 |
||
|
||
| Norfolk Broads & East Coast Coordinator | |||
| Welcome to the Norfolk Broads. Our Norfolk Broads Coordinator is Will Hawkes (Boat Name: CANTA LIBRE- a Seamaster 8 Metre). Typically we have 60 to 70 members in the Norfolk Broads Area and a further 10 or so members on the Broads East Coast. The Broads comprise of 125 miles (200 km) of lock-free navigable waterways. Five rivers flow through the Broads, the Bure, the Yare, the Ant, the Thurne and the Waveney, together with the Chet a tributary of the Yare. There are around forty lakes that are the flooded remains of medieval peat diggings. The Broads has special legal status protected under the Norfolk & Suffolk Broads Act 1988, equal to that of a national park because of its importance for wildlife, it's unique landscape and recreation facilities. The Broads is the perfect place for boating, Seamaster style whether it is power or sail, taking time away from the rat race to slow down, enjoy the scenery and meet new friends. There are many excellent facilities from the riverside pubs and restaurants to the marinas and shops. The Broads can be accessed from the sea at Lowestoft into Oulton Broad and Great Yarmouth into the River Bure for the north broads or the River Yare for the south, all the way into the city of Norwich. Since Victorian times the Broads has been a popular location for boating, fishing, bird watching, walking and just enjoying the peace and tranquillity of the area. The Seamaster club has been active on the Norfolk broads since its formation in 1992 with over 50 Seamasters currently members in this area. Various functions are held throughout the year i.e. May Bank Holiday boat meet at Beccles, Ranworth Broad Summer Barbecue in July, Oulton Broad Regatta in August and a winter get together ashore. |
|||
|
David Bazire, A previous Norfolk Broads co-ordinator, told us that the character of boating on the Broads is rapidly changing, with more privately owned boats than hire craft. Cheap overseas holidays, with guaranteed sunshine, have tended to increase in popularity at the expense of the hire fleet, and many firms have sold off boats in their fleet because of lack of customers. This has made for an extended season, with people taking care of their boats and a pride in handling them, in contrast to the rev 'em and bash 'em attitude of some of the hired boats in the past. Speed limits are in force throughout the Broads waterways. The limits are 3, 4, 5 and 6 mph with only Breydon water excluded, where there is no limit. Speed limits are necessary to reduce boat wash which causes erosion of the banks and damage to wildlife. Why the Broads Authority still allow speedboats towing waterskiers into some areas is quite a mystery. Most bridges have safe clearance for Seamasters, especially at low water. the lowest bridge on the Broads is the old iron bridge at Beccles on the Waveney, but I have taken my 27' under it on a lowish tide, and my windscreen does not (at the moment) fold down. If you have a folding windscreen you should not have any problems. The Norfolk Broads area is our most active area with many lunch meets in local pubs throughout the year and several afloat meets during the cruising season. |
|||
|
|
The major
event of the year is "The Big One" on the island at Ranworth
in the North Broads. We reserve the whole island for up to 20 boats, or
more, to meet for a long weekend during which we engage in social and
technical chat, indulge in wine and fine food (or beer and a bun), enjoy
a variety of activities such as dinghy racing and other very relaxed competitions.
|
 |
|
|
THURNE
Afloat Meet
|
|||
 |
Twice a year many members meet at the Lion Inn moorings in the Thurne Dyke for a general social get-together. |  |
|
|
BECCLES
Afloat Meet
|
|||
 |
The main event on the South Broads is held at Beccles Yacht Station and attracts many members. We reserve a set of moorings with the harbour master, set up our long gazebo and chat, sup and dine into the small hours. On the Saturday evening we retire to a local hostelry for a slap-up meal and drinks before sometimes joining the Vintage Wooden Boat Club for late evening entertainment. |  |
|
|
In
addition to these afloat events there are several lunch meets at local
hostelries including the Lion Inn at Thurne and the Sutton Staithe hotel;
both of these venues have also been used for the "Christmas Bash".
|
|||
Links: |
|||
|
The official site of The Broads Authority
|
Norfolk & Suffolk Boating Association | The NSBA represents sailing and boating clubs and individual members and has a voice on the Broads Authority. | |
| Broads Authority (Tolls and Registration) | The Broads Authority, link for updated Tolls and Registration charges | Information, maps, links to businesses & other information that may be of use to boating enthusiasts and anglers who enjoy the Norfolk Broads | |
| The boats of the Norfolk Broads | A database of over 8,500 boats seen on the Norfolk Broads in the last 30 years. (With some historical records from old catalogues and photographs). | An interactive Guide to the Norfolk Broads | The Norfolk Broads is Britains finest wetland. It is a unique area covering approximately 117 square miles which is internationally recognised for its rich wildlife and land scape value. |
| David Revill, | Boat Safety Examiner | Norfolk Photograph Gallery | An impressive collection of quality images of Norfolk, Suffolk etc neatly arranged in galleries. |
| The Norfolk Broads | A welcome to the Norfolk Broads, | ||
JOIN HERE / WHAT'S NEW /
HOME
/
Seamaster 17 Cub / Seamaster
20 Captain / Seamaster
21 / Seamaster 23 / Seamaster
24 Cadet / Seamaster 25 / Seamaster
26 / Seamaster 27
Seamaster 725 / Seamaster
8 metre / Seamaster 813 /
Seamaster 28 / Seamaster
820 / Seamaster 30 / Seamaster
950 / Seamaster 34
Seamaster 23S / Seamaster
29 / Seamaster 815
/ Seamaster 28 Sailer
/ Seamaster 925 / Seamaster
1125
