]

JTF, might just take you up on that offer I am easily led astray lol, people will start talking if we're not careful.

 

You've got that right, Grace, believe me I know.

 

I've never realised until just now, that I've actually kayaked down the river from Horstead Mill; it is a lovely stretch of river, with my niece and partner and I know a lady who lives in the vicinity, who is an author and member of the Richard III Society and she mentioned going to the Recruiting Sergeant if we're ever up that way again. I see that John  recommends it, so it must be good. .Completely off subject, haven't had a Broads coffee for a while, getting withdrawal symptoms, hic!

[Matt]

I reckon the Recruiting Sgt might just be the best eatery we have ever used on the Broads. Not quite on the river but well worth the walk.

M

[CooWee]

Right, another strong recommendation, this time from Matt, we must put the Recruiting Sergeant on the to do list next year.