buying the right publication

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Laundryman

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Being new to sailing this season, ive managed to get out about a dozen times from Walton on the naze. Each time just learning to sail and staying in sight of the Tower. Its now time to actually go somewhere. I am looking to go South and wondering if the East Coast Pilot book is the right one to buy. Also i seem to spend half my time looking where i am going and the other half looking at the depth, does it get any better as i go south. My Westerley draws 4ft 6in Thanks
 
Hi

The East coast pilot is very informative as are the bunch that frequent this forum, not sure what you expect to be in the pilot book, it does have useful telephone numbers, pilotage note things to look for things to avoid so yes get one I use mine all the time.
In answer to your second point Nope there is no more water down here than where you are but as you become more comfortable with your surroundings and your boat you will relax about the depth however its a fact of life on the east coast there is always one eye on the depth. We draw 2 meters but dont normally have a problem up to date charts, correct tide info and timing are the keys.
 
Welcome.

I had to review East Coast Pilot for my Sailing Association's newsletter - the thing I most liked about it was the little diagram for each port showing the buoyage and an arrow for which way to turn and the course to the next buoy. Very easy to use for a simple sole like me.

I too have 4' 6" draft. If you come down the Wallet past Clacton you have the choice of Brightlingsea - about 4 hours either side of HW, sometimes a bit more, Bradwell, probably 3 hours either side of HW. West Mersea - any state of tide but stick to the channel west of Packing Shed Island at LW. Further up the Blackwater at Stone Point you have Marconi SC and almost opposite the anchorage off Osea Island. Bit further upsteram is Heybridge Basin - lock in at HW - not done this yet but planning to at end of Aug. Then right up the 'top' is Maldon - too shallow to stay over a LW but nice to take the tide up, have a beer and sail back to Osea.

Lots of places to anchor as well.

If can be of any help just ask!
 
Going South you will commit yourself to 6 or more hours before you get to a marina/anchorage.

I would suggest you go North, round the corner into the Orwell where you will find Shotley, Levington and Wolverstone within 2 or 2 1/2 hours. Alternatively you can just go to Halpenny pier at Harwich as a day trip. Further up the Stour you will have to anchor but haven't been up there much so don't know much about it.
 
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...for a simple sole like me...

[/ QUOTE ]Thought you were a dolphin, not a fish /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

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I think my ribs have split open /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif
 
The East Coast Pilot is superb.

A few years ago it got us up to Faversham on a first visit with no problem at all. When I looked at the pages of detailed chartlet printed out to help us leave without grounding (once we were there) I realised just how good the East Coast Pilot is. And they say it's improved in the second edition!

I also have East Coast Rivers and The East Coast aboard, but always use the East Coast Pilot when navigating into new places.
 
East Coast Pilot is the one to buy. Cantata of this parish is one of the authors.

There is lots to enjoy further south - here is a thread about someone wanting to go north from the Blackwater - you can see how we who know have no fears about depth.http://www.ybw.com/forums/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/1948066/page/0/fpart/all/vc/1

I would agree that for a first foray out of sight of the Naze Tower you should go north to the Stour or the Orwell, both very nice. Just study the yacht track through Harwich harbour, an interesting thing in itself and then relax on the rivers. Loads of places to stop at all states of the tide.

Once you've done that your confidence will grow and you won't worry about depth so much as tide.
 
Thanks for all the good press in this thread! /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif
Just got back from a few days on the boat, mostly stormbound.
Worth adding that we do help folk keep their ECP up to date by publishing changes (which are frequent!) on the website, and if you sign up we will even email you to tell you we've done an update.
 
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