Burnham fleet

The Burnham 707 fleet numbers are rapidly increasing and currently stands at about 17 boats. There is class racing every weekend throughout the year run jointly from the Royal Corinthian and Royal Burnham Yacht Clubs. There is also a hotly contested series on Wednesday evenings throughout the summer months run by the Burnham Sailing Club.

The highlights of the year are the local regattas. Racing starts at Easter with The Royal Corinthian regatta and the now firmly established 707 Eastern Area Championship over the early May Bank Holiday weekend. The Royal Burnham Regatta takes place over the Whitsun weekend and is followed by the Phantom Trophy series run by the Royal Corinthian over 3 separate summer weekends, focusing on offshore and long distance racing. Finally the Joint Clubs Burnham Week commences the August Bank Holiday for 8 days racing.

Racing takes place in the tidal estuary of the River Crouch and the River Roach, and is always close with many mark roundings. Racing is usually in a confined area so a reliable echo sounder is recommended but it's not surprising for visitors to find their boat and sail handling improves drastically when heading flat out at 15 knots towards the shore in 25 knots of breeze!

There are several options to launch and moor your boat. Most 707 owners use one of the local yards, Rice & Coles or the Royal Corinthian to crane in their 707 - This has to be done within 1-2 hours of high water, depending on the tidal range. Swinging moorings adjacent to the yacht clubs are available from Priors, Rice & Coles and the Royal Corinthian YC at very reasonable rates. At the weekends the yacht clubs run a launch service to the moorings to members and visitors.

Burnham Yacht Harbour is slightly up river from the town, and can offer a berth, extensive parking and ashore storage. They operate a travel hoist, which is more expensive but can operate at most states of the tide. For those who launch with a cradle, it also has a good slipway accessible at all times of the day but must be used 2 hours either side of high water.

The Burnham after sailing social scene is legendary. All the clubs and pubs and eateries are within 100 yards of your boat so you will never be far from sharing a beer with another 707'er.

Vistors information

The town of Burnham (and 4 yacht clubs and 12 pubs) lies at the southern end of the sleepy Dengie peninsula in Essex about 30miles east of the M25. If you are coming from the south coast the best way is M25, A13, A130 and than the B1010. When you run out of road you are in Burnham. It is 3 & 1/4 hrs driving on a good run from the Hamble. From London it is a 1 hour train journey direct to Burnham from Liverpool Street.

Many of the pubs have rooms, the oldest, biggest and most convienent being The White Harte on the Quay where John Lewis (owner of the 707 Baby Beluga) will feed, accomodate and quench your thirst with a fine selection of local brews.

The Royal Corinthian and Royal Burnham may also have rooms available.

Useful phone numbers

For more information, contact either yacht club, or class captain Angus Kennedy .