Thames Estuary
The extensive waters of the Thames Estuary divide into several attractive sailing areas. In strictly unbiased alphabetical order, here are some notes on:
Burnham is a friendly little town in East Essex. It is two miles from the mouth of the Crouch where the river opens up to the North Sea. The seafront is very picturesque and has five sailing clubs sharing the view across the river. You can sit and watch boats sailing up the river to Brandy Hole or down river to start their journey to Holland, France or up the East Coast to Harwich and beyond.
The swinging moorings are good and there is a fine Marina. The racing is competitive and the annual Burnham Week regatta attracts large numbers of yachts from near and far. However, you don't need to race to enjoy Burnham, there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy a gentle cruise.
There is always plenty of water to sail in at all states of the tide, with five floating pontoons for easy access. There are some good boatyards for repairs, and chandlers that can supply every need for yacht equipment. Burnham is served by rail, direct line to Liverpool Street station in London, taking about one hour.
The Medway
If you would like more information then please don't hesitate to contact me, Mike Harrison. You can also get more information from the Medway Yacht Club web site.
We race under the burgee of The Medway Yacht Club at Upnor. The club has excellent facilities including a spacious clubhouse with bar and restaurant and the club operates a free trot boat service. The club also has regular social functions.
There are currently 35 boats in the Medway Fleet and we normally can expect 16/17 or them to compete on a regular basis. Racing takes place mainly on Saturday afternoons although we do compete in various other competitions.
The Sonata is a sponsored class at Medway and every attempt will be made to find new owners joining the fleet a mooring.
MYC was the venue for the Class Silver Jubilee Nationals in 2001.
West Mersea
For more information, contact Roger Sydenham 01206-384619 or visit the Dabchicks’ web site
Time was when I agreed with the popular, and the guide book verdict, that the Orwell is the finest estuary in these parts; but now I know better. I unhesitatingly give the palm to the Blackwater. It is a noble stream, a true arm of the sea; its moods are more various, its banks wilder, and its atmospheric effects much grander. The season for cruising on the Blackwater is September, when the village regattas take place and the sunrises over leagues of marsh are made wonderful by strange mists.
Arnold Bennett; The Log of the Velsa
As the author Arnold Bennett knew well, the wide waters of the Blackwater estuary are some of the best sailing waters in the country. The Dabchicks Sailing Club is located in West Mersea, and it's a friendly club with a keen racing fraternity. The Club runs races every Sunday morning from Easter to November and also a very popular series of Friday evening races in the Summer. Several races are run jointly with the nearby West Mersea Yacht Club, so there is plenty of variety. You can also sail to major regattas at Felixstowe, Burnham-on-Crouch, Medway or Ramsgate or try the slightly more relaxed ambiance of the annual Mersea Week.
If cruising is your thing, then you can potter up the coast to explore the Stour, Orwell and Deben or down to the Crouch and the Medway. France, Belgium and Holland are within reach for the brave.