Favourite anchorages on the East Coast

Otter

Otter

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We love the East Coast, it's the best place to cruise with a family but we've never really anchored successfully, apart from once at the Rocks on the Deben for a couple of hours and once at Stone Point for a Pirate afternoon we've always dragged, mainly because we had the wrong kit - cheapy blunt danforth type. So we ended up hunting for visitor moorings that were often in worse places and almost everyone charges these days.

Now we've got the Gucci gear - big Kobra2, 100m of 10mm chain and a shiny Lofrans Cayman. And we have a long keel so no more dancing between wind and tide rode.

Anyway, where would you recommend for a night at anchor between Aldeburgh and Bradwell with access ashore to exercise lots of children and a dog? Who knows, we may even get to like anchoring!
 
The Lazy Kipper said:
Anyway, where would you recommend for a night at anchor between Aldeburgh and Bradwell with access ashore to exercise lots of children and a dog? Who knows, we may even get to like anchoring!
Click to expand...

There is Brightlingsea - A good sheltered anchorage, and there is a nice walk along the front to the Leaning Tower of Brightlingsea, and next to that is a little cafe that serves good coffee and some good Victoria sponge, and it is quite cheap
 
Sorry didn't read post properly! The Swale is a bit to far south!

In the Blackwater I would recommend the anchorage off Osea Island. You can take the kids ashore and enjoy the beach at the eastern end. The island is privately owned but I understand you're OK as long as you stay below the HW mark.

Lots of passing boats including Thames barges can also keep everyone amused.
 
I would go for Cuckold point in the Ore, near Orford. The holding is great and it's pretty. Drop nearer to the quay if you want to go ashore.

Hamford Water in the Walton Backwaters is also great and sheltered from SWlies.

Pyefleet Creek, near Brightlingsea also good. It's less convenient for going ashore though but pretty also. Get there early on a Saturday as it fills up

Osea Island (Blackwater) is perfect esp if there's north in the wind. You can go ashore to the beach for a barbie.

Stangate creek in the Medway is an oasis in an industrial wasteland. Follow round into Sharfleet if staying overnight and you'll be sheltered from big ship wash

Harty Ferry, in the Swale, is pretty and you can get ashore to the pub. Not good in easterlies however.


Your first night at anchor is always a little nerve-wracking. It's one of the great pleasures of sailing though and well worth the learning curve.
 
Not having anchored much before, we decided the best way to learn was to anchor for a whole day somewhere and check what happened to the anchor each time the tide turned.
Not wanting to be in the middle of the Orwell, we used a popular spot just east of the cardinal bouy off Erwarton on the northern side of the Stour for out first tests.
We have since been back there to stay overnight and to test the hook/yoke affair that takes the strain of the chain off the windlass and keeps it clear of the bobstay.
You can land there and walk along the beach. Unfortunately, the pub in th village closed a while back :( That said, I did see someone painting it when we cycled past a few weeks ago so maybe, just maybe.....:cool:
 
If when you next anchor at stone point, you park up adjacent to the sign up on the beach, there is a patch of glutinous mud that provides good holding.
Anchored at the rocks on the Deben once and when we awoke we were way across the other side neatly (about 20m) behind another yacht, as i went into the cockpit relieved that we hadnt dragged into them during our travels, i heard a voice from their cockpit say ' I told you this was the best side to anchor on, look that other yacht decided to re anchor over here as well in the night! - i dont know about 'decided'
 
This one:

11072011513-cropped-1.jpg


but im not telling you where it is :D
 
As I am off on holiday now for a week I will let you all into our little secret anchorage.

Its............................

Oh go on then but dont all turn up at once and ruin it. :D

Its Blakeney Bay.

Nothing but miles of golden beach, some razor clam shells and a colony of very inquisitive seals. :)
 
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