Getting onto drying out poles Brightlingsea

[Captain Crisp]

Hi - hoping to dry out on the Brightlingsea drying poles this weekend. The tide crosses them at right angles - should I allow the tide to push me onto them or approach them from the down stream side?
Thanks,
Crisp

 

[Egret]

Contact the Harbourmaster - you should book with him, and it can get busy. There is a small charge. He should be able to give you guidance.

There is a 3 page 'Maintenance Posts Code of Practice' on the 'Brightlingsea Harbour' website which gives quite detailed information and guidance.

Ideally you also need a few people with you who have done it before to hold the boat in the right position as it grounds so you can then lean towards the posts by the right amount and tie it securely.

Need to pick a day when it is low tide mid day to mid afternoon as you will struggle if it is dark at high tide. This week end low tide is about 8-9 am/pm so next weekend might be better.

 

[MikeBz]

My preference (and most others I suspect) is to approach on the ebb, posts to port, and let the ebb carry you on. That way the flood will help take you off when you want to leave. In case you didn’t know you have to book a slot on the posts with BHC.

 

[Captain Crisp]

Thanks both!

 

[johnalison]

My preference (and most others I suspect) is to approach on the ebb, posts to port, and let the ebb carry you on. That way the flood will help take you off when you want to leave. In case you didn’t know you have to book a slot on the posts with BHC.

That’s what we used to do. I think the hard is much messier than when we did it back in the ‘80s and ‘90s. Did you know that Brightlingsea hard is the largest ‘hard’ in the country?

 

[MikeBz]

Yes the hard is a lot muddier than it used to be. It doesn’t appear to be maintained so it’s status as the largest “hard” may be under threat!

 

[johnalison]

Yes the hard is a lot muddier than it used to be. It doesn’t appear to be maintained so it’s status as the largest “hard” may be under threat!

When we used to put the children ashore for their exercise on some of the East Coast's more dubious landing-places we would refer to them (the landing-places) as 'softs'.

 

[tillergirl]

Could someone measure it please?