Southwold

Otter

Otter

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Joined
23 Nov 2004
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Norfolk
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So we were guided in, thanks Mike and John from Harbour Marine Services - well the offer was there and hospitable it was too. Honestly why do potential visitors stay away from this little gem? The place is peaceful - we're used to the all night rozzer sirens in Ipswich and Harwich. The berth is still and secure but the views are proper east coast. A fifteen minute walk and you're on a bracing sandy beach.

Then there's Harbour Marine Services, a nicer group of people you couldn't meet. The workshop guys are professional but old school, you trust them right from the off. I had a tour of their workshops, about eight classic wooden boats in stages of strip and rebuild, each one assigned one carpenter to oversee the job from start to finish so you don't get four different guys each having a go at completing your work. Sure it's early days here but Javelin I'm grateful for the head's up and recommend others check it out. Plus the chandlery lent us some milk because we'd run out and don't have transport :) proper Suffolk.
 
The Rum and company was always good. Plus Wingdiver giving me a lift to Woodbridge to pick up my car; Sestina sorting my gas; the staff at the chandlery knowing the names of all my four children. Friendly place.
 
We had a nar nar down here once, (they are pretty rare round here) he was trying to get to Walberswick in a hurry and his fancy gps didn't let him know the ferry is a rowing boat.

Glad you're enjoying your stay. :)
 
Javelin said:
We had a nar nar down here once, (they are pretty rare round here) he was trying to get to Walberswick in a hurry and his fancy gps didn't let him know the ferry is a rowing boat.
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:) Now that's funny! Love Southwold, been coming since my kids were microscopic. I was a near neighbour of John Buckley's parents for years, really lovely people.
 
Alpha22 said:
Shhhhhh!!!! Don't tell everyone about it!!!
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:) It's a fascinating harbour, surprisingly large and busy fleet of small fishing boats, numerous private pontoon moorings and the biggest wooden boat rebuilding yard in the region. Alongside that is a chandlery, an oh-so-very-Southwold pub, a great cafe, and a fish and chippy built in an oversized beach hut - what's not to like. Can't believe I haven't visited by boat before.
 
Colvic Watson said:
:) It's a fascinating harbour, surprisingly large and busy fleet of small fishing boats, numerous private pontoon moorings and the biggest wooden boat rebuilding yard in the region. Alongside that is a chandlery, an oh-so-very-Southwold pub, a great cafe, and a fish and chippy built in an oversized beach hut - what's not to like. Can't believe I haven't visited by boat before.
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We could use Southwold as a departure port for iJmuiden then? Looking at the chart and Google street, the visitors moorings seem to be at the Sailing Club or are there any others? With a fin keel I don't want to dry out.....
 
I draw 6'4" and never touch ground other than trying to leave or enter the river at or around lw.
I've actually come in at 1 hour after lw springs.
Not attempted to leave the harbour in my boat beyond 4 hours after hw.
There's a fishing boat here called the Avril Rose that draws 1.8 and she comes and goes at all states of the tide.

Once in the river proper, there are no depth issues up to a 10' draft.

Breskins marina entance is 90nm from the entrance and have done that a few times in less than 13 hours.
I'd say that the track to iJmuiden is possibly easier from Southwold than from Lowestoft as there's less big boat traffic and you haven't got the Newcombe bank in the way.

Oh yes and visitors moorings are up near the pub and outside the Harbour masters office.
Plus if we're busy ask Peter the HM to give us a shout in the yard and we'll find a mooring for you either here at the yard or we know of at least a dozen unused ones at most times during the year.
Again the depth won't be an issue 99% of the time.
 
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Not really an issue, just don't get carried to the North of the entrance on the way in.
Close in on the entrance, heading for the water tower if coming from the South, then as soon as you can see right up the river turn in.
There's a back eddy as you go in so its a little swirly but nothing to worry about and it actually keeps you away from the South wall.
I find it much easier than Lowestoft which can be a bit of a cauldron.
 
Colvic Watson said:
Reassuringly expensive.
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I don't find anything reassuring about being charged full service marina rates for showers that are 9 to 5 only (and you can't count on the sailing club's being open, they never have been when I was there) and no water or electric when the all too few visitors berths are full.
I call it disgusting ripoff.
 
teredo said:
I don't find anything reassuring about being charged full service marina rates for showers that are 9 to 5 only (and you can't count on the sailing club's being open, they never have been when I was there) and no water or electric when the all too few visitors berths are full.
I call it disgusting ripoff.
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Just give it a miss on your travels then please and leave a bit more space for the rest of us.

Our favourite harbour on the East Coast.
 
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