Bradwell, what's it like?

NUTMEG

NUTMEG

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Essex
www.theblindsailor.co.uk
Alexandros has been kept at the Blackwater marina. 1/2 tide pontoons £1300 a year. Bradwell is about £300 more but according to the website full tidal access. I am a part time teacher and money is tight. I am thinking the extra cost may be worth it. But what is Bradwell like. Just looking for unbiased points if view befor committing myself.
 
Bradwell

Sophie19 said:
Alexandros has been kept at the Blackwater marina. 1/2 tide pontoons £1300 a year. Bradwell is about £300 more but according to the website full tidal access. I am a part time teacher and money is tight. I am thinking the extra cost may be worth it. But what is Bradwell like. Just looking for unbiased points if view befor committing myself.
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It's a fantastic sailing location. The pontoons are good, water / elastictrickery / WiFi / security camera's / plenty of parking (unless you are on F pontoon) / helpful and friendly marina staff.

Sadly the showers let the place down! Cold, damp and mouldy!

As for any state on the tide access - I draw approx 5ft. 3 hours either side is ok (getting a bit tight). At 4 hours either side you get friendly with the East coast mud!!

Hope this helps

Ian
 
Full tidal access for a larger boat might be stretching it a bit. Haven't done the creek this year yet but last year best water at CD was 0.5m outside of the marked channel and 0.3m at the bar. But with your draught it would probably only the bottom two hours of a spring tide that would stop you exited or entereing the creek. Of course you float in the marina all the time; Roger M will be able to advise on whether parts of the marina are silting up again. Obviously I don't stay there but I've always thought it was a pleasant spot and we are frequently over testing the Green Man.
 
With my Anderson 22 with a lifting keel could often get in when everybody waiting outside. The road down from the Maldon area is a pain, no shops apart from the small one in Bradwell Village. Now with very good wi fi, new pontoons, one of the best pubs on the East Coast, plus a good marina no frills bar. A great location for sailing, but my wife & kids found little to interest them.
Surprised there isn't a bigger price differential with Blackwater Marina.
 
Hi Steve. Well I like it too because you can day sail in more than one direction and you're soon out of the river to go up to Walton or the Orwell etc.

The marina has had its usual winter dredge so there are no shallow spots that I know of. On A pontoon I used to sit in a bit of soft stuff at LW but no problems in your boat.

I previously had a boat drawing 2'9" and on neaps access was about an hour either side of LW. As said, the problem is the creek not the marina.

No shops isn't a problem if you are based there as you turn up with provisions. The food in the marina bar is a bit mediocre but cheaper than the Green Man.

They know the showers need doing and it is on their wish list when they have time to fit it in between trips to the bank.

We originally just came there for a month for a change and haven't left 8 years later.
 
Sounds good...

Better half seems happy. Will pop down for a look this Sunday. I feel a plan coming together. Any of you Bradwell forumites worried about a visually Impaired skipper dashing about the marina in a very solid W21? I can be bribed to stay away!
 
Rats

Went to Bradwell today. Lovely place. Then we found out that our Westerly 21 is, in fact, 23.5 feet overall. Pulpit and transom hung rudder! That extra length has put a berth just outside of being able to afford/justify:(. Never mind, maybe next year. Thanks chaps.
 
Sophie19 said:
Went to Bradwell today. Lovely place. Then we found out that our Westerly 21 is, in fact, 23.5 feet overall. Pulpit and transom hung rudder! That extra length has put a berth just outside of being able to afford/justify:(. Never mind, maybe next year. Thanks chaps.
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Is that with the rudder centered?
Would the boat be shorter with the tiller hard over and lashed as you would to clear the cockpit for entertaining whilst alongside?
 
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