Visitors Pontoon at Brightlinsea

jimi

jimi

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On the off chance there might be some warmth in the sun next w/e I'm planning a first visit to Brightlinsea next w/e. Looks like fairly big springs so will I be fine on the visitors pontoon with a 2m fin?
 
You'll be ok on the pontoon as it's only mud but you may not get on or off for an hour or so either side of LW, which hardly matters as you won't get out of the creek. Don't expect electricity or water. This is civilisation.
 
Just tell the HM and he will find you a good spot, lead you to it and probably take your lines.

Look up the harbour website to see if the water taxi will be operating. If not then the HM will run you ashore but only during his work hours. In your own dinghy use the YC pontoon on the right.

Great place.
 
jimi said:
On the off chance there might be some warmth in the sun next w/e I'm planning a first visit to Brightlinsea next w/e. Looks like fairly big springs so will I be fine on the visitors pontoon with a 2m fin?
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We draw 1.8m nominal, on springs we always ground by about 0.5m keel and rudder, but as said its fairly soft mud. If you take note of the outer depth guage to starboard as you pass Brightlingsea Spit Cardinal on the way in, and then note depth on pontoon, it will give you a good idea on deciding when you can leave again.

Water Taxi from 29 March to 19 July

Monday - Thursday: 08.15 – 17.00
Friday & Saturday: 08.15 – 23.00
Sunday: 08.15 – 21.00
 
simon14b said:
Sadly the last time I looked, the marina had silted up with very little depth of water visible at low water
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Like at Gravelines you just sink into lovely soft mud.
The only issue is that you can't leave until there is plenty of rise of tide to get you over the cill.
Not to big a problem if you are heading back up the wallet as you will have the ebb under you.
Not so good if you are heading up the Blackwater or the Crouch.
 
We're 2m and we're often in and out of Brightlingsea - I reckon I can get in from half tide onwards esp if HM puts us on the end. Sometimes when it's busy he rafts larger boats on the fishing smacks on the next pontoon along - which means you're out in the deeper water anyway.
 
Thanks all, although the way the weather is looking we probably will choose not to dodge icebergs in the wallet unless there is a significant improvement!
 
Jimi, as has already been mentioned at 2m draft you will have no major issues getting in or out of the creek from half tide on. Leave the depth gauge tight to starboard on your way in and then look for the 'cricket stumps' Red & White vertical striped boards to port of the Sailing Club. Stay with the stumps lined up until you have a clear line on the town jetty and then alter course heading towards the jetty. Now stay slightly to starboard of this imaginary line and you will be as near as damn it in the middle of the channel. You will sit comfortably on the visitors berths...the mud is very soft beneath the keels all the way along the pontoons! Hope this helps!
 
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