The English Raid

Raid East

Dates 1- 5 August – high water midday-ish

Idea is that morning – on rising tide – is spent exploring, afternoon race back on the tide.

Typical day runs are 20 miles, which should leave enough time for exploring & relaxing.

The Programme looks as follows (as at end May)

Wednesday 1st: HW 12 noon

Launch Woolverstone between 9am and 3 pm; sail round to Shotley Marina to get sorted.

If you arrive too late to launch at Woolverstone, it is possible to drive down to Shotley and launch off the beach, then entering the marina via the lock. Probably not favourite, though.

There is all tide access in and out of Shotley.

Trailer parking available at Woolverstone; Campsite ½ mile from Shotley

Kit transported by van or own cars to campsite

Supper:  Shipwreck Bar (in Shotley Marina)

Thursday 2nd: HW 12.40

a.m.:Down Stour to Manningtree, maybe via Holbrook creek or Wrabness

Haul up on beach, packed lunch at Stour SC.

p.m.: to Harwich,  Moor at town Quay. Visit to Lightship LV18

Supper: Fish & Chips at Harwich & Dovercourt SC.

Back to Shotley Marina before dusk.

Friday 3rd: HW 13.20 – this is the day most susceptible to the weather, Plan A being:

a.m.:Early(ish) start to Walton Backwaters

Picnic lunch at Stone Point, and exploration (think Swallows & Amazons!) in afternoon

p.m.: Back to Shotley Marina,

Plan B will likely be Landguard Fort and Levington

Supper: Bristol Arms in Shotley

Saturday 4th: HW 14.00

a.m.:Up Orwell to Ipswich

Lunch at Orwell YC

p.m.: Back down to Woolverstone (haul out by 1700 for leavers) or into Royal Harwich YC marina for people sailing Sunday.

Camp moves to Woolverstone if desired (or can stay at Shotley campsite).

Walk along river to Pin Mill for

Supper: and prizegiving at Pin Mill SC

Sunday 5th:

a.m.:Breakfast @ Royal Harwich YC for campers

Free sailing

p.m.: haul out at Woolverstone

Accommodation and charging

The basic cost of the Raid this year, for those who want to camp or sleep on their own boats, is a maximum of £190 per person.  This includes launching fees, moorings Wednesday-Saturday nights inclusive, camp-site fees, rig parking, use of our minibus service, and supper, breakfasts and lunches Wednesday night to Sunday mid-day.  If you aren’t going to use all the meals, talk to us and we will make adjustments where our costs are variable.

The costs for those organising their own accommodation will be a maximum of £130 per person.  This includes everything except the camping fees and breakfasts.

I have done some squeezing and reduced the costs by £30 per head since my first estimate.

It would be handy to know now the type of accomodation you will most likely opt for, not to commit you to it, but to help with planning:

1. Camping all nights (Wednesday-Saturday at Shotley)
2. Camping Weds/Thurs/Fri at Shotley, then at Woolverstone Saturday night)
3. Living aboard own boat – if so are you likely to haul out Saturday or Sunday?
4. Arranging own accommodation