Stone Point Survey

[Phoenix of Hamble]

Thanks Nortada for your efforts to keep us updated.... Much appreciated!

On your other point... Grabbing a mooring... What are the safe working limits for the moorings? (I am long keel, at 18 tonnes)

 

[nortada]

Thanks Nortada for your efforts to keep us updated.... Much appreciated!

On your other point... Grabbing a mooring... What are the safe working limits for the moorings? (I am long keel, at 18 tonnes)

Good question.

The moorings in the Walton Channel are regularly checked by the local boat yards who are qualified to under take this work.

As far as I know none of the buoys have a weight limitation on them & there are some heavy boats there. I have never heard of a boat breaking free but there is always a first time!

Sorry not the complete answer but the best I can do - possibly one of the many who are more knowledgeable than me can provide a fuller answer?

 

[photodog]

Cn we just grab any mooring? How do we know which ones are good for visitors, and which are residents?

 

[nortada]

Buoys in the Walton Channel

Cn we just grab any mooring? How do we know which ones are good for visitors, and which are residents?

Yes & you don't, but as one, we residents are very relaxed about our buoys.

If you pitched up my buoy, when I came back, I would just pick up another one nearby 'til you departed & yes although busy at this time of the year there are always empty buoys.

Real East Coast spirit & that's why the Walton & Frinton Yacht Club claims to be one of the friendliest on the East Coast.

But I am biased so perhaps other should visit & then judge!

Hope this helps

 

[photodog]

Yes & you don't, but as one, we residents are very relaxed about our buoys.

If you pitched up my buoy, when I came back, I would just pick up another one nearby 'til you departed & yes although busy at this time of the year there are always empty buoys.

Real East Coast spirit & that's why the Walton & Frinton Yacht Club claims to be one of the friendliest on the East Coast.

But I am biased so perhaps other should visit & then judge!

Hope this helps

Coming from the west country... This whole grab any bouy thing is a bit disconcerting... As that approach in, say, newton ferrars, would lead to violence...

Saying that, i took the encouraged approach off pin mill late last season... And was berated by a returning resident... . So, i am a bit gunshy!

Thanks for the guidance! Its a great spot!

 

[ChattingLil]

I'm finding this all a bit nerve wracking now. It seems that others here who I know are MUCH more experienced anchorers than I am are experiencing troubles - and it doesn't inspire me to make the trip up for Pirates if the anchoring is dodgy and having to rely on finding a buoy. I'll be up the literal creek if there are no buoys left by the time we get there (as happened once before and I ended up hanging off someone else).

 

[Phoenix of Hamble]

Nah..... worst case is nip to Hamford water where there is room for dozens and dozens of boats, and then a few mins in the dinghy back round..... but i`ve not yet failed to find a bouy free...

 

[ChattingLil]

Cheers Neil - anxiety getting the better of me.

 

[nortada]

Coming from the west country... This whole grab any bouy thing is a bit disconcerting... As that approach in, say, newton ferrars, would lead to violence...

Saying that, i took the encouraged approach off pin mill late last season... And was berated by a returning resident... . So, i am a bit gunshy!

Thanks for the guidance! Its a great spot!

You could be murdered for far less in the Solent but this is North Essex where it is all far more relaxed - come over & see for your self.

Example: I 'borrowed a buoy' when mine was occupied & the owner came by & asked if I could move off next week as it was being checked for security

 

[nortada]

Plough Dredging Stone Point?

Understand from a reliable source that as a short term measure, it is hoped to plough dredge Stone Point in the very near future & then consider a longer term solution – well impressed with the can do attitude of all concerned!

Word to those passing Stone Point, “Look out for dredging activities”.

 

[Santana379]

I'm finding this all a bit nerve wracking now. It seems that others here who I know are MUCH more experienced anchorers than I am are experiencing troubles - and it doesn't inspire me to make the trip up for Pirates if the anchoring is dodgy and having to rely on finding a buoy. I'll be up the literal creek if there are no buoys left by the time we get there (as happened once before and I ended up hanging off someone else).

The strong tidal flow where boats were shearing around and one boat dragged last weekend is close to Stone Point at the narrow entrance the Amazon Creek (A.K.A. the Walton Channel). There is ample distance and increased width for a good number of boats to anchor a little further upstream between there and where the moorings start. That's in addition to the suggested alternatives of a mooring buoy or anchoring in the vast expanse of Hamford Water round the corner.

My reasons for re-anchoring last weekend related entirely to someone deciding to anchor inconsiderately between us and the boat behind us, which had itself allowed what it condered fair, if slightly generous, spacing.

You'll be fine. Don't anchor too near the point, and just remember if someone makes you uncomfortable by anchoring too close to you, either ask them to move before thery get comfortable, thereby insulting their competence and seamanship, or move yourself whilst it's still daylight (and you're still sober!)

 

[nigelm]

anxiety getting the better of me.

I'm not a big fan of anchoring either partly because of all the stories of dragging etc etc and also because I haven't done much of it so it's always daunting so yr not alone , I even measured the chain I have on Micaralee due to impending pirates , there's 25m of chain so I think I find a quiet corner somewhere and dump the whole lot over and hope for the best , at least u have a capstan ! , I gotta do it all by hand .

 

[Phoenix of Hamble]

If the anchoring really bothers you, then it's well worth considering the benefits of moving round to Hamford Water... yes its a few mins in the tender (and might influence the amount of Pirate grog you consume for safety), but providing you don't go too far up Hamford Water, there is tons of space, and the holding is superb in thick gloopy mud. I haven't been there for a while, but in previous years, there was some pipeweed appearing at the very top end, but elsewhere, it was as easy as anchoring can get!

 

[ChattingLil]

If the anchoring really bothers you, then it's well worth considering the benefits of moving round to Hamford Water... yes its a few mins in the tender (and might influence the amount of Pirate grog you consume for safety), but providing you don't go too far up Hamford Water, there is tons of space, and the holding is superb in thick gloopy mud. I haven't been there for a while, but in previous years, there was some pipeweed appearing at the very top end, but elsewhere, it was as easy as anchoring can get!

Understood, but both me and Nige don't have outboards, so that could be challenging in itself. I have currently got the loan of Laurin's, but they'll need it back for their own ferrying of mini-pirates. I'm quite happy to row a fair distance...how far do you reckon from Hamford Water - I've not been in there yet.

 

[CliveG]

Lisa (and Others)

If I can find a large ship to lay alongside I would be happy to use Sirenia as a ferry boat from distant moorings.

Worst case, if we have to anchor or pick up a buoy, I should have a large dinghy with us and would be willing to ferry ot tow people from Hamford Water Etc.

Booking accepted

 

[nigelm]

Nige do have outboard but rubber dinky is only small so would a couple of trips back n forth ...

But if we get there in one peice I'm sure I can cope with that

 

[ChattingLil]

Oh this forum does bring out the Damsel In Distress in me. Thanks everyone and esp Clive. I will try for a buoy but will yell if we end up in Hamford Water. x

 

[Simonpk]

I'm finding this all a bit nerve wracking now. It seems that others here who I know are MUCH more experienced anchorers than I am are experiencing troubles - and it doesn't inspire me to make the trip up for Pirates if the anchoring is dodgy and having to rely on finding a buoy. I'll be up the literal creek if there are no buoys left by the time we get there (as happened once before and I ended up hanging off someone else).

If you fear being up the literal creek you could always pop in here first:

 

[nortada]

I'm not a big fan of anchoring either partly because of all the stories of dragging etc etc and also because I haven't done much of it so it's always daunting so yr not alone , I even measured the chain I have on Micaralee due to impending pirates , there's 25m of chain so I think I find a quiet corner somewhere and dump the whole lot over and hope for the best , at least u have a capstan ! , I gotta do it all by hand .

Chain, like buoys, in the locker does you no favours.

My solution, pick a reasonable isolated spot & dump the lot.

I often buoy it but then deploy an anchor buoy with our boat's name clearly on it. Hopefully others relate the anchor buoy to the parent boat & work out our swinging distance but I have had occasions when I have asked other boat not to pick it up as a prospective mooring!

 

[photodog]

Oh this forum does bring out the Damsel In Distress in me. Thanks everyone and esp Clive. I will try for a buoy but will yell if we end up in Hamford Water. x

Practice makes perfect.

The only way to get good at anchoring... Is to anchor.

Whats the worst that could happen?