River Crouch Marinas

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C08

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Looking forward to moving to the E Coast this year and I am looking at Burnham Yacht Harbour and Essex Marina. I am not particularly set on the Crouch at this stage.
Essex Marina seems a lot cheaper than Burnham-is there a reason for that ?
I would welcome any views or opinions on these marinas but my overall objective is to source a cheap marina on an e coast river that does not surcharge small catamarans so pointers on that are also sought.
thanks keith
 
C08 said:
Looking forward to moving to the E Coast this year and I am looking at Burnham Yacht Harbour and Essex Marina. I am not particularly set on the Crouch at this stage.
Essex Marina seems a lot cheaper than Burnham-is there a reason for that ?
I would welcome any views or opinions on these marinas but my overall objective is to source a cheap marina on an e coast river that does not surcharge small catamarans so pointers on that are also sought.
thanks keith
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Hi Keith
I'm happy in North Fambridge and I can't comment on Cat surcharges. Burnham YH is fine but we are only occasional visitors, the problem with Essex Marina is that it sticks out into the river and the tide can run at a fair rate making berthing and leaving exciting.

The other marina to consider is Bridgemarsh? Alim is best to advise on there.

We are on the Crouch simply because our first boat was already there. If I wanted to move it would probably be to the Orwell, but I don't think you'll find anywhere inexpensive there? But others will be able to help with that....

Look forward to seeing on the East Coast....
Regards
Boz
 
Thanks BOz-I had not heard of Bridgemarsh I will look it up. I have had some communication with Essex marina and initial impressions are good both with price and friendly and prompt communication. The tip about current strength at Essex Marina is helpful, I suppose your can view your timings just like drying marinas but in a different way where you aim to berth at slackish water!
 
You've got Essex, Burnham, Bridgemarsh, and Fambridge marinas in the Crouch. Essex is the only that is actually in the river, the others are entered through gaps in the river bank, they are bit more sheltered than Essex, and not exposed to tidal flow. As I recall the majority of the finger pontoons at Essex are across the tide so they are bit more difficult to use. Essex Marina is quite isolated (which could be a good or bad thing), there are good road and rail links to the other marinas. Another plus for Burnham Marina is that you've got Burnham on your door step with its pubs, restaurants, and shops. I'm not sure, but I've heard that if you are at Burnham, you get a limited number of days at Shotley free.

If you've got a catamaran I would have a serious look at Fambridge. If Essex Marina appeals, then I'd also have a look at Bradwell.
 
philld said:
You've got Essex, Burnham, Bridgemarsh, and Fambridge marinas in the Crouch. Essex is the only that is actually in the river, the others are entered through gaps in the river bank, they are bit more sheltered than Essex, and not exposed to tidal flow. As I recall the majority of the finger pontoons at Essex are across the tide so they are bit more difficult to use. Essex Marina is quite isolated (which could be a good or bad thing), there are good road and rail links to the other marinas. Another plus for Burnham Marina is that you've got Burnham on your door step with its pubs, restaurants, and shops. I'm not sure, but I've heard that if you are at Burnham, you get a limited number of days at Shotley free.

If you've got a catamaran I would have a serious look at Fambridge. If Essex Marina appeals, then I'd also have a look at Bradwell.
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30 days/annum berth fee free, electric may be charged for.
 
Thanks chaps I am getting the feel for the area now. Burnham YH is out as they charge 50% extra for cats? Strangely I cannot seem to find a website for Bridgemarsh and they are not answering their phone at the moment. Awaiting a reply back from Fambridge YH at the moment.
What sort of a place is Fambridge to spend time in?
 
There is nothing in Fambridge except houses and the pub. The pub is near the pontoon in the river and is a reasonable walk from the marina. The facilities in the marina are fantastic. The West Wick YC are there and do food (nice brekkie) but not sure about evenings.
 
Bridgemarsh has just changed hands, so a website may materialise soon. It is really a scruffy boatyard, rather than a marina, but very friendly and helpful - we like it like that, and would move if it goes too posh with the new owner. Biff, the manager, is off sick after an operation, so the phone number (probably his mobile number) won't be of much use at present. If you are interested in it, I suggest you go and look at it, to see if it is the sort of place you would like to be. There are several cats there, but I have no idea of how they charge for them. It is down a rough lane from the village, so quite a trek to the pub and shop, but only 5 mins walk from the station - I used to come straight from work in London, sometimes, and I even came straight there from Beijing once! Otherwise the facilities are a bit rough and ready, although the new owner is planning to improve them, and already is improving the lane.
It depends what you want - if it is a posh marina, forget Bridgemarsh, and look at BYH and Fambridge. (Essex marina is too exposed and far too remote for my taste). If you want cheap, friendly but a bit rough, then come and have a look at Bridgemarsh and talk to the acting manager, Gary.
 
C08 said:
Thanks chaps I am getting the feel for the area now. Burnham YH is out as they charge 50% extra for cats? Strangely I cannot seem to find a website for Bridgemarsh and they are not answering their phone at the moment. Awaiting a reply back from Fambridge YH at the moment.
What sort of a place is Fambridge to spend time in?
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Bridgemarsh details are online here - http://www.pbo.co.uk/marina-guide/annual-marina-guide-2015/bridgemarsh-marine

You'll see that mooring is alongside a linear pontoon, so multihulls may not get surcharged.

Fambridge prices are on their website - http://www.yachthavens.com/fambridge/rates-and-booking/annual-seasonal-rates/
 
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Essex Marina is in the river flow... So you can find it "interesting" when berthing on the top of a spring tide..
How wide are you?
At 6.2m wide we can only get out the water on my special designed launching trolley at Fambridge..
 
Tomahawk said:
Essex Marina is in the river flow... So you can find it "interesting" when berthing on the top of a spring tide..
How wide are you?
At 6.2m wide we can only get out the water on my special designed launching trolley at Fambridge..
Click to expand...

Thanks for that info about Essex marina. I need to do cheap and although I think that Fambridge is probably a better place for me to be it is more expensive than Essex M and also if I go in June as Essex berthing contracts run April to April the 1st year hit is only 75% which helps. My reasoning, that may not be correct is that as we are retired our boating off the mooring consists of probably a week in spring, then 2 one month holidays over summer and a week in autumn. So only about 5/6 times off and on the mooring which we should be able to do around slack water so not such a big problem for us as no work deadlines to work around. I want to lift out October (not been out since 2008!) so I need to check Essex can lift me out ok. Bridgemarsh looks to be my sort of cheap 'n cheerful so that is my other option depending on their lift out arrangements, still trying to contact them. I am only 4.1M beam and fit normal travel hoists-I would love the "problem" of having a boat with 6M beam!Thanks for all info.
keith
 
If you are gong to go for Fambridge.. book and pay for your place two months in advance of moving in.. there is a significant discount for early payment.
Tell us more about what sort of proper boat you have...
 
Tomahawk said:
If you are gong to go for Fambridge.. book and pay for your place two months in advance of moving in.. there is a significant discount for early payment.
Tell us more about what sort of proper boat you have...
Click to expand...

A 1975 Catalac Catamaran 8M with bowsprit and cutter rigged. Still a relatively slow boat but an oversize Genoa on the sprit helps it go better off the wind and well furled as a cutter on the wind.
 
Given your planned usage CO8, I think the earlier suggestion of valet berthing is a real winner for you.

Your pride and joy would be secure on a swinging mooring at Fambridge Yacht Station. At a few hours notice, the yard hands will move her from her mooring and bring her alongside the river pontoon )walk ashore access) ready for your arrival. When you return from your trip, you simply leave your boat alongside the river pontoon and the lads will put her safely back on her buoy

Plus, over the winter you have the choice of remaining in the water and berthing alongside either the river pontoon or in the marina or you can come out into the yard (lifting charges apply, yard storage is inclusive)

The (in our view minor but others disagree) drawback of being a long way upriver isn't going to be a big issue for you with your planned usage (Fambridge is about an hour or so upriver from Burnham so it's not a huge disadvantage - the long drag up and down the Whittaker is far more of an issue for all the Crouch marinas and mooring)

And if you're happy either to use your own tender (weekdays) or plan your arrivals and departures at weekends (when the trot boat is running) a summer swing package is even cheaper than valet berthing and last but not least if you're always going to come out for the winter months a simple swinging mooring is even cheaper still!

Other Fambridge moorers piled into this thread first so they get first dibs but if you do choose Fambridge, get one of us to introduce you - there's beer tokens in it!

Of the available options on the Crouch, I personally would only consider Fambridge and Burnham Yacht Harbour. BYH is more expensive and it isn't an open site if you need work done on your boat (at Fambridge, as well as a wide range of on-site engineers etc., ahem (!), you are at liberty to use anyone you wish as long as they have PLI). Fambridge is a very nice place to be too, the only drawback being no shopping in the village and a choice of just two places to eat and drink. However, there are shops available just a few minutes away by car, Burnham, Maldon and South Woodham Ferrers are all a short car journey away and Burnham offers a destination by boat to get away from your home berth in almost any weather

(We once worked out that given the price difference between Fambridge and BYH we could visit BYH as visitors thirty odd nights a year and still be in pocket!)
 
Thanks Bru some interesting info. I have never come across Valet Mooring before-it obviously has a lot of merit. Burnham is out for us as they put 50% on for even little cats like ours. At the end of the day I still have to sell it to the Admiral as I am only Skipper!
 
C08 said:
Thanks Bru some interesting info. I have never come across Valet Mooring before-it obviously has a lot of merit. Burnham is out for us as they put 50% on for even little cats like ours. At the end of the day I still have to sell it to the Admiral as I am only Skipper!
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As far as I know, valet berthing is unique to Fambridge (due to the fairly unique setup there). Tomahawk will know for sure but I don't think there's a surcharge for cats
 
C08 said:
Looking forward to moving to the E Coast this year and I am looking at Burnham Yacht Harbour and Essex Marina. I am not particularly set on the Crouch at this stage.
Essex Marina seems a lot cheaper than Burnham-is there a reason for that ?
I would welcome any views or opinions on these marinas but my overall objective is to source a cheap marina on an e coast river that does not surcharge small catamarans so pointers on that are also sought.
thanks keith
Click to expand...

Another recommendation for Bridgemarsh. You won't find a cheeper pontoon mooring on the Crouch. They do 6 month contracts only. They do have some berths available in which you would stay afloat although you may not get out of the creak 2 hours either side of low water. Very friendly and quiet with minimal facilities although we are expecting new loos and clubhouse soon. They have a crane and regularly lift one of the Prout catamarans (at least 38ft) that reside There are no "office staff" as such but usually someone about with a mobile number on a blackboard. PM me if you want the mobile number.

Www.solocoastalsailing.co.uk
 
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