River Blackwater tow

Fidelity

Fidelity

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Hi folks,

I've recently purchased a Nicholson 35 that's moored in Tollesbury Marina and need to transport her a way down the river to Maldon for an engine install in June.

She doesn't currently have a running engine and although the engineer suggested sailing her down after a tow out the marina, my knowledge of the Blackwater is limited and having not sailed her before, this idea fills me with utter dread.

Does anyone have a recommendation for a local tug service?

Cheers, Ben
 
Hi Ben, Welcome to the forum.

You have got yourself a nice boat - I have very happy memories sailing a RNSA Nic out of Falmouth.

Unfortunately, we are not in your neck of the woods so can’t help you with a tow but no doubt somebody will.

Given all of the variables (like berthing at Malden), rather than attempting to sail any of this trip, I would look for a tow all of the way.

Best of luck and please keep us advised of your adventure.
 
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MoodySabre said:
I would ask the yard where you are going to. The channel to Maldon is pretty narrow and is tide limited. Someone with local knowledge would be good.
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I support this advice. If the yard you are taking it to is not interested then there are several others in Maldon to try, or CRS Marine in Heybridge.
 
Agree with MoodySabre - ask the yard at Maldon first - there are a few options at Maldon for suitable boats for the tow - plan for full distance tow probably -

- but think about the tides and logistics - about 10 miles / 3-4 hours - need sufficient water depth to get over the marina cill - maybe not enough on lowest neaps -

- probably not possible to come out of Tollesbury marina on high tide and get to Maldon on the same tide - but could consider local tow to mooring in the quarters, then a full length tow next day timed to carry the flood tide to Maldon.









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Thanks all for the advice.

Great point Egret - She'll be going to Heritage Marine, and I believe this is what Jim @ HM had in mind, but instead sail/float down to Heybridge on the next flood tide to save the cost of towing, where he'll 'catch' and bring us in to the yard.

He made it sound so simple! I'm slightly more risk adverse. Best ring Maldon for quotes
 
Another option to consider, if mast and rigging etc has been passed OK - is if the boatyard could suggest someone with suitable experience, who would be happy to come with you and your crew on a suitable day with a gentle SE or NE wind (avoid W as head wind all the way and SW as you will get a head wind off Heybridge) - to sail the boat on the tide from the mooring in the quarters (possibly with an initial local tow), around the bends at Osea and Northey to where they catch it at Maldon - probably also well worth while as experience / confidence building to help learn how the boat handles and any idiosyncrasies - do some turns where there is space and depth off Stone - likely to be well worth the cost of their time - would need to check/clarify with respect to insurances -

I was offered this service from another place to help bring a fresh boat back across the estuary,
 
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My post crossed the OP's response above. Downs Road - simple especially if the workboat can take over.

Draught of the Nic - 1.7m? Big tide in June - bit of hen's teeth, ok from 25th to 30th June but mid month June's tides are not good. A tow from Mersea Quarters to pick up by the workboat outside Downs Road, allow 2.5hrs. But I suggest she should come out from the marina and pick up a mooring overnight in Mersea Quarters. Then a nice straight tow up with the tide on suitable weather conditions.

Extraction from the marina? Possible by the yard workboat?
 
I once sailed into Tollesbury in a temporarily engineless Sadler 29 in a gale but it is not a channel I would recommend trying this unless conditions are ideal.
 
Deben is a bit of a distance to come to do a tow - There should be someone close by in the Downs Road area of Maldon that will be able to do a tow. Yard should be able to point you in the right direction.
 
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tillergirl said:
When you said in time for installation in June, what is the time plan?
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We've no specific dates, although current mooring comes to an end at the end of June so coincides nicely with your HW projections (BTW your speed at planning is exemplary!)

Thanks all for the recommendations. Makes sense to find a Tollesbury boat to get us out the Marina and then a Maldon to get us down to the Yard.

Will keep you all posted as confirmed 👍
 
Subject from confirmation of Heritage, the mid June 'springs' are feasible using a two-day plan. Those springs are predicting 4.8m at the Mersea Hammerhead so I think a one-day trip could be tight: e.g. wait to get over the marina cill, pick up the tow, out to the Leavings/South Channel and then make Heritage in time for HW (HW Maldon for practical purposes = HW Sheerness) could be tight. I say confirmation from Heritage for enough water for their purposes; once upon a time my mooring was at Heybridge and with a big 'High' over us, the tide didn't make enough to allow us to reach the mooring!

Subject (2) to timing/availability, we could tow you from yard boat to yard boat. If you want a professional I am sure Peter Clarke's or West Mersea Marine could sort something.
 
Fidelity said:
Hi folks,

I've recently purchased a Nicholson 35 that's moored in Tollesbury Marina and need to transport her a way down the river to Maldon for an engine install in June.

She doesn't currently have a running engine and although the engineer suggested sailing her down after a tow out the marina, my knowledge of the Blackwater is limited and having not sailed her before, this idea fills me with utter dread.

Does anyone have a recommendation for a local tug service?

Cheers, Ben
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Hi Ben I’m based in tollesbury too. Drop me an email rhysgolf14gmail.com. I can definitely help with tow Tollesbury end and could possibly do the whole thing so drop me a message
Cheers Rhys
 
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