who owns suffolk yacht harbour

Suffolk Yacht Harbour

The leading independent marina on the east coast, Suffolk Yacht Harbour (SYH) is a hub for cruising, racing and boat maintenance.  As well as multi-faceted workshops, two chandleries and eleven marine businesses onsite, SYH has the largest hoist capacity from Bridlington in Yorkshire to the Solent.  Based in Levington, on the River Orwell in Suffolk, SYH offers a friendly ‘one-stop-shop’ for all your boating needs.

Suffolk Yacht Harbour Levington Ipswich Suffolk IP10 0LN United Kingdom

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Suffolk Yacht Harbour

Suffolk Yacht Harbour is the east coast's leading independent marina with 550 berths and additional swinging moorings, which are accessible at all states of the tide. Berth holders and visitors are able to enjoy world class facilities including newly renovated showers and unique lightship yacht club and pub.

With a 75 tonne boat hoist, maintenance and refit workshop and chandlery facilities, Suffolk Yacht Harbour is well equipped to cater for your boating needs.  Also onsite at the harbour are 11 marine businesses offering top-class sail-making, rigging services, marine electronics, a sailing school, marine surveyor, brokerage and new boat sales and engineering. The harbour is a complete one stop shop  attracting boat owners from the east coast and further afield.

• Boat Care / Valeting
• Boat Charter / Hire
• Boat hoist / Lift out
• Boat Sales / Broker
• Boat storage
• Business Facilities
• Car Parking
• Convenience Store
• Electricity to Berths
• Fuel Dock (Diesel)
• Fuel Dock (Petrol)
• Launderette
• Marine Electronic Services
• Marine engineering trades
• Rigging Services
• Sail maker / Repairer
• Toilets & Showers (individual en-suite style facilities)
• Water to Berths

Suffolk Yacht Harbour Levington Ipswich IP10 0ln Suffolk, England United Kingdom

+44 (0)1473 659465 [email protected] http://www.syharbour.co.uk

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Classic regatta.

01473 659465    |    [email protected]

• Jun 22, 2022

Suffolk Yacht Harbour Celebrates 20 Years of Classic Yacht Racing

Suffolk Yacht Harbour (SYH) welcomed 50 classic sailing and motor yachts to its annual Classic Regatta in June this year. Celebrating its 20th anniversary, the regatta delivered its popular mix of quality racing and a lively social scene ashore.

Entries this year included sailors who have competed in all 20 of the SYH Classic Regattas to date, to new yachts and owners on their first outing at the event.

Suffolk Yacht Harbour Managing Director Jonathan Dyke said, “This year was undoubtedly the best regatta yet. The weather was superb, and the race management delivered fantastic racing for all three classes. It was wonderful to see such a variety of beautifully maintained classic sail and motor yachts racing and socialising together, proving the classic yachting scene on the east coast is very much thriving.”

The sailing yacht fleet comprised a wide range of yachts from gaffers to Spirit of Tradition, International One Designs, and Stellas. The oldest yacht entered was 1898 gaff cutter and Dunkirk Little Ship Cachalot, 123 years older than the newest yacht in the fleet; the Spirit 30 Lady Elena , which launched in 2021.

The three-race series for the Fast, Slow and Stella classes saw a complete range of conditions from full sunshine, 18+ knots and very choppy seas in Race 1, to 11 knots and strong tides in Race 3.

Jonathan added, “With such a variety of yachts and a shifting forecast the trophies were all to play for. Day 1 saw the larger, heavier yachts do well in the stronger winds and bigger seas, but the lighter yachts with long overhangs had their day in less breeze on Day 2. It made for exciting racing and a fantastic spectacle on the water.”

In between the sailing yacht races on Saturday, 13 motorboats took to the stage in a Parade of Power and put on a show for their sailing counterparts. Amongst the two classes of motorboats were eight Fairey Marine boats, a WG McBryde designed twin screw motor yacht named Blade, and a 1937 Gibbs of Teddington motorboat called Ryegate .

After a fantastic day on the water on Saturday, the fleet headed back to SYH for live music, complementary cold beers, and wood-fired oven pizzas. As the sun went down over the marina, yacht owners, crew and guests shared racing stories, tales of refits and renovations, and a shared appreciation for their classic yachts.

After Race 3 on Sunday, the winners were revealed at prize giving. The regatta’s three race series and first in the Fast Class was Mark Wincer in his International One Design Whisper .

Mark commented, “It was another truly memorable regatta. Great courses and faultless organisation and management. Brilliant!”

The Slow Class was won by the 1920 Alfred Mylne yawl Gudgeon and the Stella Class was won by Andrew Gilmour in Timoa . Enderlein Sloop Thistle took home the Saffir Concours d’Elegance trophy, the Spirit Yachts “in need of a stiff drink” prize was awarded to Bonaventure , and the Stella of the Year trophy was won by Charles Dearlove in Persephone.

In the motorboats, the Classic Marine Fast Motorboat of the Year was won by Lewis Culf in Fairey Huntsman 28 Seaspray (hull number 606), and Classic Marine Slow Motorboat of the Year went to 1919 Thornycroft designed Morn . The Fairey Marine Plate went to James Johnson in Speardancer for making a 300-mile round trip to the regatta, and the French Marine Motorboat trophy was awarded to Ryegate .

The motorboat programme was organised by SYH boatyard services director Joshua Major, who said, “I think most classic boat owners would agree they have taken on a labour of love, but to have a gathering of such beautifully restored and maintained boats, all with passionate owners behind the wheel, was a special moment.”

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Restoring two 1930s motor yachts at Suffolk Yacht Harbour

Classic motor yachts, Morn and Ryegate , have been welcomed into Suffolk Yacht Harbour.

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The tranquillity of Suffolk Yacht Harbour’s marina on a crisp winter’s morning is a stark contrast to the hive of activity taking place inside their riverside workshop where two classic motor yachts, Ryegate and Morn , are currently being refitted.

Coming to the harbour from the junction of the Sharpness canal and River Severn estuary, Ryegate is a sister to a Dunkirk Little Ship and was built by H Gibbs of Teddington in 1937. Restoration work had been made to Ryegate over the years when she was purchased by her current owners after falling into disrepair in the 1990s. However, after some time laid-up ashore, her owners decided it was time to fully restore Ryegate to peak condition.

Last September, Ryegate arrived in Suffolk by road transport for her renovation. The expert team at Suffolk Yacht Harbour’s workshop on the River Orwell, led by boatyard services director Joshua Major, have been busy sanding her back to a bright mahogany, routing out all of her seams and splining the topsides in the same wood.

Watch this video from Suffolk Yacht Harbour to see exactly how splining is carried out:

With the project still underway, Ryegate is set to undergo a renewal of her gas system to meet insurance regulations and her traditional galvanised rudder and keel shoe will be removed and remanufactured. Corroded and degraded fastenings are also being replaced as part of the refit, to ensure Ryegate is authentically restored to her stunning former glory.

Keeping Ryegate company in the workshop is another classic motor yacht, Morn .

After several years moored in one of Suffolk Yacht Harbour’s 550 berths, Morn is also undergoing her own restoration after her owners decided she needed a refit to her traditional appearance. Originally built on the Thames in the 1930’s, Morn will be re-splined in Douglas fir, re-painted and all deck brightwork will be re-varnished. Once completed, Morn is set to be a classic beauty on the water.

Joshua comments, “We undertake a huge variety of refit projects in our workshop, but restoration projects on classic boats are our specialism, and our passion. We respect each boats’ heritage and every detail of every refit is carried out with the utmost care.”

With over 35 years’ experience and a reputation for traditional painting and varnishing systems, Ryegate and Morn will be in safe hands with Suffolk Yacht Harbour’s highly skilled team. As part of both restorations, the team will be applying Epifanes’ high build single pack primer followed by Epifanes’ Nautiforte to the motor yachts.

Managing director at Suffolk Yacht Harbour, Jonathan Dyke comments, “Our refurbished workshops offer a high standard of service and we are proud of our reputation for offering the very best traditional boat building and joinery skills. Suffolk Yacht Harbour’s on-site businesses allow us to provide a centre of excellence by offering services that include rigging, sail making, marine engineering at one location.

“We are also able to provide bespoke chandlery on-site from Classic Marine. To top it off, our popular Classic Regatta has been a highlight for 17 years now and we look forward to holding this year’s regatta in the summer.”

Both Ryegate and Morn will be launching from Suffolk Yacht Harbour’s marina based at Levington in early spring, and will be used for river and coastal cruising during the summer.

Entry information will be available in February for Suffolk Yacht Harbour’s popular Classic Regatta on 9 and 10 June this year (2018). A broad range of services are also available at the marina, with ten on-site businesses working alongside Suffolk Yacht Harbour to provide a one-stop shop for local and visiting yachtsman.

For more information on Suffolk Yacht Harbour’s services, visit www.syharbour.co.uk

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01473 659465

Ipswich, IP10 OLN

Suffolk Yacht Harbour: Suffolk Yacht Harbour is the East Coast’s leading independent marina, with 550 berths. Onsite facilities include new Wise 75 tonne and 15 tonne hoists, self launch slipway and hard standing, full repair and refit workshop facilities with new extended workshops and spray booths recently completed. Sail makers, yacht brokers, engineers, rigging, sea school, stainless fabricatiors, yacht surveyors and electronics all available on site.

Click on the picture to find the interactive Navionics chart

Satellite video shows final minutes of the Bayesian superyacht as it is dramatically blown by storm and disappears from radar

T he frightening final minutes of the doomed Bayesian yacht have been revealed in a new video, showing it being hit by a sudden storm then disappearing entirely from radar as it sank.

Satellite imaging video obtained by The Post from the early morning of August 19 shows the moments the $40m superyacht – which had 22 people aboard, seven of whom drowned in the tragedy – is dramatically blown off course by a freak storm off the coast of Porticello in Sicily, Italy.

The yacht is seen blown in a roughly South Eastern direction between 1:56am to 2:09am UTC, the equivalent of 3:56am to 4:09am in the local time. One other vessel, the Sir Robert Baden Powell, is in the same area and also gets flung across the sea.

The 185-foot Bayesian is spun anti-clockwise by more than 180 degrees from its starting point and moves around 300 meters (985 feet). The boat then stays in place as it sank, with its radar signal ominously disappearing at 3:09am UTC, or 5:09am local time, the video from Marinetraffic.com shows.

Describing the scene to Italian authorities, sailor Matthew Griffiths, who was on watch at the time of the sinking, said he “woke the captain up when the wind was blowing at 20 knots [and] he ordered to wake everyone else up,” according to Italian news service ANSA .

Griffiths also told investigators the ship “tilted and we fell into the water … We were then able to climb back on and we tried to rescue those we could.

“[The] boat was tilted and we were walking on the walls. We rescued those we could,” ANSA reported Griffiths saying.

A life raft was launched which carried 15 survivors from the yacht, nine members of staff and six guests, including a one-year-old baby. It was met by a smaller boat sent from the Sir Robert Baden Powell to aid in the rescue.

The Bayesian’s owner, British tech tycoon Mike Lynch, was trapped in a cabin as the ship rapidly sank and died. His daughter, Hannah, 18, also died in the accident, as well as five others: New York City lawyer Chris Morvillo and his wife Neda; Morgan Stanley Bank International chair Jonathan Bloomer and his wife, Judy; and the ship’s chef, Recaldo Thomas.

The exact cause of the sinking is not yet known and still under investigation by authorities. It has been suggested that a tornado-like waterspout, known as a “black swan” weather event, could have hit the vessel during the storm, giving the staff little time to react.

Others have suggested windows, portholes or other openings may have been broken or smashed open by the powerful waterspout, causing the yacht to sink so rapidly.

Officials are also looking into whether a downburst could have hit the yacht. Downbursts are a different type of weather event caused by powerful winds being projected downwards from a storm, which can be highly destructive, according to the BBC .

Three of the ship’s crew — Griffiths, ship engineer Tim Parker Eaton and captain James Cutfield — are currently under investigation over the wreck as authorities try and piece together what caused the ship to sink so rapidly.

However, Italian authorities have made clear being part of the investigation does not imply wrongdoing and is a required procedural step.

Lynch’s wife, Angela Bacares, survived the ordeal but has yet to speak publicly about the ordeal.

The Captain of the Sir Robert Baden Powell has also given his version of events at the time of the sinking, saying he noticed the weather deteriorating at 3am.

“When things calmed down and the storm abated somewhat … we were looking around and couldn’t see the Bayesian anymore,” captain Karsten Borner told People magazine.  

“Two passengers and two crew members saw what looked like a whale in the water and realized afterwards it was the capsized boat.

“A moment later, I saw a triangle in the sea in a split second that the sky was lit up by lightning, and that must have been the bow of the ship while sinking over the stern.”

Borner and his first mate then took the smaller boat in an attempt to help survivors.

“We first found things floating in the water like cushions and chairs and stuff. And then we saw a flickering light. This was a life raft with a light on the top. And they also waved at us with a torch.”

“So we went there, and then we found the crew and part of the passengers,” he added.

A salvage mission to raise the Bayesian from the sea bed and bring it to port in Sicily so it can be examined to find out more about its sinking is currently underway.

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• East Coast Forum

Shotley / Suffolk Yacht Harbour - Pros & Cons

• Thread starter Jokani
• Start date 27 Aug 2018
• 27 Aug 2018

Active member

I am currently spending a great year at Haven Marina Ipswich. I originally decided on the Haven as it is close to a train station and pubs/restaurants/shops for visiting family. But, I haven't used the train once, and visits from family rare, and I have only been out of the marina once (on foot) for the maritime festival. So, next year I am considering moving to a marina that is closer to the sea, and more central for weekend cruising. I'm thinking of either Shotley or Suffolk Yacht Harbour. The price for both is approximately the same, Shotley has the disadvantage that you need to lock in/out, SYH has the disadvantage that it is 20 minutes further from the sea. based on this, I think I would opt for SYH. SYH say on their website that they have a waiting list, but I'm guessing I would get in for next year. But are there any other advantages or disadvantages of either that I should take in to consideration?  

Well-known member

SYH has much easier road access. SYH has immediate entry/exit. Shotley is closer to the sea and the Stour. The lock at Shotley can be a delay at peak times, but probably not much more than 15 mins. Shotley, being locked and with 24/7 manning, is more secure. There's more to see at Shotley, with a great view over the harbour.  

PaulRainbow

I wouldn't disagree with Peter in post #2 by much. I don't think there's too much to choose in the drive down, it's only 9 miles from Foxs. Can be frustrating if you get stuck behind someone doing 20MPH, but otherwise it's a 15 minute drive through some nice countryside. I don't mind the lock, it isn't usually too much of a delay, unless you insist in coming back in at 5PM on a Sunday evening mid season. The entrance to SYH can be a bit hectic on a busy day. Benefits of the lock include the fact that it's manned 24/7 (the guys in the tower do keep a good lookout and the place has really good CCTV, so security is top notch) and it keeps the water levels fairly constant. Visit SYH/Foxs/Woolverstone at LW and imagine dragging a trolley full of gear up the ramps !! Being staffed 24/7 also means you can get fuel or a bottle of gas anytime. The staff are all really good, both in the tower and the yard. We are, of course, very close to the sea and the Stour. The one thing that really lets the place down is the lack of a decent pub/restaurant/clubhouse. If you're driving down you can at least nip to The Rose, the Red Lion at Chelmo', the Butt and Oyster or the newly re-opened Boot at Freston, but i really wish we had a good establishment onsite where all the berth holders frequented for a pint and a gossip. We do have a nice sailing club (albeit no clubhouse/bar) that organises a lot of trips throughout the season though and the vast majority of berth holders are very nice people (as i'm sure they are at SYH). All in all, i like the place :encouragement:  

Lord High Commander of Upper Broughton and Gunthor

The facilities are much better at SYH, And the local enviroment is also much better for walking etc... it’s quieter as you don’t get noise from container terminal... it’s also cleaner on the boats as you don’t get detritus from the stacks on the ships (which isn’t really a big deal...) You get better payment terms as well... the chandlery is superior, there are more services on site, the yacht club is far better than the shipwreck, and it’s a short and nice walk to one of the best pubs around... (the ship)... unlike shotley... The entrance is never a issue in bad weather... versus the lock can be a bit of a cheek clencher above f5 if the wind is up the chuff.. Don’t get me wrong... lots to like about shotley, very secure, good staff, probably more responsive in the yard... nice location... better public transport as the bus comes into the yard... on balance the time you lose going that bit further upstream is about the same as queing for the lock on a busy day... and you always seem to to need to wee when you’re in that que... plus of course your on max display when coming through the lock, being no doubt judged in your skill or lack thereof by the crowd...  

pvb said: SYH has much easier road access. SYH has immediate entry/exit. Shotley is closer to the sea and the Stour. The lock at Shotley can be a delay at peak times, but probably not much more than 15 mins. Shotley, being locked and with 24/7 manning, is more secure. There's more to see at Shotley, with a great view over the harbour. Click to expand...

Minn said: Very fair summary. I’m a customer of SYH and I haven’t had any “issues” with the marina staff there. But I have a friend of twenty years and more who moved to Shotley and will not have anything to do with the SYH marina and yard people under any circumstances, but he is very happy at Shotley. He does agree with me that the chandlery at SYH is good. Click to expand...

photodog said: plus of course your on max display when coming through the lock, being no doubt judged in your skill or lack thereof by the crowd... Click to expand...

• 28 Aug 2018

PaulRainbow said: A bit embarrassing when you're sideways in the lock and there's 500 gongoozlers watching. Click to expand...

As an infrequent visitor of both I've found them equally as nice and don't really have a favorite, pros and cons on both sides. One thing that hasnt been mentioned is that generally boats behind locks around here seem to suffer less with fouling, in which case Shotley could have the advantage?  

Many thanks for all the replies, lots of helpful information. I'll go and visit both before making the final decision.  

GaryCottam said: SYH say on their website that they have a waiting list, but I'm guessing I would get in for next year. Click to expand...

Sea_Spray said: The lock has never been an issue. Ignore the tales of huge queues to get in and out - that's very rare and whilst you may cock it up occasionally you and your crew will soon get very good at navigating locks which will always stand you in good stead. Click to expand...

Our refer a friend scheme is still in operation- If you as a resident refer a new boat to the marina (hasn’t been an existing berth holder for the last twelve months ) and they sign up and pay for a years annual mooring we will credit your account with £400.00 The same will apply if you sell your vessel and persuade the new purchaser to become a resident. Any fully paid up annual resident at Burnham can spend up to one month(free of charge) at our sister marina on the River Orwell. Shotley Marina has all the facilities you find at Burnham and is situated at the confluence of the Rivers Orwell and Stour in Harwich Bay. Click to expand...

matthewriches

I like them both although there is something to be said about heading back up the Orwell just as the sun is setting - picturesque. SYH can be quite tight depending on your vessel size.  

pvb said: I've had to wait over 30 minutes to lock in on occasions, usually summer weekends when there've been visiting boats (which for some reason like to wander up and down the entrance channel at about half a knot). I can't understand why the lock-keepers don't ask boats to make their best speed, especially at busy times, because the dawdlers coming in are also holding up boats wanting to lock out. Click to expand...

Athene V30 said: As a committed dawdler I would like to suggest to you that some boats don't handle well under astern power. I always go as fast as I must, as slow as I dare when entering locks, berthing etc. Sorry if I hold you up! Click to expand...

pvb said: You don't need astern power until you get close to the lock. The entrance channel is 400m long - at 1 knot this is 13 minutes! I always motor at around 7 knots through the channel, achieving the trip in less than 2 minutes. Click to expand...

pks1702 said: I am sure there are those here that would 'split' this referral with you :encouragement: As a berth holder at Shotley you can berth a Burnham for up to a month FOC. Click to expand...

Athene V30 said: Well done. Enjoy. I hope you always have astern power when you need it or if you don't that I am not in front of you. Click to expand...

pvb said: If you need to allow 400m to stop in, perhaps you shouldn't be berthing in marinas at all. Click to expand...

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Boatyard Services

Onsite repairs: classic & modern.

The modern workshop at SYH offers repairs and renovation work on classic and contemporary sail yachts and motor boats using the latest in marine technology.

State of the art workshop

The well-lit, ventilated workshop features specialist ‘zones’; including a 130ft long, two-part spray and preparation bay. whether it’s an awlgrip topside respray or coppercoat application, the process for all coating has been optimised, with one area for prep and one for spraying..

As well as the spray and preparation bay, a custom joinery and machine shop adjoins the workshop for the design and build of specialist woodwork and shipwright components.

The workshop also includes a dedicated area with the specific environment and ideal temperature for maintenance work on classic yachts.

The workshop area also includes specialist flash-proof and eco-friendly LED lighting, as well as heating, extraction and ventilation with full climate control.

Lead by SYH Managing Director Joshua Major

The workshop team at SYH has over fifty years’ experience working with classic and GRP boats. Whether it is a minor repair or a full refit, SYH offers project management services throughout.

To enquire about any of the services below please contact SYH Managing Director:

Joshua Major [email protected] 01473 659 240

Wooden boats, syh is a hub for classic yachts on the east coast. with the classic marine chandlery onsite and the annual classic regatta, syh also has an extensive portfolio of classic boat refits and maintenance projects..

• SYH traditional boat-building skills include:
• Structural repairs
• Teak deck laying and refurbishment
• Painting and varnishing
• Mast, spar and boom construction in Douglas fir and spruce
• Teak gratings
• SYH also offers detailing for classic boats, including gold leafing, hand carving and hand painting.

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