5 'Must Know' considerations for First Timers on The Norfolk Broads 2025 #norfolkbroads

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5 important points for Newbies on The Norfolk Broads. Are you thinking about a holiday on The Norfolk Broads but never been before? Hundreds of people visit The Norfolk Broads for the first time every year - many of them come back again ... and again...
This video will give you an idea of what to expect and some helpful pointers.

ADDENDUM - MUD WEIGHTS, thanks to Herbert Woods -
The mud weight allows you to moor in sheltered tide free water, e.g. Salhouse and Ranworth Broads. When doing this, remember that the boat will swing around the mud weight, as will any other boats with mud weights, so do not choose a place too near other boats or obstructing channels. Do not be afraid to let out a generous amount of rope which allows the mud weight to ‘set’ and prevent drifting. Do not moor up for the night in this way if strong winds are forecast – as you may drift as your mud weight is dragged along with you.
Head up into the wind in the desired place, and bring the boat to a standstill. Make sure the weight is secured by its rope and the rope is attached to the deck cleat/ring at the other end, and then gently lower it into the water so that it does not get stuck in the river bed.
If, when leaving a mooring the mud weight is difficult to lift, pull the rope as tight as possible, secure it to the cleat and, under power, move the boat slowly astern for a short distance. This will free the weight from the mud.
Put the engine into neutral and raise the mud weight. Rinse off the surplus mud by swinging the weight to and fro in the water before stowing it carefully on deck.

Attributions:
Potter Heigham Bridge
Andrew Bone cc 2.0
Wroxham Bridge
Mark Oakden cc attribution 2.5 generic licence
Breydon Water
Pete Chapman and is licensed for reuse under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 license
Breydon Water 2
Bob Crook Breydon Water
CC BY-SA 2.0
Breydon Bridge
David Medcalf / Breydon Bridge, from Breydon Water /
CC BY-SA 2.0
Bow thruster
Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license

Norfolk Broads – text commentary:

Number 1- Best place to hire your boat?
In the North Norfolk Broads the main boatyards are at Wroxham, Stalham and Potter Heigham. In the South, Brundall is popular.
If you haven’t been before, the advice is to start in the North.
You can book your boat direct with the boatyards, like Richardsons, Barnes Brinkcraft, Herbert Woods and more. Or Hoseasons.
Number 2- What’s the best type of boat to hire?
If you’re a couple, then a small boat will suit you fine and you will be able to moor in smaller spaces.
If there’s 4 or more of you you’ll need a bigger boat but you’ll also have more hands to help with the mooring
I strongly suggest that you choose a boat with a bow thruster, which will make mooring easier.
Hybrid boats reduce the carbon footprint of your holiday.
Number 3 – Out on the water
The most important thing is safety – yours and the people around you.
Cruise on the right hand side of the river.
Max speed is 6 mph .
Give way to sail boats
several of the nature reserves don’t allow dogs.
If you have a bigger boat, you may need to lower your windscreen or wait for lower tide before you can go under the bridge.
If you’re in the North Norfolk Broads you might consider visiting the south side of the Broads. This will involve crossing Breydon Water.
Number 4 – Mooring the boat
Once you get used to it, it’s all fairly straightforward. Your boatyard crew will demonstrate how to moor the boat
If you’re starting from Wroxham or Potter Heigham, a good place to head for is Acle Bridge.
Similarly, if you’re starting from Stalham, think about stopping at How Hill.
The moorings are all well signposted. Most are free for 24 hours. Private moorings charge a fee.
Some mooring are rear on, where you have to reverse the boat into the mooring space.
We’ve generally aimed to cruise in the morning and arrive at our destination before lunchtime.
If you can’t find a mooring, which is unusual, you can use the mud weight, which is at the front of the boat. This acts as an anchor. Not in the main rivers!
The 5th consideration - Planning before you go
A very useful App is Visitthebroads. Another good App is the Aweigh app.
Make sure that you know what is included in the boat’s inventory, then take things that you need which are missing. These are likely to include towels, washing up stuff, bin bags, toilet rolls and so on. Oh, and don’t forget a torch, a first aid kit and binoculars.
It’s best to moor up somewhere close to the boatyard on your last night.
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Many happy memories of family holidays on The Broads as a child. Thanks for the tips. Warm wishes from Millionaire Paul 👋

Millionaire-Paul
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looks a lovely place to visit there
*🦘Au🦘💯full view always📺thumbs up👍😎*

billyb
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Great video. I'd add that ALL the rivers are tidal; and that their direction changes four times a day.
Also, remember the wind could have quite a big affect on how your boat handles when coming in to moor. Oh, and remember that most boats weigh about ten tonnes!

icelollysgoat
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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!

batman
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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.

Calgula
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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.

Angus
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Very nice overview. One thing I would add however is about the electric cards.

KevinMick
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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.

SailingTheBroads
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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.

jakereich
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I personally don't recommend Richardsons as they don't give good boat handling tuition. However, I do recommend Herbert Woods at Potter Heighem as they spend time with u and give very good tuition and nice quality boats. It's a good holiday especially if you go in a group.

colin-carolmitch
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My wife and have SAILED about 13 times with Hunter's Yard out of Ludham.

robharris
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Hello mate i’m considering going on holiday on the broads but i’m a bit worried since i have dyspraxia which buggers up my balance quite a bit and don’t want to fall in since i can’t swim the best. Is there much risk getting on/off of falling in and do the boats rock back and forth a ton? Cheers

PageAtATime
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Could you take a 30, m yacht down the broadlands

bigmoney
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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!

ynys_mon
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Then he went and spoiled it all by saying something stupid like...Reduce your carbon footprint? If that bothers anyone, just don't go. Carbon footprint (yeah right) for this holiday would then be zero.

LewieLeway
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Some really great advice and tips here Rob (the broads look delightful)
ATB Simon 🤠👍🛥️

SetForAdventures
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