Maldon Moorings

James W

James W

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Good evening all,

I'm thinking of moving the boat to Maldon next spring once i've finally sorted everything. Does anyone please have any contact details for moorings please?

I'll need something on the cheaper side, but accessible from the town would be preferable. The boat can take the ground without any problems and i'm well used to having a swinging mooring. However, if a reasonable mud pontoon was on offer, that would be one heck of a luxury! :D

Thanks loads,

James
 
Maldon moorings

Almost all the moorings at Maldon are mud berths with pontoons (occasionally floating) or stagings. The river dries completely at Maldon, swinging moorings don't really start until Heybridge and lying afloat at all times doesn't happen until Osea, 4 miles down-river.
Probably the least expensive yard is Downs Road 01621 859 373, very basic amenities, an old-style working boatyard but with a community of live-aboards too. There are, I think, two other yards a few hundred yards down-river/nearer the pubs. All are well within walking distance of the town centre.
Parking can be a bu&&er if you arrive at Downs Road during the day; evening is better when the shoppers and workers have gone home.
Occasionally, not enough water at Neaps to get out if the mud has built up; Springs I can usually get out of the berth for an hour or so either side of HW with a 1m draught.
I like the place!
 
James W said:
Looks perfect, thanks for that. Just wondering if the closer proximity to London (currently in Suffolk) indicates a price hike in mooring fees?! :confused:
Click to expand...

I used to keep mine at Levington, on a swinging mooring during the season and on a pontoon berth during the winter. All the usual marina facilities available there etc - but that's reflected in the price. All the Maldon yards are basic in comparison, but the prices are around half - which became important when I started drawing a pension.
There's a regular bus service that stops outside Chelmsford station at a quarter of the price for a taxi from Levington to Ipswich.
 
nortonmotors said:
Almost all the moorings at Maldon are mud berths with pontoons (occasionally floating) or stagings. The river dries completely at Maldon, swinging moorings don't really start until Heybridge and lying afloat at all times doesn't happen until Osea, 4 miles down-river.
Probably the least expensive yard is Downs Road 01621 859 373, very basic amenities, an old-style working boatyard but with a community of live-aboards too. There are, I think, two other yards a few hundred yards down-river/nearer the pubs. All are well within walking distance of the town centre.
Parking can be a bu&&er if you arrive at Downs Road during the day; evening is better when the shoppers and workers have gone home.
Occasionally, not enough water at Neaps to get out if the mud has built up; Springs I can usually get out of the berth for an hour or so either side of HW with a 1m draught.
I like the place!
Click to expand...

Thanks for the detailed information, very much appreciated!

An older style working boatyard with basic amenities and pontoons sounds good to me!

I am surprised about the lack of water though, an hour either side of HW is pretty tight, but I am only 2' 6" so maybe i'd get a bit longer?!

I shall be giving them a call tomorrow.
 
MoodySabre said:
I haven't a clue what they charge - I expect they'll soon tell you!

There are also some mud berths by Heybridge lock - Tillergirl will advise as he is the mud berth specialist around here.
Click to expand...

Thanks Sabre, i'm sure they'll be only to pleased to let me know! :D

If Tillergirl could shed some light on the situation at Heybridge, that would be great too.

Thanks again!
 
Well everything dries out at Heybridge unless you are in the Basin but then you have to wait for the tide to lock in.

So there are three options at Heybridge:

Stebbens Boatyard where I winter. I've been with them 30 years in some way or another. It's the kind of place that suits me. They have swinging moorings and some berths - nose to the pontoon and stern line to a stern buoy. On a swinging mooring I got 3 hours either side of HW; you can get more further out but the issue is getting ashore with your dinghy over the mud. It is possible but requires wellies. Yard run by Adrian and Judy Richardson and their son. Cheap and cheerful - Adrian is a trained motor mechanic, skilled woodworker and can generally tackled any job on a boat. I'll pm their number.

Swans - run by Clint Swan, modern pontoons and I think a couple of swinging moorings. Both Stebbens and Swans pontoons probably don't give a lot more access than Maldon. Swans will cost more than Stebbens but you will need to ring to get the current prices.

Heybridge Basin, moorings inside the Basin along the canal bank and lock in and out on the tide. Showers and toilets canalside. Contact the Canal Company Lock keeper - memory failure here, I think its Martin.

By and large more access with the swinging moorings and a dinghy than the pontoon. Car parking is available in one way or another.
 
tillergirl said:
Well everything dries out at Heybridge unless you are in the Basin but then you have to wait for the tide to lock in.

So there are three options at Heybridge:

Stebbens Boatyard where I winter. I've been with them 30 years in some way or another. It's the kind of place that suits me. They have swinging moorings and some berths - nose to the pontoon and stern line to a stern buoy. On a swinging mooring I got 3 hours either side of HW; you can get more further out but the issue is getting ashore with your dinghy over the mud. It is possible but requires wellies. Yard run by Adrian and Judy Richardson and their son. Cheap and cheerful - Adrian is a trained motor mechanic, skilled woodworker and can generally tackled any job on a boat. I'll pm their number.

Swans - run by Clint Swan, modern pontoons and I think a couple of swinging moorings. Both Stebbens and Swans pontoons probably don't give a lot more access than Maldon. Swans will cost more than Stebbens but you will need to ring to get the current prices.

Heybridge Basin, moorings inside the Basin along the canal bank and lock in and out on the tide. Showers and toilets canalside. Contact the Canal Company Lock keeper - memory failure here, I think its Martin.

By and large more access with the swinging moorings and a dinghy than the pontoon. Car parking is available in one way or another.
Click to expand...

Great stuff, thanks so much!

A more helpful bunch, you wouldn't find anywhere. Thanks to all.

James
 
Marine store berths...

Catchy name ain't it! Alex lives there right behind the chandlers. We draw 2.9 feet and do get neaped for a few days. 11/2 hours before HW and an hour after to be safe.

Nice showers, nice peeps and near the MLSC for cheap very good beer. All for £900 odd per anum for my 21 footer.

Give the Marinestore chandlers a ring for more info.

I love the place:)

Steve
 
Second the bsc very friendly lot full time steward rob who is excellent and very professional, full social program and friendly members no snobism that you can get at the odd club, we are also members although own a project of a boat nothing been done on her since was expecting little one and she is nearly a year old eeek (but saving up the tax credits to sort the boat out who said they have to be spent on the kid)! You have to go on the waiting list for the moorings but you can mooring in ballest hole fo nothing so long as you provide your own tackle.
 
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