PetiteFleur
Well-Known Member
Went to Snape Maltings many years ago in a previous boat and may try again this year in current boat - 10m x 1.4m draft. And possibly stay for a couple of hours if possible. Anyone done it recently?
Is Snape Maltings doable nowadays?...
- Thread starter PetiteFleur
- Start date
Cantata
Well-Known Member
Not been for a few years. Wharf space there was a problem then.
Jan Harber
Well-Known Member
Hardly any visiting yachts seen at Snape Maltings this year so far. Today (Thursday June 22nd) there was a Halcyon 23 alongside, sitting on the mud, not very level and leaning outwards somewhat this morning. Later on near HW she was afloat when I took this photo and shortly afterwards she left.
Most of the alongside spaces are permanently occupied by the Snape trip boats, the big Dutch barge/houseboat/holiday let, and the Leigh bawley Bona. Then there is a vacant gap (in part of which the little barge Cygnet used to lie) before the small boat with a cover and the Cornish Shrimper which are moored close to the bridge.
There are a couple of ladders available in this space. To get ashore you would need to be adjacent to one or other of these.
Most of the alongside spaces are permanently occupied by the Snape trip boats, the big Dutch barge/houseboat/holiday let, and the Leigh bawley Bona. Then there is a vacant gap (in part of which the little barge Cygnet used to lie) before the small boat with a cover and the Cornish Shrimper which are moored close to the bridge.
There are a couple of ladders available in this space. To get ashore you would need to be adjacent to one or other of these.
MikeBz
Well-Known Member
Slight thread drift but where is Cygnet these days? We used to see her around a lot.
Bristolfashion
Well-Known Member
We anchored a short distance before the maltings and rowed up and back using the tide.
Seashoreman
Well-Known Member
Cygnet has gone unfortunately , not to return. The hull needs work that is economically unviable and I believe it has been offered to a museum.
I know the skipper well and can get more details if required. End of an era for him. Sad but inevitable.
Jan Harber
Well-Known Member
That might be the best plan. Anchor somewhere near Iken Cliff and row up to the Maltings, because today, in the vacant space described above, there was yet another trip boat alongside the quay.
I forgot to mention that on the way up to Iken, almost opposite Iken Church on the Snape shore there is a new jetty extending into the river with a mooring buoy off its end. At the head of the jetty is a new 'boathouse', quite conspicuous as it is the only building of any sort along that shore. The landowner got planning permission, despite opposition from local wildlife organizations, Snape Parish Council and the Alde and Ore Association, and the development went ahead over last winter.
Jan Harber
Well-Known Member
That is very sad news. Very sorry to hear it but not unexpected as last year just before she disappeared Cygnet had all her gear lowered on deck and looked as if she was going to be laid up. In the many years she was at Snape she must have been the most painted and photographed barge in Suffolk.
Does anyone know why Bona now appears to be berthed permanently at the Maltings?
MikeBz
Well-Known Member
That is sad. I loved seeing her around, often in and out of the Colne.
MikeBz
Well-Known Member
Now for sale with M J Lewis brokers. The ad suggests that she could be kept in use (new rudder fitted, new leeboards under construction etc.).
Seashoreman
Well-Known Member
Its a lovely boat that I have helmed. Not a massive barge so manageable for a couple of crew. although the skipper tacked it through the river moorings in most conditions solo. Very comfortable accommodation in tradition with its grand old age. I hope an enthusiast sees the future of this gem.
Slowboat35
Well-Known Member
Some years ago I was proceeding upstream through the withies towards Iken cliffs in company with Cygnet in a fast, handy 28ft Parker. Cygnet was being sailed solo and perhaps with the advantage of knowing the water and our being a bit more conservative with regard to depth we could not pass her for quite a while.
A most impressive vessel, and a most impressive skipper.
A most impressive vessel, and a most impressive skipper.
Rockabilly
New Member
That's our area and to be honest local knowledge would be very helpful. The channel is very narrow and difficult. I believe you can moor up at the maltings but there is very little space. We have a Shipmate day boat and even then it can be problematic. Troublesome Reach is exactly that. We will put our Jaguar 27 on the Deben for exactly this reason.
It's not undoable, but it's not going to be easy.
It's not undoable, but it's not going to be easy.
snowbird30ds
Well-Known Member
I did it once and used a route plotted on a 1:25k os map following the dotted line down the middle of the channel and it was spot on for the real nav channel, that was about 10 years ago though and it was 6 year old map then.
I did the route using a dodgy version of memory map and transfered to chart plotter, that was an RLM31 on twin outdrives so fairly shallow draught.
I did the route using a dodgy version of memory map and transfered to chart plotter, that was an RLM31 on twin outdrives so fairly shallow draught.
14K478
Well-Known Member
I favour anchoring at Iken Cliff, a delightful spot at which you can, given an East Anglian draft, stay afloat, and using a dinghy for the final mile - but then I have a clinker stem dinghy with a sailing rig as a tender, so doing this gives me an excuse to play Swallows and Amazons!
Last edited:
Rivers & creeks
Well-Known Member
We went this year, lifting keel 1.1m draft and never a hint of touching. A great trip, really enjoyed it.
