Southwold

[beancounter]

What's it like as a destination?

The pilot book seems to suggest that it should be Treated With Great Respect, owing to the tidal flow of the river, and the dog-leg at the entrance. A couple of the "Destinations"-type articles I've read in the yottiemags don't seem to be quite so doom-laden.

Thoughts/advice?

 

[CPD]

Go in when the tide is turning and you will be absolutely fine, but as the pilots say, the stream can be fierce and you should treat it with the utmost. The town is great and the pubs too. The harbourmaster was v helpful but I dont think there is much in the way of facilities. It is one of my favourite places to visit.

My firm advice is go for it.

 

[ccscott49]

Theres no dogleg entering Southwold, you just have to enter on the port side, then come over to the starboard side, just be careful turning around, there is a techinique if you want to use it, of ramming the port bank, slowly, allow the tide to take your stern around, then go astern off the mud and bobs yer unk! to stem the tide to come alongside the staging on the starboard side of the river, (from the sea). This is the way I was taught and used it all the time, great little place, especially in thw winter.

 

[BrendanChandler]

Great Destination.
I suggest arrive early and anchor off. Enter to arrive at the 'quay' at slack, from memory about 30 mins after slack at the entrance. It make turning easier.
You usually have to raft up at weekends.
Ebb Tide runs at up to 6 knots so you need good springs. Suggest that you make sure that everybody outside you has a spring ashore where possible.
When I was there last,
the weight on the lines snapped a pile, so spread the load amongst the piles. Harbour was being tarted up at the time, so it may well have improved by now. Harbour Master was friendly and helpful, but she will be obeyed.

Brendan

 

[beancounter]

Actually, given the heated debate over drink/boating, perhaps I'd better not sail so close to Adnams brewery....

 

[Mudhook]

Not treacherous but you need to keep your wits about you. Harbourmaster (a lady the last two time I've been) has a photocopy of the route in, but basically once inside hug the starboard (northern) wall until the green beacon, from memory. I have been in and out at lw close to springs (draft 1m), also half flood. I have seen a chap go aground on the horse just inside the entrance, as you get past the lifeboat station; he wasn't paying attention. FOLLOW THE WALL - CLOSE! It's in all in the pilot books.

I'm not sure about the need for stuffing the bow into the bank; plenty of room to do a three-point turn unless you are huge. You will probably be rafted up and may have to move once or twice. beware inconsiderate fisherman with long lines from the entrance wall; they seem to regard it as an imposition when a boat enters or leaves.

Advice on springs is good, harbourmaster (mistress?) will point this out to you if you don't get one on sharpish. Amenities are pub, fish shops, modest chandlery, cafe. Showers are in caravan site near entrance. Southwold itself excellent but can be busy in holidays and at weekends; it's about a mile to walk it. Shops, pubs (Nelson, Crown both excellent). Cafes galore, bookshops, even a tiny vintage cinema.

All in all a great destination, about 7 hours from Woolverstone at my speed; 5 and a half from Harwich.

Regards, Mudhook.