Change of direction and opportunity - advice gratefully received

[mplatt1903]

Hello all,

I had a brief period on the Scuttlebutt forum when I was considering a small yacht to get me out and about. However, for a variety of (good) reasons my circumstances have changed - biggest change is that I've moved location.

Now own a house in South Lincolnshire and I appear to have gained a mooring on the River Glen. I'm not far from the sluice that lets you out and up to Fosdyke and the Wash via the Welland.

I've got two questions I'd like to put to the collective wisdom:

1. The mooring is a bit odd - it's a riverside mooring consisting of steps down to the bank with two pretty huge wooden mooring posts about 2m apart, and a solid platform in-between consisting of a brick-topped platform. It's all very sturdy and it's clearly laid out as it is to allow you to moor a little distance away from the river bank. Question is - how easy will it be to secure a boat to it (up to about 20' or so)

2. I'd like to get a boat to moor there - there's a slipway about 3/4 of a mile down river so I can get it out and store in the driveway/garage whenever I like) The river adjacent to the house is freshwater and pretty sedate, but the sluice is about 3-4 miles downstream and is tidal after that on the Welland, out to Fosdyke and then out to the wash. I'd like to get something that fits the following really:

- Can be used on the river (lowest bridge is literally 10m upstream of our house at about 5' 9" draft but not bothered if I can't go upstream as the only bridge between us and the tidal river is the a16 road bridge which has over 7' clearance)
- Can also be used out at sea via Fosdyke, so needs to be able to cope with the local conditions - strong tidal currents etc..
- Up to about 20' in length as I'd like to be able to tow with our 4x4 (2000kgs max with trailer) to get out and about further afield and move back to the house/launch etc.)
- Some (limited) cabin/accomodation space for a possible overnight (used to roughing it) like a cuddy or something
- Budget up to about £10k or so

Any answers/comments gratefully received! And would love to hear from anyone local who knows the area and Fosdyke/Wash in general

Thanks!

 

[rafiki_]

Welcome to the forum. First posts take a little time to appear, due to the moderating process, so I am bumping this up to the top, where others who may know your location may see this. Good luck.

 

[Firefly625]

with that sort of budget and requirements I guess I would look at something like this, you may have to up your budget a little, but I am sure they may take an offer...

http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/Cabin-cruiser-for-sale/jeanneau-leader-605/72889#H53jWcwKijIAcvrY.97

 

[mplatt1903]

Thanks for the replies folks.

I've been doing a bit of digging around and it looks like I might be better off mooring at Fosdyke over the summer and then bringing the boat back home in the winter - It means I can plan for weekends where I have the option of either going out towards the Wash (Boston, King's Lynn etc.) or up river to Surfleet Sluice and then down to my mooring here.

Given what Firefly has recommended - looks like a 20ft cuddy style boat might be ideal (will have to have a look at various options in that price/style - anyone got any other suggestions?) - I would have more flexibility at Fosdyke as otherwise I will have to prearrange to get through Surfleet Sluice before I could take it out to sea.

Is there anyone out there that has any experience of Fosdyke or is local around there?

 

[Bertramdriver]

I suggest you look at a Shetland+4 or a Hardy. Your mooring, if the posts are sound, should handle both and they'll both handle the coastal Wash well.

 

[mplatt1903]

I suggest you look at a Shetland+4 or a Hardy. Your mooring, if the posts are sound, should handle both and they'll both handle the coastal Wash well.

Posts are around 10 inch square and about 5' high. They are really rather substantial. I guess my issue was with their fairly narrow spacing. Having had a look again today I reckon they would cope with some pretty substantial pull so would be fine for anything up to 20'

Quite tempted by the sports cuddy/bow rider idea - I've seen a couple scooting up and down the river over the weekend..

 

[Greg2]

I a familiar with the Wash. I am making an assumption here but being your first boat I would suggest that you get some training, particulary in navigation (Day Skipper would be good). The Wash is a tricky place to be in a small boat, lots of intertidal mudflats and access to all of the ports/rivers is tidally restricted.

I guess you know that ther is a marina/boatyard at Fosdyke. I am not familiar with it apart form driving past on the A17

 

[mplatt1903]

Yes, I plan to do Powerboat 2 and Day Skipper. I'd like to use my mooring as much as possible (it's free!) but am also considering stints at Fosdyke or other marinas, as I'd like to do some river exploring as well (maybe up to Boston and beyond, or down the Ouse)

I think I'm probably being too ambitious in trying to find something that will do everything - and I have to watch out for air draft round by me as well (the bridge outside my house is 5' 9" (!) but it's not too much of a limiting factor as there's not much past it up river (unless the open the Fens waterway link - in which case it will be part of the national network..)

Thanks for all the comments folks - been really helpful so far.