Dry out on sand within a day sail of Shotley

[Jokani]

I need to change my prop, so need to dry out twice, once to take measurements, second to fit new prop.

When based at Wells-next-the-Sea, it was a struggle to find anywhere that was not nice firm sand to dry out on.

Now I am based at Shotley, I'm struggling to find anywhere to dry out a for a tide, that isn't mud.

Is there anywhere within a daysail of Shotley that a bilge keel can dry out and not get covered in mud?

 

[Malish]

How about the northern side of Stone Point? Alterntively, for a few beer tokens, the scrubbing posts at SYH.

 

[PaulRainbow]

The beach at Shotley Sailing Club, time it right and you can have a pint in the club while you wait for the tide to come in

(Don't do it on a dinghy sailing day, which are pretty much finished now, check with someone at the club to be sure).

Otherwise, Pin Mill.

 

[Old Harry]

SYH site says they have a grid

 

[Sniper]

‘Second sands’, just down river from Pin Mill

 

[Jokani]

How about the northern side of Stone Point? Alterntively, for a few beer tokens, the scrubbing posts at SYH.

Just for clarity, you mean somewhere in this area?

The chart certainly seems to suggest that could be a good place to try, particularily in a prevailing SW.

SYH is an option, but I presumed that might also have a layer of mud, plus the (allbeit small) inconvenience of booking in etc. To remove the prop, I'll need to more or less sit/kneel under the centerline of the boat, rather thjan if I was antifouling I could just reach under with a roller.

 

[Elemental]

Just for clarity, you mean somewhere in this area?

The chart certainly seems to suggest that could be a good place to try, particularily in a prevailing SW.

.

I think he means Stone Point at Wrabness on the Stour. Fairly hard ground there.

 

[Aquaboy]

just come on the public hard at Pinmill, If you want you can then drive down and park beside the boat with your tools etc. .... best to move the car before you go to the Butt though.........

 

[Habebty]

I would use SYH as I have many times. Good flat concrete pad against easy to moor to pile platform. About £27.00 for a 30 footer per tide. Water and power available, plus usual facilities.

(SYH if you see this, it needs a good power wash every now and then to clear some mud)

I have dried out at stone point (on purpose ) but Pin Mill would be easier I think.

 

[Kukri]

I need to change my prop, so need to dry out twice, once to take measurements, second to fit new prop.

When based at Wells-next-the-Sea, it was a struggle to find anywhere that was not nice firm sand to dry out on.

Now I am based at Shotley, I'm struggling to find anywhere to dry out a for a tide, that isn't mud.

Is there anywhere within a daysail of Shotley that a bilge keel can dry out and not get covered in mud?

Pin Mill upper hard? (Pub adjacent...)

 

[Marmalade]

I suspect others have come up with closer suggestions - but to answer your specific question - Thirslet Spit in the Blackwater.

 

[Malish]

I think he means Stone Point at Wrabness on the Stour. Fairly hard ground there.

I had in mind the area identified in Gemini's map although slightly to the west, inshore of the somewhat rectangular area of deeper water. It is a large area of clean sand. That said, the Stour would also be an option

 

[Bob@SYH]

(SYH if you see this, it needs a good power wash every now and then to clear some mud)

Seen

I'll have a word and get it looked at. (FWIW we do give it a fairly regular wash down but the silt build up is remarkably rapid)

 

[Pye_End]

Brighlingsea hard.

 

[Jokani]

Thanks for all the suggestions, these are the free ones:

1. Shotley Sailing Club - The Beach
2. Pin Mill - Public Hard
3. Pin Mill (Second Sands)
4. The Hard, Brightlingsea
5. Stone Point (Wrabness, River Stour)
6. Stone Point (Walton Backwaters)
7. Thirslet Spit (River Blackwater)

I'll put some wellies in the car and go and explore 1-3 at low water this weekend.

SYH I'll keep a note of, in the future the use of water and elec may be a requirement, and therfore worth paying for.

The Hard at Brightlingsea looks particularily interesting.

The others, I'll make a point of taking a look at when in that area.

 

[Kukri]

I have used all except 1, over the years. (No.7 was involuntary, but I pretended it was on purpose!) Could add Felixstowe Ferry posts - easy to miss, South bank hard by boatyard sheds - and another one with pub adjacent - Waldringfield Hard (the Maybush), also Mersea Stone beach at the entrance to Pyefleet - I've seen the Pioneer getting a scrub there.

All three are clean sand.

A point to keep in mind is that on Springs in these parts you will be wettest just after lunch time.

 

[johnalison]

The Hard at Brightlingsea looks particularily interesting.

Reputedly the largest artificial hard in the country. It's OK but a bit muddier than it used to be, certainly around the posts.

 

[nortada]

Town Hard Walton.

If required, 2 excellent boatyards close by and easy access to the delights of Walton.

 

[Aquaboy]

A point to keep in mind is that on Springs in these parts you will be dryest just after lunch time.[/QUOTE]

I would think better on neaps with an early morning and evening high tide. Leaves you dry the middle of the day and less likely to become neaped

 

[Kukri]

A point to keep in mind is that on Springs in these parts you will be wettest just after lunch time.

I would think better on neaps with an early morning and evening high tide. Leaves you dry the middle of the day and less likely to become neaped

corrected a silly typo