Visitor buoys in Pyefleet - do they dry out??

Ianqv

Ianqv

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Hi All,

I wonder if any of you guys can help?

We are thinking about picking up a buoy over night around the back of Mersea in Pyefleet creek.
As we have never done this can anyone please advise if any of the visitor buoys there dry out at LW?

Many thanks in advance

Ian and Sarah
 
I sailed past the end of Pyefleet yesterday and was amazed how few boats were up there. There must have been 15 empty buoys to choose from. Mostly white.

Sorry, I don't know which are the visitors buoys but I doubt that they would dry out.
 
Thanks all for the replies.

Jim - Anchor!!!! I wouldn't sleep in fear of waking up somewhere else!! When are you back from Turkey, I've got Coffee, beer …… whiskey on standby!!

We are still undecided if we should go in to Brightlingsea harbor, or hang off a buoy for the night.
So if you see a Jeanneau called French Connection, give us a wave!!

Ian and Sarah
 
Ianqv said:
Hi All,

I wonder if any of you guys can help?

We are thinking about picking up a buoy over night around the back of Mersea in Pyefleet creek.
As we have never done this can anyone please advise if any of the visitor buoys there dry out at LW?

Many thanks in advance

Ian and Sarah
Click to expand...

I am sure they don't dry as you can anchor much further up the creek in plenty of water, however from earlier postings on this forum I think you will find someone demanding money for overnight mooring. :(

Anchoring is free. :D
 
Leighb said:
I am sure they don't dry as you can anchor much further up the creek in plenty of water, however from earlier postings on this forum I think you will find someone demanding money for overnight mooring. :(

Anchoring is free. :D
Click to expand...

Yes, that's true the Colchester Oyster Fishery Co who I believe lay and own the moorings will occasionally row out and collect fees. However, I was with a guy who works there last year and he said they will also row out a hamper of seafood to you: http://colchesteroysterfishery.netdirector.co.uk/

Never tried that but the guy was sensible and serious so I have no reason to doubt him. No idea what that would cost though.

You can lie to anchor quite well up the Creek - main channel is pretty easy to follow by echo sounder and no nasty surprises.
 
tillergirl said:
Yes, that's true the Colchester Oyster Fishery Co who I believe lay and own the moorings will occasionally row out and collect fees. However, I was with a guy who works there last year and he said they will also row out a hamper of seafood to you: http://colchesteroysterfishery.netdirector.co.uk/

Never tried that but the guy was sensible and serious so I have no reason to doubt him. No idea what that would cost though.

You can lie to anchor quite well up the Creek - main channel is pretty easy to follow by echo sounder and no nasty surprises.
Click to expand...


Thanks for that - I thought it would be great to surprise Sarah with a hamper delivery!!.... until I looked at the price!! £75 :eek:
Oh well, I'll have to surprise her with something else now!! ;)

We should be in Pyefleet around 2, 3pm tomorrow

Ian and Sarah
 
Ianqv said:
Jim - Anchor!!!! I wouldn't sleep in fear of waking up somewhere else!!
Click to expand...

That seems a pity. Holding in the Pyefleet is excellent, as long as you check that you haven't dropped the hook on top of some pipeweed. Easy to do - just go aster a bit to set the anchor and make sure it is dug in.

I have been anchoring there for around 40 years and never dragged yet. And with a CQR, no less! (There's daring for you!)
 
Pyefleet in an Easterly

Just reading my latested edition of East Coast Pilot (thanks to H n Steve :) ) - and I read the Pyefleet can lump up a bit in an Easterly.
Oh great.... guess what direction its going to blow from this weekend!!
Yeap - a stiff easterly (wind guru reckon gust of 27 knotts).

Is it likely to be "pants" in Pyefleet this weekend? :confused:

Many thanks

Ian and Sarah
 
Ianqv said:
Just reading my latested edition of East Coast Pilot (thanks to H n Steve :) ) - and I read the Pyefleet can lump up a bit in an Easterly.
Oh great.... guess what direction its going to blow from this weekend!!
Yeap - a stiff easterly (wind guru reckon gust of 27 knotts).

Is it likely to be "pants" in Pyefleet this weekend? :confused:

Many thanks

Ian and Sarah
Click to expand...

If you're at all worried about the easterly - nip in to Brightlingsea and grab a berth instead. Really friendly harbour and a trot boat to take you ashore for fabulous fish n chips (winkies or scooby snax) or great curry (kovalam).
 
Its going to be breezy but very warm so sounds just perfect. The Colne Yacht club also do food, also good pubs in the town, Rosebud, Brewers Arms.
I am not sure you will get charged in Pyefleet and certanly if at the top end of the river they do not dry out. As has been mentioned really friendly Harbour people will look after you.
 
Hi

I would also say that the Raj Pavilion in Tower street, does a very good curry, and there are certainly takeaways flying out of the door every time we have been there.

The harbour guys at Brightlingsea, are brilliant IMHO. :D:D:D

Ian & Jo
 
Ianqv said:
Just reading my latested edition of East Coast Pilot (thanks to H n Steve :) ) - and I read the Pyefleet can lump up a bit in an Easterly.
Oh great.... guess what direction its going to blow from this weekend!!
Yeap - a stiff easterly (wind guru reckon gust of 27 knotts).

Is it likely to be "pants" in Pyefleet this weekend? :confused:
Click to expand...

I've anchored in Pyefleet in a very strong easterly and it was absolutely comfortable. I tend to anchor as far up the creek (by Pewit Island) as I can. Perhaps it's a bit smoother there. Like others, I consider Pyefleet to be one of the finest anchorages around. It has excellent holding, beautiful scenery and wildlife and a sense of remoteness. I do think you're missing out by discounting anchoring as a possibility. I sleep soundly at anchor there...
 
Sea_Spray said:
I've anchored in Pyefleet in a very strong easterly and it was absolutely comfortable. I tend to anchor as far up the creek (by Pewit Island) as I can. Perhaps it's a bit smoother there. Like others, I consider Pyefleet to be one of the finest anchorages around. It has excellent holding, beautiful scenery and wildlife and a sense of remoteness. I do think you're missing out by discounting anchoring as a possibility. I sleep soundly at anchor there...
Click to expand...

I think we'll check out picking up a buoy and see what its like!!! if its too rough we'll make a run for it back to B/sea.

Thanks to everyone for your comments

Ian
 
dabsolute470 said:
Ian.... dont be so tight with the hamper, Sarah will love it.

you have already deprived her of a full lenth mirror !!!
fancy not having a full lenth mirror... i dont know whats a lady like Sarah supposed to do.
Click to expand...

I've found a way to kill two birds with one stone!! (no, not Sarah!!!)

Oyster & full length mirror...... I just haven't told her yet that the Oyster is 46ft long!!! :rolleyes:

Ian
 
Sea_Spray said:
I do think you're missing out by discounting anchoring as a possibility.
Click to expand...

I agree. There are so many wonderful places to anchor, and such excellent holding ground, all around the greater Thames Estuary, and not a penny to pay for the privilege. It seems a great pity to rule out what, to me, is one of the main glories of this glorious area. It's what east coast cruising is all about. Indeed, the Pyefleet in an easterly doesn't look inviting, it is perfectly possible to anchor in Brightlingsea Roads or a little further up the lovely Colne near the weather shore (taking care with depths, of course)

I don't think, though, that an attempt to anchor in the Pyefleet beyond the old oyster shed in the Pyefleet would be wise in a 37 foot Janneau. I don't know the draft, but I doubt if there would be enough water. Opposite the shed might be just about OK at neaps, but there is a shallow patch just before you reach that point. Beyond the shed, there is a horse, with deeper water on either side of it and it is really only suitable for shallow draft boats.

Each to their own. We all sail and use our boats in different ways. But it seems to me that the confidence to anchor overnight it something well worth acquiring and something that would enhance the pleasure of sailing here immeasurably. It doesn't take long to gain that confidence once the toe is dipped in the water.
 
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