Butley River

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Bettyblue

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Can anyone help with information about the entrance to the Butley River off the Ore? We tried to get in at low water on Friday but ran out of depth. My chart indicated a depth of 1.6 mtrs and with .45 mtrs of water left at low water I thought I would get through with my draught of 1.65 mtrs. I didn't! All was not lost as we were able to reverse genlty out and anchor in the shade of Havergate island and enjoy a rare sunny August evening. Are my charts wrong, has the entrance silted up, is it worth it if you can get in there? All advice gratefully received. Thanks.
 
Hi Andy
we were @ Orford Saturday 8 squids 50 for a private mooring /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif
i haven't been in the Butley for more than 12 yrs i seem to remember there is a "Bar" of mud, deep holes once inside as far as the quay. its very narrow so swinging can be a prob.
a very good anchorage is "Abraham's Busom" on the Upper & Lower Gull intersection
 
We were there last Thursday overnight, about 8 yachts altogether. We draw 1.4m our friends who were with us 1.6m.

There are 2 withies at the entrance, and the best water seemed to be nearer to the northerly one, certainly was better to keep well up that side before turning to port to enter. Once well inside the deeper water was very close to the south shore, but it was generally quite shallow for the first 300 metres or so.

We went in about an hour before LW.
 
Yes worth going up the Butley River if you want peace and quiet. More water to the North at the entrance as Leighb says. If you go up to Boyton barge dock you can land there in the dinghy most states of tide and it is nice for a BBQ.

DO BEWARE. The pub at Boyton closed a few years ago and is now a private residence so don't go on a 2 mile hike expecting a pint!
 
We haven't been in the Butley for 30 years, but it was the only place we always moored to two anchors to restrict our swing. Not hard to do, but there are messy ways to do it involving the dinghy which can entertain spectators.
 
Great little spot - actually my favourite place. There is a spit the extends quite far on the South side - that is for sure. Inside you should have 2 metres or so in one of the holes. As for anchoring, I seize the kedge to the bower rode - this is a far more seamanlike way of reducing your swinging arc than anchoring her fore-and-aft. If you can walk three miles there is a very good pub - the Shepherd and Dog in Hollesley. Good food and reasonable, or land at Ferry landing on the North Shore and walk into Orford the back way via the castle. Lovely!
 
hehehe.... Yup, its my technique of getting off the mud. Most people kedge-off, I just jump in and immediatley afterwards a tidal anomaly floats me off!
 
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