Paulfireblade
Well-Known Member
Thank you, for all the useful info and looks like The River Orwell could be a realistic option and cheaper too boot which can’t be a bad thing as I am bound to have to pay for many things I hadn’t budgeted on?
River Hamble/Solent Moorings double the price of River Orwell, is it really twice as good?
- Thread starter Paulfireblade
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Lucky Duck
Well-Known Member
The Orwell has much going for it, most places are near the A14 yet in rural settings (or there are the fleshpots of Ipswich) and provides sheltered sailing in the river if the weather conditions are a bit marginal.
pvb
Well-Known Member
Concerto
Well-Known Member
If you are considering the Medway, the 2 main marinas to consider are Chatham Maritime Marina and Gillingham Marina.
My preference is Chatham as the lock is available 24 hours a day even at LW springs. In the lock are floating pontoons to tie up to with a maximum of 6 boats at a time. Marina berths are wide with full length wide fingers and wide approaches. The marina is about 9.5m deep so the water remains cool, there is little mud in the water, there is a fresh water spring flowing into the marina so the water is less saline, so combined you get very little growth on your hull. The toilet block is excellent. There is no charge for cradle hire or being out of the water, just the crane and jet wash. There is no official boatyard but a number of freelance workers, or you DIY. On site training (Elite) and yacht agency (Clark & Carter). Alongside the marina is a shopping centre, numerous resteraunts, 2 gyms, a cinema, small supermarket and a fish and chip shop. There is the historic dockyard and a number of other museums close by. The downside is no on site chandlery, but 2 well stocked ones a short car ride away. No clubhouse (just a marquee).
Gillingham has a smaller lock with chains to moor against with a maximum of 4 small yachts. Some boats cannot access across low water. The basin is shallow and keeps the water warmer in summer with more growth on the hull. Berths are quite tight with limited turning. Most are between posts, but some are narrow fingers. The toilet blocks are basic. Full boatyard services including paint shop and covered storage. DIY allowed, but outside contractors are difficult. Chandlery on site. Yacht agency (Clark & Carter). Marina clubhouse. Leisure complex with swimming pool. Tesco Express and an ASDA nearby. A pizza takeaway and a kebab shop both close by.
The Medway has been a commercial river for years, but is now very quiet. Chatham Docks are scheduled to close and possibly become another marina. A few timber or gravel boats pass both marinas, otherwise there are some ships using the Isle of Grain and some car carriers dock in Sheerness. Most of the river is low lying marsh flats, but Cookham Reach is tree lined. There are a number of yacht clubs which also have moorings for members. Most of the river is quite wide and has plenty of twists and encourages finding the back eddies to cheat the tide. Places to go locally can be some of the anchorages like Stangate Creek or visit Queenborough. Further afield you can go to Harty Ferry, Conyer Creek, Faversham or Benfleet. A day sail away you can go to Ramsgate, Burnham, Brightlingsea, West Mersea, The Blackwater, Harwich, Ipswich or up the Thames to London. A long day sail can take you to Dover, Eastbourne or Brighton, taking the tide almost the whole way. Ports in France, Belgium and Holland are also a long day sail away.
For more information about the Medway check out this web site. Medway and Swale Boating Association
Kukri
Well-Known Member
There are, I think, six and two halves marinas on the Orwell. Two are located in Ipswich Wet Dock and access is by the lock. I can only speak of Haven from experience but I am sure Neptune are fine too. The first “half” is Debbages in Ipswich Cut which is tidal. Next comes Foxes, attached to the East Coast’s grandest boat yard. Then Woolverstone which is in the most perfect setting I can imagine in the former park of a country house. Its pontoons are in the river. The other “half”, next door to it, is the marina of the RHYC which is in the same parkland setting. Deep water but you need to join the club. Then on the other bank is Suffolk Yacht Harbour, very sheltered, no lock. Finally Shotley with a lock.
They are all good but Suffolk Yacht Harbour seems favoured for racing.
Winter sailing is more restricted than in the Solent. If you want to day sail you have the Stour and the Orwell and if you want a simple weekend you have Walton Backwaters.
They are all good but Suffolk Yacht Harbour seems favoured for racing.
Winter sailing is more restricted than in the Solent. If you want to day sail you have the Stour and the Orwell and if you want a simple weekend you have Walton Backwaters.
Stemar
Well-Known Member
The trouble with the Medway coming from N Bucks is the M25, particularly the Dartford crossing. On a Friday afternoon after work? No thanks!
The Orwell would be a much nicer journey, and a decent sailing area, for all the jokes about the girls being blue and the water brown. Don't forget the other marinas and mooring areas, like Walton on the Naze and Brightlingsea.
The Orwell would be a much nicer journey, and a decent sailing area, for all the jokes about the girls being blue and the water brown. Don't forget the other marinas and mooring areas, like Walton on the Naze and Brightlingsea.
Lucky Duck
Well-Known Member
The other factor that comes to mind is that once you are at the Entrance to the Medway is it a fair old distance to Crouch/Blackwater/Colne/Ramsgate while its not that far from (say) the Orwell to the Deben/Walton Backwaters or the Blackwater to the Colne/Crouch (via Ray Sand).
flaming
Well-Known Member
I grew up sailing our of Titchmarsh on the East coast, and only really started sailing in the solent much later.
Both areas have their attractions, but there is a reason that the Solent is a more popular cruising ground beyond the simple geographic one.
Having grown up sailing on the East Coast, the first time I sailed in the Solent I could not believe how easy it was. Being used to the entrances to the Deben and the Ore, the first time I sailed into the Beaulieu river we studiously read the pilot book which warned of a narrow, tricky entrance and gave advice about lining up prominent houses on bearings etc. So we expected something akin to the Deben.... But then I was absolutely blown away by how many piles there were marking the channel, and how not tricky in the slightest that entrance actually is.
You then read horror stories of the notorious Bramble bank... But realise it's marked with a buoy in each corner... To an East Coaster, that was just luxury...!
Then when the weather is a bit fruity, you still have the whole Solent to play with, which is quite a lot of space. And with non sailors or reluctant sailors on board the idea that there are so many options of interesting ports within an easy couple of hours sail.... To my East coast way of thinking, just wow. The non sailing half of our family expressed a strong preference for the Solent. And if you do want longer trips Poole and Weymouth are still easy day sails from the Solent in settled weather, even in quite small boats. Then with a reasonably sized boat Cherbourg can be done in daylight hours in summer. Doing Harwich to Holland is an altogether different experience. Although cruising Holland is something I do think everyone should do at least once.
Which isn't to say that I don't still love the East coast, but there is no doubt that cruising the East coast is very different experience. There are some fantastic places to visit, but some considerably longer sails to get there, and some entrances that require timing and planning. If you are all keen sailors this is great, and the satisfaction of getting into the Ore and up to Aldeburgh for the first time has no Solent equivalent. But if not everyone you are sailing with is keen, you'll need to pick your weather carefully to do longer trips.
On the flip side if you're looking for nights on anchor away from it all, that's pretty difficult to find on the south coast.
Both areas have their attractions, but there is a reason that the Solent is a more popular cruising ground beyond the simple geographic one.
Having grown up sailing on the East Coast, the first time I sailed in the Solent I could not believe how easy it was. Being used to the entrances to the Deben and the Ore, the first time I sailed into the Beaulieu river we studiously read the pilot book which warned of a narrow, tricky entrance and gave advice about lining up prominent houses on bearings etc. So we expected something akin to the Deben.... But then I was absolutely blown away by how many piles there were marking the channel, and how not tricky in the slightest that entrance actually is.
You then read horror stories of the notorious Bramble bank... But realise it's marked with a buoy in each corner... To an East Coaster, that was just luxury...!
Then when the weather is a bit fruity, you still have the whole Solent to play with, which is quite a lot of space. And with non sailors or reluctant sailors on board the idea that there are so many options of interesting ports within an easy couple of hours sail.... To my East coast way of thinking, just wow. The non sailing half of our family expressed a strong preference for the Solent. And if you do want longer trips Poole and Weymouth are still easy day sails from the Solent in settled weather, even in quite small boats. Then with a reasonably sized boat Cherbourg can be done in daylight hours in summer. Doing Harwich to Holland is an altogether different experience. Although cruising Holland is something I do think everyone should do at least once.
Which isn't to say that I don't still love the East coast, but there is no doubt that cruising the East coast is very different experience. There are some fantastic places to visit, but some considerably longer sails to get there, and some entrances that require timing and planning. If you are all keen sailors this is great, and the satisfaction of getting into the Ore and up to Aldeburgh for the first time has no Solent equivalent. But if not everyone you are sailing with is keen, you'll need to pick your weather carefully to do longer trips.
On the flip side if you're looking for nights on anchor away from it all, that's pretty difficult to find on the south coast.
Stemar
Well-Known Member
The trick for that is to avoid weekends. No possible for everyone, of course, but it can be done, This is Newton Creek:
I make no apologies for the portrait format, it's my phone wallpaper.
flaming
Well-Known Member
That's why I said it was difficult, not impossible!
Kukri
Well-Known Member
Hamble:
Woolverstone:
Woolverstone:
Rappey
Well-Known Member
If I take a similar length of south coast to what is being suggested for the east coast then that's very roughly a similar distance as Brighton to portland or the solent to france ,the solent just being a small part of the south coast which would be a farer comparison to the east coast ?
You cannot deny the natural beauty over this area.
A reason the solent and surrounding areas are so popular .
The solent.
You cannot deny the natural beauty over this area.
A reason the solent and surrounding areas are so popular .
The solent.
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Kukri
Well-Known Member
North bank of the Orwell at Nacton:
TernVI
Well-Known Member
Value for money.
It'seasy to find out the cost, less easy to work out the value you will get.
Being South Coast based, I can get some value out of my boat on a Sunday morning without taking up the whole weekend.
I can get value out of it 40 weekends a year and some holidays. We can do a bit of club racing in the Spring and Autumn.
I can go to my boat after work some evenings.
Living 2+hours drive from the boat is whole different proposition.
I wouldn't want to spend 5 hours in my car to spend a couple of winter hours doing some cleaning and maintenance on my boat.
That would look like a cost, whereas cycling to my boat and spending a few hours on it in winter feels like a good thing.
You need to consider the whole package.
I don't know the East Coast well, but I get the impression it's easier to do a longer season in the Solent. But will that work for you personally....?
Cost wise, I don't pay big sums to a marina, but even if you do, the difference between Solent and East Coast will probably be a small number compared to depreciation, running costs and the capital tied up, The use you will get out of the boat should be the big thing.
stu9000
Well-Known Member
I keep my boat on a swing mooring just outside Chatham. The Medway is the closest route to sea from Kingston upon Thames. I've previously kept a boat on the Blackwater but it was at least two and a half hours and the A14 is almost as frustrating as the M25.
Crouch, Orwell, Blackwater can all be reached on one tide. Its dropping though so you have to thread the wallet spit way and the Deben and Walton Backwaters cannot be accessed at low tide. It's no hardship to stop off at Shotley or Brightlingsea though. Going the other way is an often sheltered drift through the Swale to Harty Ferry and on to Ramsgate. Calais is 6 hours beyond Ramsgate.
The Orwell and Roach really do have it all, offering sheltered anchorages and various marina options and even some sandy spots. With the Deben and Backwaters and Blackwater a short hop away its ideal, just a bit too far a drive for me.
The Medway also has a lot going for it, not least the hours journey to get there. Chatham is quite plush but very welcoming. I find the team there extremely helpful. It's a nice big river to sail on with Stangate creek and Queenborough an hour away. Queenborough has a concrete hammerhead which is accessible at any tide. There isn't that much to tempt you ashore but it's nice to get the kids ashore. The microbrewery is good.
The downside is that, once you leave the river, everything is about 6 hours away. Harty ferry taking the outside route is the exception. I tend to have a lovely downwind sail on the outbound leg to places like Burnham or Brightlingsea but it can get a quite bumpy on the return trip as the southbound tide tends to kick up against the prevailing winds. The last three times I've headed north I've had this experience so I'm a little bruised. I'd go to France but currently I'm a bit wary of getting put into Quaranteen
It might be that the Solent offers more all tide marinas that are a bit closer than the destinations I've mentioned. That can be a real bonus for a weekend sail. The East Coast is undeniably muddy and getting ashore from an anchorage takes a bit of planning and I sometimes dream of pulling my dinghy up on golden southerner sand. But it's unbelievably pricey and busy. I can't afford it and even if I could bring knocked all over by mobos would have me frothing. Lots of lovely anchorages but lots of people anchoring so close you worry. I love the Dart and am planning next years cruise down there but I would not keep a boat there.
Crouch, Orwell, Blackwater can all be reached on one tide. Its dropping though so you have to thread the wallet spit way and the Deben and Walton Backwaters cannot be accessed at low tide. It's no hardship to stop off at Shotley or Brightlingsea though. Going the other way is an often sheltered drift through the Swale to Harty Ferry and on to Ramsgate. Calais is 6 hours beyond Ramsgate.
The Orwell and Roach really do have it all, offering sheltered anchorages and various marina options and even some sandy spots. With the Deben and Backwaters and Blackwater a short hop away its ideal, just a bit too far a drive for me.
The Medway also has a lot going for it, not least the hours journey to get there. Chatham is quite plush but very welcoming. I find the team there extremely helpful. It's a nice big river to sail on with Stangate creek and Queenborough an hour away. Queenborough has a concrete hammerhead which is accessible at any tide. There isn't that much to tempt you ashore but it's nice to get the kids ashore. The microbrewery is good.
The downside is that, once you leave the river, everything is about 6 hours away. Harty ferry taking the outside route is the exception. I tend to have a lovely downwind sail on the outbound leg to places like Burnham or Brightlingsea but it can get a quite bumpy on the return trip as the southbound tide tends to kick up against the prevailing winds. The last three times I've headed north I've had this experience so I'm a little bruised. I'd go to France but currently I'm a bit wary of getting put into Quaranteen
It might be that the Solent offers more all tide marinas that are a bit closer than the destinations I've mentioned. That can be a real bonus for a weekend sail. The East Coast is undeniably muddy and getting ashore from an anchorage takes a bit of planning and I sometimes dream of pulling my dinghy up on golden southerner sand. But it's unbelievably pricey and busy. I can't afford it and even if I could bring knocked all over by mobos would have me frothing. Lots of lovely anchorages but lots of people anchoring so close you worry. I love the Dart and am planning next years cruise down there but I would not keep a boat there.