Weekends Away on s.b. REMINDER (1929)

"Reminder" offers you the chance to cruise back in time to an unhurried world governed by wind and tides. Leave the pressures of modern life ashore as you relax and explore the "secret waters" of the East Coast. Visit quiet anchorages and historic riverside villages, enjoy the abundant wildlife and stunning sunsets.

Topsail Charters - Thames Sailing Barges on the East Coast

Imagine summer evenings up on deck watching the sunset with a cold drink in hand; chill out and chat in the saloon; play board games and cards or make music - why not bring an instrument? Children love crabbing, beach combing or playing cricket behind the sea wall. You'll see that there is something special for everyone. Our friendly crew are committed to making your voyage an unforgettable experience.

Self-cater or take a break from the stove and let our cook prepare delicious fresh food onboard for you and your guests.

GROUP HIRE PRICES (max 12 guests)

Prices	self-cater mid-week low season	catered mid-week low season	self-cater high season and weekends	catered high season and weekends
DAY SAIL	£70	£80	£75	£90
2 DAYS	£170	£195	£180	£210
3 DAYS	£215	£265	£240	£285

Our High Season is May 22 to Sept 12
Prices shown are per person (minimum 8 guests)
50% discount on places 11 and 12 !

Each day thereafter £595 self-catered, £790 fully catered. Catering starts from breakfast on the day of sailing.

Self-catering groups need to feed the sailing crew of two

WEEKEND FROM MALDON

Maldon is rich in maritime history and home to the largest fleet of working barges in the country. Join us on Friday evening at the Quay. You can choose to eat ashore or have dinner on board - the Queens Head, drinking place for barge men since the 19th century is a stone's throw away.

Depending on tides, we may leave the Quay late on Friday night and drop down river to Osea Island or depart from Maldon on Saturday morning. Once past Osea the River Blackwater widens out and we sail past West Mersea, a fishing village famous for its native oysters. On the south shore you'll see the isolated 9th century chapel of St Peters on the Wall at Bradwell. We arrive in the River Colne and may anchor off Bightlingsea for the night and shore visit or sail up the Colne to Wivenhoe, a very attractive riverside village. On Sunday we head back to Maldon, arrival time dictated by the tides.

WEEKEND FROM MISTLEY

Reminder was built at Mistley, on the River Stour in Essex, close to the delightful riverside town of Manningtree. We take the tide down river past Wrabness Beach and Erwarton into the bustling harbour of Harwich. Turning East we could find a quiet night anchorage in the Walton Backwaters (Arthur Ransome's "Secret waters") or head west into the River Orwell to Pin Mill, one of the most picturesque spots on the East Coast.

SPECIAL INTEREST CRUISES

Build your perfect weekend with specialist options

BARGE RACES

The five annual barge races are, for the crews, the highlight of the sailing season and provide the sight of up to 18 barges sailing together in serious competition. Ideally join the day before racing to tune up and sail back to home port the day after. Ask for race dates.

"BIRDING"

The East Coast rivers are internationally recognised for their wintering bird population.

In April and October the barge provides a comfortable and warm base with access to creeks and rivers full of wildfowl and waders, while divers, grebes, owls, raptors and migrants add variety to the scene. Explore ashore and enjoying your birding from dawn to dusk.

ART & PHOTOGRAPHY

Whatever your medium the barge offers an unusual viewpoint full of unique images - the barge's jumble of gear and rigging, East Anglian skies with their wide horizons, a verity of local boats under sail and at anchor, villages with charachterful waterfronts.

WALKING/SAILING CRUISES

Discover the coast from a new perspective - by water and footpath. Lonely sea walls, misty marshes, quiet waterside villages - all are part of the unexpected appeal of this little- explored area. While wind and tide dictate the itinerary, there is a wide variety of places to visit with walks to suit everyone, followed by a restful evening back on board at a tranquil anchorage.