Should I keep my boat on the Crouch?

[jala150]

I am looking to buy a Westerly Griffon which is currently located in Burnham. I am returning to sailing after around 5 years away. I used to sail dinghys on the Blackwater and know it well. But as the boat is currently on the Crouch I have been thinking about keeping it there but know little about the river.
What is people's opinion/experience of the Crouch? What is access like at low tide? I am thinking of a swinging mooring. I like the facilities available in Burnham, and also looking at Fambridge.
Sorry for any silly questions

 

[pioneer]

As an experienced user of the crouch (well 3 years then) I like it. Down side is the long haul in/out to/from the Swin. Crossing the Ray or nearer inshore (not dared try it yet) is a useful short cut to B'sea/Blackwater. Upside is it's a long river giving sheltered sailing and access to sheltered anchorages particularly in the Roach. Fambridge offers a variety of mooring packages/options, like swing for the summer with temp use of the riverside pontoon or swing for the summer and in the marina for the winter, or ..... All explained in their handbook, downloadable from their website. Depends on your style of sailing really. If you're into longish passages then the haul to the Swin could be off putting, but if you want to sail without leaving then the river offers good exploring opportunities esp the Roach. Don't know much about Burnham but getting shoreside for supplies/water/diesel may be an issue - I'm sure more knowledgeable forumites will be along soon to offer their experience.
Good luck finding your perfect solution.

 

[Plum]

I am looking to buy a Westerly Griffon which is currently located in Burnham. I am returning to sailing after around 5 years away. I used to sail dinghys on the Blackwater and know it well. But as the boat is currently on the Crouch I have been thinking about keeping it there but know little about the river.
What is people's opinion/experience of the Crouch? What is access like at low tide? I am thinking of a swinging mooring. I like the facilities available in Burnham, and also looking at Fambridge.
Sorry for any silly questions

Being any further upstream of Bridgemarsh marina can be really frustrating because of the time taken to get out of the crouch to visit anywhere else. Also, when reentering the crouch the prevailing wind is mostly on the nose so you may end up doing lots of motoring. If you want more sailing options then i recommend Bradwell.

Www.solocoastalsailing.co.uk

 

[Koeketiene]

Being any further upstream of Bridgemarsh marina can be really frustrating because of the time taken to get out of the crouch to visit anywhere else. Also, when reentering the crouch the prevailing wind is mostly on the nose so you may end up doing lots of motoring.

This was our experience too.

If you want more sailing options then i recommend Bradwell.

We considered Bradwell too, but in the end we moved to the Orwell - no tidal restrictions and better road access

 

[Tam Lin]

The Crouch is a ditch, come to the Blackwater - far better!

 

[Boz]

The Crouch is a ditch, come to the Blackwater - far better!

I have to say that if I were to move from Fambridge (unlikely any time soon) it wouldn't be to the Blackwater.... I'd go for the Orwell every time.

But then each to his own.......

 

[jala150]

The Crouch is a ditch, come to the Blackwater - far better!

As a former Marconi member it is very tempting. But having not sailed for a few years and being used to dinghies, the journey around to the Blackwater is a little intimidating. Especially after reading some of the threads on here.

 

[Lucky Duck]

As in the other thread, where you live will probably be a consideration. The back roads to Burnham or Bradwell can get rather tedious particularly if your running late and trying to catch the tide!

Edit - Burnham is a nice town and marina is perfectly adequate but the river less so

 

[sailorman]

As in the other thread, where you live will probably be a consideration. The back roads to Burnham or Bradwell can get rather tedious particularly if your running late and trying to catch the tide!

Edit - Burnham is a nice town and marina is perfectly adequate but the river less so

By the time the OP get to Titchmarsh or the Crouch from BsEds he could arrive @ Fox`s get on board & be @ Collimer having left his reduced rates 1/2 tide berth. Or enjoy the benefits of http://www.fmyc.org.uk https://www.facebook.com/foxsclubhouse/?hc_location=ufi

 

[Bru]

Been at Fambridge for six years. Love it. Can't see us leaving anytime soon, if ever

If you're into day sailing, I'll admit the Crouch is not ideal though. For us, most of our trips are several days into several weeks (and hopefully longer soon) so the "drag" in and out isn't a big deal

 

[Marmalade]

Crouch is good river for going into the Thames etc. Less good as a cruising ground as you have less space and harsher scenery than the Blackwater, Orwell, Deben etc.

 

[MoodySabre]

Crouch is good river for going into the Thames etc. Less good as a cruising ground as you have less space and harsher scenery than the Blackwater, Orwell, Deben etc.

It's the same distance from Bradwell to Southend Pier as it is from Burnham.

The Blackwater offers better sailing no question. Despite there apparently being a waiting list at Bradwell a friend of mine has just been given a berth after waiting four weeks. Once all the contracts are issued for the coming year then there maybe a wait until next March.

I like visiting the Crouch for three days most years but regular daysailing there with a friend offers little.

 

[Lucky Duck]

It's a fair old distance from somewhere like Fambridge to the South Whittaker buoy, more so if you don't allow enough time and hit the flood tide before you get there

 

[Daydream believer]

Cheap moorings available in St Lawrence bay & the cruising area is much better than the Crouch
Try " stlawrence fairwaycommittee.com" all the details are there