Where to launch in Essex or Kent.

Marcusredford · 19 September 2014, 19:16

Hi. Apart from childhood fun and memories, I am buying a sib and this will be my first time as an owner.
It is likely to be a 40 on a 5m sib.

I have 2 young kids who I want to get gradually used to the boat

I will have a trailer which I can use to launch and I would like some advise on where I can launch the boat into quiet water so I can initially test the boat and get accustomed. After that I want to go somewhere more interesting.

I am south Essex/ north east London.

Thanks in advance.

Harrys Game · 20 September 2014, 00:22

Marcus, I do not know about south Essex but a short trip through the pipe will take you to the A2 and 15 minutes down the road will get you to the Medway. Launch at Gillingham Pier (if the Harbour Master catches you £15) that gives you a trip upstream or down in relatively sheltered waters no matter whats going on. In fact even if its blowing a hooligan you can always find somewhare to hide up. The pier launching window is about two and half hours either side of high water so you should get a bit of time to have a run round. Parking is not a problem.Regards Jim

Marcusredford · 20 September 2014, 07:58

Hi Jim. Thanks for the advise, I'll give that a go.

Fenlander · 20 September 2014, 10:10

I don't know how far north in Essex you would go but we are very keen on the facilities at Mersea Island. A combination of firm surface slipway at 90% of tide states (no charges either), good pontoon once launched, toilets/wash facilities, chandlers, cafes/pubs etc.

Have a look at this thread I contributed to particularly my report and images on page 2...

http://www.rib.net/forum/f50/launchi...a-52571-2.html

Marcusredford · 22 September 2014, 13:02

Thanks for that, and I reviewed that other thread. In addition have you got any feedback of launching from brad well on sea?

Thanks

9D280 · 22 September 2014, 13:11

Can't help with Bradwell, but on one of the corners of the Road to Bradwell is a road to "Stone" - It s the usual couple of hours either side, but is one of the few palces tou can launch a (sailing) dinghy at all stated of the tide. Admittedly at low tide you are ankle deep in mud, but it's bnetter than the usual waist deep normality of the area!

Also there is (was?) a good pub right by the launch site.

Double check nothing has changed - it's been a good 9 years since I last clapped eyes on the beach there!

Smithyyy · 22 September 2014, 21:13

Have used a few in Kent:
- Gillingham Pier, as above, easy to use but tide limited ( our first trip in our rib was from here, took advice from the old boy collecting the money when we needed to be back by, got back 1/2 hr earlier to find nothing but mud, a night in the marina and get her back the next day followed....?)
- Herne Bay is a nice slip, good wide hard surface, all tide or pretty near, launch into sheltered harbour, cheap parking
- Queensborough, Isle of Sheppey - long narrow slip but ok for all but the very bottom of the tide, seems to be free, pub at top, car parking but we've only used it low season, not sure what it would be like in the summer peak

Hope that helps

geoff · 24 September 2014, 10:19

Have a look at
Boatlaunch.co.uk Home Page

ppenman · 24 September 2014, 21:43

I would suggest Burnham Yacht Harbour in Burnham on Crouch.

Marcusredford · 24 September 2014, 21:44

Thanks for the suggestion of burnham. Is it a decent slip to launch from ?

Bern Hanreck · 24 September 2014, 22:05

Marcus , Burnham slip is very good but very muddy at low tide .
Nice restaurant , chandlers and usually no problem parking .
£10 to launch & recover same day . Regards.....Bern

Marcusredford · 22 May 2015, 23:17

Has anyone launched on the Thames slipway near city airport? Any comments on it? Thanks

Bern Hanreck · 23 May 2015, 06:43

Marcus , you are probably referring to the Bargehouse Causeway slip ( which appears on the Boatlaunch Site already referred to by Geoff ) .

This is probably not a slip for beginners ( with young children especially ) . I would suggest that this slip is only of use at slack high tide , using a 4X4 .

Gallions point Marina , a few hundred yards away has it's own slip , from which you can lock in and out of the Thames except low water +/- 1 hour . ( Assuming of course Marina is open ! It is not 24/7) .

The Tidal Thames may not be the best place to practice your new interest with a young family . With tides of over 7 metres , fast flowing at times and various other fast craft about , I would give it a miss unless I was in the company of other ribs/sibs , and knew exactly what I was doing .

Regards & Safe Sibbing........ Bern

Marcusredford · 23 May 2015, 07:30

Thanks Bern, didn't think that the marina had a slipway so that's a great suggestion.
I launched last time from bradwell in Essex and it was easier than I anticipated so looking to get to some other places and the Thames in only 30min away.

Are you local?

Bern Hanreck · 23 May 2015, 08:06

Marcus, Hornchurch ! I used to work at the University ( UEL ) just across the Dock from the Thames and used the Bargehouse slip quite a few times .

Marcusredford · 23 May 2015, 08:08

Ah that's good to know. Where do you tend to launch and spend time ribbing? I'm in Loughton.

Bern Hanreck · 23 May 2015, 09:24

The Oban area is fabulous ! Check out the Scottish Sib Gathering thread......
Also the Easdale Rib Rendevous . Next best is Pembrokeshire . They involve towing 500 miles plus and almost 300 respectively . Failing that it's Burnham on Crouch or the Thames .

Portholme · 25 May 2015, 08:43

Hi

We are based at Brightlingsea which you can launch at all states of the tide. You can get the park and ride tractor to put you in for a few quid. Other than that Burnham is a great slip with facilities and parking.