Shotley

Boz

Boz

Well-Known Member
Joined
4 Aug 2009
Messages
655
Location
Sth Lincs (Boat in Shotley Marina)
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Looking at the possibility of moving to Shotley from North Fambridge

At the risk of opening a can of worms:

Good Idea or Bad Idea ?

Are there any not so obvious bad features of Shotley Marina, I think I've considered all the good ones?

Grateful for thoughts
 
Great location, the sea and two lovely rivers on the doorstep. Lots to watch in the harbour. Very good security, and great staff. Toilet/shower facilities are OK. On-site bar/restaurant is OK. The road down to Shotley is a pain, but it's quicker than going by river.
 
Little Grebe said:
The lock is the obvious potential downside, some report have no issues at all while others have experienced considerable waits before being able to lock in.
Click to expand...

Weekends can be slow. The main problem is that people dawdle up and down the entrance channel at ridiculously low speed, thus giving unnecessarily long turnround times for the lock. Annoyingly, the lock-keepers don't bother to encourage skippers to make their best speed.
 
IT doesn't just rain when we go to Shotley, it absolutely pelts it down to joke level - normally as we are going through the lock.
Statistically verifiable fact. Whether from that you can extrapolate...........? :)
 
As pvb said really. The drive down from Fox's is 9 miles, circa 15 minutes. Takes 90 minutes by river. Almost always somewhere you can take the boat, even if it's too rough at sea. One of the rivers is usually calm enough. In addition, the Deben and Walton Backwaters are on the doorstep.

As for the lock, it's easy to navigate and is operated by staff 24/7. Certain times can be busy, such as 5PM on a Summer Sunday, best avoid that one. Generally though it isn't a problem. We never come in in a hurry, if the lock keeper says we have to wait a couple of locks we just drop the hook and put the kettle on.
 
PaulRainbow said:
As pvb said really. The drive down from Fox's is 9 miles, circa 15 minutes. Takes 90 minutes by river. Almost always somewhere you can take the boat, even if it's too rough at sea. One of the rivers is usually calm enough. In addition, the Deben and Walton Backwaters are on the doorstep.

As for the lock, it's easy to navigate and is operated by staff 24/7. Certain times can be busy, such as 5PM on a Summer Sunday, best avoid that one. Generally though it isn't a problem. We never come in in a hurry, if the lock keeper says we have to wait a couple of locks we just drop the hook and put the kettle on.
Click to expand...

Yes, I've visited Shotley a few times, and compared to some Dutch locks it's a doddle. We've even got the bus into Ipswich and, the Harwich ferry and have used the Shipwreck to eat ( enjoyable, except for the homemade crabcakes with crunchy bits :) )


All in all I think I've made me mind up, but I need to check my existing contract before I make a decision......

Thanks again for the input
R
 
Boz said:
Yes, I've visited Shotley a few times, and compared to some Dutch locks it's a doddle. We've even got the bus into Ipswich and, the Harwich ferry and have used the Shipwreck to eat ( enjoyable, except for the homemade crabcakes with crunchy bits :) )


All in all I think I've made me mind up, but I need to check my existing contract before I make a decision......

Thanks again for the input
R
Click to expand...

We've nipped across the river a few times on our last boat (mobo) and had breakfast on ha'penny pier.
 
Last edited:
PaulRainbow said:
As pvb said really. The drive down from Fox's is 9 miles, circa 15 minutes. Takes 90 minutes by river. Almost always somewhere you can take the boat, even if it's too rough at sea. One of the rivers is usually calm enough. In addition, the Deben and Walton Backwaters are on the doorstep.

As for the lock, it's easy to navigate and is operated by staff 24/7. Certain times can be busy, such as 5PM on a Summer Sunday, best avoid that one. Generally though it isn't a problem. We never come in in a hurry, if the lock keeper says we have to wait a couple of locks we just drop the hook and put the kettle on.
Click to expand...

yep- good summary
 
Boz said:
Yes, I've visited Shotley a few times, and compared to some Dutch locks it's a doddle. We've even got the bus into Ipswich and, the Harwich ferry and have used the Shipwreck to eat ( enjoyable, except for the homemade crabcakes with crunchy bits :) )


All in all I think I've made me mind up, but I need to check my existing contract before I make a decision......

Thanks again for the input
R
Click to expand...

Current advertised offer for Shotley is for free berthing for newcomers until the end of their current contract, provided that they pay upfront for the year 2017
 
Think all the points relating to Shotley have been covered posative and negative , overall this is a well located , sheltered marina with very good 24/7security and better than average local amenities. The free marina WiFi is good and is due to be upgraded in the very near future as is extra security cameas in the bottom end of the marina.

The lock generaly is not a problem , personnaly I like to be not rushed when arriving at entrance channel as it gives me more time to set fenders and mooring ropes rather than rushing last minute.

We have a very good & friendly yacht cruising club membership.. Shotly Point Yacht Club and if you decide to come to Shotley Marina do look me up On D25 .. only to willing to show you around and introduce you to the right people and give any assistance i can.We are a good bunch here and the marina staff are the most open and honest friendly unpretemptious people I have come across in this great cruising area. Hope to see you soon.
 
I will give Shotley the thumbs up despite my protracted legal wrangle with them when selling a boat out of there. The staff were always helpful, the lock never seemed to be a problem and it's secure and sheltered except perhaps at high water in a full Easterly gale.
 
Same company as Burnham Yacht Harbour and if you go from there to Shotley you get 30 free nights. Don't know if the same applies the other way.
 
Mrs Chalk and I moved to the E Coast 5 years ago, looking at everywhere from Bradwell up to Ipswich. Settled on Shotley and have never regretted it. The marina staff are incredibly friendly and just about tipped the balance in Shotley's favour. Never in 4 years have we had to wait more than two locks (and then only once), but it is only a little one with a quick turnaround. We use the additional ten minutes or so to write up the log, cover the mainsail, tidy up below etc.. Normally it is straight in.
Great sailing up the Stour or the Orwell. Good local anchorages and places to visit. Our favourite 'short' cruises are Woodbridge, Ipswich (really - yes), Hamford Water and down to the Blackwater/Mersea/Tollesbury.
Security is excellent with CCTV and 'listening devices'. Nice to have a pint and watch the ships come in. The place has an easy friendly atmosphere and SPYC can be a bit of a hoot.
 
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