Tide Table Link

By Norfolk Broads.Org

An excellent site that includes a tide table relevant to your holiday dates. Enter your holiday start date, and number of days then click on calculate.

Youtube Video Link

A minor collision and another of 2 boats going through Wroxham bridge.  One gets it right but the other does not.

Click Icon for a printer friendly version

Of all topics

If you intend crossing Breydon Water or visiting Great Yarmouth you may wish to select the “Crossing Breydon Water” tab above. You can also print this information as a PDF.

www.mynorfolkbroadsboating.co.uk

• Gear Stick and Throttle control.  

I believe all modern hire craft have single lever control and are normally operated as the diagram below. Some have a separate button to pull out for neutral. The boat yard official will show you how to start the engine and how to use the control lever.

Pull out the lever from neutral and push slightly forward to retain neutral  and allow  throttle increase whilst remaining stationary.

• Drive on the right side of the river and give way to sailing boats and large vessels.  

Your reverse gear is your brake and it takes longer to stop when you are travelling with the current.  You can seldom bring the boat to a complete standstill depending on current and wind conditions. You may need to use short bursts of reverse or forward adjusting steering as necessary to remain static whilst waiting for an obstruction to move. If available a bow thruster is also a help.

• Turning a boat round (equivalent of a cars 3 point turn)  You don't need to keep changing the steering to the opposite lock for turning a boat around as the direction of the steering wheel has very limited affect when reversing.    I find the best way to turn around is to give your self plenty of room allowing for the stern/rear to swing.  Turn the wheel on full lock for the direction you intend to turn and use alternate throttle forward and reverse until the boat has turned.  A burst of forward throttle on full lock tends to pivot the boat momentarily before it moves forward. If turning in a confined space just as the boat starts going forward I give a short burst in reverse just enough to stop the boat going forward and continue to use alternate throttle forward and reverse until the boat has turned.  If you find you are fighting the current then perhaps try turning to the opposite way I:e clockwise instead of anti.  Go with the flow.  If you are in strong currents the boat may tend to drift sideways as you are turning so give your self plenty of room from obstructions and bridges.  A bow thruster is a great aid to turning a boat and often a simple u turn is achievable.
• Practise.  It’s worthwhile to have a few practice runs at mooring/parking the boat at out of the way moorings preferably against a soft bank with no other boats around or at least an area that has plenty of room.  Always approach moorings slowly and against the current unless the wind is stronger. You can find more advice on mooring a boat by selecting the mooring up tab.  
• Cruising in the dark is not permitted so plan your journey allowing ample time to reach your destination and locate a mooring.
• Give way to sailing boats. You should give way to sail even if it means coming to a halt or changing direction. If it is tacking (zig zagging across the river) I normally wait until it has turned toward the opposite bank and pass behind it.  I also keep my eye on the crew as they may signal/direct you to take a certain direction. 
• Speed Limits. Normally between 3 mph and 6 mph. Most of the time your speed will be 5 or 6 mph.  If you estimate an average of 5 mph when calculating journey times you won’t be far wrong.  Your boat will list details of the estimated speed using the rev counter.  You may be going faster than indicated when you are going with a strong current and slower when against.  Looking at the speed you are passing the river bank will give you an idea of speed. Keep an eye on the wash your boat is giving off.  Be careful when going through Reedham where currents can be exceptionally strong pushing you along rapidly. The Broads’s authority personnel are stationed on the bank and they have a constant eye out for speeding boats. The river police and Broads’s authority are normally friendly and helpful so should you need assistance their boats are recognisable being very low but with a quite long open back and a blue flag on the stern/back.
• Passing moored craft. In advance of approaching moored check the amount of wash your boat is causing. If possible give moored craft a wide berth and to reduce wash decrease speed if necessary.  Wash can cause a boat to rock about bashing it against the river bank .  This can also be hazardous  for people who are cooking onboard.  It is also polite to give anglers a wide birth where possible.
• Overtaking. Remember to drive on the right hand side of the river.  Under normal circumstances should you need to overtake another cruiser it is usual to pass on the left/port side. Discretion is required when a boat may be far over to the left/port, changing direction, turning off or mooring up.

In general overtaking a cruiser on the right/starboard could be a recipe for disaster. Unlike roads the rivers do not have lane markings and the riverbanks are not in a straight line but constantly changing shape.

The helm/steering is normally on the left/port side and boats do not usually have mirrors. With many boats it is impossible to see behind nor down the right/starboard side so the helmsman of the boat you are overtaking may have no idea that you are there and you risk being forced into the riverbank, running aground, hitting overhanging trees or a solid object such as a navigation post.  You could also be responsible for forcing the boat you are overtaking into a head on collision with oncoming traffic.

When you have passed a boat leave a good distance making sure that you are well clear before moving back and do so at a very gradual/slight angle.

Look behind you now and again in case someone is trying to pass you.

• Overtaking sailing craft is often different depending on the position and direction of travel that they are taking. You should give way to sail even if it means coming to a halt or changing direction. If it is tacking (zig zagging across the river) I normally wait until it has turned toward the opposite bank and pass behind it.  I also keep my eye on the crew as they may signal/direct you to take a certain direction.
• Fuel usage. If possible plan your journey so that you are travelling with the current you will arrive quicker and save fuel. I'm afraid fuel usage is a bit like how long is a piece of string but I have read figures from official publications estimating 2 litres/ .5 gallon to 5 litres/ 1.1 gallon an hour. This will differ greatly depending on the size of boat, weather conditions, speed/rev's and if travelling with or against the current. The figures are based on travelling at a maximum of 6mph.

Fuel deposit charges vary but I often pay £125 and  use approx £110 of fuel in a week. The boat normally holds more than enough fuel for a 2 week holiday.  It is usual to pick up the boat with a full tank and it is refilled on your return to the boatyard and the cost taken from the fuel deposit.  In most cases I find I get a bit of cash back.

• Navigation.

I have provided a basic map of the Norfolk Broads on this site but you may wish to purchase a large more detailed one. These are normally available at boat yards or you may wish to order one from your holiday provider in advance.  Most places where the river branches there are signposts but they normally only name the more prominent places like Norwich, Yarmouth, Potter Heigham, Beccles etc.

• Breydon Water.  Should you decide to go from the Southern Broads to the Northern Broads or vice versa you will need to cross Breydon Water. This is a very wide part of the Broads which could feel rather daunting to a first timer.

When you travel across Breydon Water you need to keep between the red and the green posts. The majority of green posts have white tips. When approaching or leaving Yarmouth pass the yellow post before turning.

Yarmouth. Due to extreme currents and 2 bridges, it's important to arrive at Yarmouth at the recommended time so check your tide table. The ideal time to arrive at Yarmouth is at slack water approx 1 1/4 Hours after low water and recommended you keep within 1 hour before low water and 2 hours after. It's also quite safe to pass through at high water slack as well, as long as there is sufficient clearance under the bridges for the boat in question. The downside of that is punching the tide in both directions, instead of having it with you, as is the case at low water slack.  I wouldn't recommend this for craft approaching from the Southern Broads across Breydon Water as if the bridge clearance is insufficient you will have to turn around and make the return journey. This is even more important if it is anywhere near approaching dark. There are Yarmouth Bridge clearance gauges on the River Waveney and The River Yare just before crossing Breydon Water but you need to take into consideration that if the tide is coming in there will be less clearance by the time you reach Yarmouth.

If you are travelling from the Northern Broads you could arrive early, moor up and wait till it is safe to continue. Yarmouth has a rise and fall of in excess of 6 ft so you need to leave plenty of slack on the ropes if you decide to stay. Yarmouth Yacht Station Tel: 01493 842794 or 07766398238.

The closest moorings to Yarmouth going North is just beyond The Stracey Arms wind pump located on the left hand side of the river approx 9 miles away so bear this in mind if it is anywhere nearing dark.  There are numerous moorings which are chargeable for staying overnight.

Please click here for more detailed advice on crossing Breydon Water and cruising through Yarmouth.

• Returning Boat. When you are on the last night before returning the boat it is best not to moor up too far away.  Most boatyards require your return by 8.00 or 9.00. I did get caught out many years ago and only once as a youngster.  We moored up quite a distance away with the intention of getting up early for our return journey. We woke up to dense fog.  Help!!!

Copyright © 2012 My Norfolk Broads Boating. All rights reserved