Benfleet to Southend moorings...

[jpcarter30]

I was out and about in the above area yesterday doing my research in the hope of finding a cheap mooring for a 18-22 footer that I've yet to buy.

I made a huge mistake with my first boat by buying a 10metre yacht with two young lads to help me who grew to dislike going on the water!
I didn't have the confidence to sail it myself and next time around want to get a much smaller boat that I can hop on and off when I fancy sailing it.

I like sailing on the Thames Estuary between Essex and Kent and that stretch of coast between Benfleet and Southend looks the ticket as it has a railway line running alongside it which is fairly inexpensive from London and , from the people I spoke to, there's a much more relaxed atmosphere amongst boat owners I met.

Question is: are there cheap moorings to be had for a boat that size and if so where? Bit of sound, local knowledge would be a great help. Cheers, in advance.

 

[PhilQueenborough]

Hi I manage the moorings at Queenborough,Kent....there are a few available moorings left.Although this may not be your preferred base,I do have some mooring holders that are based in London who travel down.We are very close if you like sailing the Thames Estuary.

If you would like any more info please give me a call or PM me on here.

Regards

Phil
http://www.queenborough-harbour.co.uk/

 

[baldyash]

Leigh 'Marina' is next to the station but has limited tidal access.http://www.leighmarina.co.uk/ Theres a boat club in Benfleet creek & a Yacht club opposite.(nr Benfleet station)But again quite tidal.

Essex Yacht club based in an ex Minesweeper at leigh might help. Most moorings are very tidal along this stretch of coastline.

 

[MoodySabre]

As above plus there are council mooring off Two Tree Island but quite a walk from the station. Curiously there has been a decrease in the number of boats out there (my friend has his there) but if you ring Southend Council they may say there are none free.

I live in Leigh. There is Very limited access at Leigh Marina but it is right next to the station. OK for a small bilgekeeler but sailing one tide wouldn't be much use. Someone on the forums has his Sea King in there.

Top place for sailing from is probably the Island Yacht Club on Canvey point. http://www.islandyachtclub.org.uk/ but the bus runs from Benfleet Station to 'Canvey Leigh Beck' http://www.firstgroup.com/ukbus/ess...vice=27X&routeid=7985201&operator=8&source=sp

We used to a boat on a drying mooring at Westcliff (Thames Estuary YC) but all the cruisers seem to have gone from there now. Still have moorings and a dinghy rack on the jetty. Not too far from Westcliff Station but club moorings involve club membership fees and TEYC is now dinghy/fast cat orientated.

As well as the Essex YC there is Leigh Sailing Club who have moorings off the towpath next to the Essex YC moorings. Essex is more upmarket and run a trot boat. The Leigh is more down to earth and probably a lot cheaper to join/belong.

HTH.

 

[jpcarter30]

Cheers Baldyash and MoodySabre and sorry Phil, I'm not going to say no (just yet) but I'd prefer the Thames side of the Estuary.

What I'm trying to avoid is the sailing or yacht club as I just don't enjoy that set up. I would prefer something that gives me a bit more independence but I don't know how lucky I'll be pursuing that line!

An old girl in Leigh advised me to look on the council website http://www.southend.gov.uk/info/758/boat_moorings/1146/moorings/1 but I'm not sure where any of these places are as it doesn't provide a map!

Is a mooring in the mud feasible in Leigh or would I have to look closer to Southend and beyond?

 

[MoodySabre]

Two Tree Island moorings are where Benfleet Creek comes out. On a map this is south and slightly east of Leigh Station - the road there starts at Leigh Station.

Hadleigh Ray is usually shown as Ray Gut - it is a continuance of Benfleet Creek, coming out passed the Two Tree morings into deeper water the runs east almost to Southend Pier.

There are lots of boats on the mud at Leigh but in the blocks of moorings allocated to the clubs. I'm not sure that there are any individual moorings at Leigh. There are some odd ones along the front towards Westcliff presumably leased from the Council.

I have sent you a PM (private message - see Notifications top right).

 

[jpcarter30]

Thanks, Rog I've PM'ed you.