Marina showers - Brightlingsea vs Bradwell

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gilesfordcrush

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Hello all,

There is a possibility that we'll visit Bradwell marina in the next few weeks. The female members of the crew have expressed an interest in the ablutions block, and it's conditions. They have an opinion of marina showers based largely on the facilities at Brightlingsea, which they do not rate very highly. Male crew members have not expressed any concerns! :)

Could anyone give me an idea of what we'll find at Bradwell? Better? Worse? Compared to Brightlingsea. Personally, i like a nice warm bucket up on deck!

Thanks,

Giles
 
The showers at Brightlingsea are in the club house, and I find them fully functional but not palatial.

The block at Bradwell is bigger and better - more in tune with what you would expect from a marina rather than a club.

I assume the women's facilities are similar to the men's.
 
Our current rating is Bradwell generally is higher than Brightlingsea... If you're on the Pontoons, there's no water or power, and it's £2 per person per single trip to shore... Bradwell for us is £3 a night more expensive for MUCH better facilities
 
Hi Larry,

I've only every been into the marina at Brightlingsea. I thought there was power and water on the pontoon? Blimey, I won't be mooring out there unless I have to. With a family of four the water taxi adds a great deal to the cost of a curry, which is a big attraction for going to Brightlingsea.

The female crew will be happy knowing that the facilities are better at Bradwell.
 
We left at half tide on the ebb and there wasn't a lot of water in the marked channel, but I believe the deeper water is outside this channel. They weren't very informative in the office, so we just played safe.

Bradwell was turning away visitors 2 weekends ago, so it might be worth pre-booking.
 
Gladys said:
Our current rating is Bradwell generally is higher than Brightlingsea... If you're on the Pontoons, there's no water or power, and it's £2 per person per single trip to shore... Bradwell for us is £3 a night more expensive for MUCH better facilities
Click to expand...

The pontoons in the marina have water and power but it is somewhat soulless; 'concrete canyons' come to mind.
 
why you lot not look at the chart!!!!!

http://www.crossingthethamesestuary.com/page29.html Scroll down for the Bradwell chart. It is based upon 2011 data but I have frequently each year checked the depths. Best water is 'au middle' BUT the marked channel is nice soft gloopy. You can power through if enough water. Where the deeper water is, is where there used to be a line of moorings. Have the Austin7 engine blocks lifted? I suspect …….
And it is only 0.2/3m more water init 7 to 10 inches? It can make a difference or perhaps it wouldn't.

If you get in the creek you can get in the marina.
 
gilesfordcrush said:
The Bradwell marina website says access at all states of tide except for deep water craft on springs. I draw 1.5m - is that deep?
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I draw 1.7m and regard it half-tide. I usually leave 3.5 hours before HW and have got in 3.5 hours after HW but that is not for the faint hearted. See Tillergirl's survey of Bradwell creek - the marked channel doesn't represent the deepest water.

LW springs is fine in a canoe.

The showers are fine. There is a seperate laundry room for which you can get a key from the tower.
 
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Phone Bradwell and talk to them about your draught. They are very good at knowing what can get in and when. We also draw 1.5 and with a safety margin could get in and out apart from LW +/- 2 hours.
 
gilesfordcrush said:
Hello all,

There is a possibility that we'll visit Bradwell marina in the next few weeks. The female members of the crew have expressed an interest in the ablutions block, and it's conditions. They have an opinion of marina showers based largely on the facilities at Brightlingsea, which they do not rate very highly. Male crew members have not expressed any concerns! :)

Could anyone give me an idea of what we'll find at Bradwell? Better? Worse? Compared to Brightlingsea. Personally, i like a nice warm bucket up on deck!

Thanks,

Giles
Click to expand...

I think Bradwell showers are better in that you can adjust the water temperature. I hate showers where the water temperature is fixed as so often the temperature is too hot. However, my view is based on using the male facilities!

Www.solocoastalsailing.co.uk
 
I beIieve there are plans for something much better in the way of 'facilities' at Brightlingsea but that's not going to help anyone this year.
 
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