River Roach good lunch anchorages?

[Captain Crisp]

Hi - hoping to cross the dreaded Ray Sand and explore the Roach in a couple of weeks - looking for a good spot to anchor for lunch on the high tide... Like the look of the South side of Wallasea Island, but also very tempted by the other creeks round there... I draw 1.8m so it'll just be a flying visit on the spring tides.
My crew like popping ashore for a small bbq, but I'm imagining that may not be an option, if it's a bird sanctuary...
In fact, if there's a good isolated spot to see lots of birds, then that would also be great.
Any advice very welcome!
Thanks,
Crisp

 

[shanemax]

If you cross Ray sand on springs then no problem. The first half of the Roach is quite deep even at low water(pick your spot) the second half is not so you will need to get out of there for low water unless you can take the ground upright. Down one of the creeks in Haven gore Bridge

 

[Captain Crisp]

Yes thanks it will be springs (end Sept)

 

[ex-Gladys]

TG and I were on the Rays'n last Thursday exploring to the East of the 1 degree meridian... He'll be along with more data soon (There was a gap in our soundings which throws his charting software out)

 

[shanemax]

Yes thanks it will be springs (end Sept)

Subject to weather cos that sand is like concrete. Did you know the locals go out there and have a full cricket match once a year. It's a tradition

 

[potentillaCO32]

Yokesfleet creek is a nice sheltered anchorage. But foulness island is off limits and potton island is privately owned.

 

[Plum]

Yokesfleet creek is a nice sheltered anchorage. But foulness island is off limits and potton island is privately owned.

Agree, Yokesfleet is a good anchorage at any state of the tide. About 1m below CD so not able to move for an hour either side of LW springs but the bottom is very soft so you will stay upright. No access ashore there. You will see seals and if you are lucky a flock of Avocets when the mud is exposed and maybe a marsh harrier.

Www.solocoastalsailing.co.uk

 

[Plum]

Agree, Yokesfleet is a good anchorage at any state of the tide. About 1m below CD so not able to move for an hour either side of LW springs but the bottom is very soft so you will stay upright. No access ashore there. You will see seals and if you are lucky a flock of Avocets when the mud is exposed and maybe a marsh harrier.

Www.solocoastalsailing.co.uk

I normally anchor either side of where the underwater power cable crosses the creek

 

[MikeBz]

The deepest bit of the Yolkesfleet is a little way “beyond” the power cable (as in towards Havengore), roughly opposite the sluice - a sniff around with the sounder will find it.

 

[shanemax]

The deepest bit of the Yolkesfleet is a little way “beyond” the power cable (as in towards Havengore), roughly opposite the sluice - a sniff around with the sounder will find it.

A " sniff around with the sounder"
rather good that.

 

[ex-Gladys]

The Yokesfleet is an amazing anchorage. It feels so remote, yet is within 5 miles of Southend

 

[Supine Being]

Another vote for Yokefleet here. A lovely place to spend time...