Best yacht club on the Deben?

[Colvic Watson]

In a year or so we want to be on a swinging mooring but more importantly we want to be members of a yacht club; I grew up with the social and cruising life of the Isle of Man yacht club and we want the children to get into dinghy racing. We're based on the Deben and wondered which club might tick all those boxes?

 

[John 32i]

We joined Felixstowe Ferry Sailing Club this year, enticed by half price subscription....only been in once so far and there didnt seem much life, although I understand that they have a good following, particularly with dinghy sailing Wednesday & Sunday I believe ?

 

[sailorman]

In a year or so we want to be on a swinging mooring but more importantly we want to be members of a yacht club; I grew up with the social and cruising life of the Isle of Man yacht club and we want the children to get into dinghy racing. We're based on the Deben and wondered which club might tick all those boxes?

WSC. is a very active & family oriented club .

 

[Jan Harber]

Waldringfield SC, very active, dinghies (many Larks) and Squibs racing most weekends in summer, as far as one can see from sailing on the Deben over many years. Looks to be a family oriented club, has a junior fleet (Cadets, Oppies etc) and runs open meetings.
Pretty location with beach foreshore not far from the Maybush.

 

[MrCramp]

My kids are now grown up but if I were in your situation I would consider Waldringfield to be the best place as they don't run out of water as Woodbridge does, and there is more room for the dinghies to sail. I don't like the fierce currents at Felixstowe Ferry so wouldn't go there.

 

[Colvic Watson]

Looked up Waldringfield but it seems they don't do club moorings, otherwise it seems a great place. Do Deben cruising or Woodbridge cruising clubs do their own moorings? It doesn't say anything about them on their site.

 

[sailorman]

Looked up Waldringfield but it seems they don't do club moorings, otherwise it seems a great place. Do Deben cruising or Woodbridge cruising clubs do their own moorings? It doesn't say anything about them on their site.

no clubs on the Deben do club moorings, they are either commercially or privately owned run by local fairways committees.
on the Orwell Stoke SC & The Orwell YC own moorings but a waiting list will apply

 

[BAtoo]

In a year or so we want to be on a swinging mooring but more importantly we want to be members of a yacht club; I grew up with the social and cruising life of the Isle of Man yacht club and we want the children to get into dinghy racing. We're based on the Deben and wondered which club might tick all those boxes?

The Deben club that does yachts and dinghies is Waldringfield; on the Orwell its mainly Royal Harwich.

 

[MrCramp]

Looked up Waldringfield but it seems they don't do club moorings, otherwise it seems a great place. Do Deben cruising or Woodbridge cruising clubs do their own moorings? It doesn't say anything about them on their site.

The moorings at Waldringfield are owned/run by Waldringfield Boatyard. EDIT. NOTE THIS IS NOT CORRECT. SEE SAILORMAN'S CORRECTION BELOW. It did used to be difficult to get a mooring there but I am not sure now. I think they run all of them but there might be some run by a Fairways Committee. I know it cost £5 a day to park in the Council car park at Waldringfield, don't know if the club have their own car park.

At Woodbridge there is a Harbour Master called Gordon who can often be found in The Anchor at night opposite Woodbridge Station. I suspect he runs some mooring but Eversons might also run some.

 

[sailorman]

The moorings at Waldringfield are owned/run by Waldringfield Boatyard. It did used to be difficult to get a mooring there but I am not sure now. I think they run all of them but there might be some run by a Fairways Committee. I know it cost £5 a day to park in the Council car park at Waldringfield, don't know if the club have their own car park.

At Woodbridge there is a Harbour Master called Gordon who can often be found in The Anchor at night opposite Woodbridge Station. I suspect he runs some mooring but Eversons might also run some.

the Waldringfield Boatyard will be allocated moorings from the Fairway Committee just the same as everybody else.
Villagers get preferential treatment on the waiting list & that is just how it should be

 

[Leighb]

On the Orwell the Royal Harwich does have club moorings, and has a very active youth section for dinghy sailing.

 

[Colvic Watson]

We popped down there today to have a look and it seemed a great club - any idea what the waiting list is for club moorings/pontoon spaces? Certainly an active youth racing section which the daughters could get into.

 

[Lucky Duck]

We popped down there today to have a look and it seemed a great club - any idea what the waiting list is for club moorings/pontoon spaces? Certainly an active youth racing section which the daughters could get into.

Based on current turnover the waiting list for a berth at the RHYC marina is over 10 years. Although smaller boats will be accomodated more easily than larger ones.

Club swinging moorings should be available, most of the all tide ones are just upstream of Woolverstone marina as the ones opposite the club house are operated by MDL.

 

[Leighb]

As Simon said, long wait for pontoon berths, swinging moorings more likely to be available depending on the size/draft of your yacht. We have some half tide moorings also nearer to the club. There are also some all tide ones further down river beyond pin Mill.

Lots of action for the young, with training, racing and social activities.

 

[PetiteFleur]

Frelixstowe Ferry Sailing Club has a very active youth sailing with excellent training etc. - every Saturday morning. Moorings are with Felixstowe Ferry Boatyard or private moorings thro' the Mooring Committee, just get your name on the waiting list as soon as possible. I waited 5 years for mine and my friend 6 years.

 

[Colvic Watson]

Update

Thanks for all the help with this query. We've visited the Royal Harwich and it looks excellent. Leaving the Deben will be a wrench but the family activities, club facilities, organised cruises, deep water moorings, diesel barge and water top up make a heck of a package. The location is also attractive - quite a view.

Winter will probably still be in Woodbridge but Fox's are offering a great five month package.

 

[Leighb]

Thanks for all the help with this query. We've visited the Royal Harwich and it looks excellent. Leaving the Deben will be a wrench but the family activities, club facilities, organised cruises, deep water moorings, diesel barge and water top up make a heck of a package. The location is also attractive - quite a view.

Winter will probably still be in Woodbridge but Fox's are offering a great five month package.

I look forward to meeting you at RHYC, let me know if there is anything I can help with.