Suffolk

Welcome to the Suffolk Section

The Suffolk Section exists to bring together CA members who sail in Suffolk waters from time to time, who keep their boats in Suffolk or just have an interest in the region. Not all are able to attend meetings, but enjoy keeping in touch. It is a social section with a programme based around monthly meetings over the winter period when talks are arranged.

The Suffolk Area

Home waters begin in the south with the River Stour, beloved of the painters Constable and Gainsborough. The River Orwell offers good sailing in beautiful surroundings and flows past the yachting village of Pin Mill made famous by authors Arthur Ransome and Maurice Griffiths, among others.

An easy day’s sail north lies the River Deben, considered by many to be the loveliest of the Suffolk (and English) rivers, although the River Ore/Alde has an appeal of its own as it flows for 11 miles past Orford and the wild shingle of Orfordness.

Further north are the ports of Southwold and Lowestoft. The area is relatively un-commercialised and it is easy to find a quiet anchorage away from the crowds - even in the height of summer.

Where We Meet

Meetings are held jointly with the Royal Harwich Yacht Club at their Woolverstone clubhouse on the banks of the River Orwell. For our Winter Talks we meet on Saturday evenings, as well as during the day on Thursdays, and there is time to socialise and to enjoy a meal.

All day seminars are normally fully booked: they focus on a sailing destination suitable for a summer cruise from Suffolk, and include presentations on many allied topics of interest to those planning such trips.

Outings to sites of maritime or cultural interest in Suffolk and beyond include a guided tour which adds greatly to the day.

One highlight of each year is the Spring Rally held over the early May Bank Holiday weekend, based at the RHYC marina. Members of the Essex and Kent Sections, and some from further afield, usually join in.

CA members have access to a wide range of RYA courses, based at the RHYC, ashore and afloat, and the CA has negotiated a discount from the cost of many of these. You may see the details of all these courses on the Royal Harwich Yacht Club website.