River Crouch

[muckypup]

Is there anyone with experiences of marinas on the river Crouch?

So far I have identified Burnham Yacht Harbour (which is way expensive), Essex marina (nearly £1k cheaper than Burnham Yacht Harbour per year and the current fav) and Fambridge Yacht Haven which is even cheaper still, but 11 miles from the sea.

Anyone have any experiences with these, especially Essex marina?

Have I missed any? Criteria are pontoon access, water, electric and 24 hour access to the river.

Steve

 

[Nick_H]

We were in Essex marina for about 3 months start of 2004. Its a bit bleak in the winter, and the wind can really whip across the river and get the pontoons bouncing. There's also very little nearby, just the on site bar and a pub within walking distance, but you do have the option to cross the river to Burnham. On the plus side it was very friendly, and compared to a south coast marina it was sooo cheap, not just the berthing but lifting and service costs as well.

 

[neale]

You've also got Bridgemarsh marina. Not quite as far up river as Fambridge and is the cheapest marina on the Crouch. It is a bit run down and rickety, well it was when I was there a few years back, but alot cheaper than the others.

 

[goochie]

You don't really get south coast style facilities on the east coast, at least not in terms of surrounding areas - boat wise there are some great boatbuilders though. What you do get is a communication with nature that's all but gone in the Solent. Some of the wildlife is fantastic, and the birds in particular are fascinating. It can be a wild and windswept place at times, but thats part of it's charm. Read 'The Snowgoose' and you'll see what I mean.

 

[muckypup]

Is the Crouch fast or slow moving at that point? What's it like mooring at pontoons out in the river? I've been spoilt at Swansea /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

S.

 

[AliM]

Bridgemarsh is not all-tide, though with really shallow draft you can probably get in and out within 1.5hrs of LW. It's smartened up a bit in the last few years, but is still very friendly and very cheap. It's also 5 mins walk from the station but about 20 mins from the pub.

 

[Mike_S]

Stopped off at Fambridge when bringing our new boat over from Boatquays, friends of ours are members there so we left it there overnight. Looked to be very nice from what we saw but by road it's a bit of a trek from south wales. As someone mentioned up there, our experience of essex marina was also a very windy and bouncy one.

 

[neale]

Thats odd, I remember it as full tide access. But then compared to where I am now where the boats sits high and dry for 10 hours out of every 12 anything would seem all tides /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[FullCircle]

BYH is the best no question.
Protected from wind and tide, pretty good pontoons, but fingers are quite short and narrow, so 'oscillate' if you start wobbling. Good yard and lift facilities, good bar and restaurant. Marinestore chandlery quite competitive. Are you sure its a grand cheaper in Essex Marina? Only about 400 quid when I looked for 35 foot? Some spaces available.

Essex marina is now run by Essex Boatyards and is full on enquiry. I cant even get a visitors berth for 3 days in 2 weeks time. Essex marina is not protected and lies in the tide of the Crouch,, which can get to 3+knots, which is tricky given that the prevailing winds are also straight up and down the river, so with wind and tide its difficult as the fingers are across tide. It is much improved but the place looks like Stalag Luft 9 with all the new security fencing. The marina bar is OK, plenty of parking. Mailspeed have opened a small chandlery there recently, and boatyard can handle most work. They also have a 70 ton lift. Its in the middle of nowhere, and I should know because I live close by. No shops, Newsagents nearby.

Bridgemarsh not a Marina(their choice of words), but a friendly boatyard with long pontoons, no fingers. Dries, but a 2ft 6 draft about 1.5 either side of LW Ok. V Cheap. Good lift and storage, and yard jobs not a problem, nothing specialised though. No pub,shop or chandlery.

West Wick, or Fambridge Yacht Haven also dries, and is quite expensive as it is a long way up the Crouch, but they are spending thier money fast and wisely. Good lift and storage, yard facilities going in quickly. Well protected from tide and wind, but again, bits of it dry out. Worth a look. No shop, but a good pub, and a club onsite too. Not much cheaper than Essex Marina when I looked. Fast mobos would have no problem with the run out tot he sea, its a nice trip, no speed restrictions once clear of the moorings at Fambridge, until the Fairway at Burnham.

A better choice for you maybe Bradwell if you want a marina. All tide, protected, good pub, club onsite, shop about 1 mile. Near the open sea on the Blackwater. Competitively priced.

All have fuel, water and electric.

 

[Nick_H]

We were on the outer pontoon and the tide is fairly fast flowing, maybe less so on the inner pontoons. Although its on a river, when the wind blows from the NW there is probably half a mile of fetch so it gets quite lumpy. Remember we were there in the winter, may be a lot more pleasant in the summer.

 

[muckypup]

I'm now based just ouside dunstable, near the M1, so south wales is a bit of a trek! which is why I'm thinking of relocating to the east coast. the Crouch being one of the nearest. I would like to be on the river, but < 10 miles from the sea as i would like to try a bit of fishing.

S.

 

[rubberduck]

We are at Essex Marina. Now its owned by Essex Boatyards money is being spent to bring it up to date, & this is looking very good. The only drawback is some finger berths are across tide so a bit tricky, but not once you know how. See lee at Ribattack sea school for the answer /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
All berths have electric, water etc & the place is run quite well.
24 hour access as well.

 

[muckypup]

[ QUOTE ]
The only drawback is some finger berths are across tide so a bit tricky, but not once you know how. See lee at Ribattack sea school for the answer /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Plan mooring at slack water? /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

S.

 

[omega2]

Why not try Bradwell on sea, or Titchmarsh at Walton the Naze, or even the new one at Brightlingsea, all of these are much closer to the open water than any of the Crouch berths.

 

[muckypup]

Bradwell I spoke to this afternoon and they are sending me their price list.

Titchmarsh is 2h 20m from me which is nearly an hour futher than the crouch marinas. It's almost a pricy as Burnham on Crouch.

Brightlingsea is almost as far. It's interesting to look at the aerial shots of the marine here as it doesn't look very inviting /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif I can't find a dedicated website for the marina.

Actually I'm not fussed about being just near the sea, but within cruising distance. Until I sell Harlequin, we are really cruising at 10knots, or even slower when red becomes expensive. Burnham on Crouch and Essex will be about an hour to the sea which will be fine for a fishing trip with the lads, or the river to cruise up and down with SWMBO.

Steve

 

[stefan_r]

I have been on the Crouch for about 10 years (with a break the after I took Athito to Greece in 2004).

I have always been in BYH and it is best on the river, but pricey!

I would also consider Essex, Fambridge, Bridgemarsh but for me the facilities, bar/restaurant, chandler and a very easy walk into town for a couple of pubs/restaurants is worth the extra cash.

BYH shipwrights are good but prices creeping up and lead times increasing...a sign they are good at what they do?

I live in Loughton and it takes me an hour door-to-door.

Also...check prices - Essex are ex-Vat and BYH are inc VAT so difference is less than a grand I am sure.

Drop me a PM if you want.

 

[muckypup]

Essex will be £2739 plus £24 for water, and BYH £3636 so will be £873 extra for sheltered berthing, and the better facilities. It also depends on availability of berths.

Is BYH full? What is the town like? How far is it to walk in? Any good walks around for the dog?

Steve

 

[rubberduck]

Plenty of dog walking to be had, town is like stepping back in time, very nice but also has modern supermarket etc.

 

[stefan_r]

BYH is tight on 12m pontoons but I am sure they would find you somewhere.

Burnham is an okay town, a supermarket, a Tesco Metro, few pubs and long walks along the riverfront upriver and downriver (town side) for the dog.