Wells for fin keelers

[Phoenix of Hamble]

Wandered over to Wells-next-the-sea yesterday by road for a reccy, and had a chat with the harbourmaster about getting in with a fin keeler...

His view.... enter HW+/-1 on Springs, and go lay alongside Albatross..... you might just touch the bottom with 1.8m draft, but only just.... in his opinion, a non issue.

Also confirmed his willingness to come out to first time entrants, and guide them through the channel, which looks pretty torturous this season!

As an aside, he didn't have much confidence in any dredging starting this summer.

 

[MoodySabre]

Is Albatross the restaurant boat? When I spoke to him last year he said I could go alongside that boat would get plenty of bird sh*t on the boat /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[Koeketiene]

Sounds like Wells is not going to make my 'places to visit before I die' list.

 

[Phoenix of Hamble]

Yes, its the Breakfast boat..... weren't many birds around while we were there... so no big deal IMHO.... and worth it to be able to get into Wells...

We're seriously contemplating it for the return from Oostende..... we may well head back to Lowestoft instead of Harwich, and then head for Wells before returning home.....

 

[MrCramp]

We have always moored alongside Albatross with no problems from the birds. I suspect it is a condition of him being allowed to be there that boats moor against him. Been like that for 8 years that I know of.

First time we went in 8 years ago we could not raise the HM even though we had told him we were coming and would like guidance in. We did tend to go in late on (4pm) and leave early morning but we never found any official about and as a result never paid for mooring, but there were no facilities.

Not been in 3 years so not sure if the regime has changed.

 

[Phoenix of Hamble]

not sure if regime has changed either, but there is a nice toilet block facility for visiting boats now!

 

[CPD]

I have been into Wells a few times at various states of the tide, and having seen the harbour at LW, can only further stress that keeping strictly to the channel is a "must". I like the place. The HM was extremely helpful, and offered to come out and guide me in the first time, and was an all round nice chap. The facilities were first class inc water and fuel availability, and I am looking forward to next time.

 

[Habebty]

Looking forward to visiting wells this summer..... When are you going?

 

[CPD]

I have no particular plans at the moment but am sure we could get a bunch of us up there at some stage over the summer.

 

[Sixpence]

Let me know when Alan, I'm moving there very soon and intend taking every opportunity I can to get out, so wouldn't want to miss anyone calling in

 

[Phoenix of Hamble]

not 100% sure yet, but possibly some time during week commencing 23rd May