East coast adventures to be had with a small lifting keeler?

[steve yates]

While my longbow is on the hard for the next year, I have brought my bradwell 18 down and put her in Leigh Marina.
A few jobs to get her fettled and she will be ready to go exploring from April.
She draws 1.5m with the keel down, 40cm with it up, any suggestions for places to take her on the essex/kent/suffolk coasts?

I'm happy to go on 3 or 4 day trips with her, and leave her somewhere until I get a chance to sail her back via different places.

What trips and places to visit do you reccomend? I like both quiet isolated anchorages, and tying up to town walls and visiting the pubs.
Marina's are ok when either of the previous two aren't available. She has a dinghy so I can take moorings and get ashore too.

I'm looking at crossing over and doing a trip round sheppey, I like the idea of going up the creeks through the havengore lifting bridge, and I like Ramsgate, so will visit there with her at some point. I also fancy a jaunt up the thames and into london, but I got loads of info on that in an old thread from a couple of years ago.

Looking forward to some inspiration Thanks.

 

[johnalison]

The rivers Crouch, Roach, Blackwater, Colne and Suffolk rivers are packed with suitable anchorages and quays. One or other of the pilots East Coast Rivers and East Coast Pilot will be very useful for you, and you might want the odd chart.

 

[Biggles Wader]

If you get as far as Ramsgate why not go up the (other) Stour to Sandwich? Shallow draft essential. Further on is Rye,and both towns are worth a visit.

 

[Cantata]

Faversham, Oare ,Conyer and Queenborough Creek, all off the Swale; Lower Halstow off the Medway; drop the mast at Rochester and go on up the Medway to Allington, and beyond (although need Environment Agency paperwork to go on up from Allington).

 

[steve yates]

If you get as far as Ramsgate why not go up the (other) Stour to Sandwich? Shallow draft essential. Further on is Rye,and both towns are worth a visit.

Thats a great idea, I already had Rye in my sights as I couldnt get the big boat up there when passing last March. Hadn't thought of sandwich. Thx

 

[steve yates]

Faversham, Oare ,Conyer and Queenborough Creek, all off the Swale; Lower Halstow off the Medway; drop the mast at Rochester and go on up the Medway to Allington, and beyond (although need Environment Agency paperwork to go on up from Allington).

SOunds interesting, off to look at my charts

 

[Capt Popeye]

The Kent Stour does have a couple of fixed height bridges along its course, so might be a lowered mast trip the motoring along its navigable course?
There is a family boat yard at the Grove Ferry where some supplies might be had plus a mooring alongside a good pub with accomodation can be had, oh exceptionally clear river waters run along most of the Kent Stour which makes it very different to the usually East Coast rivers

 

[Tam Lin]

Have a look at this site, http://creeksailor.blogspot.com
Or read Charles Stock’s books. If he could do it........

 

[steve yates]

I've read them, but had forgotten about tony's blog, thats a good idea, thx.

 

[philld]

Further north, I'll just toss in Hamford water, the Deben and the Ore.

 

[Major_Clanger]

Your choices are almost boundless but I'd definitely add the Walton Backwaters to the list, along with Woodbridge and Snape, including everything that leads to them. You're going to have a busy season!

 

[Capt Popeye]

Might mention that the Kent Stour has a place with a Pub called, Plucks Gutter, well worth visiting I say , but be very carefully how you pronounce it ?

 

[tony_lavelle]

Might mention that the Kent Ouse ...

Never heard of Kent Ouse, do you mean the Stour?

 

[Capt Popeye]

Never heard of Kent Ouse, do you mean the Stour?

Oh cripes yes, thank you kind Sir, will corr if possible

 

[Old Bumbulum]

Further north, I'll just toss in Hamford water, the Deben and the Ore.

Hamford water - around the island. (Arthur Ransome's 'Secret Water') and surrounding creeks.
Ore and Alde, Butley river, Iken Cliffs and Snape.
Up to Colchester.

It'll take years to cover all the places listed above!

 

[steve yates]

Really liking the look of Hamford water!

 

[johnalison]

Really liking the look of Hamford water!

No. You don't want to go there. There's hardly any room and there's a massive risk from the explosives place nearby. There's not even a pub. You'll be kept awake by the seals.

 

[matthewriches]

Snape is lovely and if you go, make sure you visit the maltings.

I enjoyed the Medway whilst there, you can make that as rural or as busy as you like.

 

[LittleSister]

I’d mention a trip through the Havengore, except it goes without saying. ?

 

[Kukri]

No. You don't want to go there. There's hardly any room and there's a massive risk from the explosives place nearby. There's not even a pub. You'll be kept awake by the seals.

On a point of information, if you land from a dinghy at the staithe at the head of Kirby Creek and walk two miles along the sea wall and a good mile along the road you can get to the Red Lion at Kirby Le Soken. You can also get there by landing (if you still can?) at Kirby Quay (“Witch’s Quay”) and strolling up Maltings Lane but you will only have time for one pint.

Don’t ask me how I know this.