Pottering up the East Coast to Scotland

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jav301

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I have some time, a boat and a very limited budget. I want to sail from Norfolk to Scotland maybe as far as the Orkneys and back. I will be single handed so will be aiming for legs that could be completed in less than 15 hours wherever possible (reckon I can average about 3.5- 4 knots).

I can see all the obvious places in the almanac but what I would really like is a list of cheap or free alternative stopping places en route. It will be my first time North of Skegness so my ignorance is only exceeded by my aversion to spending too much money on marinas.

Hope some of you with more local knowledge might have a few suggestions.

Thanks
 
Hi-
I know Wells to Newcastle quite well, used to have a slow Macwester at Gibraltar Point.

What do you want to know?

Free? definitely recommend Spurn,and not just because it's free. Can you dry out?

Nick
ex Magna, now Rivendell
 
Ah, but Dylan's still in Norfolk and I can't remember if Nathan got much further.
threepointfix site has some information.
Chatting to locals in Wells have heard Wainfleet Haven and Saltfleet, by Gibraltar Point mentioned. No good for me but more for bilge-keelers.
I gather there's anchorages north and south of Flamborough Head. Further up there's anchorages off Filey, Runswick Bay, north or south of the piers at the Tyne, Newbiggin Bay, Boulmer, Craster, Newton Haven, Beadnell, Farne Islands and Lindisfarne. Some of course will only be viable if wind from right direction. I've never been to any of these and am passing on the bare bones of these locations from the Imray pilot to Forth, Tyne, Dogger and Humber. I've used their East Coast Pilot and found it an excellent reference. Could be 25 quid well spent.
 
Spuddy said:
Ah, but Dylan's still in Norfolk and I can't remember if Nathan got much further.
threepointfix site has some information.
Chatting to locals in Wells have heard Wainfleet Haven and Saltfleet, by Gibraltar Point mentioned. No good for me but more for bilge-keelers.
I gather there's anchorages north and south of Flamborough Head. Further up there's anchorages off Filey, Runswick Bay, north or south of the piers at the Tyne, Newbiggin Bay, Boulmer, Craster, Newton Haven, Beadnell, Farne Islands and Lindisfarne. Some of course will only be viable if wind from right direction. I've never been to any of these and am passing on the bare bones of these locations from the Imray pilot to Forth, Tyne, Dogger and Humber. I've used their East Coast Pilot and found it an excellent reference. Could be 25 quid well spent.
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Never been in Wainfleet, Saltfleet or Gib point - so can't help there

Spurn - a good anchorage for a short period but there is a considerable range. Also jumping off point for Humber pilots - so likely to be wash issues all night.

South bank fort OK if wind from S to W - The ebb tide runs pretty hard so dig it in well.

Flamboro Head - I wouldn't go too close - its pretty rocky especially to South - go as far inshore as you can. Tide runs very fast around end

Filey Brigg good anchorage to South of Brigg - look for red light on a pole above Filey Beach and come parallel to Brigg towards until you have right depth.

Don't try North of Brigg

Scarboro - never anchored there - or seen anyone else either.

Whitby - No anchorage close to town - Shore from Whitby to Scarboro pretty rocky.

Runswick Bay about 5 miles N or Whitby - Good - drop hook off beach to South of village - watch for fish traps.

Said to be a good anchorage in Paddy's Hole off south bank of R Tees - Never tried it my self - didn't much fancy Tees.

Anchorage off Hartlepool south of marina entrance - only anchored briefly there - seem to be a bit prone to swell - but could have been just condx that day.

Anchorage in South Bay at River Tyne entrance - Good in most condx

Possible to anchor in N bay but unless strong Nth wind, South is better

Can anchor inshore S of Blyth harbour but a bit exposed

Good anchorage at Newbiggin - enter bay anchor off new sea wall

Amble - anchor along strand south of harbour entrance - Tide runs a bit so dig it well in.

Craster - anchor north of harbour entranc between shore and rock reef.

Farne Islands - Everyone recommends the Kettle - small bay behind Inner Farne - Better especially in Westerly wind is at the East end of Inner Farne - looking across drying reef to the Kettle.

Good anchorage at Lindisfarne - but best have pilot book for entry - not difficult but a bit complicated.

Have a good trip
 
I've anchored off Flamborough Head and it was OK though a bit exposed and there were quite a lot of lobster pots in what looked like the best bit. Scarborough was quite pleasant to anchor. Further North I use Newbiggin Bay quite a lot but it has a nasty swell if it has been blowing from anywhere with East in it (like most of the North Sea anchorages). I'm told you can anchor in the mouth of the Tyne on either side off the beach but the RNYC saling directions warn you to buoy the anchor as the bottom can be foul with wreckage and old moorings. There is some shelter round the back of Coquet Island at Amble or anchor off the beach - it can be nice there but for the swell in a North Easterly. There is a small anchorage the name of which escapes me just south of Amble which does give a bit of protection from a North Easterly. Then you have Seaton Sluice, Boulmer Haven, Craster. There is the kettle at the Farnes plus a couple of other anchorages round the islands. North of that is Lindisfarne which is worth it for the mead and that is about as far as I have ranged as yet. I'd recommend getting hold of the RNYC sailing directions which will give you coverage up to the Forth.
 
Thanks folks for all the input. Some useful info there which I will copy and keep.

The boat- Trident 24 triple keel so I can take the bottom. De rigeur? in Blakeney, my home. I know that I will have to use marinas now and then. Sometimes it is a relief beyond value to get in somewhere and relax with creature comforts. Different if you know the anchorages already. I'm very happy to drop the hook in e.g. Walton backwaters after a heavy slog across the Thames because I know it.

I have the Forth Y C Pilot handbook which looks invaluable from Berwick onwards.

I'm looking forward to it. Just hoping that I will not carry the wet summer with me. I hear most of Scotland has had a drought this summer due to the southern kink in the jet stream. Now it looks like it might turn North again- typical
 
Norfolk to Scotland maybe as far as the Orkneys and back.

Very adventurous
you will be hoping for westerlies then
trouble is you may have to seek shelter maybe often as the north sea can get very rough
but that would cost lots in marina fees!
 
I live in N Berwick, in the Forth Estuary. Pm me when you get this far and we'll look after you in the Firth.
 
Hi Jav31,

For the bit from the Forth on North to the Orkney Islands you could take a look at the early days of my circumnavigation of Scotland trip. See http://davidgoesoverthetop.blogspot.com

There are some of my youtube videos that cover that leg also, either click on them in the blog or search for "ruach crabber hippey" direct on youtube.
As a starter see here

Hope that helps.
Any questions give me a shout.

Regards,
David H.
 
With triple keels,you have lots of little fishing harbours where you can dry out. North East Scotland especially,where you can buy aRover ticket to cover alm these( usually) council -run harbours.
Just checked Reed's,and it's now £50 for one week(starts at first harbour). It used to be £20!:eek: Most of these harbours will turn a blind eye if you're stormbound.
 
dhippey said:
Hi Jav31,

For the bit from the Forth on North to the Orkney Islands you could take a look at the early days of my circumnavigation of Scotland trip. See http://davidgoesoverthetop.blogspot.com

There are some of my youtube videos that cover that leg also, either click on them in the blog or search for "ruach crabber hippey" direct on youtube.
As a starter see here

Hope that helps.
Any questions give me a shout.

Regards,
David H.
Click to expand...

Portknockie brings back memorys as used to live there!
 
Thanks again folks for kind advice and offers of help. Waiting for N E Scotland pilot and one more chart. Then I should be off.
 
In Anstruther public library. All has been good. Best bits so far: anchorage in Runswick bay and Lindisfarne. Wind has been co-operative most of the time.
 
Got home from Wainfleet on return journey on 19 September and finally got the boat back to Blakeney on 1 Oct (don't ask).

I only got as far as Arbroath in the end. A combination of weather and other circumstances made it expedient to enjoy a relaxing return trip with time to appreciate the journey and visit some of the places missed on the way up. I anchored rarely and I had to re-evaluate my approach. I found that if I paid £10 or less per night it seemed fair enough. I was less comfortable as fees got closer to £20. It felt as if I was spending a fortune, but when totted up, costs for 43 nights came to £344 averaging about £8 per night.

For those who are interested I will list the places visited and costs in the next entry.

I really enjoyed the trip but consider it unfinished business. I will have to set off earlier in the year next time.
 
Tyne

As has been mentioned you can tuck in at anchor close inside the piers, but rig a trip line.

If big swell is coming in, or bad weather is forecast you should retreat upriver. Half-way up Long Reach on the north side is Willington Quay boat club. They will give you a half tide pontoon mooring where you will settle into deep soft grunge. It does not connect with shore.

Go further to Friars Goose Y.C. on the south side and they will give you and all tide floating berth. You must find a committee member to get a security key for the gate and then walking access to, or a bus route to Newcastle.

A donation to both club funds would be appreciated.
 
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