River Orwell

[paul salliss]

Am starting to think about at my trip eastwards from the Solent, I was thinking of an initial base point of the river Orwell , It's travel neutral from where we live in Sevenoaks, and seems like a good base point for a while. There is an MDL there and the transfer therefore is very easy.

We could of course base ourselves from Ramsgate, or Eessx or go further up to Southwold or Great Yarmouth, but my loose thinking is the Orwell might be a good fairly central east coast spot for a while, any on here with east coast knowledge that would care to chip in would be most welcome, as at this stage I am quite open minded.

I plan to take a day out and have a drive around the various Marinas in the car this weekend

 

[Third mate]

Paul forget Great Yarmouth as a base. Completely unfriendly to MOBO's and Yachties. The Orwell is a great east coast base

 

[MoodySabre]

The MDL marina at Woolverstone is pontoons in the river so there is tide and swell from passing commercial traffic. There are several sheltered marinas on the Orwell. A popular river for good reason.

 

[aquapower]

Am starting to think about at my trip eastwards from the Solent, I was thinking of an initial base point of the river Orwell , It's travel neutral from where we live in Sevenoaks, and seems like a good base point for a while. There is an MDL there and the transfer therefore is very easy.

We could of course base ourselves from Ramsgate, or Eessx or go further up to Southwold or Great Yarmouth, but my loose thinking is the Orwell might be a good fairly central east coast spot for a while, any on here with east coast knowledge that would care to chip in would be most welcome, as at this stage I am quite open minded.

I plan to take a day out and have a drive around the various Marinas in the car this weekend

I have just paid for a berth at Woolverstone, although I live in Norfolk I didn't want to be any further north than the Orwell as there's so many places in easy reach and nowhere really closer to home. I felt that if I had too far to drive it would mean less boating.

 

[paul salliss]

So far so good, thank you for your reply's

 

[Greg2]

Starting at Gt Yarmouth and working south.....
As already said Gt Yarmouth is a non-starter. No marina but maybe some rough dock type moorings if you look hard enough but why would you?
Lowestoft has marinas and is better with access to the sea and the Broads but not much of a cruising ground within easy reach.
Southwold is lovely but moorings in the harbour not plentiful and may not have power etc if on the south side of the river.
Ore and Alde nice but mainly mooring on buoys so not ideal.
The Debeham is lovely but the main marina is Tidemill at Woodbridge. Lovely spot and nice town but an hour plus from the sea and tidally restricted.
The Orwell is a good location with the best cruising ground on the east coast IMHO. Woolverstone is in a fantastic spot and the river traffic/swells are only really an issue if you are right on the outside. Definitely a good choice if you can get in.
Nearer the sea are Shotley (not a lot there and a bit windswept) or Suffolk Yacht Harbour at Levington (very nice but usually full so a longer term berth may be an issue). Easy cruising to the Debeham, Titchmarsh or the Essex rivers (Blackwater and Crouch).
Ipswich has the ABP Haven Marina and Neptune Marina. Both are in a good location but Neptune is close to a noisy pub.
The Blackwater has a couple of marinas with Tollesbury being our favourite but tidally restricted. Bradwell is easy access but not such a nice spot as Tollesbury. Hey bridge basin is a bit of a gem for a visit (with sound passage planning).
The Crouch has plenty, mainly at Burnham or Fambridge. A muddy east coast river but that is part of the charm.
Chatham is next.....good Marina and easy access to the Thames estuary.
Ramsgate is an okay town and Marina is okay too but a bit out on a limb for cruising along our coast (okay as a jump off point for the continent).

It sounds as are planning on leaving the boat there for a while so my choice would be the Orwell and then cruise north to Southwold, Lowestoft (Royal Norfolk and Suffolk is the best for a stopover) and the Broads and south to the Essex rivers. Local cruising good with other marinas close by and trips to the Debeham or to Titcharsh for a weekend. Ramsgate and the Medway would be options for a visit when on passage to and from the Solent.

Very different from the Solent......the water is muddy brown and there are sandbanks lurking beneath the waves but not so crowded and it has a charm all of its own.

Hope this helps

 

[aquapower]

After paying deposit for Woolverstone I thought I had better take my partner there to show her where we will be staying, she really liked it thankfully, I then drove her to Shotley to see more of the river and she commented that she wouldn't want to stay there as staring at container ships is not the best of views, also there's not much there.

 

[paul salliss]

After paying deposit for Woolverstone I thought I had better take my partner there to show her where we will be staying, she really liked it thankfully, I then drove her to Shotley to see more of the river and she commented that she wouldn't want to stay there as staring at container ships is not the best of views, also there's not much there.

I know Shotley , it's a but like the scene that greets you at the bottom of the Hamble on the right, just commercial stuff

 

[paul salliss]

Starting at Gt Yarmouth and working south.....
As already said Gt Yarmouth is a non-starter. No marina but maybe some rough dock type moorings if you look hard enough but why would you?
Lowestoft has marinas and is better with access to the sea and the Broads but not much of a cruising ground within easy reach.
Southwold is lovely but moorings in the harbour not plentiful and may not have power etc if on the south side of the river.
Ore and Alde nice but mainly mooring on buoyps so not ideal.
The Debeham is lovely but the main marina is Tidemill at Woodbridge. Lovely spot and nice town but an hour plus from the sea and tidally restricted.
The Orwell is a good location with the best cruising ground on the east coast IMHO. Woolverstone is in a fantastic spot and the river traffic/swells are only really an issue if you are right on the outside. Definitely a good choice if you can get in.
Nearer the sea are Shotley (not a lot there and a bit windswept) or Suffolk Yacht Harbour at Levington (very nice but usually full so a longer term berth may be an issue). Easy cruising to the Debeham, Titchmarsh or the Essex rivers (Blackwater and Crouch).
Ipswich has the ABP Haven Marina and Neptune Marina. Both are in a good location but Neptune is close to a noisy pub.
The Blackwater has a couple of marinas with Tollesbury being our favourite but tidally restricted. Bradwell is easy access but not such a nice spot as Tollesbury. Hey bridge basin is a bit of a gem for a visit (with sound passage planning).
The Crouch has plenty, mainly at Burnham or Fambridge. A muddy east coast river but that is part of the charm.
Chatham is next.....good Marina and easy access to the Thames estuary.
Ramsgate is an okay town and Marina is okay too but a bit out on a limb for cruising along our coast (okay as a jump off point for the continent).

It sounds as are planning on leaving the boat there for a while so my choice would be the Orwell and then cruise north to Southwold, Lowestoft (Royal Norfolk and Suffolk is the best for a stopover) and the Broads and south to the Essex rivers. Local cruising good with other marinas close by and trips to the Debeham or to Titcharsh for a weekend. Ramsgate and the Medway would be options for a visit when on passage to and from the Solent.

Very different from the Solent......the water is muddy brown and there are sandbanks lurking beneath the waves but not so crowded and it has a charm all of its own.

Hope this helps

Hi Greg2, you have said it a bit how I read it, good post and thank you.

plan to go on my own from the Hamble to Ramsgate and then pick up my wife and son from there, they can then join me for a cruise east, will be nice to have a change of scenery, something different, slightly shorter journey each Friday as well.

 

[dj43]

Greg has got it about right, the Orwell is a good base for the east coast as you can always get out in most weather, if your wife likes shopping ect Ipswich is a good base as plenty to do on your door step, very quite (no slopping) ,as inside the lock ,which is no problem, we spent some time in Neptune marine , the noisy pup Greg mentioned is at the far end so plenty of berths away from it, the haven opposite is a good walk to get anywhere , also there is or was not any security on gates, good hr to get out to sea 9nm , average passage 80 nm to go anywhere .

 

[aquapower]

Greg has got it about right, the Orwell is a good base for the east coast as you can always get out in most weather, if your wife likes shopping ect Ipswich is a good base as plenty to do on your door step, very quite (no slopping) ,as inside the lock ,which is no problem, we spent some time in Neptune marine , the noisy pup Greg mentioned is at the far end so plenty of berths away from it, the haven opposite is a good walk to get anywhere , also there is or was not any security on gates, good hr to get out to sea 9nm , average passage 80 nm to go anywhere .

Not sure when you were last there but there's a lot more student flats built now, the road/path that runs past marina is constantly busy.

 

[Eurybia]

We're based at Titchmarsh and have been now for three years after 5 on the Crouch. We like the sheltered situation of the marina together with being in easy reach of open sea. The Backwaters are ideal for anchoring and relaxing. Stone Point is also great. Ipswich and Woodbridge within easy reach. Lowestoft and the Broads 40nm north and Blackwater marinas a few hours south, Ramsgate is about 40nm South East. It's a good central location.
Great beaches at Frinton and Walton a 5 minute car ride away.
Was going to be a base for a couple of years before heading back to the Crouch but can't see us moving now.

 

[paul salliss]

We're based at Titchmarsh and have been now for three years after 5 on the Crouch. We like the sheltered situation of the marina together with being in easy reach of open sea. The Backwaters are ideal for anchoring and relaxing. Stone Point is also great. Ipswich and Woodbridge within easy reach. Lowestoft and the Broads 40nm north and Blackwater marinas a few hours south, Ramsgate is about 40nm South East. It's a good central location.
Great beaches at Frinton and Walton a 5 minute car ride away.
Was going to be a base for a couple of years before heading back to the Crouch but can't see us moving now.

Thank you. Was looking at your place in my North Sea Pilot looks good , will check it out this weekend

 

[dj43]

Not sure when you were last there but there's a lot more student flats built now, the road/path that runs past marina is constantly busy.

We left there August 2012 set off for a holiday heading for channel isles , and the West Country , and never returned, swmbo said she would rather sell the boat , sounds as though there have been a few changes ,