Blakeney - Britains only free harbour ---?---

dylanwinter

dylanwinter

Well-Known Member
Joined
28 Mar 2005
Messages
12,954
Location
Buckingham
www.keepturningleft.co.uk
The slug is currently leaning against the harbour wall at Blakeney on the North Norfolk Coast.

I was told yesterday that it is the only free harbour in the UK - no rules - no harbour master - I was told that you could theoretically put a mooring down wherever you want.

Does anyone here know if that is true - are there any other such places - and how can such a thing can work - I have to say that on first sight it seems to work pretty well

Dylan
 
Thanks to Mr Hitler..

Barrow in Furness, tidal channel.

I asked about a buying/renting a mooring and was told that since a bombing raid flattened the dock offices, nobody pays, just walk out and plant your own, which I did at Roa Island for three years.

Probably apocryphal, (the bomb bit) but too good to check wrong!

http://www.visitcumbria.com/simon/roaisland-8157b.jpg

Nick
Based Gibraltar Point, (26' 200pa)
 
I think Burnham Overy Staithe ( just up the coast from Blakeney is similar.

I know that they do try and sell permits ( or rather did from the mid eighties. Previously No-one had any type of permit and no-one, as far as I know has explained how anybody suddenly was granted the right to charge, and what the punishment was if you didn;t have one. Thereofe in my eyes it's still free!!
 
wow - some great controversies there

During my circumnavigation I am coming across many different styles of harbour management.

Most though are pretty good - from the people at Rye, who when I went in to pay said _forget it.

to some pretty expensive places to sail -

The broads is expensive and bureacratic - but then the maintenance costs for the broads are astronomic -

and most tidal harbours need dredging and bouying - and that must cost a lot of money

At the moment my boat is parked up against the wall in Blakeney - unnatended -

so if there are any takers who would like to stroll down and check the lines and give the bilge a quick pump....

but I am assuming that the harbour wall will not collapse onto the boat

- the way it is crumbling in southwold.

At the moment the organised anarchy of Blakeney seems quite attractive.

I am now planning to stay on the wash for the winter - filming the birds and the seals

so I am sure I will learn more

but right now - the price is pretty good

lets see how the boat has faired over this weekend

I might get back and find that the organised anarchy might result in a few more blemishes on the hull and rubbing straight

I am serious about any takers for looking at her - the earliest I can get back in next thursday - when I am planning to taker the slug to a mud berth in wain fleet
Dylan

.

d
 
You can tie up to the wharf at Wareham, up the river Frome from Poole Harbour, for free. You can't put in your own mooring though. I thik they are all owned by the enviroment agency. Photo shows my boat tied up there last month whilst I popped into the pub for a drink.
 
jswindel said:
You can tie up to the wharf at Wareham, up the river Frome from Poole Harbour, for free. You can't put in your own mooring though. I thik they are all owned by the enviroment agency. Photo shows my boat tied up there last month whilst I popped into the pub for a drink.
Click to expand...

How soft is the mud there? Would me 4ft 9in fin keel have any chance of sinking into it?
 
jswindel said:
You can tie up to the wharf at Wareham, up the river Frome from Poole Harbour, for free. You can't put in your own mooring though. I thik they are all owned by the enviroment agency. Photo shows my boat tied up there last month whilst I popped into the pub for a drink.
Click to expand...

Years ago I watched a 32-ish footer lose her mast as she went sideways under the bridge at Wareham. Possibly more entertaining for the spectators than for the poor schmuck on board.
 
seals

dylanwinter said:
The slug is currently leaning against the harbour wall at Blakeney on the North Norfolk Coast.

I was told yesterday that it is the only free harbour in the UK - no rules - no harbour master - I was told that you could theoretically put a mooring down wherever you want.

Does anyone here know if that is true - are there any other such places - and how can such a thing can work - I have to say that on first sight it seems to work pretty well

Dylan
Click to expand...

Yes I had a mooring at wells for ten year and loads of people told me to put a mooring down in Blakeney. Can get quite rough in there though ! and for some reason every time I have been in there my anchor chain has got wrapped round both my keels and one buoy or other has appeared from nowhere and got inbetween the 2 keels and the rudder skeg ! When I have dried out I have been bow down at 45 degrees stern down at 45 degress or tilted to port or starboard by at least 20 degrees ! The westerly has 3 legs ! :D I have no idea how!! I have really tried to find a flat place But :) having said that Blakeney is a great place
 
Last edited:
The slug is probably the third ugliest

Ubergeekian said:
Aren't you worried that someone might steal h...

Ah. Yes. No. Um. Good choice of boat!
Click to expand...

there are many much nicer boats to steal before mine

A few of the local glass fibre clinker gaff riggers with small diesel inboards - a swift 18, a nice cat and great looking steel dutch yacht - all much better to nick than the slug.

D
 
dylanwinter said:
there are many much nicer boats to steal before mine

A few of the local glass fibre clinker gaff riggers with small diesel inboards - a swift 18, a nice cat and great looking steel dutch yacht - all much better to nick than the slug.
Click to expand...

That's what I meant! Ubergeeks first law of security: always make sure you leave your boat near something nicer.
 
dylanwinter said:
The slug is currently leaning against the harbour wall at Blakeney on the North Norfolk Coast.

I was told yesterday that it is the only free harbour in the UK - no rules - no harbour master - I was told that you could theoretically put a mooring down wherever you want.

Does anyone here know if that is true - are there any other such places - and how can such a thing can work - I have to say that on first sight it seems to work pretty well

Dylan
Click to expand...

Hmmm. Was it you I saw between Blakeney and Wells yesterday around midday?

I am quite busy with working but if you get really stuck I am sure I could get down there to check on her for you.

W.
 
it would be very reassuring

If you could that would be great

just check the lines - move the fenders if necessary, and see if there is any water in the bilges - by lifing up the engine hatch in the cockpit

If we meet I will buy the first round

I am planning to get back there on thursday - wind and work willing

D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top