Fosdyke yacht haven?

[stibbles]

Hi All,

I'm continuing in my search for somewhere to keep a boat not too far from Nottingham.

The forumites' previous wise comments have made me think twice about all the up'n'down masting involved in sailing out of Boston.

There seems to be a pretty strong case for the extra drive down to Suffolk, but in trying to check out other options I wondered if anyone has any experiences to share about Fosdyke Yacht Haven?

I've taken a look at the place and on the downside it is in the middle of nowhere and close to a main road. On the upside it's a lot closer to home & previous posts suggest the owner is a good chap.

Does anyone keep theirs there?

 

[Sea_Lark]

Hi,

Yes my boat is currently at Fosdyke. I live near Nottingham and have been through the same quandary as you. First solution was a trailer sailer. I now have a lovely Red Fox for sale if you're interested!

I have kept the Red Fox at Wisbech for one season, too. Fosdyke and Wisbech share similar problems. Access to both is severely limited by tide times, not just for depth of water but more severely for strength of current. You must time arrival and departure very close to slack water at springs. Leaving on the flood or arriving on the ebb needs a strong engine and plenty of fuel, so is best avoided as well. Since high tide neaps occurs around midday, this limits day-sails from and to the marina at neaps. Timing of high tide springs is much more conducive to day-sailing, but then you are out for 12 hours whatever the weather does. At low tide you can find good shelter in the Wash from most wind directions, but you might still have a few 'unpleasant' hours to kill. So, buy a strong, safe boat, imo. Also, your boat will touch ground, at least at springs, so bilge/lifting keels help.

Both are well up-river from the sea, but I like the river passage anyway so don't regard that as a drawback. Wisbech involves passing Sutton Bridge, which again affects timing and requires pre-planning.... 24 hour notice is requested. That is basically why I have switched to Fosdyke, coupled with the fact that Wisbech is further from the bar making timing even more problematic. Wisbech has shower facilities in a porta-cabin, Fosdyke has none at present, although these are promised in future. Wisbech marina is in the town, with easy access to shops/restaurants. As you say, Fosdyke is in the middle of nowhere, although the Ship Inn is right next door, with good meals and friendly staff. Both Fosdyke and Wisbech are run by very helpful guys, but David Parkinson at Fosdyke is far more 'accessible' than the Harbour Master at Wisbech. He is also a 'yachtie' himself, so understands our problems and is very forthcoming with advice. Both Fosdyke and Wisbech are relatively cheap by marina standards, but then they are relatively basic as well.

So, relative to keeping a boat at, say, Woolverstone on the Orwell, the plusses are:
Journey time less than half.
Cheaper.

On the debit side:
Sailing times much more restricted.
More basic facilities.
Less 'destinations' for short sails.
Less shelter if the weather turns bad.

My overall conclusion is obvious from the fact that my boat is at Wisbech, but I quite understand all the Nottinghamians who go the Orwell. The ideal solution imo? Get a job and a house in Oban!

 

[starboard]

You could PM "TFJ" he is presentlly en-route with his Najad 373 there from Scotland as he lives not too far away in Lincolnshire and knows the place well.

Paul.

 

[Phoenix of Hamble]

I live quite close to Fosdyke as well....

Big problem for me with Fosdyke....... its in the middle of effin nowhere... and too make 'fennies' around...... /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

and more importantly there is no where really interesting to sail to unless you are into passage making.....

At least one other forumite that I am aware of lives in Nottingham and keeps his boat in the Solent.... reckons on 2 to 2-1/2 hours if he can miss the traffic....