Up the Colne

[nortonmotors]

Last week, I journeyed (well, motored really) up the Colne from an overnight mooring at Pyefleet.
This 'stealth cruiser' caught my eye at Wivenhoe; sad really.



I stopped briefly against the wall at Rowhedge for milk and papers at the Co-op and carried on up to Colchester to view the new pontoon by the lightship.





I didn't stop, but a later look at Google suggest the nearest pub, The Spinnaker, is only a few hundred yards away but Tescos is more than half a mile.
I think Rowhedge has nothing to fear from the Colchester pontoon.

 

[Bru]

View attachment 45898

Max vessel length of 9m is a bit limiting. We're OK, at 8.22m, but it surely excludes the majority of potential users?

 

[Cantata]

It is a bit limiting, I thought 10m would have been more reasonable when I went up there a few weeks ago.
The mud slopes away from the pontoon a bit, OK for the first boat but anyone rafted out would be leaning rather more.
It would be good to see the City Council take it all a bit more seriously, there is power and water there but they could tidy up the river bed (there are a few bits and pieces sticking up but not at the pontoon) and provide some facilities to encourage visitors. However that only seems to happen in other countries....

 

[ex-Gladys]

I walked along the Hythe last week for the first time for ages. It was LW and I was amazed how silted it was. The old turning basin is pretty much dry land, and down where the culvert on west bank opens, there's no more than inches in the channel.

 

[Cantata]

I went up as far as the pontoon on a biggish Spring tide and had about 2.5-3m all the way in the gutway. Surprising.

 

[nortonmotors]

Max vessel length of 9m is a bit limiting.

Agreed, but I would argue that bowsprits don't count and who's going to complain anyway?
A brave effort by the Council, the town centre being over a mile away, and I shall certainly give it a try.

 

[Bru]

Agreed, but I would argue that bowsprits don't count and who's going to complain anyway?
A brave effort by the Council, the town centre being over a mile away, and I shall certainly give it a try.

Wots a bowsprit?????

Yeah, can't really see some council erk turning up with a tape measure unless something really huge turns up

Might be tempted up there ourselves week after next when my brother and I set out to try and drink the Blackwater dry. Might as well include the Colne while we're at it

 

[sailorman]

Wots a bowsprit?????

Yeah, can't really see some council erk turning up with a tape measure unless something really huge turns up

Might be tempted up there ourselves week after next when my brother and I set out to try and drink the Blackwater dry. Might as well include the Colne while we're at it

He might be too late @ LW to tell you to sod off

 

[Bru]

He might be too late @ LW to tell you to sod off

We're alright anyway 'cos we;ve got a sensibly sized boat

 

[sailorman]

We're alright anyway 'cos we;ve got a sensibly sized boat

yes we had a Silhouette 11 for a year, by wind gen just cost 1/2 its value to overhaul :encouragement:

 

[Bru]

yes we had a Silhouette 11 for a year, by wind gen just cost 1/2 its value to overhaul :encouragement:

Ouch

 

[sailorman]

Ouch

1/2 the Silhouette 1973 prices, that is

 

[Bru]

1/2 the Silhouette 1973 prices, that is

Still ouchy

 

[Koeketiene]

We're alright anyway 'cos we;ve got a sensibly sized tender

There, fixed that for you

 

[sailorman]

But he has been "Up the Colne" inum

 

[Bru]

There, fixed that for you

I am deeply grateful. At least my sensible sized tender is allowed on the pontoon at Colchester!

Would you care to compare mooring bills perchance?

 

[Koeketiene]

At least my sensible sized tender is allowed on the pontoon at Colchester!

That may be so, but who in his right mind would want to go there?

Would you care to compare mooring bills perchance?

You win - for the moment. As from 2016, we'll be paying €950 p/a - bargain. :encouragement:

 

[Phoenix of Hamble]

That may be so, but who in his right mind would want to go there?



You win - for the moment. As from 2016, we'll be paying €950 p/a - bargain. :encouragement:

and three grand a year getting there....

 

[Bru]

That may be so, but who in his right mind would want to go there?



You win - for the moment. As from 2016, we'll be paying €950 p/a - bargain. :encouragement:

You have a point on the first point

On the second point you may have a point but it means moving to the other side of the North Sea and I much prefer Adnams to Duval

 

[Koeketiene]

and three grand a year getting there....

We'd be living there - permanently.
6-7 months per year on the boat - remainder ashore

You have a point on the first point

On the second point you may have a point but it means moving to the other side of the North Sea and I much prefer Adnams to Duval

We all make our own choices.
The simple truth is, that once I retire we can not afford to live here.
When working I have always moved/lived where the work/money was, once I retire cost of living and quality of life will be the main considerations.