Thread: Boat relocating
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Old 14th September 2023, 07:01   #1
coolcat
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Default Boat relocating

Hi all,

The last two years have been difficult for us using our boat.
I'm sure you guys know we have our boat moored in Acle on the Norfolk Broads.
I used to have a weekly contract/client for photography up there which meant visiting the boat/staying on board every week.
After Covid and the lockdown the contract wasn't renewed in 2022 so the only reason to go up was for boating. This has become awkward as Ros works on a Saturday and we have an elderly cat that is on medication and can't be left for any length of time.

We have taken the decision with our change in circumstances to relocate our boat nearer to home where we will get more use out of her.
The drive from home to Acle is approx 2 hours there and the same back, just popping up for a quick visit isn't really an option, especially as the days grow shorter.

We have decided to bring Lady Emma to Titchmarsh Marina, Walton on the Naze, Essex which is only 15 minutes drive from home.

We have given our notice to quit at our current moorings and we are aiming for a mid October departure.

In the meanwhile we have booked Lady Emma in for both engines to be fully serviced, updated our chart plotter maps, had lifejackets regassed/serviced, checked flares are in date and properly stored, removed stuff not needed for the sea passage and lastly employed an RYA instructor to come along for an assisted passage on the sea going leg of the journey.

We will have about a two hour river cruise from Acle to Great Yarmouth and will be picking up our 'skipper' from Gt Yarmouth yacht station for the sea run to Walton on the Naze.
All this has to be timed right so we have enough air draft/ clearance to pass under three bridges at Great Yarmouth. So ideally we will be leaving Acle at first light to arrive in Yarmouth at Low Water in the morning. Then we will be leaving Yarmouth with the water flooding back out and in our favour and arrive at Walton nearer to high tide which is what we need to get in to the shallow waters approaching Titchmarsh Marina.

We will be looking to cruise at 15knots to give a comfortable passage and reasonable fuel economy. Great Yarmouth to Walton on the Naze will take about 4-5 hours.

I'm not familiar with these waters and a novice at Sea which is why we are emptying an experienced helm for the passage. There are many sandbanks, lobster pots/fishing grounds and the shipping lanes of the Ports of Felixstowe and Harwich to navigate.

Hopefully this will be a bit of an adventure and also give me some good experience on these waters as an added bonus.

Once we have relocated there will be a whole new area open for us to explore.
We will be on the North Sea at the marina but there are many inland waterways reachable from our location as well.

Ro won't be crewing with us on this journey, my Dad will hopefully be coming along and we have enlisted one other crew member......None other than Zed The Ted

I'll be up at the boat next week getting stuff ready and putting about 200 litres of fuel on board. If the tides are favourable and I can get under those bridges at Yarmouth. I shall take Lady Emma over Breydon water where there are no speed restrictions and I can check everything is working as it should at higher speeds.
A sort of shakedown run before the big day.

I will keep this thread updated and hopefully lots of photos and videos will be added for anyone interested
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