East coast mooring advice needed

[IzzyDeadyet]

Thanks to all who replied to my post regarding choice of old boat. Can I now ask your advice on where to moor it when I've found one.

We live in the Fens (not far from Peterborough but in another world) so the Wash is my nearest playground or there's the North norfolk coast.

Or should I "do the obvious" and find somewhere on one of the east coast rivers even though the 150-200 mile round trip would incure the wrath of swmbo: "more expense".

We've actually got excellent sailing facilities close by at Rutland Water but I want to sail the sea for a change.

Wisbech marina is only (20 mins away) and I know the council are keen to fill their (cheapish) permanent moorings. But Wisbech is miles inland, the river Nene is fairly narrow and fast flowing (up to 6 knots) with a high tidal range and is used by commercial shipping as far as Wisbech.

And where do you go once you reach the Wash?

I have to drive through Wisbech two or three times a week and again at weekends. I always stop to have a look at the yacht harbour because keeping a boat afloat 20 minutes from home SHOULD be the best of all worlds. But over the last year most of the yachts have remained at their mooring. Is this because they are used as floating picnic sites or is the passage to the sea not worth the hassle? Can someone please convince me that nearest is best.

Wells next the Sea is about an hour away, give or take the Norfolk drivers and a tractor or twenty. Wells yachting facilities have been improved over the last couple of years. But to my admittedly untrained eye there is still the problem of where to sail to. There are two or three pleasant places on the north Norfolk coast north of Wells but after that the next place to stop is Grimsby I think. Aand the next stop south looks to me to be Lowestoft which is quite a way with no easy bolt hole (as far as I can see) in between. Can anyone recommend sailing in these waters?

Or there is the picturesque east coast rivers and I suspect it is these that will get most recommendations.l

This will be my first yacht (after years of dinghies) and pretty much the first time I've sailed on tidal waters. I'll have a steep learning curve and I need to keep costs down (so no marina's unless it's Wisbech).

With all that in mind where would you you want to keep the boat and learn to sail if you could only choose from these options:Wisbech, Wash, Wells or the Orwell/Stour/Colne/Blackwater/Crouch?

I should point out that the answer swmbo is looking for is the Wash or Wells.

But please don't let that put you off giving me your REAL opinion /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Thanks

 

[supermalc]

I only have a Mahogany clinker, not a sailing boat, and have yet to go into the Wash on a fishing trip with my friends....however there is a good yachting club at Boston. If this is too far, or too expensive, it may well be worth giving them a call to find out the best places to sail.

A friend has just got a mooring, for virtually no cost on the Haven in Boston, opposite the docks. He has a Hurley 22.

 

[paulburton44]

I am the Habour Master at the Witham Sailing club at Boston.
We do have very reasonable moorings. They are fresh water non tidal moorings.
You can sail the fresh Witham or go into the Wash. The wash is about 1 hour away, but you do need to lower your mast ( not a problem on a small boat ).
Give me a ring if you want more info, details on the website.
www.withamsailingclub.co.uk
There is also the new marina at Fosdyke on the Wellend.
No bridges or locks to contend with. Travel hoist , electric hook and storage.( i keep my boat there in the winter) I can let you have the owners number. Not as cheap as Boston.
As for places to go, there are lots of small harbours and creeks to go and explore, Wainfleet haven, Thornham, Brancaster to mention a few.
As you probably now the wash is full of drying sand banks which make idea desert island picnic sights and can always give shelter.
Grimsby and the Humber is only a days passage away. From there you can head north Brid, Scarborough and Whitby.

 

[Superflid]

Along with Mac's Hurley 22 mentioned above, mine (old wooden thing!) is also on the Haven (tidal Witham) at Boston. It does do away with the small problem of lowering masts sailng from the Marina. Access to the Wash from there is also restricted due to the lock.
As Malc said the cost is negligible, but facilities are few and far between, although Somerfields is on the opposite side of the road for parking, provisions and very nice toilet facilities! It's fairly easy to strike up a friendship with the local fishermen a couple of hundred yards away who are happy to give a hand with mast (or in my case, engine) lifting.
I can send you the number of Pete, who is in charge of the moorings, if you would like.

Having just read your Bio, you'll get on fine with Mac.......... /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[SteveMac3]

I chose the orwell as a place to put my first boat on the basis of lots of water and sheltered sailing and (at the time) easy availability of berths/moorings. Also you can get in in virtually any weather. Having said that there are big shipsgoing up and down but thats no big deal. Sorry I cannot compare with the other areas you mention. Having been so taken with the Orwell/Stour I moved to Ipswich.

 

[IzzyDeadyet]

Thanks for the offer Superflid, the phone number would be useful.
Also, am I correct in thinking that to get to the moorings on the Haven you take the Fishtoft Road? It's years since I've been to Boston but I can remember driving out past Fishtoft to a picnic site/RSPB/nature res.

That picnic site has just given me a great idea. It's swmbo's birthday on Wednesday and not knowing what to get a lady who has already got everything (ie me) I thought I might take her to Boston for a picnic /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

And I've just remembered it's market day too /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif So Boston it is.

I'll even buy her some chips.

What more could a lady want?

 

[paulburton44]

check out security when mooring on the haven ????

most moorings are straight off the main road, anyone can just climb onto your boat ????

some are okay ???

there was a boats mooring lines removed last year ..........

 

[Superflid]

PM'd you but forgot to give directions.

If you come into Boston on the A16 you'll get a glimpse of the dock, across the haven, at the second roundabout. Turn right here into London road and park in Somerfields car park on the left. The moorings are opposite.