Exploring the Incredible East Coast - Wells-next-the-Sea - Part 1 - The Journey

[@chrismccartney8668]

Wells has gained a second life as home port for Windfarm Support Boats and a new dredged channel and sand harbour.

[@lovelifeloveboat]

That was the case, but I think the major operator was offered a better deal elsewhere and so when I spoke to Robert (Harbour Master) it seems there are a few gaps in the outer harbour now!

[@chrismccartney8668]

Ah could be useful for sailors as shallow around the inner pontoons..

[@philyaboots1]

Nice work! well documented.

[@lovelifeloveboat]

Thank you kindly!

[@chrismccartney8668]

See plenty of Painters and Bird Watchers Photographers and walkers as superb coastal walks.

[@lovelifeloveboat]

Yes it is absolutely the epitome of North Norfolk beauty!

[@biburybill]

Fabulous video thank you

[@lovelifeloveboat]

Thank you too!

[@bernadettec6386]

Just viewed your video on the NB net forum. Thank you for posting. I have now subscribed hoping to see many more videos. We love Wells and visited just this week. Stay safe.

[@lovelifeloveboat]

Welcome aboard! And part 2 should be out this coming weekend! Thank you for your comment!

[@grahamgetsabout2672]

Hi, you have been recommended to us by another subscriber. We loved every second. Thank you 👍

[@lovelifeloveboat]

*Welcome aboard!*

[@allanchurm]

just found this channel ..love it subscribed

[@lovelifeloveboat]

Welcome aboard!

[@stevenhensman2541]

Yes, it's a beautiful and a marvellous video. We are so lucky to have these people.What do these videos for us?Thank you sir thank you kindly

[@lovelifeloveboat]

So nice of you

[@neillambton4065]

Great vid Gav, really enjoyed it. Wells seems to resemble Beccles quite a bit with its narrow streets, and the style of the buildings. Next time we`re on Lightning in November or May, if the weather is not condusive to cruising, we`ll have a trip up there. Thanks for posting it,Gav, i`m looking forward to part 2.

[@lovelifeloveboat]

I am hoping it will be ready for next weekend - I still have alot of editing to do and is a slightly longer episode! Hope to see you soon!

[@WaggiesTravels]

What a brilliant vlog Gavin, both Lisa and I are disappointed as we wanted to join you on the cruise. Your attention to detail is incredible and the videography is superb. Looking forward to seeing you both in February

[@lovelifeloveboat]

Thank you - I hope you enjoy part 2 - completely a tale of two Seas!

[@chrismccartney8668]

Wells super sandy beach and great town, near er arrived by boat have swam often super beach.. I have sailed Dinghy and inflatable in Blakeney which dries but has a **Hole** where some boats stay afloat and Blakeney is a free port..

[@lovelifeloveboat]

It is an absolutely magnificent beach and a great place to visit that is for sure!

[@jdsfairlinetarga3790]

All the river exits and bridges still not working regular was one reason I left it behind. See state looked harsh. Great vlog. Nice to see you getting out and wells is a nice place.

[@lovelifeloveboat]

How are you finding the South Coast? Yes GY have just introduced a £20 charge for simply entering or leaving the port, will only lift Haven at certain times, tolls going up, up and up, insurance went super up just for keeping the boat inside the Broads... like yourself, I do not think an escape is far away!

[@jdsfairlinetarga3790]

South has been good but i have found less time to get out and about but also you do have to either book slots in marinas or take a chance on finding space. also there are no options on a river bank free mooring haha. although you can anchor if you feel brave enough.

[@lovelifeloveboat]

It's good to follow you as well - your low to south coast was awesome - I must admit, I'd like to try South Coast to the Scillies!

[@tonycamplin8607]

Just found this and I greatly enjoyed the video of an area that I know very well, love Wells but it does get very crowded in the summer. Never travelled all the way into Great Yarmouth always used Gorleston. I didn't think that those sea conditions were very bad even out of GY, they were just normal. Mind you, I've never navigated them in a cruser only in a yacht which may make a difference. Nice filming but it would have been nicer to have seen more of the boat and navigation instruments. Looking forward to watching part 2.

[@lovelifeloveboat]

Thank you, I have been in and out of GY many times over the years, and on this occasion, it was certainly the most challenging. But I know these can be 'normal for GY' ... I am currently waiting for a slot for a nav rebuild and the new plotter (MFD) allows video capture so that should be good for the future. It is hard to know what viewers want so I do try to make the vids as interesting as possible and encourage those I know with sea-going boats to get out there and explore.. safely... It is odd, that when I think about not going in a motorboat used to be the point where I thought about going in my old moody!!! Yes absolutely love Wells and thank you for watching and the comment!

[@tonycamplin8607]

@@lovelifeloveboat Thank you for your detailed reply. When I did my sailing we didn't have any electronic aids. All our navigation was done by plotting routes on charts, allowing for wind and tide then using a compass. How things have changed, it's so much safer now.

[@lovelifeloveboat]

Although, like yourself probably, I never set off anywhere without an up to date paper chart, a working compass and a through understanding of the best information regarding wind and tide!

[@tonycamplin8607]

@@lovelifeloveboat Good luck crusing

[@neilsbs8273]

Absolutely love Wells and the team there are great. I took TS John Jerwood in there, a 24m training boat with a 12 year old steering, always fun and challenging but with the correct planning it takes the pressure off a bit.

[@lovelifeloveboat]

You are absolutely correct - A little planning and it isn't too bad - after all, coasters used the Port up until recently. The TS John Jerwood is a beautiful boat and it is so good to see that we can still offer cadets an experience that they would not ordinarily get! Bet it is alot more stable than our little tub!

[@tomburton8239]

Well done you! Good passage planning, and very good quality video production. Not pleasant inshore conditions at times, but bearable if you have the energy, resolution, and a sound vessel. You should try the Baltic: use the inshore canals and the Nord-Ostsee Kanal, and over-winter there (in a heated shed if possible - over 4C and easy mtce.)

[@lovelifeloveboat]

Thank you, I would love to take time out to do just that trip - also Sweden, but that is along way in the future I feel. You are exactly right about inshore conditions, here on the East Coast we can have some peculiar combinations nearer the harbours, yet, once passed, the sea can be benign and perfect. Thank you for your comment!

[@marktuck3832]

Fantastic video. Having just acquired an f33 on the freshwater side if mutford I'm looking at some offshore trios for this year. This really helps me in planning thank you

[@lovelifeloveboat]

What a great boat - certainly very capable - although going North on this occasion was somewhat more difficult - I think, despite the cost, I would chose GY again as I would use far more fuel getting to Lowestoft - that is of course, unless we return to the salty side of Mutford later this year - which hasn't been decided yet! Look forward to meeting you in real life (If we haven't already!)

[@marktuck3832]

@@lovelifeloveboat haven't met in person yet. I believe you were in haven and now brundall? We are in broadlands. A few berth holders looking to do trios this year so I'm hopeful we all get to meet and cruise

[@lovelifeloveboat]

Yes that is right - Although where we go next I am not sure - the boat has had far too little use over the past couple of years. Absolutely look forward to seeing you! Also check out @waggiescruising as they too are both also hoping to make their first sea journeys this coming season!

[@FAhinch]

God that water coming out of GtY looked horrible I definitely wouldn't have been comfortable going out in that

[@lovelifeloveboat]

I didn't even capture the worst bit as the small GoPro had turned off - just outside the entrance was truly horrendous... but, I have done it before and happy with handling the boat - just haven't perfected filming and boat handling together! I hope, now that the bridge is operational again, it will inspire others to take the trip - not with such time constraints though I hope! Thank you for your comment!

[@twomenandaboat8681]

Great video and fantastic editing. The footage where you are cruising out at sea is just brilliant and really well captured! Keep up the great content. We were thinking about undertaking a Day Skipper's Licence one day; can you advise? Thanks!

[@lovelifeloveboat]

There are just so many routes you can take - I guess the question is, what are your plans going forward? Power or sail? If you wish to charter overseas you will need an International Certificate of Competence, if inland a CEVNI - both can be obtained through doing either a day skipper - power or sail, or through doing a Power Boat Level 2 - Locally I am not sure who to recommend, but a good start would be to obtain a VHF DSC qualification (1 day) and undertake the day skipper theory - there are some excellent online providers for this now!

[@Bitsandboats]

Great video , we live on the Norfolk broads aboard our alph 32 broads cruiser on the northern rivers. We’ve never been to sea before as never had the chance to or had the write boat but we are hoping to see what it’s like one day 👍

[@lovelifeloveboat]

It is a very different world to river boating - especially if the boat doesn't see the Sea too often! But we are indeed lucky to have the Broads on our doorstep - I lived onboard a previous boat for several years and thoroughly enjoyed the lifestyle, but just found I had soooo much stuff!

[@sweetfreedomGB]

Great video, very informative. Not keen on the music though! natural sounds are so much better.

[@lovelifeloveboat]

Hi there - I am trying to mix and match at the moment, especially the slow TV trips - of which this will become one shortly, Thank you for watching!

[@sweetfreedomGB]

@@lovelifeloveboat sorry I mentioned it now! I just thought some (not all) of the music irritating and I'll matched to the wonderfully sublime footage. You will grow your channel quickly I have no doubt about that, it's a lovely mix.

[@lovelifeloveboat]

Thank you - No constructive criticism is always welcome, thank you for watching!

[@surreyarborist]

Just shared your channel on the Whatsapp group at Thames Motor Yacht club Hampton Court.

[@lovelifeloveboat]

Thank you so much - working on some great content at the moment so I hope you enjoy!

[@leonmarcusdavison]

Windy typhoon 43 Lowestoft to wells is a video of the same trip on KZbin

[@lovelifeloveboat]

Have you still got your Windy? Great boats! I saw @aquaholic uploaded a Seatag upgraded review of a W43 - not yours was it?

[@jamesedwards7241]

Wells like so many small UK ports has done for itself really. the failure to dredge the waterways and keep them navigable led to the decline in cargo through the port and the knock-on effect of that saw business closures and loss of jobs which of course led to people moving away from the area and the influx of second homes ownership never a good sign as they bring so very little into an area force up accommodation prices reduce transport links and induce a general decline in the populace and once entrenched they apply pressure on the local authority which prevents it from rejuvenating the area. Wells is basically now locked into this vicious circle of decline from which there is no escape with one ray of false hope in the development of a marina complex which while it might sound tempting will put the final seal on the place for good locking out the locals as these places so often do.

[@lovelifeloveboat]

I tend to agree, although Wells, by road, is literally on my doorstep, and an area which I covered professionally with work, it is literally closed over winter months - and similar to so many Devon and Cornish towns, the key safes are appearing outside more and more homes. The development of the outer harbour was more driven by wind farm operation, however, they have got up and gone. Whilst I absolutely feel the harbour team are outstanding, it cannot be ignored that wells was built upon access to the Sea. Involvement of 'National' organisations could be even worse... The only way that this and any future can be gained - thankfully with the internet and other advances, is to ensure that young people have access to local housing and those buying property are having to use them (not all but a proportion) for primary residencies. Thank you for your very important points and although it, for us, is a picturesque journey, I have tried to reflect some of what you have mentioned.

[@fat_tommo_goes_boating]

Lovely video. But the colour of that water when you set off was just wrong 😂

[@lovelifeloveboat]

I know! You wouldn't drink it that is for sure and it had been churned up at the back end of a storm!

[@fat_tommo_goes_boating]

@@lovelifeloveboat I have never boated on the east coast, so not used to that sort of colour below 🤣

[@lovelifeloveboat]

Believe it or not, it is kinda normal - people actually swim in it but that wouldn't be my first choice!

[@stevenhensman2541]

Can I ask sir? Why you picked a cruiser and not a yacht? I like to know why. It's because i'm thinking about buying a boat

[@lovelifeloveboat]

For us it is time, Having previously had a sailing yacht, we now live very busy lives, but do hope to go back to sailing in the future, Thank you for your comment,

[@markcorbo6388]

Rather dull. But would have worked if you'd showed the boat more. That's what people like on tube. To see the boat inside on the trip . The hut in the snow. The RV inside whilst a snow storm outside. Otherwise we'll done

[@lovelifeloveboat]

Always difficult to hit that balance. definitely take that into account for something in the future.

[@DavidRoberts-we8fo]

3m waves!!! Really?!!!

[@lovelifeloveboat]

Yes - coming out of Gt Yarmouth and Lowestoft , 2 - 3m is quite common in certain conditions and that was my estimate so may have been nearer 2 but I couldn't see the horizon! -they quickly abate and it is just for a short distance until you into deeper water and East coast pilot describe the conditions! In most conditions they are benign but the swell catches people out - I picked the cam up after negotiating the entrance (for obvious reasons) and it was still quite choppy, but for the rest of the journey, as you can see, was less than a metre with about 5s interval so was just perfect!

[@sealineboater]

Getting in and out of GY can be a nightmare and quite possible, it is a real churned up mess there. I'm in and out of the post several times a week. It can also be a pussycat as well,

[@guidouytterhaegen]

Whats the all this fuzz is about?? With a boat that goes 20 kn,1 m draft……..what must sailingboats do then??😂😂😂

[@lovelifeloveboat]

I know, you are absolutely right, but you still wont get into Wells if you miss the tide - unless you want to wade up the mud! Oh, don't forget, us powerboaters are complete softies and when we run aground, we seem to do it so much faster than the sailies! Actually the first time I visited Wells was in my bilge-keeled Moody and I do recall having to sit out in the Wash waiting for the tide then - and that was when it was a commercial port many years ago! PS Just binge-watching your excellent content!

[@guidouytterhaegen]

@@lovelifeloveboat i visited wells two months ago….. 2 h after high tide with a 1.3 m draft boat…. The harbourmaster who was already home ..well was a little surprised!( inmust admit that i hit 8 times the bottom😂)

[@lovelifeloveboat]

That is probably as far away from high tide as you would want to chance it - I'm glad you had a chance to visit, it is a wonderful little town and well worth visiting - on the time I visited last year, it was really difficult getting out of the 'Broads' and it was an 'against the clock' journey to get there... and the slowest journey back as we had to get under a horrid bridge that, at the time, was not lifting, and our alternative, a lock, was also broken! I look forward to seeing your upload from your travels very much!