Yachting and Boating World forums: Brightlingsea

As you enter the Quarters, call up YC1 on 37 and ask for a mooring. Tell them your size. If there is a Club mooring free Jeff or Steve will tell you where to go. Any Club mooring will be free for an overnight. If you go into Salcott (where TG lies) you will find ample water at any state of the tide. I have 5ft under me at low water Springs right at the top of Salcott. An overnight in Salcott is wonderful if you like peace and serenity. Plus the added advantage of some interesting bird life if you like that sort of thing.

Disadvantage is the distance from the Jetty but the Club launch will collect you and deliver you back between 8.30am and 6.30pm at weekends (5.30pm weekdays). This service is free to non-members (but Jeff, Steve or James appreciate a little 'pour boire') 6.30pm is the time they leave the launch(s) on their mooring so don't expect them to be pleased for a call to go back to the top of Salcott at 6.15pm! The round trip to the top of Salcott at low water can take 40 minutes so whilst the launch service is excellent, it is inevitable that it isn't instantaneous. But its free to visitors.

We run at least two launches at weekends although appreciate that there is only one at staggered lunch breaks. Sometimes there is three launches with Peter Clarke's Boatyard adding a third. If there is a group, it is not unknown for Jeff or Steve to agree to do a special evening trip (for a consideration). But that's a private agreement.

Besides Salcott Creek there are two other main creeks for mooring - Ray and Mersea Fleet. Neither is as generous as Salcott for water but there is generally some room and all the central moorings have enough water. Again call YC1. Don't expect to be able to pick up a mooring close to the Jetty. This area is known as the 'minefield' which name you will understand when you get close. These are lighter moorings for ribs, dories etc and there isn't much room.

Ashore, have a drink in the Yacht Club while waiting your slot at the Company Shed. V. nice on the lawn if the sun is out. I'm not sure what the food is like right at the moment as we are in a changing chef period! There is also the Oyster Bar further up the road in front of the Victory Pub which is quite good and does some beer (the Mersea Brewery Ales I think and some wines). It will be busy at weekends. On the way there you will have passed the Coast Inn which is a more traditional restuarant and pretty good. Haven't been in the Victory for a while so can't comment.