Yacht Charter Ipswich

Yacht Charter Ipswich

The Suffolk coast port of Ipswich sits on the River Orwell, and is an excellent place for a yacht hire on the UK east coast.

The market town has long been an important trading port, though today most international sea trade is out of neighbouring Harwich and Felixstowe at the mouth of the Stour and Orwell estuaries

On your Ipswich yacht charter you will soon find things do to in Ipswich with its excellent shopping and surprisingly good nightlife. Though not full of yachties like many south coast yachting centres of Poole or Southampton, you will encounter good pubs, restaurants and shopping before heading out on your sailing Vacation

Explore Ipswich By Renting A Yacht

Though important for its position facing Germany and the Netherlands across the North Sea from the Suffolk coast, a sailing vacation out of Ipswich is about quiet backwaters.

As well as its container port that rivals Southampton in terms of annual trade tonnage, nearby Felixstowe has a vacation resort that is a quaint but quiet place to visit at most times of year outside of the summer vacations. Navigating the entrance of the Stour estuary on a small catamaran or motor yacht can be interesting with the huge ships in the channel - you do need eyes at the back of your head at times!

Mudflats and saltmarshes are often what you will encounter. A boat that sits well on the mud is essential, which is why catamarans and bilge keelers are so popular locally. The old HMS Ganges Royal Navy training center in Shotley is worth a pause, with its great views of the two seaports to the east. Clacton on Sea to the south and Woodbridge on the River Deben worthy of a day sail to explore too.

How To Get To Ipswich

Car: On the A12 dual carriageway, Ipswich is around 90 minutes north of London.

Train: Ipswich is around 90 minutes from London Liverpool St station.

Air: Stanstead Airport is the UK's third most important airport, and is around an hour from Ipswich.

Sea: Harwich ferryport has good road and railway links to Ipswich and has ferries running to the Netherlands and Germany.

Marinas In Ipswich

There are two major marinas in Ipswich that are home to boat charter fleets for your east coast yacht charter. You can bareboat charter or take a captained yacht charter on a catamaran, monohull sailing yacht or motor yacht out to the North Sea and Suffolk coast. They both have excellent marina facilities. In addition there is capacity for superyachtmooring in the main port of Ipswich too.

Ipswich Yacht Haven

Berth Characteristics:

320 berths

Max Length 20m (65.6 Feet)

Max Draught: 2m (6.5 Feet)

List additional services: Shore power, water, laundry, WiFi, restaurants and bars, supermarket (nearby), boatyard, boathoist, chandlery, fuel

Neptune Marina

Berth Characteristics:

150 berths

Max Length 25m (82 Feet)

Max Draught: 2.5m (8.2 Feet)

List additional services: Shore power, water, laundry, WiFi, restaurants and bars, supermarket (nearby), boatyard, boathoist, chandlery, fuel

Suggested Sailing Routes From Ipswich

Where would you like to go on an Ipswich yacht charter? Many sailors are happy just to stay within a few miles, such are the delights to be had of the local waters. Woodbridge on the River Deben and the Shotley Peninsula are all within a short day sail. Further afield the Thames Estuary and even London are within reach of a two week boat charter. Whether on a captained charter or bareboat charter, on your luxury yacht charter sailing vacation the choice is yours.

Suffolk coast - 7 days: On a seven day trip around the Suffolk coast you can explore the backwaters of this intriguing county. At the mouth of the River Stour is the vacation town of Felixstowe, perhaps with a pause at Shotley for lunch. Another seaside town - Clacton on Sea has moorings just inshore. Crossing the heavy sea lanes north up to the River Deben you can visit Woodbridge with its excellent pubs. Returning, perhaps head down the beautiful River Stour and spend the evening in the quiet market town of Manningtree before returning to Ipswich.

Best Times To Rent A Yacht In Ipswich

The sailing season runs from late April to mid September on the UK East Coast, though you will see hardier types afloat throughout the year. Unlike the Solent, it never gets frantic on the water around the Suffolk coast though it is a popular place for boat owners to keep their craft. An east coast yacht charter can be done at any time through the year and you can expect a place to eat at a pub and a mooring without having to book too early or plan too far ahead.

Sailing Weather In Ipswich

April and May: Westerlies prevail but you will often find warm days with brisk sailing conditions of a F4-5. Gales will come through earlier in the year. This is Britain - expect rain!

June-August: In June there will be southerly and westerly gales at times but these tend to die out in July and August with the Azores High moving north and providing settled conditions and light easterlies. Expect temperatures in the high 20s C range with the odd few days at 30C plus. As ever, keep your oilies to hand as even in the height of summer things can change.

September-October: Grey skies and gales start to return. While often in the high teens Celsius in September with some great sailing conditions, the westerly procession of lows start coming up the English Channel and things can get a little uncomfortable by early October.