Negotiating bridges
On the Northern Broads there are three briges you may need to negotiate. These are Ludham Bridge, Potter Heigham (in fact two bridges about 100 yds apart) and Acle bridge. This section show you how to manage passing under bridges by examining the mast lowering and quanting at Potter Heigham. We start on the east side of the bridges moored on the south bank.
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Step 1 Lower the boom onto the small crutches. |
| Step 2 Secure it in place with a couple of turns of mainsheet |
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Step 3 Wrao a tie round the jib to keep it neat. |
| Step 4 Remove the fore hatch so the mast can swing through |
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Step 5 Check that the keep is still inplace holding the mast |
| Step 6 That's it with the piece of string |
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Step 7 Undo the light rope that secures the gaff jaws |
| Step 8 Place all the blocks wrapped round the shrouds |
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Step 9 Lay the gaff alongside the boom so the mast can lie flat |
| Step 10 Free off the forestay from its cleat |
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Step 11 Remove the keep |
| Step 12 One person on the cabin top has a tie in his hand and pulls the shrouds inwards to start the mast moving |
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Step 13 As the balance weight rises catch it on the forestay |
| Step 14 Pause here and use the tie to hold all the shrouds losely to the mast |
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Step 15 Lower away gently... |
| Step 16 ...until the mast lies on the crutches as well. |
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Step 17 Tidy away all loose ropes (remember the jib sheet) so the side decks are clear |
| Step 18 If you are lucky a friend helps with a second quant |
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Step 19 Quant out into the middle of the river |
| Step 20 Here's the first bridge, the steel road bridge |
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Step 21 Go well forward and drop the quant vertically |
| Step 22 Pust on the pole with the knob in your shoulder |
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Step 23 As you get towards the stern drop the quant a few inches and give it a twist so it does not stick in the mud |
| Step 24 Grab hold of the bridge's giders to pull you through |
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Step 25 Continue to quant between the bridges watching out for a couple of deep holes in the bed |
| Step 26 Line yourself up for the small bridge - it's at an angle... |
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Step 27 ...and it's quite small. |
| Step 28 Duck, and use the stoneware to pull you through. |
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Step 29 Watch for a side wind catching the boat - and the current. |
| Step 30 Not far now |
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Step 31 Safely moored open the hatch cover and prepare to raise the mast |
| Step 32 Help the mast up from the stern and by pressing down on the counterbalance |
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Step 33 Pause halfway and remove the tie holding the shrouds |
| Step 34 Push the mast up keeping an eye that nothing catches |
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Step 35 Help it the last few inches with a good push forwards |
| Step 36 "What's that?" |
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Step 37 Ah the topping lift has got the wrong side of the boom |
| Step 38 That's better |
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Step 39 Drop into the hatch to put the mast keep back in place |
| Step 40 Secure the forestay on its cleat |
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Step 41 Refit the tie on the gaff jaws |
| Step 42 And collect your cup of tea! |
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