Looking for the holy grail of East Coast Moorings... is it out there?

F

frlrubett

Well-Known Member
Joined
2 Mar 2020
Messages
78
Location
Rochford
Visit site
I am new to the area and currently keeping my 23" cruiser in Rochford, really like the yard but you struggle to get out outside 1-/1+ of high. Looking to relocate somewhere with the following criteria.. if possible at all.

East Coast pilotage area
-3/+3 tides
Swing mooring but would take pontoon if its cheap
Do not really need facilities
Near train station (walking distance preferred for visitors but not essential can take taxi/collect)
Good value!

Thanks!
 
A few thoughts.

Walton on the Naze ,swinging/marina.

Burnham , swinging/marina.

Wrabness, swinging.

Ipswich , swinging/marina.

Depends on your draft but all with decent water.
 
Bridgemarsh Marine Althorne ( Pontoon mooring ) cheapest pontoon mooring on the Crouch , 1.5/ 2 hours ether side of the tide,easy going and helpful was there 15 years but now swallowed the anchor . Tel 01621 740414.
 
silverdawn said:
Bridgemarsh Marine Althorne ( Pontoon mooring ) cheapest pontoon mooring on the Crouch , 1.5/ 2 hours ether side of the tide,easy going and helpful was there 15 years but now swallowed the anchor . Tel 01621 740414.
Click to expand...

Yeah just spoke to him, he said "Marina can be accessed - + 4 hours even on a spring tide, if you have a draft of less than a meter" which seems ideal.
 
Leigh on sea marina or smallgains creek on canvey island could be an option if you live anywhere near rochford. They are closer than all the others I think. Leigh is about 73p per foot per week, with approx +2/-2 access on the bigger tides. Or paglesham sailing club moorings if they still have them?
 
There are two clubs at Gillingham that have 24 hour swing moorings at a 15 minute walk from the station which offers a fast servie to St Pancras or a slower service to London Bridge or Victoria. I often make the trip down from the Chilterns where I live. I used to be at Paglesham in summer and Rochford in winter. But while there is a train to Rochford, Paglesham is impossible by public transport.
The clubs are:
Medway Cruising Club | Sailing club based on the River Medway
http://www.segassailingclub.co.uk/

I have been a member of teh Medway Crusing Club for 8 years and have been very pleased by the move. good facilities, good people, cheap fees. We do have 24 hours access to our boats when the Commodore's hard is kept clear of mud to launch our dinghys. a year ago it was not clear and only had 4 hours either side of high tide beacuse of 2 feet of mud at the bottom of the hard since then we have had it dredged. There is a problem with jet skiers swamping dinghys and hogging the hard with their trailers but generally only around high tide.
 
I would think about Harwich, moorings a little exposed but ticks your boxes. Various directions to sail in depending on tides, wind and time available
 
Have a look at the Gravesend Sailing Club. They have deep water and drying moorings, a nearby railway station and low prices.
 
frlrubett said:
Yeah just spoke to him, he said "Marina can be accessed - + 4 hours even on a spring tide, if you have a draft of less than a meter" which seems ideal.
Click to expand...

And it’s a five minute walk to the station.

I had a 24’ er there which I sold last year but had previously been on a mooring at Priors.

I wish I’d discovered it earlier as to be able to get straight off the train and just walk onto the boat was great.

PS Power on the pontoons too and a shower in the gents so you don’t get back on the train all sweaty.
 
Just add a vote for The Medway in general, our Club at Hoo is not the only one and you will not get pontoon access. Rail access works like this for me, I run up to Sun Pier to collect crew. 30 minutes, say, Sun Pier is walking distance from Chatham Station, 10 minutes?
 
frlrubett said:
Ah yes I have looked at Burnham but it was quite expensive. Will look at Warbness/Walton now. Thanks!
Click to expand...

In the summer we are based at Walton so may be able to answer any questions you may have.

Walton & Frinton 10 minutes from railway station but Titchmarsh Marina further. Trains every hours from Colchester/London. Plenty of buoys in the Walton Channel, which are safe in all conditions.
 
Have you looked further up the Crouch? For example: Althorne Marina (near railway station); Fambridge (swinging moorings and quite near railway station); Hullbridge (swinging moorings, limited tidal access).
 
frlrubett said:
Yeah just spoke to him, he said "Marina can be accessed - + 4 hours even on a spring tide, if you have a draft of less than a meter" which seems ideal.
Click to expand...
Yes, I moor there at Bridgemarsh Marina but that is access times, the depth along the pontoons varies, some parts dry out, so make sure you choose the pontoon section that gives the depth you require. Good value no frills marina. They also have scrubbing posts!

www.solocoastalsailing.co.uk
 
Last edited:
One factor the OP didn't mention was the kind of sailing they enjoy. Is it day trips, weekends or longer away, club social scene, racing? I'd offer another vote for the Medway as all of those activities can be had from there, various clubs to choose from as has already been said, plus Queensborough which has moorings, a trot boat service, and a railway station.....
 
Triassic said:
One factor the OP didn't mention was the kind of sailing they enjoy. Is it day trips, weekends or longer away, club social scene, racing? I'd offer another vote for the Medway as all of those activities can be had from there, various clubs to choose from as has already been said, plus Queensborough which has moorings, a trot boat service, and a railway station.....
Click to expand...

Good point! A mixture of day sailing and multiday. Will look at Queensborough.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top