Essexgirl Posted March 24, 2016 Share Posted March 24, 2016 Hi everyone - well we have bitten the bullet and have now purchased Kestrel, a 42ft Alphacraft which needs a little TLC but nothing major (thanks to all the good work done by Maffetts previously). We will be picking her up from Wroxham next week and would like to explore the Northern Broads a little as we normally stay down south. A quick question - we have been to Dilham in a 35ft boat. What the chances of being able to turn Kestrel in the basin at Dilham? Has anyone taken a 42ft+ boat that far? I know that if boats are moored there it will be tricky. Thank you, Andrea Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BroadScot Posted March 24, 2016 Share Posted March 24, 2016 Hi Andrea, I have turned a 42ft Carribean from Richardsons up there, just use the ropes is my advice. Lovely quiet spot too Iain Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Posted March 24, 2016 Share Posted March 24, 2016 Hi Andrea, we took Thunder up there last Sept hoping to get a mooring and with some trepidation as she is 43ft. There were none available and to make it worse some one was also moored over the Basin. We managed to turn her with some assistance but had to move another boat a little to fit Thunders bow in between. So.. in answer to your question if you are 42 ft it can be done even with other Boats there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Essexgirl Posted March 24, 2016 Author Share Posted March 24, 2016 Thank you all for your very speedy replies. We shall give it a go. Can't wait to be back on the Broads. HAven't been for 2 years so getting very excited. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisB Posted March 24, 2016 Share Posted March 24, 2016 If you are new to the boat follow Iain's advice. Warp her round and no harm can be done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted March 24, 2016 Share Posted March 24, 2016 46 minutes ago, Mark said: Hi Andrea, we took Thunder up there last Sept hoping to get a mooring and with some trepidation as she is 43ft. There were none available and to make it worse some one was also moored over the Basin. We managed to turn her with some assistance but had to move another boat a little to fit Thunders bow in between. So.. in answer to your question if you are 42 ft it can be done even with other Boats there Did you not fancy the 400 yard reverse?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Posted March 24, 2016 Share Posted March 24, 2016 Janet was tempted but we wanted to protect your asset too. Might have to give it a go at Upton Dyke in May though, just hope any damage does,nt spoil the next users week.. Oh, that would be you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted March 24, 2016 Share Posted March 24, 2016 never been to Dilham (maybe this year) but we have turned down at Upton with boats moored both sides so you have no excuses! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Posted March 24, 2016 Share Posted March 24, 2016 Dilham is def worth a try, but maybe better in May then your Summer one, and you surprise me with Upton as I thought it was narrower, so will certainly give that a go as have never ventured up there 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorfolkNog Posted March 24, 2016 Share Posted March 24, 2016 Upton is well worth the effort IMHO - the White Horse is an excellent pub Dilham also well worth a visit too. Agree fully with advice so far. The mooring basin is a bit tight but can be turned with care. I believe Hathor has even been up there. The final approach to the Staithe is quite narrow with a few private boats moored on the port side. One trick with Dilham is to use the Horning approach and try to moor mid to late morning. As others have said I would tend to avoid peak times to be on the safe side. Like Potter Heigham the Bridge at Wayford does limit the boats that can get there too. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted March 24, 2016 Share Posted March 24, 2016 50 minutes ago, Mark said: Dilham is def worth a try, but maybe better in May then your Summer one, and you surprise me with Upton as I thought it was narrower, so will certainly give that a go as have never ventured up there I'm not saying it was easy! like you say you need to get your bow I between the boats. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Posted March 24, 2016 Share Posted March 24, 2016 Trick is to look really scared and paniced near the Sailies and help is swifty forth coming. Only joking for those of a rag and stick persuasion 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1Drab1 Posted March 24, 2016 Share Posted March 24, 2016 We turned dawns horizon round no problems congrats on your purchase 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Broadsword Posted March 24, 2016 Share Posted March 24, 2016 Definitely use the ropes... We watched a group trying to turn a big cruiser at Stalham one year, for every attempt they made to turn under motor, they simply blew back with the wind... They wouldn't listen, but when I expressed my concern they were about to park the beast on my tiny little sailing boat and offered to take a line, they were round in moments... So simple to just walk the boat round... 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BroadAmbition Posted March 24, 2016 Share Posted March 24, 2016 We have taken 2 x Jewel of Lights and 1 x 'B.A' up there on one of our Lads weeks, that's two 46 footers and one 40 footer, No issues encountered Griff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Broadsword Posted March 24, 2016 Share Posted March 24, 2016 11 minutes ago, BroadAmbition said: No issues encountered Griff Well, not with turning the boats, anyway 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorfolkNog Posted March 24, 2016 Share Posted March 24, 2016 Its just struck me that we don't have any pictures if anyone is not familiar with the moorings at Dilham. Here are a few if these are of any help. As can be seen the moorings are on a dogleg but there is room in the basin to turn with care as others have said. 9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SPEEDTRIPLE Posted March 24, 2016 Share Posted March 24, 2016 Absolutely love Dilham, and a nice quiet place to stay. We`ll be on Lightning from late June, and intend going up there for a night. One bit of advice, if you are going to use Kestrel in September, go to Dilham, and pick some fresh blackberries, as they line the river bank for quite a way. We picked loads and made a couple of blackberry and apple pies that evening. Yummy. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Broads01 Posted March 25, 2016 Share Posted March 25, 2016 I like Dilham too and the river between Wayford and there is as lovely as the rest of the Ant. The biggest boat I've turned there is 37 foot but there was a fair bit of room to spare. For turning in tight spots I favour the bow rope tight round a post, rudder hard over, gentle throttle approach. Kestrel - Maffetts didn't keep it long. Wasn't it formerly Citation at Sabena Marine? I can remember seeing it in the Sabena days and thinking the engine sounded like it had a few hours on the clock! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vanessan Posted March 25, 2016 Share Posted March 25, 2016 Dilham has always been one of my favourite places as it is quiet, apart from the road traffic although that disappears at night. A lovely cruise up that part of the Ant, ever so slightly spoilt now by the tragic eco-friendly ( I presume) alterations to Hunsett Mill. Lovely pictures from NorfolkNog by the way. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liberty Posted March 25, 2016 Share Posted March 25, 2016 What's happened to Hunsett Mill? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vanessan Posted March 25, 2016 Share Posted March 25, 2016 It's not that recent but the area now is quite different to those lovely postcard pictures of 10/15 years ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BroadScot Posted March 25, 2016 Share Posted March 25, 2016 2 hours ago, Liberty said: What's happened to Hunsett Mill? It was chocolate box, its now IMHO a tin box! I look to port as we head towards Wayford and blink lots on the return trip Sorry, but I just don't like the alterations. Iain 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LizG Posted March 25, 2016 Share Posted March 25, 2016 And jigsaw puzzle picture. Now..... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liberty Posted March 25, 2016 Share Posted March 25, 2016 Are these the dark boxes with big windows as it was 4-5 years ago? If so, I rather like them, the angles, the colours and the windows. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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