West Mersea - mooring and going ashore advice

[Burnham Bob]

Ages since we've called in at West Mersea and I remember that the launch is call sign YC1 on channel 37. So if I call that when we arrive will they advise if a buoy is free? Don't mind paying - although I realise there have been posts about that in the past. I know the launch runs working hours but if we want to go ashore in the evening can we use our own dinghy and tie on to the pontoon? (IIRC there are signs that say you can't - or at least there are limits to the time.) We might want an early evening meal ashore.

 

[Athene V30]

Don't go to West Mersea as often as I used to but when there I tend to leave the dinghy tied up on the inside of the hammerhead or on the walkway on a long painter so it can be pushed out of the way. Just watch tide times as you may end up sitting on mud.

 

[lee1620]

We have used the Lady Grace a few times. Stacey the skipper has always been prompt and reliable.Will do out of hours drop off if needed.
Not cheap, but find it safer than a load of drunkards trying to find the boat in the dark.

 

[tillergirl]

Yes call YC1 on 37 for a buoy. Peter and Lee are both right.

 

[ex-Gladys]

You can tie your dinghy up as well, but on the inside of the hammerhead...

 

[Dazedkipper]

Take yer wallet coz they charge for picking up a mooring now,

 

[xyachtdave]

Don't mind paying - although I realise there have been posts about that in the past.

Take yer wallet coz they charge for picking up a mooring now,

I think we've covered the finances already....

 

[cookjwm]

And yes, the launchmen will allocate you a berth if you call. And it saves you picking up a berth to which the holder is returning later or picking one without enough water......and by the way, in Mersea, generally if theres no boats or moorings......theres no water! Afraid we have started to see the annual sight of our visitors getting into trouble by forgetting this one.

And just to finish -the fees go in a common fund to help improve things, not to any berth owner or holder. That said, do come and enjoy!

 

[Hadenough]

Is there a phone number to check availability in advance, not talking about booking, just finding out before I pass Brightlingsea for instance?

 

[xyachtdave]

YC1 is also on 07752 309435.

Number from WMYC site.

 

[Cantata]

YC1 is also on 07752 309435.
Number from WMYC site.

Hmmm, it's in ECP as well...

 

[xyachtdave]

Hmmm, it's in ECP as well...

I found it originally in the ECP!

Unfortunately my copy is kept on the boat and had to resort to google....

 

[Hadenough]

YC1 is also on 07752 309435.

Number from WMYC site.

Ta

 

[cookjwm]

Theres pretty much always a space somewhere, its just that sometimes you could be well away from the pontoon. And Regatta Saturday is always choc a bloc!
don't forget that if you use the launch you get free passage if you spend money (i think there is a minimum but a couple of beers covers it easily!) in the yacht club and show the receipt to the launchman.

 

[Burnham Bob]

thanks - when we're ashore we'll defintely visit the club!

 

[Athene V30]

don't forget that if you use the launch you get free passage if you spend money (i think there is a minimum but a couple of beers covers it easily!) in the yacht club and show the receipt to the launchman.

but the launch stops running about 6pm

http://www.wmyc.org.uk/files/14_Launch_Timetable.pdf

 

[ex-Gladys]

but the launch stops running about 6pm

http://www.wmyc.org.uk/files/14_Launch_Timetable.pdf

The practicalities are slightly different, the launch is back on its mooring at 1730 Monday to Thursday, 1830 Friday, and 1930 Sat and Sun...

 

[StUrrock]

Went to West Mersea this Saturday, called into YC1 followed the instructions to pick up a mooring. When the guy came to pick us up in the YC water taxi, well grumpy is being a bit generous!
This was our first so we didn't know the score and when we asked questions about charging etc, we got very surly replies.

Asked him if the particular mooring dried out the answer was "you'll PROBABLY be ok." That should have rung alarm bells, and as skipper I should have double checked our position.

You guessed it we had a night sleeping for some time at 45 degrees! My guests thankfully thought this was hilarious, as did I to be honest.

Everyone else we met at Mersea was charming and all in all a great time was had.

 

[xyachtdave]

You guessed it we had a night sleeping for some time at 45 degrees! My guests thankfully thought this was hilarious, as did I to be honest.

My wife woke me up in the early hours a while back complaining I was squashing her and then announced the boat was aground. In my 1/2 asleep state I told her not to be so ridiculous and move over to her side of the cabin.

On closer inspection the boat was indeed at 45 degrees to its normal stationary position.

My anchoring tidal guesstimate without referring to the tide tables or time of HW wasn't as accurate as I'd expected.

 

[Hadenough]

Yes. Had my first visit last week, enjoyed the place - but first visit, once the buoyage is left behind it is a bit of a nightmare. Someone said earlier that "if there are no moorings there is no water". Not that simple, as there are drying moorings with some fairly big craft even on the drying bits. We got there just before high tide and YC1 told me to make my way up to the pontoon and he would lead me to a berth, which he did -- leading me over the humps despite being told I had 1.8 draught. I was down to 0.2 under the keel at times. When I saw the topography at low water I was horrified. Yes I have a chart, yes I have a plotter but the whole area is so congested that it is very difficult to make out the channel at anything over 3/4 tide. In retrospect I would have timed my first visit for lowish tide rather than high. Happy to pay the mooring fee but if it's going towards improvements how about some bouys within the creeks? And if YC1 are told it's your first visit, as they were, better that they pick you up at the spit rather than the pontoon.
Edit. Thinking about it, in retrospect, I think next time I'll find my own way in, grab a berth and sort it out later.