Sharing their onboard experiences and top tips
We've partnered up with experienced mariner Steve and new-to-sailing Inga whoare exploring the coast on their Dolphin 31, Jasper. While travelling, Inga and Steve are sharing their experiences and providing top tips for fellow boaters.
Their second blog provides some great tips about cruising round the East Coast, specifically around the scenic River Crouch. If you missed their first blog about UK staycation tips, you can read it here. And check back soon for their next installment.
"I spent most of my days in Fambridge sailing the River Crouch. I felt that it's a very easy and beginner friendly river to sail and explore the beautiful Essex countryside."
Our base
Based in the rural North Fambridge village, tucked away in the beautiful River Crouch on the East Coast of England, we're excited to have Fambridge Yacht Haven as our base. I felt that my boat was in safe hands, secure, and looked after by the friendly and knowledgeable marina staff during the COVID-19 lockdown when access to the marina was limited due to Government rules. The marina is based in the peaceful countryside and is surrounded by marshes and farmland. It is very sheltered, even during the storms, I knew that my boat Jasper is protected.
The perfect place for beginner sailing
When the restrictions were lifted, I spent most of my days in Fambridge sailing the River Crouch. I felt that it's a very easy and beginner friendly river to sail and explore the beautiful Essex countryside. The river is wide enough to get a few tacks and gybes, go upwind or downwind, a lovely way to end the day with a goose wing sailing watching the sunset.
There are a variety of places to visit on the River Crouch. The wind direction can either make the sailing straightforward downwind or keep you active while doing short tacks. Only a few hours will take you to Burnham on Crouch where there is a choice of pubs and restaurants to pick from that can be followed by a stroll along the Saltmarsh coastal trail through the country park.
Wallasea Island
Opposite you have Wallasea Island, Wallasea’s RSPB Reserve boasts a stunning seawall walk and landscape of marshland, lagoons, ditches, and sea. The bird sanctuary with unique bird breeds looked after by Essex Wildlife Trust is a highly recommended place to visit. If you are just out for a day sail, drop an anchor at Cliff Reach, appreciate the scenery and take a swim just beware of the strong tide. The evening sail back to Fambridge Yacht Haven always provides an amazing sunset.
Cruising to the River Roach
So far my most favourite day trip, which I always enjoyed while based in Fambridge Yacht Haven, was leaving the marina at HW in the morning with the outgoing tide and sailing to the unspoiled River Roach. It has several beautiful channels and creeks. Yokesfleet Creek and Potton Point are known for the seal colony, which are remarkable for their ruddy colouring, caused by iron deposits in the mud. At low tide, seals relax on the mudbanks, and this is the best time to see them. Drop the anchor, have your lunch, enjoy the nature and tranquility of the surroundings. Seals may well slide off the mud and swim over to investigate you.
One of my favourite places on the East Coast
I found Fambridge perfectly located for east coast cruising. Weekend trips exploring further afield require some tidal planning and navigational skills but good practice. Heading to the River Blackwater to visit the picturesque and peaceful Tollesbury that still lives in the 20th century is a great escape from the busy life. Located at the end of the Woodrolfe Creek and is best to enter just before high-water as the creek is shallow and the marina has a sill restricting access. Opposite, there is a Bradwell Marina that has a nice pub and long seawall walks. Mersea Island is famous for its water sport activities and sailing Regatta which has been running for over 170 years. Mersea has a distinctive feeling about it and is well known for fresh native oysters that can be bought at the local market and it's one of my favourite places on the East Coast of England.
River Orwell
A longer weekend break to the River Orwell could lead you to the historic town of Ipswich that is inviting you to explore one of England's oldest towns and is known for its maritime history. Ipswich offers many waterfront restaurants, galleries, and shops. Suffolk Yacht Harbour on the River Orwell has a lightship that has been converted into the Lightship Restaurant offering a wide range of quality food and drinks.
The East coast of England has many beautiful places to visit and you could spend the entire summer exploring all of the creeks and rivers on your boat.
All of these and more places are easily accessible from Fambridge Yacht Haven. With active yacht clubs based at Fambridge there are plenty of social events and cruising opportunities to be found.
If you would like to hear more about our sailing adventures, follow Jasper Sailing Adventures and give us a like. Find us on Facebook and Instagram, or check out our little website jaspersailingadventures.com.
Alternatively, keep an eye on the Yacht Havens news page for our next instalment!
- Steve & Inga, Jasper Sailing Adventures
