Where to base for a week?

[Impaler]

Hello all,
I am planning to tow my Shrimper to Essex from Aberdeenshire for a week's pottering in the summer. I sailed those waters as a teenager in the 60s, I guess things have changed.
What I would like is advice as to where to base my car and trailer. I'll need a decent easy slip and car storage and preferably fairly central for the Essex estuaries. Thought of Levington or Titchmarsh.
Access to decent beer is a must!
Any suggestions gratefully received.
Thanks,

David.

 

[Habebty]

Levington is a good place to launch, what about Brightlingsea?. However, the Orwell and Stour give you good sheltered range if the weather is a bit pants in the Estuary.
I would recommend half your time in the Orwell and Stour then drop down to the Blackwater. It's about a 4 hour sail back from Bradwell to Harwich depending on tide in the Wallet. But you should carry the ebb back north.

 

[Lucky Duck]

Are you looking for somewhere to launch, leave the car and trailer for a week and then return a week later or a place to sail from on day sails?

Both would be fine for the former (though I would expect Levington to be the easier drive) but for the latter they are both distance from 'civilisation' so if you want a change from the on site offering its a long walk or drive to go somewhere else.

 

[Marmalade]

Having been based at both "ends" I'd recommend the Suffolk rivers (even though I'm an Essex lad). Levington, Woolverstone or Shotley give access to the Orwell and Stour with easy sails to the Walton Backwaters, north to the Deben and Ore or south to the Blackwater, Colne and Crouch.

I'm biased as we're based there, but Shotley is the best base to sail from in terms of access to all these. And whatever people say about the Shipwreck - the beer's excellent.

 

[Stork_III]

Having been based at both "ends" I'd recommend the Suffolk rivers (even though I'm an Essex lad). Levington, Woolverstone or Shotley give access to the Orwell and Stour with easy sails to the Walton Backwaters, north to the Deben and Ore or south to the Blackwater, Colne and Crouch.

I'm biased as we're based there, but Shotley is the best base to sail from in terms of access to all these. And whatever people say about the Shipwreck - the beer's excellent.

No Slip at Shotley. Woolverstone would suit.

 

[DavidofMersea]

What about West Mersea? We have a big free hard for launching. It is not clear to me whether you want to leave your car somewhere for a week, or whether you want to launch each day. If you come to West Mersea, and want to leave your car for a week, I have plenty of space and your are welcome to leave your car in my garden

 

[Cantata]

In just a week, unless you are going to do a lot of sailing, you aren't going to get to see a lot of the East Coast. You could easily spend a week just in the Blackwater and Colne by basing yourself at West Mersea.

 

[Impaler]

Thanks for all the advice and offers of help chaps, I want to dump the car and trailer for the week. I must admit I was thinking of the Orwell, Stour area. I'll give Levington and Woolverstone a shout. I think Mersea may be a bit far as I don't plan ever to be in a hurry.

 

[DavidofMersea]

Thanks for all the advice and offers of help chaps, I want to dump the car and trailer for the week. I must admit I was thinking of the Orwell, Stour area. I'll give Levington and Woolverstone a shout. I think Mersea may be a bit far as I don't plan ever to be in a hurry.

"Mersea a bit far"? !!!!! If you are coming from NE Scotland, Mersea according to Google is 4 miles further than Woolverstone, and there is more to see in the Blackwater/Colne area

 

[Corribee Boy]

"Mersea a bit far"? !!!!! If you are coming from NE Scotland Mersea is perhaps 20 miles further than Levington and Woolverstone, and there is more to see in the Blackwater/Colne area

Even as someone based on the Stour I've got to agree with David - and they're only a couple of hours passage apart if you ever got bored.

(Remind me closer to the time if you need a mooring on the Stour at Wrabness)

 

[sailorman]

Levington is a good place to launch, what about Brightlingsea?. However, the Orwell and Stour give you good sheltered range if the weather is a bit pants in the Estuary.
I would recommend half your time in the Orwell and Stour then drop down to the Blackwater. It's about a 4 hour sail back from Bradwell to Harwich depending on tide in the Wallet. But you should carry the ebb back north.

Best done on neap tides for more user / sleep friendly tide times

 

[Impaler]

Oops, should have taken a better look at the chart! Point taken. I only have a small week and there's so much to see. I'll see how the wind and beer take me, many thanks for the offer Corribee Boy, I may take you up on that!