Essex

[Maurice55]

Hi there Old Chaps,
We've just been for a jolly in our half rotten Mirror Dinghy, all the way down Shoreham canal (actually, I think it's called Southwick Canal) and after a couple of spiffing continental lager from the local supermarket I feel all yachty and all that , what?
Now the question is, as we are planning a short hollyday in Essex in Jully, before joining the Europeen Junk Rig Rally, I was wonderind if some good fellow could advise us on where we can find a nice little slip-way giving us access to a nice little bit of water for a couple of afternoon sails, and even maybe a nice little camp-site to pich our little tent somewhere quite where we can see some of the (I'm sure) wonderfull countryside.(all this on the cheap as we are saving the pennies for the big 30ft project to sail away next year!)
Any tip/advice most gratefully apreciated,
Cheers.....Maurice.

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[Guest]

Hi sailor
Go to Brightlingsea, (our old sailing area) very good slip, good campsite very near, it's walkable. good yacht clubs excelent chippie, not too far from Colchester for good shopping and the castle & Clacton. Lots of very safe sailing, good creeks to investigate. Easy to sail to Mersea, lots of areas for BBQ. Go for it you won't be dissapointed.
good luck Toni Let me know

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[squidge]

I must also recomend Brightlingsea,super place, id also like to recomend the Dengie , its a bit of land below Brightlingsea , and seperates the Blackwater and the Crouch, Lots of camp sites , many launch ramps in the villages , marinas and yacht clubs.You can go from the quiet backwaters to the Racing capital of the east coast (Burnham).Food available from Take-a-ways (All you could think of)to some very fine up market restaurants and more pubs that you can wave a stick at.
Where ever you go in Essex iam sure you will have a great time.
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[ericw]

Hi there Maurice, Old Boy !

It's gotta be West Mersea then u can go either way down or up the Blackwater depending on the tide !

Plenty of creeks to explore around Mersea island - u can either go around the eastern side of the island towards B'lingsea if u have to !! Only kidding, it's nice over there, but if Burnham is the racing capital of the East Coast, W.Mersea has got to be the Burnham of the Blackwater (I'm dodging the stones already !!).

If u do go for Mersea - can recommend Dabchicks Sailing Club, where a warm welcome will await you - very down to earth, friendly club. If u want to explore slightly further afield then a short sail over to Tollesbury on the flood should see a nice couple of beers and a great lunch in the Tollesbury Cruising Club before a saunter back on the ebb. Ok, so you will have to go against the tide back into W.Mersea itself, but hug the mud banks and u'll stay out of most of it !

As others have said, wherever u end up u'll have a fab time - after all the East Coast is a small boat paradise !

Best regards,

E.

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[Mirelle]

Well, Brightlingsea and West Mersea both have broad, firm, not-too-muddy Hards, excellent for launching a dinghy and with secure car parks not too distant. By very long tradition, these two small towns are hardly on speaking terms with each other, but both are suitable and both have camp sites quite near.

The very best place for dinghy sailing is the Walton Backwaters (Arthur Ransome's Secret Water) but Walton Town Hard is nowhere near as good as Brightlingsea or Mersea and is only accessible at high water.

Burnham is also quite possible. Maldon and Tollesbury are not. due to lack of water for half the time. Stone St Lawrence is good but I fancy the hard belongs to the sailing club.



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[the_wanderer]

There is a reasonable slipway at Harwich, launching across the beach. Large boats at high water and dinghies at most states of the tide. I don't know if the beach will take a car's weight so perhaps somebody can post on this subject. The site gives access to the Stour and Orwell estuaries. Slipway free, trailer parking free, car parking for a reasonable charge or park in the road. Lock your trailer well as the public has free access to the trailer park.

Camping can be found at Dovercourt off of Low Road. I am assured by somebody who has a caravan on the site that it is good.

Have fun!

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[Maurice55]

That is just wonderfull, if the weather is with us, I'm sure we will have a great time thanks to all your good tips, thank you very much to all


Yours, Maurice.

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[Maurice55]

We're back !! (actually quite a while ago) and we had a fantastic time thank you,perfect weather,a lovely camp site and a lovely little town : West Mersea !!
Plenty of sailing and walking and eating alfresco and drinking cold lager !!!
We spent the last three days in freindly Bradwell Marina (for the excellent Junk Rig Rally) where for the week end fee to use the slipway (£12 I think) we were allowed to camp on their ground and use their facilities, jolly good value I think.
We'll certainly go back, and next time it will be in our big boat, which should be ready soon !!

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