A weekend trip from South Dock

[charliehl]

Hello all,

We are based in South Dock Marina. Where would you reccomend for a weekend down the Thames? Where can we stop on the Thames? Are there any anchorages or fun areas for a weekend? (sailing yacht, avg 5knots under power)

Thank you

Charlie

 

[MoodySabre]

Not many places to stop on the Thames East of the QE2 bridge - Gravesend YC having mooring I believe. On the South side there is then only the Medway (Queenborough - not usually referred to as a fun place) - good anchoring in Stangate Creek. Muddy spot for a BBQ.

On the North side of the Thames there is nowhere to go alongside other than briefly at Bell Wharf, Leigh - top of the tide or drying out there in a bilgekeeler. If it is a nice day and LW is middle of the day then lots of boats anchor in The Ray off Chalkwell/Westcliff. The sandbanks dry out into hard sand are popular for BBQs, footie etc. if you have a dinghy. Swimming there too is good but be aware of the current. That's the fun place!

 

[Lucky Duck]

In the past have spent the night on a mooring at Erith and Thurrock Yacht Clubs (poor passage planning/ackward locking out time from St Kats) and presumably a trip ashore would enable you to have a pint or a meal ashore at the respective club houses. While I was very greatful for them at the time I wouldn't describe either destination as the best that the East Coast has to offer.

There appears to be a back eddy at Erith so the boat faces South West during the entire tidal cycle, which is useful in the prevailing winds but less so in a North Easterly.

 

[Firefly]

Gravesend Sailing Club certainly does have a visitors buoy and there are often other buoys available for a stopover, however we are not conveniently placed for getting ashore at or near low water, which restricts our usefulness for trips from upriver (we make a good destination for boats coming the other way).