Long Keel on the East Coast?

[James W]

I know there are many with long keels on the East Coast, along with loads of fin keelers, but what are your thoughts on having a long keeled boat if you want/need to use a swinging mooring and sail mostly on the Deben, Orwell and Alde?

I have always had a twin keel, but am looking at lots of other boats at the moment. I'm not keen on marina hopping and would prefer to anchor, but would you consider a long keeler with 5' draft too restricting for this and for general sailing in these waters. Obviously a deeper water swinging mooring is a must, but how much trouble do you think it would be negotiating the Suffolk and Essex Coast?

Thanks guys, your experience is much appreciated!

 

[sailorman]

I know there are many with long keels on the East Coast, along with loads of fin keelers, but what are your thoughts on having a long keeled boat if you want/need to use a swinging mooring and sail mostly on the Deben, Orwell and Alde?

I have always had a twin keel, but am looking at lots of other boats at the moment. I'm not keen on marina hopping and would prefer to anchor, but would you consider a long keeler with 5' draft too restricting for this and for general sailing in these waters. Obviously a deeper water swinging mooring is a must, but how much trouble do you think it would be negotiating the Suffolk and Essex Coast?

Thanks guys, your experience is much appreciated!

i have only had 1 bilge keeler, that was my first boat.
my previous boat a Co32 was kept on a Ramsholt mooring.
one summer we came back from various East Coast rivers on 5 consecutive Sundays ( some single handed) without using the engine including weigh anchor or let go a mooring & picking up our own mooring.
In fact one memorable trip back from Oostende we hoisted the Spi outside the Pr Hd & took it down as we approached the mooring.

Just do it

 

[James W]

i have only had 1 bilge keeler, that was my first boat.
my previous boat a Co32 was kept on a Ramsholt mooring.
one summer we came back from various East Coast rivers on 5 consecutive Sundays ( some single handed) without using the engine including weigh anchor or let go a mooring & picking up our own mooring.
In fact one memorable trip back from Oostende we hoisted the Spi outside the Pr Hd & took it down as we approached the mooring.

Just do it

Legend!

 

[sailorman]

Legend!

In my own lifetime too

 

[James W]

Deep water Moorings

......however, that does beg the question, where would you recommend a cheap deep water swinging mooring? Ramsholt or Waldringfield would be perfect....any ideas?

Thanks!

 

[Otter]

It's a different type of approach. With our catamaran we explored creeks and the upper reaches of rivers because even better than a bilge keeler we could settle on the mud anywhere. With a long keel we have to be more aware and plan more carefully. It will stop us reaching some of the places we used to explore but the compensations are pretty good. I'll miss the likes of Snape but on the other hand we won't be almost thrown out of our bunks by a nasty wind over tide at anchor.

 

[sailorman]

......however, that does beg the question, where would you recommend a cheap deep water swinging mooring? Ramsholt or Waldringfield would be perfect....any ideas?

Thanks!

Unless you can rent a boatyard mooring as those administered by a fairway committee are "dead man shoes" & rarely come available

 

[Athene V30]

I have had a 21' boat with fin keel, a 27' boat with 'long' fin and now a 27' boat long keel -all 3 boats have had 4'6" draft and you just work the tides to get to where you want to go and when (not if ) you get it wrong you spend some time at an uncomfortable angle!

What I have noticed is that I dont get the horrible slamming I used to experience in the Wallet. OK I hate trying to manouver in marinas but with practice it can be done (sometimes). Keep thinking I would be better on a swinging mooring though rather than go to a pontoon.

 

[MoodySabre]

I have not found a 5'6" fin keel a problem. I have got better at tidal height guessing in my head

Sometimes I think it would be nice to be drawing 2'6" and creekcrawl but mostly I'm happyto have a boat that sails well.

 

[James W]

What I have noticed is that I dont get the horrible slamming I used to experience in the Wallet.

 

[Leighb]

We have a 4' 6" long keel yacht. There are generally no problems with access, although you obviously have to work your tides correctly, and occasionally unexpected weather conditions can change expected depths. An extra 6" won't make much difference. We have friends who have cruised the East Coast for many years with a long keel 5' 6" yacht and have been just about everywhere.

I think once you get to 6' or more then some destinations might prove difficult.

Happy cruising.

 

[James W]

Thanks

Thanks to all, much appreciated!

James