Brightlingsea

[Toutvabien]

Well it does not look like we are going to be moving berths to Titchmarsh this year.

Having been on the waiting list for several years, about 6 I think, we have just been offered a pontoon mooring on Cindery Pontoon at Brightlingsea. Looks very attractive and I have sailed in to Brightlingsea loads of times as a visitor over the last 30 years but I have never kept a boat there long term.

So what are the pro's and cons of the location? Anybody who is a permanent berth holder there care to enlighten me as to the do's and don'ts of the place. I cannot for example work out what one does for tender storage, as the pontoons are not connectd to the shore, and I cannot remember there being a fuel berth where one can take on large amounts of diesel. I presume one just has to be careful to fuel up away from Brightlingsea and top up with cans from French Marine's Pump.

Also what is the parking like at weekends? My memory of it is that it can be quite challenging.

Any other tips????

 

[alan17]

You have listed some of the disadantages. Others are lack of fresh water on pontoons, you will need to pay for winter storage following a lift out. at the moment you are right about no fuel pontoon although Morgans (just up river from Cindery just past the scrap metal yard) are planing to instal a fuel pontoon. Parking can be a real problem and I am told the parking wardens are very keen.

Personally I berth at Morgans which has water and elecctricity directly available on the pontoons and has direct walk on shore access and plenty of parking. Also no additional charge for on shore storage during anti fouling time etc. The prob with morgans is lack of water at low tide. I need a depth of 1.5meters and this is not available about 1 hr either side of low. They are drying berths and not suitable for boats which cannot take to the ground. Also there are not many berths so it could be another waiting list although I got a berth last April having applied only 2 months earlier.

Morgans is a very friendly family run marina/boat yard which although dearer than The Harbour Commissioners moorings and does not have 24hr access I think is a good compromise. Significantly cheaper than Titchmarsh and BYH. It is also quieter than either of these. I have previously been a berth holder at both.

 

[Mudplugger]

Can I suggest that you join The Colne Y.C, That will take care of the car parking & tender storage, if you are lucky! Alternatively, have a word with the Hardmaster/Harbourmaster re; the council yard..Dinghy Storage & parking there. Water taxi tends to run fairly early in the am. to late pm. during the season...front end and back end however NOT during the week....but new Water taxi man... may be different. Avoid Car Park...cos not possible to pay for a weekend! can only pay 1 day at a time /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif but quite a lot of other plces to park! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif all in my very humble opinion

 

[Toutvabien]

Thanks for this, does the Colne Yacht Club have long stay parking in the boatyard during the sailing season? That was one of my main issues, if one were going away for a few weeks cruising having somewhere to leave the car while away is a concern, I would not want to come back to find it towed away or full of tickets.

 

[johnalison]

[ QUOTE ]
all in my very humble opinion

[/ QUOTE ]
= "ignore my advice at your peril" /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[holly1]

There is water on the end of CYC pontoon if your a member, give it a go for a season what have you got to loose

 

[MrCramp]

I was at Brightlingsea late last year and walked around Morgans and saw their pontoon at low water. I would not want to put a fin keel boat on that pontoon. The floating pontoons where your option is would be good if you could sort the dinghy and the parking.

In your shoes I would ask Morgans whether they offer a facility where you can keep your dinghy at their place and thus leave your car there whenever you want. Would mean you can get water there as well and I assume there must be facilities, showers etc, that you could use. (Last bit goes down well with females.

 

[Athene V30]

As you state car parking can be a pain but I manage to find space on the road and leave the car there if I am away for a couple of weeks.

HM offers taxi to berth when water taxi not running during working hours so I keep the dinghy onboard. Waiting to hear what hours the new water taxi chap is going to run. Hopefully he will follow on from Jon and do Fri 5.30 to 11pm, Sat 9am to 11pm and Sun 9am to 10pm Easter to end Oct, with weekdays as well in school summer hols.

Fuel - if you need a lot pop over to Bradwell, otherwise take a fuel can to French's. Can lay on town hammerhead for 15 mins. Check with HM for depth.

Hope to be afloat end of March - Flipper will be on north side of the south cindry pontoon.

 

[Toutvabien]

Thanks for the input, we took a drive up to Brightlingsea today and tried to check things out. It seems that joining the Colne YC is worthwhile, especially as they have a cadet section for the children. The CYC have dinghy parking but no long term car parking so as Flipper suggests it will be a case of looking for somewhere on the street. I suspect we just have to get used to being more strategic when it comes to water and diesel, but we have quite big tanks so we should be able to sort that out.

We have two dinghies so the plan is that we will leave one on the boat and one in the dinghy park.

Looking forward to the new home!!

 

[absit_omen]

Awful place, terrible, don't bother, your car will be stolen and your dinghy vandalised. You will be charged treble what you anticipate for your berth and your fuel will be deliberately contaminated. Water is disgusting and undrinkable, pubs charge £5.00 a pint and shut at 7pm. No restaurants as they were all closed down by the HSE. Weather is inbelievable - snow in June and the people are very anti-incoming sailors.

I have been on the list for three years and am seriously considering coming off.

However, in the light of your dilemma and in the spirit of helping out a fellow yachtsman and all kinds of personal inconveniences I am prepared to take over your berth for you..................

 

[Toutvabien]

fair points, and well made, but it is very good for crabbing!

 

[apollo]

[ QUOTE ]
The CYC have dinghy parking but no long term car parking

[/ QUOTE ]
Or do what some people do and park the car in the dinghy park space while you wheel the dinghy off to launch it... /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif