Where is best (and available) to be based for a day/weekend sailor

Hi,

Living in Bury, In would go for the Orwell to minimise the driving and with a Vivacity, I would be looking at swinging moorings at the Orwell Yacht Club or Pin Mill Sailing Club. If you prefer a marina, Fox's, and SYH offer similar opportunities, Ipswich dock and Shotley both involve locks and Shotley is a longer drive

The next alternative, and a prettier river, is the Deben where I would look at Waldringfield and Woodbridge for swinging moorings. You don't really want to be battling the Felixstowe Ferry tides in your tender or the longer drive to Ramsholt. The Tidemill is the only marina option here and your comings and goings will be limited by the need for enough tide to get you over the cill.

Peter.
 
PeterWright said:
Hi,

s.You don't really want to be battling the Felixstowe Ferry tides in your tender or the longer drive to Ramsholt.

Peter.
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Having moored at the ferry for several years i can say we never found the tidal flow an issue on the majority of moorings inside the Horse sand.. The strong current follows the main channel. A delightful spot, as was said before. And much underrated.
 
Marmalade said:
Shotley - and although I'm based there, it's more than just partisan bias...
1. If you're travelling a distance you'll not want to hang around for tides so a 24x7 location seems sensible
2. Orwell, Stour, Backwaters and Deben in v easy reach; Ore, Blackwater slightly further afield.
3. If mooring preferred to marina (for aesthetics or cost) then somewhere all-tide in the Orwell
4. If ease of access is paramount - Ipswich is closer to you, but you have a longer sail to get anywhere. We tried both and concluded that an extra 15mins in the car (to Shotley) is worth an extra 90 minutes each way up and down the Orwell which, however pretty, gets boring after you've done it for a while...
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Better have deep pockets!

http://www.shotleymarina.com/mooring-charges/
 
Cotillion said:
I've been in the Walton Backwaters since 2000. It's a good jump off place as both the the Stour and Orwell are a day sail away for a small boat. For a longer weekend a passage down the coast to the Colne or Blackwater. I'm guessing you don't draw very much so the Deben and Ore aren't going to give you too much of a problem.
Halls Boatyard (01255 675596) and Bendalls have swinging moorings though not sure of availability. You would however need to get a tender to get you out to the boat which you could store at Titchmarsh for a price.
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Too far to travel from your home.
 
Thanks everyone for the comments and the wise advice (been away so slow replying). Think I am definitely look ing at Suffolk as I think it is an easier journey and I am often the Ipswich end of the A14 for work so might be able to hop off at the end of the day. Whilst I have considered swinging moorings for a number of reasons I want to be in a marina. Agree with posters that say Foxes is too far up river and MDL not much better (and wow the price!) which effectively leaves me Shotley and SYH i think.
Both are pretty much the same travel time (SYH probably marginally closer), Shotley has places and I am waiting to here back from SYH but they think they should be able to fit a 20 footer in.
Shotley is better located in terms of going out to sea or up the Stour by a couple of miles but unless I am missing something (and maybe I am with add ons I haven't spotted in terms of price) is about 20% more expensive than SYH.
So provided both have spaces a close run thing, so I am going to pop along to both and have a wander and chat to people there and decide based on feel of the places.......if all else fails I will toss a coin!!
Thanks everyone will let you know what I decide, see you out there!
 
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