How busy is the Crouch?

[muckypup]

Considering relocating to one of the marinas on the Crouch. How busy does it get at the weekends?

I only have real experience with Swansea which is never that busy. When I spent a day in Hanble-le-rice, I couldn't believe how busy the river there was. It made the M1 in rush hour through the roadworks look empty!

Steve

 

[FullCircle]

Quite busy around Burnham at dinghy or yacht racing times. Plenty of clear water in Fairway though, and issue is really restricted to the moorings areas. 8 knots speed limit
Once past Fairway 15 buoy going upriver, there is little to bother you. No speed limit until you reach Fambridge then. Above Fambridge is Hullbridge which has lots of moorings, but an easy path through.
Going out to sea, nothing much beyond the Electricity Cable marking Bouys, although occasionally there is a commercial coaster going to Baltic Wharf just beyond Essex Marina. No speed limit.
In the Roach (off the Crouch) its usually very quiet.
Nothing that should give you too much to worry about, although of course its wise to keep a good lookout..

 

[Athene V30]

It just takes soooooooo looooong to get out to sea. Why does that river always make me want to fall asleep!

 

[MoodySabre]

Have a look at Bradwell - peaceful setting, lovely river to sail up and near the sea to sail out. Good weekend hops. There are other places on the Blackwater too - none of your Burnham bling!

 

[muckypup]

I have spoken to someone from Bradwell who was supposed to be sending me a price list, but I have not received one yet.

Anyone know how much they charge for a 12m berth? Is there access at all states of the tide?

Steve

 

[CPD]

Moved from Bridgemarsh (2 miles up river from Burnham) to Bradwell this season, where we draw 1m and lose 1hr either side of low water at Bradwell. The reason we moved was, as Fllipper says, tis a substantial distance to the open sea. Apart from that, really enjoyed our time there.

 

[muckypup]

[ QUOTE ]
we draw 1m and lose 1hr either side of low water at Bradwell.

[/ QUOTE ]

Springs or Neaps?

I want the best of both worlds... SWMBO gets seasick and my son is 5 months old so river cruising will be good.

I also would like to do some sea fishing. BYH & Essex Marina are about 7nm from the sea and Harlequin will cruise at 8 knots quite economically which makes the sea less than an hour away.

Anyone do sea fishing out of the crouch? It's something I have never done before but I would like to start.

Steve

 

[Sixpence]

On the sea fishing question I can help , yes they do , the sandbanks and mudflats that submerge at high tide seem to be a favourite site judging by what I saw , not that I'm into that sort of thing myself you understand

 

[MoodySabre]

Bradwell charge £61.90 per foot p.a plus VAT

Don't do complicated stuff like metres!

 

[muckypup]

Harlequin is 38' which make it £2763pa for exactly 38' or for a 12m berth depending on how they work it 12m = 39.370079' which makes it £2863pa. Cheaper than BYH, and about the same as Essex Marina.

What's bradwell like as a marina? I was going to go up tomorrow and have a look but SWMBO is insisting on doiung some DIY and going up for a look next weekend.

S.

 

[MoodySabre]

Charges are by boat length which will determine where they put you. Some pontoons don't have enough width in the aisle for bigger boats.

You will find the marina to be very rural. There is a small shop (follow the signs for the Post Office) near the marina but it's opening hours are limited. There is no chandlery or other shops at all. There's a marina bar where the food is ordinary but adequate (except when there is a BBQ on). Excellent food at The Green Man 200 yards away. There is a Bradwell Cruising Club (see their website) and a Bradwell Quay YC very near by of which I have no experience.

The entrance to the marina is up a creek so there is no tide running through the pontoons. Access depends on your draught, the shallowest bit being in the creek not the cill. I draw 1.7metres and 3.5 hours either side is do-able, perhaps a bit less on a falling tide as I have a fin keel. Our previous boat had2'9" bilge keels and we only got stuck close either side of LWS.

I'm not there next weekend so can't offer any hospitality I'm afraid.