Launching advice

Houdini · 16 March 2025, 18:51

Hi I have recently purchased a Maelstrom 3.8m sib for fishing. I am looking to take it out on the Norfolk coast, can anyone recommend a safe place to launch ? Or can I launch from most beaches ? I have experience with sibs on lakes and rivers but never the sea so just want to make sure everything is safe as possible.

Thanks for your advice in advance

Fenlander · 16 March 2025, 20:03

Hello and welcome to the forum.

I wonder how you launch on lakes and rivers... trailer, transom wheels, carry etc?

Importantly which area of the Norfolk coast are you looking at and what do you want to do once launched... fish, visit other places etc?

Houdini · 16 March 2025, 20:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fenlander

Hello and welcome to the forum.

I wonder how you launch on lakes and rivers... trailer, transom wheels, carry etc?

Importantly which area of the Norfolk coast are you looking at and what do you want to do once launched... fish, visit other places etc?

Hi with the previous boat I had on lakes and rivers it was possible to just carry into the water. Im going to get some launching wheels for this one. Im looking at areas around weyboune, cley, trimmingham, cromer to fish some inshore areas

willk · 16 March 2025, 20:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fenlander

I wonder how you launch on lakes and rivers... trailer, transom wheels, carry etc?

That's all part of the Houdini schtick - 'However will he get out?'

...but in the end he does.

Fenlander · 16 March 2025, 23:26

It's the getting back that worries me!

Houdini I often say a good way to look at suitable launch locations is to use Google maps satellite view and see what there is of boating activity in any area you are considering... and if there isn't think why not. Sadly all your proposed locations fall into the why not category.

Of course everything is potentially doable but here are my thoughts on the locations you mention having visited the Norfolk area on and off since a kid...

Weybourne: Plenty of parking and space to set up the outfit. Shingle beach which will be difficult to get through on transom wheels weighed down with a 20hp. Potential for launch, and particularly return, issues with breaking waves on the beach.

Cley: Similar to above in all respects.

Trimmingham: I assume you mean the road down to limited parking and then a potential launch through a gap in the gnarly sea defences. In any lively sea state and higher tide times the sea defences and tiny gap of the "slipway" look a death trap, particularly for returning.

Cromer: The slipway is by the RNLI inshore boat shed and for RNLI/fishermen only as far as I know. No space to set up, no parking and slipway often blocked by fishing boats on launch cradles. Again all the usual beach launch issues.

If I was going anywhere in that area I'd try Blakeney and launch from the hard gravel car park opposite the end of the High Street. There are still tidal currents, lots of mud, shallows and a fiddly exit to the sea proper to deal with but at least the launch/recovery will be easier as long as you carefully consider tide times.

To be honest unless you have reason to head for Norfolk there are far easier introductions to the sea if setting out from Cambridge. Such as the Suffolk and Essex rivers/estuaries.

Voodoo · Yesterday, 11:48

Wow ! seriously comprehensive response. Brilliant.

Fenlander · Yesterday, 14:03

Cheers. It worries me hearing of folks new to the sea going for a beach launch without broader experience.

Pikey Dave · Yesterday, 14:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fenlander

Cheers. It worries me hearing of folks new to the sea going for a beach launch without broader experience.

Yeah! it's a funny one that. Inexperienced folk think that harbour/slip launching is the tricky one & beach launching is the easy option. Maybe there's a psychological block where folks associate harbours & slips with authorities/payment/spectators/parking etc. And think that beaches are the quiet/discreet/cheap option. Give me a harbour slip anyday

Houdini · Yesterday, 21:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fenlander

It's the getting back that worries me!

Houdini I often say a good way to look at suitable launch locations is to use Google maps satellite view and see what there is of boating activity in any area you are considering... and if there isn't think why not. Sadly all your proposed locations fall into the why not category.

Of course everything is potentially doable but here are my thoughts on the locations you mention having visited the Norfolk area on and off since a kid...

Weybourne: Plenty of parking and space to set up the outfit. Shingle beach which will be difficult to get through on transom wheels weighed down with a 20hp. Potential for launch, and particularly return, issues with breaking waves on the beach.

Cley: Similar to above in all respects.

Trimmingham: I assume you mean the road down to limited parking and then a potential launch through a gap in the gnarly sea defences. In any lively sea state and higher tide times the sea defences and tiny gap of the "slipway" look a death trap, particularly for returning.

Cromer: The slipway is by the RNLI inshore boat shed and for RNLI/fishermen only as far as I know. No space to set up, no parking and slipway often blocked by fishing boats on launch cradles. Again all the usual beach launch issues.

If I was going anywhere in that area I'd try Blakeney and launch from the hard gravel car park opposite the end of the High Street. There are still tidal currents, lots of mud, shallows and a fiddly exit to the sea proper to deal with but at least the launch/recovery will be easier as long as you carefully consider tide times.

To be honest unless you have reason to head for Norfolk there are far easier introductions to the sea if setting out from Cambridge. Such as the Suffolk and Essex rivers/estuaries.

Brilliant that's loads of useful info. If I was to maybe try Suffolk/essex , where would you suggest ?

Fenlander · Yesterday, 22:29

West Mersea, Mersea Island launch adj the RNLI shed on the gravel hard. No charges. Parking tight but OK if there by 9ish. Pontoon, toilets, fresh water tap, cafes, chandlery etc right by slip. Can go down the The Blackwater towards Maldon for a sheltered feel of the sea or head out SE to the sea proper.

Brightlingsea: Launch off the hard adj the pontoon. Toilets, water tap, cafes, pub, fish & chips, chandlery etc. Need to pay harbour dues at office adj. Car park behind the harbour office. Can go up the Colne for a more sheltered run or south out to sea.

Felixstowe Ferry. Launch from the boatyard by arrangement. Toilets, cafe. Car parking adj or perhaps boatyard spaces. Head up the Deben for some sheltered tidal water experience. The entrance to the sea can be tricky.