Anchoring on the Roach

[Boz]

Hi all
This might sound odd to the experienced on the ECMF, but you need to know the circumstances.

I have anchored a thousand times in the past both as crew and as Skipper, but this weekend will be the first time in my own boat and the first time with a very inexperienced wife.

I plan to sail from Fambridge, down river and spend Saturday Night at anchor round the corner on the Roach with a view to having a look at the real North Sea on Sunday before returning to Fambridge. With my wife it is 'softlee softlee catchee monkey' at this stage of our 'Own Boat' sailing adventure.

Any advice on the Roach anchorage would be appreciated, as for some reason I'm feeling a little anxious.....

Thanks....
and Regards
Boz

 

[MrCramp]

Don't know about anchoring at that location but maybe you would be better off going to Burnham Yacht Harbour for the night. Most women like a decent shore-shower and a meal/drink in civilised surroundings.

Only speaking from experience!!

 

[neale]

Why not keep going all the way up to Paglesham. Good holding in the soft mud or pick up a buoy and take your wife out to dinner at the Plough and Sail.

 

[stuey_two]

Spent a night on the Roach a few years ago, on a vacant mooring in Paglesham Reach. Peaceful, but VERY strong current on the ebb.

 

[Malish]

Are all the moorings near Paglesham being maintained? I recall a comment some time ago that indicated that some had been abandoned

 

[ChattingLil]

comgin from me (a complete anchoring numpty) I'd suggest you turn left into Yokesfleet. It's a spot I'm comfy with without able crew and I'm not a confident anchorer at all.

 

[Phoenix of Hamble]

Have anchored just into the Roach many times.

The holding is excellent.

I haven't been there recently, so not sure what impact the Foulness work is having, but otherwise its an easy anchorage in settled weather, but best avoided in a breeze as it can get choppy and there are better, more sheltered options.

 

[DanTribe]

If there is any west in the wind, along the west bank in Quay Reach is good, somewhere near Jubilee racing mark [ not too close or the racers will be upset]
If easterly anchor near the Quay, there are a few fishermen's moorings but plenty of room to anchor.
If the wind is north or south Quay Reach can be a bit rolly so go round the corner into Devil's Reach. Plenty of room but a bit remote.
If you want a nice secure isolated spot try, Yokesfleet but that's a bit out of a detour if heading out of the river.
You don't need to be tied to a mooring, anchors work well and the holding is good in most of the Roach.
A riding light is a good idea for peace of mind when the fishermen go by a dawn.

 

[Boz]

Thanks ....

I'm feeling more confident already
Many Thanks all

I'll let you know how we get on

Thanks again
Regards
Boz

 

[Lodesman77]

comgin from me (a complete anchoring numpty) I'd suggest you turn left into Yokesfleet. It's a spot I'm comfy with without able crew and I'm not a confident anchorer at all.

+1 - a nice quite spot, no-one to bother you. Can still go around the corner in a dinghy to get to the pub, or go further down to see the seals...

 

[FullCircle]

The moorings at Pag are maintained. The seaward ones are mostly Roach Sailing Association.
There is a visitors buoy almost opposite the pontoon.

I see you have a Galion 22 - that is going to be my post retirement boat, excellent choice.

 

[Spuddy]

I anchored at Horseshoe Bay, I think it's called, along the Roach; twas OK. Several times picked up a buoy at Paglesham. Last time we were a bit late out of the Plough and Sail and the tide had left the end of the pontoon dried out. Decided to hump the dinghy up and then round to the slip which went a bit further out but still involved a plod in the mud. Good East Coast larks but next time will make sure we have more water

 

[neale]

I anchored at Horseshoe Bay, I think it's called, along the Roach; twas OK. Several times picked up a buoy at Paglesham. Last time we were a bit late out of the Plough and Sail and the tide had left the end of the pontoon dried out. Decided to hump the dinghy up and then round to the slip which went a bit further out but still involved a plod in the mud. Good East Coast larks but next time will make sure we have more water

Yes if you are using the Plough and Sail it is a good idea to take a tide table with you

 

[DanTribe]

Hi all
This might sound odd to the experienced on the ECMF, but you need to know the circumstances.

I have anchored a thousand times in the past both as crew and as Skipper, but this weekend will be the first time in my own boat and the first time with a very inexperienced wife.

I plan to sail from Fambridge, down river and spend Saturday Night at anchor round the corner on the Roach with a view to having a look at the real North Sea on Sunday before returning to Fambridge. With my wife it is 'softlee softlee catchee monkey' at this stage of our 'Own Boat' sailing adventure.

Any advice on the Roach anchorage would be appreciated, as for some reason I'm feeling a little anxious.....

Thanks....
and Regards
Boz

We passed you on Saturday evening en route for Yokesfleet, and again this morning.
I hope you had a peaceful night, the wind was a little north of east and quite fresh, so could have been a bit lumpy on the ebb.

 

[Boz]

Thanks for all the advice, its' always worth asking

We passed you on Saturday evening en route for Yokesfleet, and again this morning.
I hope you had a peaceful night, the wind was a little north of east and quite fresh, so could have been a bit lumpy on the ebb.

It was a bit lumpy with wind over tide, and I was in more water than I planned, but all in all a successful and pleasant experience. The weekend went exactly to plan, even the excursion to the Crouch Buoy on Sunday Morning.......however

You must have seen the guy who anchored North of us with a blown out furling genoa this morning. He apparently tried unsuccessfully to get it down and then tried to lower his mast which crashed onto his deck and, I thought, bent at the crosstrees....

We enquired later if he would be OK and he thanked us and said he would. We really felt for him, it looked like serious money to sort it out...

 

[DanTribe]

It was a bit lumpy with wind over tide, and I was in more water than I planned, but all in all a successful and pleasant experience. The weekend went exactly to plan, even the excursion to the Crouch Buoy on Sunday Morning.......however

You must have seen the guy who anchored North of us with a blown out furling genoa this morning. He apparently tried unsuccessfully to get it down and then tried to lower his mast which crashed onto his deck and, I thought, bent at the crosstrees....

We enquired later if he would be OK and he thanked us and said he would. We really felt for him, it looked like serious money to sort it out...

I thought I saw a mast up as we approached, but it was down when we came past. I went close to see if he needed assistance but he seemed to be OK and I assumed that he had taken it down deliberately. Not nice.

 

[A_Sails_Pace]

Old thread, I know. Still, worth a bump (and still a very worthwhile read).

Question. What with nights drawing in earlier and the narrowing of ideal tidal windows in recent days I'm just wondering if it’s a pain in the arse at all to sail up The Roach on the Ebb? I’m considering popping down to Yokesfleet/Pagglesham this Saturday for the night but it may mean heading into The Roach from The Crouch at around HW+3/4 (coming from Fambridge). Waiting until the flood means it'll be easily dark by that point. Single Handing so I'd prefer to minimise the risk of issues if possible.

Any advice appreciated. I don't really want to be absolutely battling against the tide in my 21ft with just a 5HP if needed.

Thanks

 

[DanTribe]

Certainly do-able but it's a pretty big tide on Saturday and with a brisk NW wind it could get lively in Quay Reach. Will be a bit of a slog if relying only on 5 HP alone.
You should get into Yokesfleet in daylight, but wouldn't fancy doing it in the dark unless you are familiar with it. There is plenty of space to find shelter under the West or South banks in the Roach if you get fed up.
Lovely spot in good conditions.

 

[A_Sails_Pace]

Certainly do-able but it's a pretty big tide on Saturday and with a brisk NW wind it could get lively in Quay Reach. Will be a bit of a slog if relying only on 5 HP alone.
You should get into Yokesfleet in daylight, but wouldn't fancy doing it in the dark unless you are familiar with it. There is plenty of space to find shelter under the West or South banks in the Roach if you get fed up.
Lovely spot in good conditions.

Yeah, makes sense. Thanks mate.

Much appreciated.