Advice on Medway sailing?

[My_Owd_Transom]

Hi everyone,

I'm moving to Gillingham for 2 years late next year and I'll have very little opportunity to get down the Solent and was wondering what the Medway is like for weekend sailing? And what would you recommend as a weekend boat for the area? I'm thinking very budget (£2k?) just to get my sailing fix for a few years.

All advice welcome!

 

[dylanwinter]

films 13 to 18

I loved my time on the Medway

so much to look at

so much to explore

all along the Thames too

on this page

http://www.keepturningleft.co.uk/category/2008-season/

buy something that takes the mud

also a great trip up the medway to the top of the navigation

filmed it but did not edit it

Dylan

 

[xyachtdave]

The Medway (for anything that doesn't fit under Rochester bridge) gives you about 10 miles of sheltered tidal river before the sea. The Medway Yacht Club is a good place to start if you are looking for crewing or a mooring.

Us performing locally.... http://www.youtube.com/user/brainmaker#p/u/40/dBY3-K24x3Q

 

[aquaholic]

Although a bilge keeler maybe an advantage, I wouldnt be put off buying a fin keel.
As for clubs there is also Upnor YC and Hoo Ness YC along with Medway YC and others

 

[dylanwinter]

fin keeler

Although a bilge keeler maybe an advantage, I wouldnt be put off buying a fin keel.
As for clubs there is also Upnor YC and Hoo Ness YC along with Medway YC and others

a fin keeler would put half of the medway and the Thames out of bounds

I think

Dylan

 

[Fire99]

a fin keeler would put half of the medway and the Thames out of bounds

I think

Dylan

No, you just need a huge engine. And become a fin-dredger.

 

[aquaholic]

a fin keeler would put half of the medway and the Thames out of bounds

I think

Dylan

A slight exaggeration I think Dylan :=)

 

[dylanwinter]

not a bit

A slight exaggeration I think Dylan :=)

take your fin keeler up the medway through the locks

take it around the back of foulness

take it up to Oxford and beyond

take it out sailing around the Thames mud flats at low tide

I have owned a fin keeler Sonata - it sailed beautifully but as a boat for exploring the east coast....

naaa

D

 

[aquaholic]

take your fin keeler up the medway through the locks

take it around the back of foulness

take it up to Oxford and beyond

take it out sailing around the Thames mud flats at low tide

I have owned a fin keeler Sonata - it sailed beautifully but as a boat for exploring the east coast....

naaa

D

I think we are at cross purposes, I cant speak for the Thames, I was talking about the Medway, as for the upper reaches it wouldnt be the keel preventing me from getting there, more like the low bridge at Rochester and the same I would think for London Bridge on the Thames.

 

[hairbox]

medway

i would'nt bother horrible place !

 

[dylanwinter]

Good point

I think we are at cross purposes, I cant speak for the Thames, I was talking about the Medway, as for the upper reaches it wouldnt be the keel preventing me from getting there, more like the low bridge at Rochester and the same I would think for London Bridge on the Thames.

Good point about the mast

I often forget how easy it is for me to drop the mast and how hard it is for bigger boats

although I did spend some lovely nights around the corner beyond Stangate - and if I had a keel then I would have had to try to find something to lean against

Dylan

 

[Fire99]

I often forget how easy it is for me to drop the mast and how hard it is for bigger boats

I know this is a bit of a thread drift, but my Snappy 23 has it's 27ft mast on a Tabernacle. Do you think I should be able to get it down single handed?

 

[dylanwinter]

yup

I know this is a bit of a thread drift, but my Snappy 23 has it's 27ft mast on a Tabernacle. Do you think I should be able to get it down single handed?

did my eboat mast myself

you might neet to knock up some sort of a frame to help

is is the first bit that is hard - the first 20 degrees - then after that it is easy

Dylan

 

[Fire99]

did my eboat mast myself

you might neet to knock up some sort of a frame to help

is is the first bit that is hard - the first 20 degrees - then after that it is easy

Dylan

Thanks Dylan. I like to think i'm no wimp (well not too often!) and being able to drop the mast single handed would open up a good few possibilities. Thames past London Bridge being a good example.

Is the Slug fighting fit now?

 

[Spuddy]

Back to the Medway. There's more boats on the Medway than outsiders think and not at Solent prices either. A choice of muddy holes to berth in as well. A number of clubs have moorings out in the river with a trot boat arrangement to get out.
Surroundings can be a bit industrial in places: two power stations, two container ports etc but its outstanding for birdlife. Places to go? There's Stangate and associated creeks, East Hoo creek to look for U-boats, Queenborough (useful overnight stop). Harty Ferry is a bit more intrepid going outside Sheppey but sheltered if going via the Swale which also has Faversham and Conyer creeks.
Boat for £2k ? There's boats at the back of marinas and club parks that will be open to offers.

 

[dylanwinter]

sort of fixed

Thanks Dylan. I like to think i'm no wimp (well not too often!) and being able to drop the mast single handed would open up a good few possibilities. Thames past London Bridge being a good example.

Is the Slug fighting fit now?

Engine mounts perfect

but.... as I am sure others have discovered this but when you do a big job it is easy to think that all the other bits and bobs will fix themselves at the same time

so bit of a backlog

bog pump, engine leak, dodgy hatch

last few films for free here

http://www.keepturningleft.co.uk/category/2011-video-logs/

Dylan