Newtown Creek moorings query

[thejonesey]

We have been a regular to Newtown for many years and usually take a mooring in the river. Over Bank Holiday we moored up as usual and were told that the moorings in the river were for a max length of 44 ft and that we should moor in Clamerkin Lake only (we are 46ft.) It was a different gent on the launch to usual and I wondered if there was a link? To be fair, after convincing him that I was staying aboard, he let us stay where we were.

Has anyone else had a similar experience or know about the tackle limitations on these moorings?

 

[andy59]

When we had our F36 we overnighted on a bouy in the river and at low water the boat was blown 90 degrees to the channel . I then noticed that all the other boats had blown in a different direction and that we were not moving , stern gear obviously stuck in the mud . Luckily the rib was afloat and so using all of the 9.8 hp and swmbo jumping/rocking about on the boat managed to swing back into the channel . So maybe the reason is just length of boat in the narrow parts of newtown ?.

 

[rafiki_]

Rob, Henry F is a frequent visitor to the Creek in his Prinny. I'm sure he will know of local rules. How is your shaft by the way?

 

[[2068]]

We have been a regular to Newtown for many years and usually take a mooring in the river. Over Bank Holiday we moored up as usual and were told that the moorings in the river were for a max length of 44 ft and that we should moor in Clamerkin Lake only (we are 46ft.) It was a different gent on the launch to usual and I wondered if there was a link? To be fair, after convincing him that I was staying aboard, he let us stay where we were.

Has anyone else had a similar experience or know about the tackle limitations on these moorings?

I'm not aware of any size "rules" as such relating to the river moorings.
It's probably more a matter of being advised that larger boats aren't best suited to some buoys where you could end up on the mud - it's been a bit close a couple of times with the 35 on a buoy at the SW end, but I can raise the drives if I need to, and a bit of mud isn't too much of an issue.

 

[henryf]

I must be honest and say that I've never come across a maximum length restriction. That said we rarely turn right when entering Newtown. We have take up berths in the run up to Shalfleet but only in the 42 foot boats, I don't recall using them in the 50 footer.

As has been suggested it will probably be due to not restricting access up to the boat yard / moorings. There are no such permanent moorings in the lake (turning left when entering Newtown). There people are left to their own devices with interesting results on a busy bank holiday. We popped our nose in and pottered up into the lake to show some charter guests over the sunny bank holiday (as it will be referred to for the next 20 years ) and it what chaos picking through boats.

Ultimately the moorings are owned by the National Trust so you have to play by their rules. Anchoring is a different matter but remember there is a working yard at Shalfleet and resident owners who pay money all year round so be considerate.

Henry

 

[mjf]

We touch bottom at the far end of the stbd channel, when 1m depth on MHWS.

never had any issue on the buoys nearer the entrance.

I understand the NT has allocated one of the Lake side buoys to a permanent annual tenant which is a shame.

 

[mjf]

We touch bottom at the far end of the stbd channel, when 1m depth on MHWS.

never had any issue on the buoys nearer the entrance.

I understand the NT has allocated one of the Lake side buoys to a permanent annual tenant which is a shame.

 

[thejonesey]

Glad to hear that others haven't heard of any rules. He particularly quoted that the tackle would not support our weight rather than talk about swinging room although the latter makes more sense.

 

[mjf]

We frequently raft to a 55ft Fleming and never had a wt issue mentioned.

The old HM (scottish boat owner who sported a flat cap) said 2 rafted was not a problem but did'nt like three on a buoy