Digital Skipper – Broadland Light

This video will show you how to use the Eberspacher 801/802 hot air heater fitted to your craft.

This video will show you how to use the Side Power Touchpad Bow Thruster fitted to your craft.

You can connect to shore power when you are moored in a number of location. The three main options are in a hire boat marina like Herbert Woods, in a private paid for mooring or in one of the Broads Authority 24 hour moorings.

The Broads Authority 24 hour moorings with charging points can be found at:

• Acle Bridge
• Bramerton
• Coltishall Common
• Dilham Staithe
• Great Yarmouth Yacht Station
• Hoveton
• Horning
• Irstead Staithe
• Loddon
• Neatishead
• Norwich Yacht Station
• Potter Heigham
• Ranworth
• Reedham Quay
• Rockland St Mary
• Somerleyton
• Stokesby
• St Olaves
• Sutton Staithe

Click Here to download the Broads authority charge point instructions 

Charge cards hold £1 worth of electricity and can be brought from our reception or the following places:

Acle
Dunes River Cafe at Acle Bridge (during summer season, NR13 3AS)
Brundall
Broom Boats (NR13 5PX), Norfolk Yacht Agency (NR13 5PN)
Burgh Castle
Goodchild Marine Services (NR31 9PZ)
Coltishall
Mace Post Office (NR12 7EA)
Great Yarmouth
Great Yarmouth Yacht Station (during summer season, NR30 1QX)
Hardley
Hardley Windmill Trust (during summer season, NR14 6BY)
Horning
Bass-Online (NR12 8PX), Horning Ferry Marina (NR12 8PS), Tidings Newsagents (NR12 8AA)
Hoveton
Broads Information Centre (during summer season, NR12 8UR), Norfolk Marine Chandlers (NR12 8UG)
How Hill
Toad Hole Cottage Visitor Centre (during summer season, NR29 5PG)
Loddon
Bridge Stores (NR14 6NA)
Ludham
Big Shop On Womack Staithe (NR29 5QG)
Neatishead
White House Stores (NR12 8BJ)
Norwich
Norwich Yacht Station (during summer season, NR1 1SQ), Broads Authority Yare House (NR1 1RY)
Oulton Broad
Jeckells & Son, 128 Bridge Road, Oulton Broad, Lowestoft (NR33 9JT)
Potter Heigham
Herbert Woods (NR29 5JF)
Ranworth
Ranworth Visitor Centre (NR13 6HY)
Reedham
Reedham Quay (during summer season, NR13 3TE)
Rockland
New Inn Pub (NR14 7HP), Rockland Post Office & Store (NR14 7AH)
Somerleyton
Somerleyton Cycles & Ice Cream Parlour Jernigan, The Street (NR32 5PS)
Stalham
Simpson’s Boatyard (NR12 9DA)
Sutton
Sutton Staithe Boatyard (NR12 9QS)

Click here to view the printed manual that will be on your boat

If there are channel markers, stay within the marked channel. In the Broads, markers are usually posts or buoys. Some broads have channels marked across them. Stay clear of all channel markers and don’t tie up to them. Unless signs indicate otherwise, keep to the right of the channel.

• You should pass red markers on your right
• You should pass green markers on your left
• Isolated yellow markers indicate a hazard.
• A yellow and black marker shows where a river or channel splits in two directions. Pass either side of the marker but don’t cut behind it.

Engine Oil Level

Top up as required from spare oil on board.

Engine Coolant

Top up with fresh water from the tap. (DO NOT REMOVE PRESSURE CAP WHEN THE ENGINE IS HOT)

Fuel

You will leave the boatyard with a full tank of fuel, normally enough for a two-week cruise. The value of any unused fuel from your fuel deposit will be refunded to you at the end of your holiday.

In the event that a re-fuel is necessary proceed to the nearest boat yard for assistance.  Please make sure that fuel is put in the fuel tank, not the freshwater tank.  Similarly, ensure that water is not accidentally put in the fuel tank.  All deck fittings are clearly labelled.

Oil Pressure

If a gauge is fitted, and your oil pressure shows ‘zero’ at normal cruising speed, stop immediately and check your oil level.  If the dipstick level is okay and the gauge still reads ‘zero’ seek assistance from the boatyard.  Many boats have an alarm/warning light, which may come on when the engine is being started.  This should stop once it is running, if not, stop the engine and contact the boatyard.

Cooling System

Most engines are water cooled by a pump, which draws water from the river, circulates it through the engine and then discharges it through the exhaust.  Having started the engine, and periodically when cruising, check that water is being ejected from the exhaust.  If not, stop immediately as the engine may overheat and possibly seize.  If no water is being ejected, check the weed strainer on the cooling water inlet which can get blocked.  You will be advised of the best procedure for cleaning the filter on your handover.

Clearing your propeller

Occasionally weed may collect around the propeller, slowing the boat. To clear it, put the gear lever into neutral, then into reverse for a few seconds and then ahead for a few seconds.  Repeat this several times. If this fails, call the boatyard for advice or assistance.   If something more substantial, such as a mooring rope, has become wrapped around the propeller, call the boatyard for assistance.  Do not attempt to continue as this can result in serious damage to the engine. NEVER enter the water yourself in an attempt to clear any obstruction.

This video will show you how to effectively moor your boat. Make sure to take care and always wear your lifejacket

This video will show you how to effectively Navigate Bridges. Make sure to take care and always wear your lifejacket. To see a list of bridges your boat can go through, please check the “What bridges can I go under” tab.

You can have your boat pumped out at the following locations. We do recommend calling ahead to check availability and confirm opening times.

Ludham  –  Ludham Bridge Boat Yard – 01692 631011

Potter Heigham  –  Herbert Woods – 01692 672000

Wroxham  –  Barnes Brinkcraft – 01603 782625

Wroxham  –  Norfolk Broads Direct – 01603 782207

Stalham  –  Simpsons Boat Yard – 01692 580288

This video will show you how to safely cross Breydon Water. Make sure to take care and always wear your lifejacket.

Bridges Heights Headroom (at bridge centre) are taken at an average water point

Your Boat’s Bridge Clearance is listed in the Boat Information tab

Acle – 3.66m

Beccles Road Old – 1.98m

Beccles Bypass New – 3.66m

Breydon Fixed Span – 3.96m

Breydon Road Lifting – 3.51m

Haddiscoe New Cut – 7.32m

Norwich Jarrolds Bridge – 3.63m

Norwich Lady Julian – 3.96m

Lowestoft Harbour – 2.16m

Ludham – 2.59m

Norwich Carrow – 4.27m

Norwich Foundry – 3.05m

Norwich Novi Sad – 4.88m

Norwich Trowse – 2.74m

Norwich Bishop’s Bridge – 3.2m

Postwick Viaduct – 10.67m

Potter Heigham New – 2.31m

Potter Heigham Old – 1.98m

Oulton Broad, Lake Lothing – 4.57m

Oulton Broad Mutford – 2.39m

Reedham – 3.05m

St Olaves – 2.44m

Somerleyton – 2.59m

Thorpe Rail (each) – 1.83m

Wayford – 2.13m

Wroxham Rail – 4.57m

Wroxham Road – 2.21m

Yarmouth Haven – 2.90m

Yarmouth Acle Road – 2.13m

Yarmouth Vauxhall – 2.06m

The following video will explain how to navigate the bridges on the Broads

In the event of a incident such mechanical failure, running aground or collision then please call the marina using the dedicated 24hour number on 01692 672 000

Things to remember: 

• Never allow anyone to do repairs or tow the boat without Herbert Woods permission.
• An engineer may need to attend the boat so please provide a what3words reference (you can do this with the Aweigh app).
• Remember the safety of your crew is most important.
• If there is a serious emergency call 999 as you would in a car or at home.
• If you have any questions you can ask a member of the Marina staff, a navigation ranger or a member of Broads Beat