Essex Marinas - no room at the Inn at Bradwell

[xyachtdave]

…..The Medway is a dump to sail in.
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I think there’s a chance you could be underselling it a little!

 

[MK101]

We lived in SE16 and sailed from Titchmarsh in the Walton Backwaters. It was an average of 1 hr 45" to get there. Rotherhithe tunnel was a pain going home but apart from that it was fine. So a shorter trip than yours to Norfolk and a delightful area to sail. As said previously, you get very used to the tidal constraints.

 

[Concerto]

The Medway is a dump to sail in.

Havings sailed the Medway since 1965 I have to disagree. It has far less commercial traffic than in the past and no longer has the Royal Navy presence either. For local sailing it is interesting and plenty of anchorages to overnight in peace and quiet. Travelling to oher East Coast places involves using the tides by leaving at high water and places like Burnham, Brightlingsea are easy day sails. Personally I find the odd night in the Blackwater acceptable but not a permanent place to berth. We all have our own preferences.

 

[johnalison]

We lived in SE16 and sailed from Titchmarsh in the Walton Backwaters. It was an average of 1 hr 45" to get there. Rotherhithe tunnel was a pain going home but apart from that it was fine. So a shorter trip than yours to Norfolk and a delightful area to sail. As said previously, you get very used to the tidal constraints.

There are differing degrees of tidal constraints. There are places such as Tollesbury and Heybridge which are highly constrained to an hour or two either side of HW, and in the case of Tollesbury at neaps occasionally no access at all. There are others such as Titchmarsh which are half-tide plus, and yet others which are all-tide but with a long river to negotiate and currents to plan for, such as Ipswich and the upper Crouch, so it is no always a simple matter of one place being better or worse than another.

 

[MagicalArmchair]

We lived in SE16 and sailed from Titchmarsh in the Walton Backwaters. It was an average of 1 hr 45" to get there. Rotherhithe tunnel was a pain going home but apart from that it was fine. So a shorter trip than yours to Norfolk and a delightful area to sail. As said previously, you get very used to the tidal constraints.

This is one of my most favourite places on the planet. Home - Titchmarsh Marina is well run, with a lovely chandlery, lots of kind and wonderful boating folk, stunning sunsets and is not too pricey for what you get. The entrance is not alarming (I find Chatham lock approachs more alarming in a strong spring tide!) and you have at least half tide access. There are beaches, seals, swallows and amazons. Great place, great people, just Chatham is closer for me (they are great too, of course, just no beaches!).

They do have hoops rather than cleats that takes some getting used to . Good hunting.

 

[Fire99]

This is my historic home sailing area. I'm a little out of touch as I've been away a few years but have considered a return.. I know Heybridge Basin has a waiting list for big vessels but is there anywhere currently in the Blackwater region that can currently suffer a boat around 50ft with a 1.6-1.8m draught? Or is there no room at the Inn?

 

[PeterWright]

Probably more suitable places on the Crouch for a boat of that size tan on the Blackwater. Any of thec4 marinas could offer alongside berthing - Fambridge, Bridgemary Essex or Burnham and swinging moorings at either Fambridge or Burnham with the benefit of good water taxi services. On the Blackwater, you may find something in Maldon but it would be a drying berth with access only for a short period around high water.

 

[Greg2]

This is my historic home sailing area. I'm a little out of touch as I've been away a few years but have considered a return.. I know Heybridge Basin has a waiting list for big vessels but is there anywhere currently in the Blackwater region that can currently suffer a boat around 50ft with a 1.6-1.8m draught? Or is there no room at the inn?

The obvious alternative to the Crouch would be the Orwell over the border in Suffolk. Several marinas that can accommodate a boat of that size.
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[Fire99]

The obvious alternative to the Crouch would be the Orwell over the border in Suffolk. Several marinas that can accommodate a boat of that size.
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Thanks Greg.. That possibly would be a step too far if I headed 'home' with all my contacts being in South Essex, but worth considering.

 

[TomK]

Quick update. Went to take a look at Bridgemarsh Marina, chatted to them and have submitted an application form. Many thanks to @Lucky Duck , @Plum and others for the tip off. Fingers crossed I'll be down there from May.

 

[Plum]

Quick update. Went to take a look at Bridgemarsh Marina, chatted to them and have submitted an application form. Many thanks to @Lucky Duck , @Plum and others for the tip off. Fingers crossed I'll be down there from May.

Great, I will see you there!

 

[oldgit]

The Medway is a dump to sail in.
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This is a 24 ft craft ........
The Mudway .... a safe sheltered dump to boat in, no matter what the weather.
Just about any East Coast river or estuary would offer a better chance of a sail throughout year with somewhere for lunch not far away.
North Foreland is very exposed location, at least a day sail to Queenborough in one direction and Brighton in the other.
As for sheltered little bays to anchor just round the corner from Ramsgite .

 

[Parabordi]

. The Medway is a dump to sail in.
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That's the ticket, put them all off, we like it the way it is and don't need it as over crowded as the Orwell.