CalicoJack
Well-Known Member
We own a 10m long keel ketch, drawing 1.5m and are thinking of going into the Roach, this summer, to anchor up over night. We would like somewhere safe, quiet and pretty. Does the Roach fit the bill?
Anchoring in the Roach
- Thread starter CalicoJack
- Start date
FullCircle
Well-Known Member
What do you draw?
There is a pool of water just inside the Roach which is deeper than charted, but it is very soft anyway.
Holding is soft mud and good, and is protected from the winds in all directions really.
Seal colony live there, and the inevitable Oystercatchers et al. I love it as it is usually fairly empty.
We spent 3 days there at the start of our 2006 holiday just doing absolutely nothing, but we like that sort of thing.
Its flat with green bits tufted on top, and brown banked when the water goes away.
For a change you can also hook up to a free buoy in Paglesham reach and go for a pint in the Plough & Sail.
There is a pool of water just inside the Roach which is deeper than charted, but it is very soft anyway.
Holding is soft mud and good, and is protected from the winds in all directions really.
Seal colony live there, and the inevitable Oystercatchers et al. I love it as it is usually fairly empty.
We spent 3 days there at the start of our 2006 holiday just doing absolutely nothing, but we like that sort of thing.
Its flat with green bits tufted on top, and brown banked when the water goes away.
For a change you can also hook up to a free buoy in Paglesham reach and go for a pint in the Plough & Sail.
Phoenix of Hamble
Well-Known Member
Can only second Jim's comments..... if you want rolling classic British postcard style countryside, then its not for you..... if you want complete peace and quiet, almost certain lack of company and an abundance of wildlife, then its a great destination...
CalicoJack
Well-Known Member
Thanks! We draw 1.5m. I have modified the post to include this information.
johnalison
Well-Known Member
I haven't anchored in the Roach entrance since 1974 when we dragged and dried out downhill in the night. It was a new boat and we discovered that it leaked at the toe-rail. I can't blame the river though as we didn't have enough chain out. Hasn't happened since. Nice spot though.
DanTribe
Well-Known Member
Lots of options if you want solitude.
East or West bank of Quay Reach between Branklet & Quay, somewhere near Jubilee racing mark is usually good and there will be racing to watch Sunday mornings.
You can land at the Quay and walk into the village, a pleasant walk but alas the pub is closed. Stay on the path or MOD plod will visit.
Yokesfleet is our favourite, can get busy but usually plenty of room. The seals can be noisy at night!
Tides can run fast near Branklet and Roach buoys but generally mild elsewhere.
I think Neptunians were built at Shuttlewoods, Paglesham originally so something of a homecoming. Not much spirit of the original yard left now.
Best to make the most of this peaceful spot because I fear there will be a few years of disturbance once the landfill starts.
East or West bank of Quay Reach between Branklet & Quay, somewhere near Jubilee racing mark is usually good and there will be racing to watch Sunday mornings.
You can land at the Quay and walk into the village, a pleasant walk but alas the pub is closed. Stay on the path or MOD plod will visit.
Yokesfleet is our favourite, can get busy but usually plenty of room. The seals can be noisy at night!
Tides can run fast near Branklet and Roach buoys but generally mild elsewhere.
I think Neptunians were built at Shuttlewoods, Paglesham originally so something of a homecoming. Not much spirit of the original yard left now.
Best to make the most of this peaceful spot because I fear there will be a few years of disturbance once the landfill starts.
AliM
Well-Known Member
I second Yokesfleet, but don't tell too many people - we value its loneliness. Be careful where you drop the hook though, because it's quite narrow and it's easy to get blown into shallow water when the tidal stream slows near LW (it dries further along the channel). Closer to the Crouch is fine, but can be bumpy in a north or south wind. Holding is very good everywhere - good thick gloopy Essex mud.
Gargleblaster
Well-Known Member
I'd say there is good anchorage depending on conditions the whole length of the Roach from the Branklets to Paglesham Pool. Just make sure if you are not on the West side of Quay Reach that you have an anchor light on. I've often mentally thanked people with their anchor lights on when returning on a dark night when they are anchored in the Roach. As previously mentioned Yokesfleet is quite delightful but make sure you check your echo sounder before and after you drop your hook. As someone else mentioned there are always the buoys in Paglesham Reach if any are unoccupied. The ones downstream of the hard generally belong to the Roach Sailing Association and you won't be charged for them. But they tend to be a lot noisier than the ones up near the Violet. The ones upstream of the last set of navigation buoys [near the Violet] are also independent of the boatyard and you may not be charged for these, unless Nigel is in need of a pint. Further upstream of the Violet gets a bit hard as it shelves quite quickly, but there is a bit of a channel if you can find it.
If picking up a buoy in Paglesham Reach be aware that someone may return with dinghy in tow during the night and expect to be reunited with their buoy which you may have decided is unoccupied. And watch your weight, most of the buoys are not rated for anything larger than about 5 tons. I found my buoy drifting down the river a few years ago when a trawler decided to use it for a couple of days during a blow when I was away.
If picking up a buoy in Paglesham Reach be aware that someone may return with dinghy in tow during the night and expect to be reunited with their buoy which you may have decided is unoccupied. And watch your weight, most of the buoys are not rated for anything larger than about 5 tons. I found my buoy drifting down the river a few years ago when a trawler decided to use it for a couple of days during a blow when I was away.