Essex/Suffolk coast

[trev]

Planning a trip around the creeks and rivers of Essex and Suffolk mid August.
I would like to know:
Can I get into Bradwell Marina at low water with 1m draught?(waiting for tide to Maldon) - are there any safe anchorages near-by?
Are there any limitations to getting into Wolverstone?
I understand berthing at Pin Mill is not an option - so how far is it from Wolverstone (walking?).
Hope the weather stays fine!!
Thanks in advance.

Trev

 

[steved]

You should be OK at low water for Bradwell marina, alternatively you can drop anchor or pick up a buoy just of West Mersea.

No problems at Wolverstone marina, for Pin Mill you should be able to drop anchor or pick up a buoy and tender ashore, on the other side of the river you have Levington marina, nice bar/restaurant in old light ship. Further up river and through lock you have two marinas (adjacent) in Ipswich, good choice of restaurants/pubs etc.

Well worth going up the river Deben, tricky entrance, only enter on a rising tide, you can get to Woodbridge, which is a very pleasant town.

Titchmarsh marina (Walton Backwaters) has good restaurant/bar, but is a trek to the town. I'm based in Titchmarsh, might see you there.

Have a good time.

Steve

 

[AJW]

Errm hate to disagree ref. Bradwell but I would think you might struggle at LT in any larger size of boat. LT+1 onwards no problem but if I arrived around LT I'd probably anchor off if conditions permitted and wait an hour or so. I launch my RIB at Bradwell and have only just squeezed in at LT at times.

Another spot worth visiting up here is Heybridge Basin if you want to overnight afloat. Lock into the Chelmer and Blackwater canal an hour or so either side of HT. Couple of nice pubs and lots of pretty old boats to look at.

If you have time whilst in Maldon, I recommend April 13th, restaurant on the High St specialising in Fish. If its just a quick pint then the Queens Head or Jolly Sailor on the quay are the places to go.

Have fun,
AJW

 

[blackbird]

Bradwell and Woolverstone

I agree about Bradwell. Even with only a metre I would leave it for an hour or so of tide.

At Woolverstone it's worth bearing in mind that the tide runs strongly through the marina, so it's worth considering when you go in what the tide might be doing when you want to leave. I'm a raggie in a boat with a poor, weak little engine, so I am not sure how this affects powerboats, but going out stern first against a strong tide is not to be recommended unless you have plenty of power and good steering astern.

There is a delightful walk along the river between Woolverstone and Pinmill. You can either walk through the woods and fields on a path just above the bank or along the bank itself. It's about a mile. Just right for a pre and post prandial constitutional and the food at the Butt and Oyster is improving all the time.

Have a good trip!

 

[Gunfleet]

Re: Bradwell and Woolverstone

On springs Bradwell creek dries up by the marina entrance for about an hour. You don't have to guess the depth, there's a tide gauge out by the power station baffle.

 

[Gunfleet]

Re: Bradwell and Woolverstone

now I'm replying to myself. Waiting for the tide to Maldon. You can anchor just north of peewit island (the other side of Bradwell Creek) or south of Osea derelict pier and then take the tide up to Maldon. Both are safe old Thames barge anchorages and marked on some charts/pilots. You may find mooring to the pontoon in Maldon a bit rough. The pontoon appears to be taken over by people from the pub for promenading and the bailiff does nothing about it. Why not lock in to Heybridge, just before you get there?

 

[trev]

Re: Bradwell and Woolverstone

Locking in to Heybridge Basin was the original plan- I believe its just a short walk to the town. I did intend to cruise up to the town for a look-see before locking in.
The plan is Bradwell/Maldon/Walton backwaters (Titchmarsh)/Woolverston (Pin Mill)
Woodbridge - and then home to the Thames. Intend to take about a fortnight to leave plenty of time for looking around.
Any further advice on moorings, anchorages, pubs and eateries greatly appreciated. I'm out in Saudi at the moment with no access to books or charts.


Trev

 

[dickh]

Re: Bradwell and Woolverstone

Don't miss out on the R Deben, the entrance is shallow so take local advice before entering on a rising tide LW+3. Only one marina at Woodbridge, but you can pick up moorings at Felixstowe Ferry, Ramsholt or Waldringfield - but you'll need a dinghy to get ashore except at Felixstwe Ferry when you can call up the Ferry - 'Good Times' Ch08 - £1 ea each way but he stops at 6pm.

dickh
I'd rather be sailing...

 

[squidge]

Re: Bradwell and Woolverstone

Dont miss pinmill!! its worth picking up a mooring and paying the pub a visit in your tender. there is a small channel along side a hard spit which at high tide could take you all the way to the pubs door.Good food to!!the local shop is about 1mile up a steepish hill but the chandler next door to the pub stocks essentials.Enjoy

 

[AJW]

Re: Bradwell and Woolverstone

Agree with the comments about "erberts" sitting on the pontoon whilst drinking at the pub. Although I imagine that if it were full of boats they'd be less inclined to do so? Anyway Heybridge Basin is a great spot but a long walk from Maldon town centre itself. In fact not even sure you can do it along the river bank. One thing you can do though is take your tender up the canal a mile or so to Tesco's to do the shopping!

Pub recommendations - The Lord Nelson near Neptune Marina in Ipswich, the Ferry Inn at Felixstowe Ferry and the Maybush at Waldringfield, also up the Deben.

Cheers, AJ