East Coast - where to go?

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Amphitrite

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Hi,

I am considering a long weekend (4 days, family commitments prohibiting longer trips) trip from Belgium to the East Coast - somewhere south of Great Yarmouth... I have been to Ramsgate and Dover and would now like to get some "mud experience" - where would I have to go, in the opinion of the forum? The boat will be an AWB that won't dry out, so my destinations will probably limited....
And last but not least, which pilot book is recommended?

Thanks, Holger
 
East Coast Rivers - Jack Coote is the book - updated by now by someone I suppose -

you can always go to London - its fairly straightforward

you get a good feel for area and no problems with depth at
Burnham, N Fambridge on the Crouch -

the eastern Swale is still quiet and swinging moorings at Harty ferry,

Pin Mill -

I am sure you will get load more tips - Aldeburgh, Brightlingsea, W Mesea,

generally people like it - or not.
 
Four days only is very limiting; one day coming, one day going and two days here (without allowing for weather). In two days here I would suggest Ipswich and the Walton Backwaters; Ipswich for the town and the Backwaters to get the feel of the mud! (and perhaps for the seals).

For pilot books I would prefer East Coast Pilot to East Coast Rivers (isn't that now called the East Coast Cruising Companion?). The Pilot is just that; a book giving sailing directions for the Thames Estuary and its near neighbours. The Companion gives much more information about things ashore; its sailing directions are probably sufficient but not as complete or clear as those of the Pilot.
 
Amphitrite said:
Hi,

I am considering a long weekend (4 days, family commitments prohibiting longer trips) trip from Belgium to the East Coast - somewhere south of Great Yarmouth... I have been to Ramsgate and Dover and would now like to get some "mud experience" - where would I have to go, in the opinion of the forum? The boat will be an AWB that won't dry out, so my destinations will probably limited....
And last but not least, which pilot book is recommended?

Thanks, Holger
Click to expand...

Hi
unless you go near a Town, come fully stores ship. suggest the Orwell,Stour.Backwaters perhaps the River Deben, it is the prettiest River around these parts. it has 2 pubs & the Town of Woodbridge that knocks spots off of Ipswich. there is a very nice marina accessible 1/2 tide, down river there are moorings available or anchor in the mud to visit the pubs.
hope you enjoy it
Roger
 
What is your draught ? Walton Backwaters, tho lovely, can be a bit of an interesting entrance. My favourite is the River Blackwater.
 
peterb said:
Four days only is very limiting; one day coming, one day going and two days here (without allowing for weather). In two days here I would suggest Ipswich and the Walton Backwaters; Ipswich for the town and the Backwaters to get the feel of the mud! (and perhaps for the seals).

For pilot books I would prefer East Coast Pilot to East Coast Rivers (isn't that now called the East Coast Cruising Companion?). The Pilot is just that; a book giving sailing directions for the Thames Estuary and its near neighbours. The Companion gives much more information about things ashore; its sailing directions are probably sufficient but not as complete or clear as those of the Pilot.
Click to expand...

Not an expert on the area. Last sailed the Medway and Thames with Grandfather on a working Thames barge in 1950! Planning a round Britain trip this year though so I bought Brian Navin's North Sea Passage Pilot.(Imray) Goes from Gt Yarmouth to Dover, Calais to Den Helder with suggested cross channel passages and quite a lot of detail. Would think it very useful to you (only problem is its £29.95)
 
In the short time you have, I would recommend the Orwell and Stour plus ( if you have time and the tides are right) the Deben. Suffolk Yacht Harbour would be a good first stop after the N. Sea crossing, perhaps going on to Ipswich if you want a bit of town life. The Deben is a bit more challenging because of the tides and the movement of the bar, (chartlet available on line in the season) but well worth the effort. Janet Harber's East Coast Rivers Cruising Compantion would be my choice for pilot book because it provides more information about the area as well as comprehensive pilotage.
 
pragmatist said:
What is your draught ? Walton Backwaters, tho lovely, can be a bit of an interesting entrance. My favourite is the River Blackwater.
Click to expand...

In most conditions the entrance to Walton is straightforward. Although the depth around Pye End is about 0.9m at datum the ground is almost flat and there is not much of a channel until the coloured buoys are reached. Two hours after LW will be OK for almost any boat. The Blackwater has some attractions, but for a short visit, and the chance to go ashore easily the suggestion above of Orwell & Walton seems a good one, and the easiest to reach from Belgium.
 
Thank you very much for the answers - this will help me with planning (and dreaming). I know that 4 days are very short, but family commitments won't allow for more than a long weekend. Pherhaps I will consider chartering somewhere on the East Coast, but this would involve flying over and getting transportation to the boat, whereas the Belgian Coast is just a 3-hour-drive away...
 
This is the website for all the entrance details for the Ore, Southwold, River Deben, Walton Backwaters and Brightlingsea. The Deben is by far the prettiest river and well worth it, but do read the entry details - the bouys and entry details are updated early in the season about March/April time. http://www.eastcoastrivers.com/

Good Lujk and hope to see you - post again when you have your itinery.
 
samwise said:
In the short time you have, I would recommend the Orwell and Stour plus ( if you have time and the tides are right) the Deben. Suffolk Yacht Harbour would be a good first stop after the N. Sea crossing, perhaps going on to Ipswich if you want a bit of town life. The Deben is a bit more challenging because of the tides and the movement of the bar, (chartlet available on line in the season) but well worth the effort. Janet Harber's East Coast Rivers Cruising Compantion would be my choice for pilot book because it provides more information about the area as well as comprehensive pilotage.
Click to expand...

I would agree .......


but whereever you go, one place i wouldnt go near is Great Yarmouth !!!!
 
Having done the trip often enough, I would definitely stick to Orwell, Stour and /or Walton Backwaters.

Getting across in one go is a long day, leave early (5-6 a.m.) so you still have some light when getting there. We usually get into Suffolk upon arriving, as this is an easy marina to get into. Shotley point is a good alternative but has a lock. Hanging off your hook is an option but I wouldn't plan it after a long passage, since you'll have to get up at night to check after the tide changes.

Your second day can be enjoyed cruising the Orwell up to the Orwell bridge or even Ipswich, which is a nice city. Third day could be a mooring up the Walton Backwaters or Titchmarsh marina. The sunrise on the mud plain is very appealing, especially in spring with all the birds. This can be found on the Stour as well.

Alternatively you can cruise up the Deben, but this will depend on tidal data, as the bar needs to be crossed with caution. You'll also have to take into account you'll have to get out around HW, so timing this to get back across could be a bit tight.

We've done it on a schedule, but averse weather (especially N-Easterly swell) can make getting out of the Deben a challenge. Imho the Deben calls for leisurely cruising, not tight timed entrances and exits.

Finally, I've never used the pilot for the East Coast as the site is pretty good, but it does contain some useful info if you're unsure of entrances etc.
 
I've now been in many of the mud holes between Lowestoft and Tower Bridge. I go sailing to get away from people in peace and quiet, so mostly you won't find me in a marina except to charge the batteries and tank up. I like to anchor or pick up a mooring. As a Teuchter by origin I find the bottom a bit to near the top by comparison with the West of Scotland. However it is pretty squidgy for the most part so you can plough a furrow with your keel without causing damage.

I think I have owned all possible East Coast cruising books at some time, and the only one I'd recommend is The East Coast Pilot. I like pilotage books to give me clear uncluttered pilotage information, not bury it among anecdotes about Oliver Cromwell. (I'll buy history books for that).

From North to South:

Lowestoft is the pits of the earth as a town - run down, and near the top of the UK league for drug addiction. The Royal Norfolk and Suffolk Yacht Club (The "Nobs & Snobs" in local vernacular) is an impressive and wonderful club. Don't venture beyond it if you visit Lowestoft.

Southwold is great - a little interesting from the berthing perspective if the tide is running. The town is a relic of a bygone era and worth a visit. Adnams beer is brewed here, so I reckon I've made a significant financial contribution to the town before I even arrive.

River Ore/Alde is lovely, and Orfordness an interesting geographical feature. My favoured overnight stop is at anchor in Abraham's Bosom. (Avocets galore.) Believe every word the pilot book says about the entrance to the Ore with ebb tide and Easterlies. I didn't and scared the pants off myself and crew in a mere force 4.

River Deben is also nice - All the way to the Tidemill Marina is fun (get the tides right). Woodbridge has a few good eateries.

River Orwell - Amulet lives here, so in a way it's hard for me to judge. Pin Mill is the gem according to visitors (Butt and Oyster Pub.) You can almost certainly pick up a mooring.
Don't try to go ashore by dinghy if the tide is below the end of the hard - you'll get extremely clarty - but then mud is what you profess to seek.

The Stour is also pretty, and I like to spend the night at Wrabness, where I have never failed to find a free mooring. No facilities.

Brightlingsea - nice enough on the floating pontoons, and not a bad place to stock up, but unless I need to go there I'd normally go into..

...Pyefleet Creek which is a popular but lovely East Coast Creek.

I'm not a great West Mersea fan.

The Blackwater wind against tide is can get quite lumpy in the entrance. Never quite learned to love the Blackwater, but I think I've just had some unfortunate luck with it. Bradwell Marina - by the nuclear power plant - I have a curious affection for it, which not many seem to share.

The Crouch doesn't turn me on as it's a skinny wee river, however, Yokesfleet Creek off the Roach is a favourite anchoring point for me.

I usually cross the Thames to the Swale or the Medway. Everyone ought to circumnavigate the Isle of Sheppey once. Stangate creek - one up the Medway from Queenborough - is my choice of overnight anchorage. It's a nice distance from the Pyefleet (above) for a day's sail in my small slow boat.

If on the Medway it's worth going up to Chatham Marina for the opportunity to visit the maritime museum at Chatham Dock. Allow a whole day for the museum if you are interested in things nautical (a reasonable assumption).

Having got to the Medway, you have to go up to St. Kats by Tower Bridge - again everyone has to have done it once.

(I'm supposed to be working, but you got me musing about sailing - which is more fun.)
 
Thanks again - that all really sounds great. I love sailing and landscape and I do not need marinas...
I will keep you updated about the plans...
 
Have to say, the peace of the mooring at Queenborough I never tire of. Pottering along the Swale is also not to be sniffed at but I wouldn't limit yourself to one river I'd explore them all. Running up on the mud can also be a glorious experience even if, in my case, it wasn't planned! Gave me a bit of peace and tranquility I hadn't anticipated.
 
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