Marconi Sailing Club
Membership open to all
About Marconi Sailing Club
How to find Marconi Sailing Club from the water
For directions by road click here
Finding us from the water is easy.
To find your way into the River Blackwater we recommend you follow the directions in a pilot book such as Yachting Monthly's "East Coast Rivers" or Derek Bowskill's "East Coast: A pilot guide from Ramsgate to the Wash" published by IMRAY (ISBN:0852880928 ). These give excellent directions into the River from all approaches.
Once in the River Blackwater...
Follow the river in a south-westerly direction past Bradwell Power Station. Once past the power station keep to the south side of the river and aim for the Thirslet Spit buoy - a starboard-hand channel marker. Do not ignore this buoy especially on a falling tide as it marks the end of Thirslet Spit - where vessels regularly run aground thinking they can sail right down the middle of the channel!
Just past Thirslet you will find the moorings of our neighbouring club - Stone, followed shortly by Marconi Sailing Club's moorings. There are five rows of moorings - the outer 3 rows are afloat at all states of the tide - the others dry out. There is a single visitor's mooring right up near the clubhouse in the outermost row. All other moorings belong to club members but, subject to the usual courtesies if a boat returns, you are welcome to pick up a vacant mooring for the night. Please be aware that not all moorings have the same ground tackle and may only be designed for a much smaller boat. If you are large or heavy or are in any doubt - you may find it safer to use your own anchor just across the river in the shelter of Osea Island.
There is a strong tide in this part of the river and if you pick up a mooring that cannot take your weight you may well drag it (and you) into another vessel!
Provisions may be bought in Steeple (about a mile down the lane) where there are also two pubs. There is no trot-boat service so you will need a tender to go ashore. If you are planning to visit - please do call so we can help in any way possible.
Page last updated: 10/22/2004 8:58:47 AM