Moving to the East Coast

[Colin K]

It is a strange phenomenon but all Orwell marinas seem to be a similar price

They are all simular in price for the actual pontoon berths. Not all however are the same price for the add ons, You know the lift outs,jet wash at lift out etc etc etc so if you are shopping around ask for the prices of a typical sinerio !!

Great area though.

 

[PeterWright]

Hi,

Firstly, you've made a good choice i lookig to move to the East Coast. From what you write about affordabilty and wish for peace and quietit beats the South Coast - the ily other location o reasinable drivig distace of the smoke hands down.

The next thing you meed to consider is the sort of sailing you would like to do. Many East Coast berths are either constrained by the tide or can take a while to get to sea. The Deben is a firm favourite of mine to visit - I learned my sailing at Waldringfield - but you need to pick your time to get in and out over the bar, which can put quite a constraint on a weekend's sailing when you must be at work on Monday morning.

The Orwell has many berthing possibilities which are acccessible at all tides. It has the benefot of easy access to the sea, or a wide choice of weekend or day trips to other peaceful East Coast places, choosing the place you visit by where the tide serves that weekend. You've already ruled out Ipswich Haven as too pricey, which, as others hve said rules out most (?all) of the full service marinas o the Orwell, but OR4751 of this parish has found an arrangement of summer on a river mooring and winter on a pontoon or ashore which suits his wallet better - PM him for details.

Furher south, Brightlingsea and Bradwell creek are possibilities, but there may be waiting lists for a 1.5m all tide berth - a bit further up the Blackwater, Marconi Sailing Club have members' moorings - they may have one to suit you if you join. Tollesbury is definitely contrained by the tide for coming and going and West Mersea has all tide moorings with a launch service but, imho, seems to take orever to drive to.

On the Crouch again many opportunities, If you want to go somewhere, I find the long haul down from Burnham to the Whitakker a bit tedious (and I live in Burnham) but it's not tide constrained. Your budget rules out Burnham Yacht Harbour, but I believe marinas further up river (Bridgemarsh, Fambridge) are less pricey. Moorings in Burnham are a good bet, a bit less exposed than the Orwell and with the benefit of good launch services, at weekends at least. They're mostly managed by Priors or Rice & Coles or the two Royal clubs (RBYC, RCYC). Don't be put off by the Royal tag - they're friendly places. Another plus for Burnham is the train service.

I'm sure that's not the full story, but hope you find it helpful.

Peter.

 

[Plum]

Well, this year has finally convinced me that keeping Capricious in Scotland means I don't get enough use out of her, especially as Mrs AntarcticPilot has a demanding job and can't get away as often as we'd like. So, the plan is to move her down to the East coast next April, reducing our driving time from 7-8 hours down to between 1 - 1 and a half hours. That makes a day on the boat to do maintenance feasible, and weekends away more likely to happen! A bonus is that all the feasible berthing locations are even closer to where Mrs AntarcticPilot works than to our home.

We still haven't decided how to move her, but are leaning towards sailing her down, via the Forth and Clyde Canal. That will be a bit of an adventure, and I might well be looking out for crew on the journey. But if we do it that way, I will be taking it easy and waiting for weather windows, not bashing on regardless. Crewing will probably be done on a segment by segment basis, though most of the potential ports are on the rail network.

However, the crucial point is, where do we keep her? Anywhere from Lowestoft to the Essex rivers is fine distance-wise; price is a factor and the more expensive places such as the Ipswich Yacht Haven are out on price. There is also the factor that some places have waiting lists, and we wouldn't stand a chance of getting in for next year. So, any suggestions and advice would be useful, bearing in mind that Capricious draws a bit more than 1.5 metres, and is a fin keel. A mooring might be OK, provided there was car parking and a dinghy park handy.

I'm just going to have to get used to depth-sounder readings in single figures!

If you are looking for a low price East Coast marina in walking distance from a train station try Bridgmarsh Marine on the river Crouch. I can provide more info if required. I am a happy customer.

Colin. Www.solocoastalsailing.co.uk

 

[pvb]

Thanks for all the help! I'm quite happy with places further south - Brightlingsea and the Blackwater are perfectly within range for us. All experiences are valuable, but I must reiterate that price will be a factor in our decision, and I don't want to pay more than our present rates, and ideally rather less! For information, James Watt Dock Marina charges about £300 pa - but as with many places, incumbents (especially the first boat to berth there!) gets some consideration. Peace and quiet is desirable; I rather like the idea of the Deben and Brightlingsea from that point of view. We're not ones for an active social side; chewing the fat with a few friends will suit us fine!

You're moving to make your boat more accessible; so that means you're hoping to use it more. And, reading between the lines, if Mrs AntarcticPilot is happier with the location, that's a bonus. Having been used to a pontoon berth in Scotland, I reckon you'd find it a bit of a hardship to go back to a swinging mooring. The convenience of walking on to the boat, popping back to the car for something you've forgotten, having shorepower and fresh water on tap, having free wifi, are all very worthwhile benefits of a pontoon berth. I wouldn't contemplate being based on the Deben - the entrance is too restrictive. Similarly, I'd rule out Tollesbury, and I'd be concerned about Titchmarsh (even though it seems a nice marina). Burnham and Fambridge are pretty dull, the river's not very attractive, and it's a long way to the sea. Brightlingsea is dire, a wasteland with a few muddy moorings. As for peace and quiet, if you steer clear of the Ipswich town marinas, almost everywhere else around is quiet.

Then you have travelling time. On a good day, it'll take you about 70 mins to get from Cambridge to Woolverstone, about 75 mins to Levington, about 80 mins to Shotley, about 85 mins to Fambridge, about 95 mins to Burnham or Brightlingsea, and about 100 mins to Titchmarsh. The journeys to the Orwell marinas are mainly on decent roads; once you go further south you're into hicksville country.

I'd seriously suggest that you consider Levington, Woolverstone or Shotley. The Orwell and Stour are on your doorstep, the rivers are beautiful, the sea is a stone's throw away, access is good, travelling time is reasonable. Maybe a bit more than you're paying now, but you'll get far more use out of your boat, you'll save a fortune in fuel getting to the boat (not to mention the time), and Mrs AntarcticPilot will love it.

 

[sailorman]

You're moving to make your boat more accessible; so that means you're hoping to use it more. And, reading between the lines, if Mrs AntarcticPilot is happier with the location, that's a bonus. Having been used to a pontoon berth in Scotland, I reckon you'd find it a bit of a hardship to go back to a swinging mooring. The convenience of walking on to the boat, popping back to the car for something you've forgotten, having shorepower and fresh water on tap, having free wifi, are all very worthwhile benefits of a pontoon berth. I wouldn't contemplate being based on the Deben - the entrance is too restrictive. Similarly, I'd rule out Tollesbury, and I'd be concerned about Titchmarsh (even though it seems a nice marina). Burnham and Fambridge are pretty dull, the river's not very attractive, and it's a long way to the sea. Brightlingsea is dire, a wasteland with a few muddy moorings. As for peace and quiet, if you steer clear of the Ipswich town marinas, almost everywhere else around is quiet.

Then you have travelling time. On a good day, it'll take you about 70 mins to get from Cambridge to Woolverstone, about 75 mins to Levington, about 80 mins to Shotley, about 85 mins to Fambridge, about 95 mins to Burnham or Brightlingsea, and about 100 mins to Titchmarsh. The journeys to the Orwell marinas are mainly on decent roads; once you go further south you're into hicksville country.

I'd seriously suggest that you consider Levington, Woolverstone or Shotley. The Orwell and Stour are on your doorstep, the rivers are beautiful, the sea is a stone's throw away, access is good, travelling time is reasonable. Maybe a bit more than you're paying now, but you'll get far more use out of your boat, you'll save a fortune in fuel getting to the boat (not to mention the time), and Mrs AntarcticPilot will love it.

AP mentioned in post 19 that he was paying £300 PA,, i fear he may have to break open his piggy bank

 

[Bru]

AP mentioned in post 19 that he was paying £300 PA,, i fear he may have to break open his piggy bank

I assumed that was per metre

 

[pvb]

I assumed that was per metre

You were right; even Scotchland isn't that cheap!

 

[LittleSister]

Welcome to the East Coast!



PS - You'll be needing a suitable burgee: see http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?437266-East-Coast-Forum-Flag-Nominations

 

[maby]

...

I'd seriously suggest that you consider Levington, Woolverstone or Shotley. The Orwell and Stour are on your doorstep, the rivers are beautiful, the sea is a stone's throw away, access is good, travelling time is reasonable. Maybe a bit more than you're paying now, but you'll get far more use out of your boat, you'll save a fortune in fuel getting to the boat (not to mention the time), and Mrs AntarcticPilot will love it.

Woolverstone really is hard to beat - well equipped, nice location, nice company (in my admittedly limited experience). And, since it's part of MDL, you are effectively buying into almost 20 marinas, not just one.

 

[MikeBz]

Brightlingsea is dire, a wasteland with a few muddy moorings.

An extraordinarily inaccurate statement (unless it's referring to the 'marina'). 'Dire' is of course subjective (few would agree) but factually there are somewhere in the order of 140 all-tide pontoon berths. They are not marina-style walk-on, no water or power, no dedicated car parking (it's a harbour not a marina). Lovely natural surroundings, much less like being in a car park. Not so good if the prime use of your boat is as a horizontally-static caravan. There is a considerable waiting list.

 

[pvb]

An extraordinarily inaccurate statement (unless it's referring to the 'marina'). 'Dire' is of course subjective (few would agree) but factually there are somewhere in the order of 140 all-tide pontoon berths. They are not marina-style walk-on, no water or power, no dedicated car parking (it's a harbour not a marina). Lovely natural surroundings, much less like being in a car park. Not so good if the prime use of your boat is as a horizontally-static caravan. There is a considerable waiting list.

I must remember to wear my rose-coloured specs if I ever visit again!

 

[Athene V30]

Woolverstone really is hard to beat - well equipped, nice location, nice company (in my admittedly limited experience). And, since it's part of MDL, you are effectively buying into almost 20 marinas, not just one.

I had a bad experience with Woolverstone in my first boat - they launched her (21 foot) and put her in one of the most exposed finger berths - when I got there a couple of days later to take her out to my swinging mooring the rubbing strake had been ripped off and the management denied all responsibility!

Then moved to Brightlingsea and stayed for about 10 years in various boats at first on the piles then on the HMs pontoons. Brightlingsea Harbour Staff are great. Water taxi at weekends and all week in peak. OK no water, electricity on pontoon but good access to Blackwater without a long river transit. Parking isn't easy and it is on the road rather than a dedicated car park but then the cost is probably about one third of an Orwell Marina!

 

[MikeBz]

I must remember to wear my rose-coloured specs if I ever visit again!

You don't need to do that, just take off your blinkers

 

[AntarcticPilot]

I assumed that was per metre

It was!

 

[pvb]

You don't need to do that, just take off your blinkers

OK, last time I visited was by car, about a year ago, on a dull day. But it was hard to ignore the dilapidated housing, the abandoned shops, the rubbish, the very downmarket locals, and the overwhelming sense of deprivation in the place. I understand that Brightlingsea's neighbour, Jaywick, is now ranked as the most deprived area in the UK. At the waterside, the so-called marina development was full of mud, the shop units were empty, the few flats which had been completed look run-down (and I hear that many are now rented by DHSS clients), and there were hoardings disguising the unbuilt flats which nobody would buy. I wouldn't want to leave my car on the street for the weekend. Everyone can choose where to keep their boat; Brightlingsea might be convenient for you, but I wouldn't base my boat there if they paid me. There are far nicer areas to sail from.

 

[Athene V30]

Unfair and unnecessary comment on Brightlingsea. Ok you don't like it so don't go there. Others do like it. In the 10 years I kept boats there afloat and ashore I had no issue with security of the boat or my car.

 

[johnalison]

We have always enjoyed Brightlingsea, but probably just because it is rough and ready. It was even better in the days of pile moorings, where we rode out the Morning Cloud storm. There are some good shops in the town and some OK eateries but I can't deny that it is fairly shabby. I've not heard that petty crime is a problem.

 

[AntarcticPilot]

OK, last time I visited was by car, about a year ago, on a dull day. But it was hard to ignore the dilapidated housing, the abandoned shops, the rubbish, the very downmarket locals, and the overwhelming sense of deprivation in the place. I understand that Brightlingsea's neighbour, Jaywick, is now ranked as the most deprived area in the UK. At the waterside, the so-called marina development was full of mud, the shop units were empty, the few flats which had been completed look run-down (and I hear that many are now rented by DHSS clients), and there were hoardings disguising the unbuilt flats which nobody would buy. I wouldn't want to leave my car on the street for the weekend. Everyone can choose where to keep their boat; Brightlingsea might be convenient for you, but I wouldn't base my boat there if they paid me. There are far nicer areas to sail from.

We have always enjoyed Brightlingsea, but probably just because it is rough and ready. It was even better in the days of pile moorings, where we rode out the Morning Cloud storm. There are some good shops in the town and some OK eateries but I can't deny that it is fairly shabby. I've not heard that petty crime is a problem.

Well, whatever the pros and cons of Brightlingsea as a place are, it is noteworthy that the harbour definitely has a waiting list, and so won't be on my list for next year. However, it is a place I would intend to visit and suss out for the future.

 

[Seashoreman]

I have a swinging mooring at Slaughden, Aldeburgh, River Alde, mainly because I live nearby. It is less than £1000 per year April - end October. There are many pluses for me. Safe free parking is one.
As a member of Alde Yacht Club I get free launch out and back most of the time but also keep a dinghy there for about £50. There are quite a few boats with much deeper drafts than yours.
The negative for me is the distance to the Orford Haven Bar, it can take up to 2 1/2 hours to get out to sea and consequently this year I have spent a lot of time in the river with little adventure to the bright lights of Harwich for example.
There are three small supermarkets here, four pubs, two boat yards (one selling diesel) both doing winter storage, a yacht club, a sailing club, two fish n chip shops, plenty of restaurants and all the joys of a seaside town.
Just a suggestion, considerably cheaper than a marina but with a few drawbacks which may not be suitable.
I moor in approx. 10 metres, there is plenty of deep water in the fairways but also lots of shallows and mud. There are safe and shallower anchorages. But you probably know all this, so, sorry.

 

[AntarcticPilot]

Perhaps something I didn't make clear. I am not interested in swinging moorings unless they offer some kind of deal for year round use; moorings only usable from March-October are out. Fambridge offers a deal which allows year round use (they put you on a pontoon in the winter), but of course most moorings are uninsured and uninsurable for the winter months. Capricious is Coppercoated, and so should only require a lift and hold or the use of a scrubbing grid to keep the bottom clean(ish). And I've been afloat in December in Scotland, with ice on the surface of the marina!