Medway / Swale advice sought.

[maxcampbell]

Hope you ECF-ers know a bit about the bits below the London river - I know nothing.

Outline plan is to launch at Allington lock Thursday (28th June), stay on the non-tidal Medway Thursday night. Friday down the river, ending up Gillingham marina.

Probably another night anchoring in Stangate creek.

What about a round trip around Sheppey from either Stangate or Gillingham in one day? It's about 43 n. miles. Not many places to stay overnight in East Swale. First thought is to time it to hit HW at Elmley. On Monday (by which time winds moderating) HW is midday-ish, so am I leaving myself too much to do to get back around the sea-side of Sheppey? How would you time it? Any other suggestions for sheltered trips in the area?

SWMBO coming for rare sailing trip (hopefully) - the other option is to leave rig at home and motor up river as far as poss then some of above.

Have to recover boat at Allington Thursday 5th (lock working c 13.00 to 17.00 that day).

 

[Otter]

Harty Ferry is a nice place to stop with free mooring buoys. But a really nice anchorage is tucked up just East of the entrance to Swale marina. Depending on your draft it's all tide access inside the island, there's two or three mooring buoys for Swale marina but drop the hook and you're sheltered as anything.

 

[Capt Popeye]

Would agree that Harty Ferry is a pleasant place to stay, good pub at head of Hard (or it was some time ago), food if U want it, good place for stretching your legs and enjoying the Wildlife, which abounds there.

A very remote and erie place, not like the other side of the Island where Holiday Chalets abound.

Listen out for the Sirens, means that Emley Prison has a 'break out'. Ho Ho Ho

Just relax and enjoy

 

[MoodySabre]

Another vote for Harty ferry. Usually a free buoy to pick up.

Did you see this thread about the Kingsferry Bridge. I don't what the clearance is when it is down but probably not enough for your lovely little craft.

 

[maxcampbell]

Thanks for responses so far

Should have put up more boat details:-

Single (long) keel, no legs 1m / 3' draft

Mast in tabernacle, easy to drop.

 

[xyachtdave]

There is a craft fair at the Harty Inn on Saturday daytime should you wish to do a bit of shopping. The Medway Yacht Club cruiser class are doing their annual around the Montgomery race on Saturday, finishing in Queenborough early afternoon so should be plenty going on.

We always find a buoy or raft up even on busy bank holiday weekends, a trot boat is running on Saturday evenings in Qboro at the moment.

If it does blow up a bit and you want something to do, put the boat in Chatham rather than Gillingham and have a stroll around the Historic Dockyard.

MYC should sort you a mooring if needed, call the office during the week to arrange. Bar open for food on Friday/Sat eve this week. Trot boat daytime Sat/Sun ch 37/M1 call sign Invicta.

Have a great time, wherever you end up!