It is quite a few years since we went on the (Southern) Broads and the holiday was not without incident. First, we didn't know how to stop the engine (cut the fuel) and had to return to the yard to get shouted instructions. Then, not realising it was tidal, we had moored at Lodden and found the boat gradually tilting to one side (happily not too far). When crossing the path of the chain ferry at Reedham there was a loud bang which caused consternation until we realised a piece of wood trim had fallen off the cabin wall and we hadn't got caught on the chain. We had a very slab sided boat which the wind loved and going along the Cut was a real challenge. However, we then ventured to Berney Arms where we were nearly run down by an 80 seat excursion boat (whose passenges then took over the pub we had planned to lunch in) but at least it was less alarming than the 700 ton freighter we met on a bend near Oulton Broad. But perhaps the most "thrilling" moment was coming along the Waveney to St. Olaves with the wind pushing us hard from behind. As we arrived we realised we weren't going to get under the bridge and, since the boat lacked brakes, in the end I managed a 90 degree swerve into a small dock area and then a more controlled mooring just short of the bridge. Despite all this, however, we really enjoyed our holiday; when we finallly got back in our car to return home I found it quite difficult to go over 20 mph, it seemed so fast!
That sounds like a very hairy first trip on the Broads! I think that a lot of people don't realise that the Broads are tidal. We moored at Great Yarmouth once and we didn't realise how far the tide goes out. Fortunately, someone who knew what they were doing at the yacht club showed us how to tie up properly without leaving the boat high and dry when the tide went out. Thanks for taking the time to write a really interesting comment! Best wishes, Rob
I remember a broads brochure in the 1950s which said 'it is a safely adventurous holiday with new thrills which Old hands regularly enjoy'. Your experience certainly fits the bill. I spent many Broads holidays in the 1950s and 60s in cabin cruising sailing yachts WITHOUT ENGINES and had various hairy experiences and also absolutely magically enjoyable ones. It was a fascinating boating subculture quite distinct from the canals on the one hand and coastal/estuarine yachting on the other.
Thanks Paul. We've been to the Broads several times and really enjoyed it - apart from the odd argument whilst mooring :) Thanks for watching and best wishes, Rob
I nearly ran aground on Breydon Water. Another boat tooted his horn off my port side and when I saw how far out of the channel I was I was horrified. I kept plenty of revs on and manouvered to port pretty sharpish. I still get chills thinking about it.
Yes, you need to be careful. We haven't crossed Breydon Water but we have been down to Great Yarmouth - very tidal and fast flowing. I prefer the calmer waters farther upriver :) Thanks for watching the vid and best wishes, Rob
When it comes to giving way to sail, in practice, unless you are also a sailor and understand what a sailing boat is likely to do next, just keep a slow and steady course at the side of the river or channel. It can be frustrating when tracking when a motor boat also veers left and right, in a well-intentioned but unhelpful attempt to get out of the way.
Thanks for this reply Jake, good advice. I'm not a sailor and I'm often amazed at the ability to sail on the Broads in the narrow(ish) rivers. I can understand how amateur boaters must often be a frustration.
Many thanks, Just booked a short break on the Broads later in the year. not a compleat novice as we know the area quite well and I have some experience , boating on the Broards. Watched a few of you videos and found them very useful.
Thanks very much Angus, I'm pleased that you found my vidoes interesting and helpful. I don't claim to be a Norfolk Broads expert, but we have been there several times and picked up some knowledge along the way. Thanks also for taking the time to comment, much appreciated. Have a great holiday! Best wishes, Rob
You missed Horning off your list of popular starting points on the Northern Broads. Horning Pleasurecraft is one of the best rated yards these days. Ferry Marina also have a fairly large fleet.
Also missed are Acle and Loddon. Although the yards situated at these locations are smaller, they are both family owned and offer good boats and comprehensive training for novice boaters.
Hello big money, I'm not a yachtsman so I couldn't advise you on that. I suspect the answer is No. Have a look at this forum whch might give you some guidance. forums.ybw.com/threads/sailing-on-norfolk-broads.6249/ Good luck with it. Best wishes, Rob
On the whole, a very useful guide. I think you could have clarified that mudweighting should only be done on the Broads not the rivers, especially as the accompanying footage was on the river. On the river you could mention use of rhond anchors on wild moorings, for those ‘out of the way’ moorings that you mentioned. That clip you show of a boat overtaking a boat that is also overtaking another boat is a bit alarming. Not to be encouraged!
Hello Helen, Thanks for taking the time to comment on the video, much appreciated. I will add a clarification in the text which accompanies the video about the mud weight. Point taken about the 'overtaking' clip. Thanks again and best wishes, Rob
Thanks Simon. I've been meaning to do this for ages and I finally sat down to pull it together this week. Now on to my next diary upload at the end of the month. Tx for watching. Best wishes, Rob
Thanks for watching - here's another video with 10 More Tips on The Norfolk Broads: th-cam.com/video/d40bjfCTkkk/w-d-xo.html
It is quite a few years since we went on the (Southern) Broads and the holiday was not without incident. First, we didn't know how to stop the engine (cut the fuel) and had to return to the yard to get shouted instructions. Then, not realising it was tidal, we had moored at Lodden and found the boat gradually tilting to one side (happily not too far). When crossing the path of the chain ferry at Reedham there was a loud bang which caused consternation until we realised a piece of wood trim had fallen off the cabin wall and we hadn't got caught on the chain. We had a very slab sided boat which the wind loved and going along the Cut was a real challenge. However, we then ventured to Berney Arms where we were nearly run down by an 80 seat excursion boat (whose passenges then took over the pub we had planned to lunch in) but at least it was less alarming than the 700 ton freighter we met on a bend near Oulton Broad. But perhaps the most "thrilling" moment was coming along the Waveney to St. Olaves with the wind pushing us hard from behind. As we arrived we realised we weren't going to get under the bridge and, since the boat lacked brakes, in the end I managed a 90 degree swerve into a small dock area and then a more controlled mooring just short of the bridge. Despite all this, however, we really enjoyed our holiday; when we finallly got back in our car to return home I found it quite difficult to go over 20 mph, it seemed so fast!
That sounds like a very hairy first trip on the Broads! I think that a lot of people don't realise that the Broads are tidal. We moored at Great Yarmouth once and we didn't realise how far the tide goes out. Fortunately, someone who knew what they were doing at the yacht club showed us how to tie up properly without leaving the boat high and dry when the tide went out.
Thanks for taking the time to write a really interesting comment! Best wishes, Rob
I remember a broads brochure in the 1950s which said 'it is a safely adventurous holiday with new thrills which Old hands regularly enjoy'. Your experience certainly fits the bill. I spent many Broads holidays in the 1950s and 60s in cabin cruising sailing yachts WITHOUT ENGINES and had various hairy experiences and also absolutely magically enjoyable ones. It was a fascinating boating subculture quite distinct from the canals on the one hand and coastal/estuarine yachting on the other.
Many happy memories of family holidays on The Broads as a child. Thanks for the tips. Warm wishes from Millionaire Paul 👋
Thanks Paul. We've been to the Broads several times and really enjoyed it - apart from the odd argument whilst mooring :) Thanks for watching and best wishes, Rob
I nearly ran aground on Breydon Water. Another boat tooted his horn off my port side and when I saw how far out of the channel I was I was horrified. I kept plenty of revs on and manouvered to port pretty sharpish. I still get chills thinking about it.
Yes, you need to be careful. We haven't crossed Breydon Water but we have been down to Great Yarmouth - very tidal and fast flowing. I prefer the calmer waters farther upriver :) Thanks for watching the vid and best wishes, Rob
looks a lovely place to visit there
*🦘Au🦘💯full view always📺thumbs up👍😎*
Hi Billy, yes the Norfolk Broads is a great place for a relaxing holiday. Tx for watching!
When it comes to giving way to sail, in practice, unless you are also a sailor and understand what a sailing boat is likely to do next, just keep a slow and steady course at the side of the river or channel.
It can be frustrating when tracking when a motor boat also veers left and right, in a well-intentioned but unhelpful attempt to get out of the way.
Thanks for this reply Jake, good advice. I'm not a sailor and I'm often amazed at the ability to sail on the Broads in the narrow(ish) rivers. I can understand how amateur boaters must often be a frustration.
Many thanks, Just booked a short break on the Broads later in the year. not a compleat novice as we know the area quite well and I have some experience , boating on the Broards. Watched a few of you videos and found them very useful.
Thanks very much Angus, I'm pleased that you found my vidoes interesting and helpful. I don't claim to be a Norfolk Broads expert, but we have been there several times and picked up some knowledge along the way. Thanks also for taking the time to comment, much appreciated. Have a great holiday! Best wishes, Rob
Very nice overview. One thing I would add however is about the electric cards.
Thankd Kevin, a good point. Too late to add that now but I will remember it for a future video. Thanks for watching and best wishes, Rob
You missed Horning off your list of popular starting points on the Northern Broads. Horning Pleasurecraft is one of the best rated yards these days. Ferry Marina also have a fairly large fleet.
Thanks for that info. I will include these in a later video. Best wishes, Rob
Also missed are Acle and Loddon. Although the yards situated at these locations are smaller, they are both family owned and offer good boats and comprehensive training for novice boaters.
Could you take a 30,m yacht down the broadlands
Hello big money, I'm not a yachtsman so I couldn't advise you on that. I suspect the answer is No. Have a look at this forum whch might give you some guidance. forums.ybw.com/threads/sailing-on-norfolk-broads.6249/
Good luck with it.
Best wishes, Rob
No - the Broads Authority's length limit for pleasure craft is 14m (46ft).
@@bobwalsh172 Thanks Bob
On the whole, a very useful guide.
I think you could have clarified that mudweighting should only be done on the Broads not the rivers, especially as the accompanying footage was on the river. On the river you could mention use of rhond anchors on wild moorings, for those ‘out of the way’ moorings that you mentioned.
That clip you show of a boat overtaking a boat that is also overtaking another boat is a bit alarming. Not to be encouraged!
Hello Helen, Thanks for taking the time to comment on the video, much appreciated. I will add a clarification in the text which accompanies the video about the mud weight. Point taken about the 'overtaking' clip. Thanks again and best wishes, Rob
Some really great advice and tips here Rob (the broads look delightful)
ATB Simon 🤠👍🛥️
Thanks Simon. I've been meaning to do this for ages and I finally sat down to pull it together this week. Now on to my next diary upload at the end of the month. Tx for watching. Best wishes, Rob