Local knowledge sought...

U

upcountry2

Well-Known Member
Joined
31 Jan 2007
Messages
445
Location
uk
Visit site
My first post on ECF,be gentle...
Having recently completed the purchase of a Beneteau 423 from Fox's, i thought i would say hello.
My home berth is in the West Country, i know nothing about the East Coast or it's rivers, having never had ocassion to visit this area by land or sea, and to be honest, am slightly apprehensive about the distinct lack of water in these parts.
I plan to put new [to me] boat in the water around the early part of May, after the usual tasks have been completed, and sail back to Devon. What i need prior to that is local knowledge. Ideally someone who is local to Fox's, who would be willing to show me the river etc, between now and launch, on their own boat, or indeed offer any advise with regard to this trip.
I'm hoping to meet some of you over the coming months, so if you are at Fox's or anywhere on the river, and would like to say hi, please, please do.
I am there weekends, somtimes in the week, more so as the weather improves.
Boat is still lying ashore in the brokerage area, by the big shed.
Edwana Rose, Beneteau 423...
Look forward to meeting some of you,
Regards.
Phil...
 
Sorry I'm not in a position to help, but don't be put off by an apparent surfeit of mud round here; it really isn't as bad as we like to pretend. If you are just on one delivery trip you only have to do exactly what you would do in the West Country, i.e. keep to the main channel between the buoys. Crossing the Thames Estuary is a bit different but there have been several threads about it, and again, there are main channels to follow. Working the tides effectively round to the Solent will make a big difference to your enjoyment and you've plenty of time to work that out. I've been into Fox's a few times and it's no worse than visiting the town pontoon in Salcombe.
 
We are at Foxs - at the end of A pontoon (avatar picture is a clue). Come and say hello if we are about.

Should mention that I will not be about this weekend due to excessive workload because of the impending self assessment deadline. :mad:
Tax doesn't have to be taxing? Pah! :eek: :D
 
Last edited:
We're in foxes for some yard work at the moment... having said that - you won't need any help navigating the Orwell as it's a clearly buoyed channel; watch out for coasters coming up to Ipswich though.

If you're not familiar with the Thames estuary - it's worth reading / getting some local knowledge about getting across, although in reasonable weather you can go outside all the sandy bits and reach the Foreland with minimal zig zagging.

There are some serious experts on the estuary on this forum so you won't have to go far for the gen.
 
I bought my boat in Plymouth and sailed in back here. Ever since I have regretted that I was so focused on the trip (a big one for me) that I came out of Plymouth and turned left. I wish now that I had turned right and been to Falmouth and other West Country delights that are now a long way away. So try and have a week on the East Coast before heading off - there are some real delights, free moorings to pick up, excellent hostelries and great people.
 
MoodySabre said:
I bought my boat in Plymouth and sailed in back here. Ever since I have regretted that I was so focused on the trip (a big one for me) that I came out of Plymouth and turned left. I wish now that I had turned right and been to Falmouth and other West Country delights that are now a long way away. So try and have a week on the East Coast before heading off - there are some real delights, free moorings to pick up, excellent hostelries and great people.
Click to expand...

Totally agree with you. We made the same mistake when we bought our current boat. She was based in Cardiff bay and when we bought her, we drove down for the handover and had arranged for road transport to meet us there (too far to motor home).

I have kicked myself many times since for not arranging for the road transport a week or so later and exploring some of the local area, something we'll not get the chance to do now.
 
hi upcountry2.

When you are heading down to the Westcountry, let us know and we'll wave a welcome flag for you.
 
Thankyou all so much for taking the time to reply, for the welcome, for the advise and help, and for the friendliness,that shines through on this forum.
I am thinking about some local exploring before heading off, what places must i experience before i do?
I have just received Roger's book through the door [Crossing the Thames Estuary]
At first glance looks a bit complicated to me.
What is the best pilot book for this area?
Cant wait to get her in the water now...
Dont forget come and say hi if you are around, pubs only across the road,
but then you know that already.....

Phil...
 
upcountry2 said:
Thankyou all so much for taking the time to reply, for the welcome, for the advise and help, and for the friendliness,that shines through on this forum.
I am thinking about some local exploring before heading off, what places must i experience before i do?
I have just received Roger's book through the door [Crossing the Thames Estuary]
At first glance looks a bit complicated to me.
What is the best pilot book for this area?
Cant wait to get her in the water now...
Dont forget come and say hi if you are around, pubs only across the road,
but then you know that already.....

Phil...
Click to expand...

East Coast Pilot.
But I would say that wouldn't I.
Other pilots are avaialble.:)
 
PaulGooch said:
Totally agree with you. We made the same mistake when we bought our current boat. She was based in Cardiff bay and when we bought her, we drove down for the handover and had arranged for road transport to meet us there (too far to motor home).

I have kicked myself many times since for not arranging for the road transport a week or so later and exploring some of the local area, something we'll not get the chance to do now.
Click to expand...

Agree with all this

When I bought my first boat, which was berthed at Chichester Marina, back in 1997 it always seemed a shame that we didn't get to explore more of the South Coast before berthing costs forced us to head for points East. We arrived back in triumph 2002 but with a different boat!

'Brent Goose' was commissioned at Hamble point and we took the opportunity to explore the Channel Islands and the South West Coast. Some of my best memories date back to that time.

So if you have the time, a couple of weeks or so exploring the East coast is well worth it.
 
Thankyou all so much for taking the time to reply, (etc.)

upcountry2 said:
Thankyou all so much for taking the time to reply, for the welcome, for the advise and help, and for the friendliness,that shines through on this forum.
I am thinking about some local exploring before heading off, what places must i experience before i do?
I have just received Roger's book through the door [Crossing the Thames Estuary]
At first glance looks a bit complicated to me.
What is the best pilot book for this area?
Cant wait to get her in the water now...
Dont forget come and say hi if you are around, pubs only across the road,
but then you know that already.....

Phil...
Click to expand...
You could do worse than to visit a few harbours oop North, if you wish to experience true generosity and frendliness.
 
There are two very good printed pilot books...

East Coast Rivers and East Coast Pilot... the latter being IMHO just a tiny bit more user friendly and informative for the navigator, the prior being a tiny bit more descriptive of the locations after arrival. I'd recommend getting both for the sake of an extra few quid!

As for locations to visit...from Foxes, the Walton Backwaters is unmissable... a night at anchor in Hamford Water is a rare treat.... a trip to the Deben is a must.... a very lovely river.... a trip down the wallet to visit Brightlingsea, especially if you like curry, as you'll find the Kovalam there which is very very good... then Bradwell, and a visit to the Green Man for a real country pub with great beer..... oh, there is just so much good stuff to be done!
 
Looks like a week is not going to be long enough, perhaps a season?.....
Now where can i keep her for that time, without bringing tears to my eyes?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top