harwich Ha'Penny Pier

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jant

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brightlingsea, essex
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any body berthed overnight recently at Ha'Penny Pier? i have it as a "would like to do" list, but have seen some pretty violent swells in there, whilst visiting by car.

cheers
 
A great place to stop, old Harwich is an interesting place to explore and there are several high quality eateries. Only ever stayed on the outside - big fenders needed. It's another famous free stop in the East Coast, signs tell you when it's free from and as I recall I think 6pm to 8am, otherwise about £1 pm. The wash can make it bumpy but we usually raft up the outside of a bigger yacht - always seems to be some sort of steel sailing barge visiting. You can fill up with water bunt there's no leccy. As tomahawk says the staff are friendly and helpful, we were there three weeks ago and the guy came on duty an hour earlier to give a free lift to some storm bound Dutchies who needed to get the ferry home.
 
Have been 2 or 3 times usually as meet up point for club rally. Always regret it. Even on inside it is lumpy, turning space inside is tight and pontoon is unforgiving with jutting out metal work.

Friends rate the Alma / Alba pub. Can't say I find it anything special. So much background noise hard to hear a conversation.

Otherwise I love the place!!
 
There's masses of room to turn. What do you sail that needs more? O, I know; it must be one of those long-keeled things like a Contessa which reputedly don't obey the laws of physics.
 
I stayed there a couple of weeks ago and Nick the harbourmaster was very helpful and friendly. Call the HM on 07748 154039. It's free from 10 am (I think) to 4pm. However no bookings, it's first coem first served. After 4pm you pay for the night but very reasonable, eg £15 for 10 metres LOA, including tokens for the showers and toilet. The very popular Alma pub has good food, including locally caught seafood, but more pricey than on last year's visit. The old town is well worth a walk around, not forgetting the Mayflower project and the Misleading Lights.
 
tony_lavelle said:
I stayed there a couple of weeks ago and Nick the harbourmaster was very helpful and friendly. Call the HM on 07748 154039. It's free from 10 am (I think) to 4pm. However no bookings, it's first coem first served. After 4pm you pay for the night but very reasonable, eg £15 for 10 metres LOA, including tokens for the showers and toilet. The very popular Alma pub has good food, including locally caught seafood, but more pricey than on last year's visit. The old town is well worth a walk around, not forgetting the Mayflower project and the Misleading Lights.
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On a thursday a trip around TH is possible by arrangement
 
harwich lovely place lovely harbour team
the fault`s i have are swell on outer pontoon not suitable unless a large vessel
inner run is better but be prepared to be reefed alongside if busy

only go in there if condition `s all in my favour but would love to use alot more as its a great stop off for food and other bit`s and piece`s
just wish they if poss could rearrange mooring`s to accomodate boats without slamming them against key

i am not moaning about harwich just fault`s i noticed but still love it there

plus point`s
hot shower
clean toilet`s
clean shower`s
friendly bunch
cheap
close to town
easy access on tides
 
Many thanks for all the replies, and good advise. I may, if the predicted NE'ly wind is kind go up this friday, from Brightlingsea. I understand that the ALma is THE place to be for Beer, Food and yarning! If the swell looks rubbish i will nip up to the swinging moorings by Bathside bay, and tender in.

All the best

jant
 
Harbour master and location both absolutely brilliant. We spent a night there last summer, never again. Absolute mill pond and perfect forecast when we arrived, by 2am she was trying to launch herself onto the quay it seemed - didn't get a wink of sleep.

That said, showers are great, HM is wonderful (will provide large round fenders if needs be) but we arrived after he left, and food at the Alma was great! Hope you get a peaceful night.
If heading to bathside for a mooring make sure you have a line set to use ( I know most do anyway) but the outermost trot pick up lines seem to have wrapped themselves round around the chains...
 
I must have missed something when we went, admittedly by ferry from Shotley. It was an extremely long walk to anything like a supermarket (Co-op) for a bloke with a dodgy knee so much so that we got a taxi back to the pier.....
 
Horror being told of Galatea coming in on the pier side and using a bow thruster which sent a wave which severley damaged a boat moored there; we heard this from somebody who witnessed it and then sat with the distressed owners at the Old Gaffers meal at Titchmarsh last night.
 
ianc1200 said:
Horror being told of Galatea coming in on the pier side and using a bow thruster which sent a wave which severley damaged a boat moored there; we heard this from somebody who witnessed it and then sat with the distressed owners at the Old Gaffers meal at Titchmarsh last night.
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That's a very sad tale.

I've been keen to visit but had a look at the pontoons when visiting by road. Seemed to me that berthing my be ok for a larger vessel but rather hostile for a (wooden) 28 footer.

Grateful for the post but sad that it's the 'final nail' as far as my intended visit is concerned. Would love to be told that I'm wrong which I probably am. Otoh, there did appear to be an awful lot of harsh metal-work just waiting for a victim.
 
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