4 Days on the Blackwater

Opsguy1979

Opsguy1979

Well-Known Member
Joined
19 Apr 2006
Messages
144
Location
Hertfordshire
Visit site
Hi all,

Hope everyone is well. I have 4 days on the boat this coming weekend starting on Thursday with the wife joining me. Are there enough places to visit on the river to fill 4 days, 3 nights? The wifes experience level is still very low so my thoughts are gentle sails on the Blackwater during the day with nice anchorage/marina in the evening to encourage her.

Any recommendations? As another point can you get down to anywhere near Maldon as far as I can see it all drys out (my draight is 1.35m)

Thanks Karl
 
Gosh yes, pretty of options. You don't say where you are coming from? I guess you don't want to take the mud at the top of the river? From above Osea Island, you will depend on the tide but you can lock into Heybridge Basin for a night - totally protected, two pubs within walking distance but locking in probably means a 24 hr stay unless the lock keeper is doing a late evening locking. Going up to Maldon on the tide is worth while. Anchor at Osea Island, go into Bradwell Marina (Green Man within walking distance is usually considered worthwhile), call up the Club Launch at West Mersea (call-sign YC1) to get a mooring for the night and a lift ashore. Go up on the tide to Tollesbury Marina (includes swimming pool plus marina club and the club just up the road) - need to go in on the top half of the tide to get over the sill and therefore this is probably another 24 hr stopover. Go into Lawling Creek and anchor overnight just in the little deep pool inside (see my chart on my website - and others such as West Mersea, Tollesbury and Bradwell).

In these settled conditions there are plenty of spots to anchor. There is a lot more to say of course. Do you like/want peace and quiet or the facilities of a marina or a mixture. For peace and quiet, a mooring near me at the top of Salcott Creek, West Mersea is utterly delightful - at low water, the oyster beds are exposed and you can watch the sun go down over Salcott cum Virley while the tide gently trickles past and seabirds walk the Oyster Beds. Probably see a marsh harrier or two over the Tollesbury Marshes. The Club launch will take you ashore during 'office hours' or if you have a dinghy and outboard a trip to the hammerhead is easy. Good dining ashore in the Oyster Bar or Company Shed although expect them to be busy.
 
Last edited:
Hi Karl
(TG he is based in Tollesbury)

I can recommend Lawling Creek. Lovely and peaceful. Last summer there were some vacant buoys in the middle of the channel. It's neaps so probably enough water on the moorings to the west.

Visitors buoys in Pyefleet too if you don't want to anchor. There's Brightlingsea too of course.

We were thinking of visiting Tollesbury (for the first time by boat) on Friday. Should be in Bradwell Thursday night (now on F24) if you are coming over.

Remind me of your boat name.
Roger

P.S. Have you still got the mobo or are you just lazy about changing your avatar?
 
tillergirl said:
Gosh yes, pretty of options. You don't say where you are coming from? I guess you don't want to take the mud at the top of the river? From above Osea Island, you will depend on the tide but you can lock into Heybridge Basin for a night - totally protected, two pubs within walking distance but locking in probably means a 24 hr stay unless the lock keeper is doing a late evening locking. Going up to Maldon on the tide is worth while. Anchor at Osea Island, go into Bradwell Marina (Green Man within walking distance is usually considered worthwhile), call up the Club Launch at West Mersea (call-sign YC1) to get a mooring for the night and a lift ashore. Go up on the tide to Tollesbury Marina (includes swimming pool plus marina club and the club just up the road) - need to go in on the top half of the tide to get over the sill and therefore this is probably another 24 hr stopover. Go into Lawling Creek and anchor overnight just in the little deep pool inside (see my chart on my website - and others such as West Mersea, Tollesbury and Bradwell).

In these settled conditions there are plenty of spots to anchor. There is a lot more to say of course. Do you like/want peace and quiet or the facilities of a marina or a mixture. For peace and quiet, a mooring near me at the top of Salcott Creek, West Mersea is utterly delightful - at low water, the oyster beds are exposed and you can watch the sun go down over Salcott cum Virley while the tide gently trickles past and seabirds walk the Oyster Beds. Probably see a marsh harrier or two over the Tollesbury Marshes. The Club launch will take you ashore during 'office hours' or if you have a dinghy and outboard a trip to the hammerhead is easy. Good dining ashore in the Oyster Bar or Company Shed although expect them to be busy.
Click to expand...

All good advice but you seem to have got the WMYC launch mixed up with the Green Man at Bradwell. Also you have not mentioned the Victory at Mersea, well worth a visit
 
DavidofMersea said:
All good advice but you seem to have got the WMYC launch mixed up with the Green Man at Bradwell. Also you have not mentioned the Victory at Mersea, well worth a visit
Click to expand...

Not sure I have, tricky use of a comma! But I admit to omitting the Victory but then there is also the Titash in the village if they like curry.... Oh so much to say...
 
Hi Folks,

Rodger I have quite literally just moved the boat into Bradwell permanently onto A pontoon for the time being. I'll defo keep an eye out for you over the weekend the boats called Flighty. I'm afraid you have caught me out and I'm being lazy this is an old avatar I shall update it shortly :)

Thanks for the ideas they are great, I didn't realise there were moorings in Pyefleet that might be a good option. Just out of interest does the West Mersea launch run any later in the summer or is it still knock off at 1730?

Thanks again guys if you see me out and about do pop by and say hello.

Cheers Karl
 
Agree. My wind-o-meter said 25.7kts top. I gave up getting wet and ran up to Thirstlet, then had a great sail on the wind back hugging the Bradwell shore in flat water. Washed a bit of bird poo off the foredeck!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top