RCC trip to Titchmarsh Marina

[oldgit]

OK.
The promised F2 of course morphed into a rather brisk Essex NE which got no better even after we got round the back of the wind farm vainly hoping for a bit of shelter from the shore.
The wife did actually evetually get out of bed, crawled across to the couch and remained there, no tea or coffee en route.
6 hours later we finally arrived at Pye End and leaving a trail of disturbed mud found some sheltered water
An "interesting" channel , not helped by fact we were bit early. Anybody who has been to Conyer should be OK with Walton. A couple of boats were berthed inside the marina, most of us on outside pontoons.
Very good value mooring rate , even if we did lose shorepower soon after mooring up.
Locals assured us this was down to the " Party Boat" turning on its Jacuzzi.
A party of young ladies were seen departing later in evening for what looked like a stag do.
We did eat in the HL and provided you appreciate it is basically a clubhouse bar they certainly did their best.
Fortunately we did have transport and were able to visit the area including Clacton and Walton on the Naze.

 

[Murv]

Great pictures, sounds like it was a good trip.
I'm very much hoping my work situation will improve in a year or two, hate missing these trips!

 

[oldgit]

Great pictures, sounds like it was a good trip.
I'm very much hoping my work situation will improve in a year or two, hate missing these trips!

Hi Murv.
The run back was just as bumpy but the sun was out.Managed to squeeze about 20 knots out of the old tub.
Hoping to arrange a trip down to Queenborough one weekend for an overnight and a bite in Admirals Arm.
Paul with True Spit also expressed an interest.

Just tooling up for the Crab Competition .

 

[ianc1200]

My berth is behind the yellow boat in the 2nd photo (although on the hard at present). The pontoon you were on has had electrics problem for at least two if not three seasons. The party barge is dislike by most and subject to many complaints.

 

[oldgit]

My berth is behind the yellow boat in the 2nd photo (although on the hard at present). The pontoon you were on has had electrics problem for at least two if not three seasons. The party barge is dislike by most and subject to many complaints.

We did detect a certain amount of inebriated cackling form the barge as the ladies pre loaded for the evenings events.
Did not affect us in any way and did say "Hello" as they walked across the hard all done up to the nines and dressed to kill.

 

[ianc1200]

Early in March on a grey Monday morning a group of four young ladies were using the jacuzzi at the front of the barge, with much merriment. Didn't expect having to look other way when checking my mate's mooring lines.

 

[Murv]

Hi Murv.
The run back was just as bumpy but the sun was out.Managed to squeeze about 20 knots out of the old tub.
Hoping to arrange a trip down to Queenborough one weekend for an overnight and a bite in Admirals Arm.
Paul with True Spit also expressed an interest.

Just tooling up for the Crab Competition .

The ATL is getting very busy now, it was even full last night despite the rain and blustery wind so it would be prudent to ensure at least one dinghy in a visiting group if planning to return to the boat after 21:30.
I'm very much hoping to get a weekend out soon although this weekend is out, next weekend working, weekend after is Valiant's, weekend after working etc etc...

Sadly had to postpone the crab comp, I'm at work and Mrs M is away with work too

 

[oldgit]

The ATL is getting very busy now, it was even full last night despite the rain and blustery wind so it would be prudent to ensure at least one dinghy in a visiting group if planning to return to the boat after 21:30.
I'm very much hoping to get a weekend out soon although this weekend is out, next weekend working, weekend after is Valiant's, weekend after working etc etc...

Sadly had to postpone the crab comp, I'm at work and Mrs M is away with work too

All understood. My day usually ends around 21.00 so that last trot boat will do just fine.
If an attempt was made to get alongside ATL any suggestions on timings ?
Spoke to Ian last night about Admirals Cruise,did mention usual difficulties regards lunch stop.
No sign of any replacement for concrete barge.?

 

[Newbroom]

Fred has the barge gone ???

 

[oldgit]

Fred has the barge gone ???

If you mean the concrete lighter (it was an old wartime lighter used to transport petrol etc) it was condemned and taken out of service.Suspect it had been bashed so many times it gave up.Could probably be bought back to life by anyone handy with a cement trowel.
There was some rumour of a replacement, Murv will no doubt know far more.
We used to use it as a mid route stopover during our Admiral of the river Cruise out to the Montgomery.
Despite having the Mayor of Queenborough aboard the powers that be at the ATL appear to curiously have no interest at all in promoting Queenborough Harbour.
All we wanted was to moor there for a couple of hours before proceeding back up river.
Basically were told , We know you have our Mayor and councillors aboard but are unable to reserve any space even for a measly couple of hours.
Personally think they are missing a trick.Usually about 50 boats on the cruise.We need a stop over for about 6/7boats.

 

[Murv]

All understood. My day usually ends around 21.00 so that last trot boat will do just fine.
If an attempt was made to get alongside ATL any suggestions on timings ?
Spoke to Ian last night about Admirals Cruise,did mention usual difficulties regards lunch stop.
No sign of any replacement for concrete barge.?

No real suggestion for timings, low water or high water usually sees the overnighters away for either the Thames or those heading East so those times can clear some room before the next influx. Or, drop the hook in Stangate and call the harbour to see if there's any room before heading round.
If you let me know some dates I can see if there are any clubs booked in.
The lighter does just need fairly cheap repair work, it's the cost of transporting and lifting it that makes it unviable unfortunately. There was a frenzied search for a replacement, but nothing suitable was found that passed a survey.
The main issue with reserving the ATL for the Admirals cruise is trying to fend off the stream of visitors, and the loss of income if that's successful, just for the income from half a dozen lunch stops. It's also quite difficult to physically keep people off, even when the ATL is coned off and the "no mooring" sign is out a lot of visitors will tie up when your back is turned and then refuse to move off.
We have a 22m tug in this evening which requires half of the ATL to be reserved, that's going to result in a very tense day today!
I'm hoping to be able to get to the club this evening to check the Valiant list, it's a rare weekend off this weekend but I'm crewing for Alan on X-Pilot Saturday, this 7days/week working is seriously getting in the way of leisure time!

 

[oldgit]

The main issue with reserving the ATL for the Admirals cruise is trying to fend off the stream of visitors,

Fully appreciate the difficulties of policing the ATL.The shambles at St Kats during first lock in indicates the inabilty of some yacht skippers to fall into line for the benefit of all.
As for the Tug, merely point out that visiting yachts are most welcome to raft up outside the tug and helpfully point out that the carbon black residue and exposed wire from the old tyres used as fenders does tend to work havoc with shiney white gel coat.
Three boats so far on the Valiant Day Cruise.
Know skipper of X-pilot very well.Should be an interesting day if your first trip out on to the Fort.
Alan frequently takes out film/TV crews, has been used for several adverts as boat is a nice stable platform for filming.