A Personal Guide to Polish Waters
Nicholas Hill
Gorki Zachodnie
Gorki is set on one of the outlets of the Vistula River (Wisla). It offers excellent local sailing and plenty of places to find a berth at low cost. There are cranes for lift out. Winter storage is available. Local mechanics can deal with the more basic repairs. There are reasonable restaurants at some of the yacht clubs. Its drawback is that it is a long way from any shops or other similar facilities, although there are buses into the city.
Although the entrance to the river is low lying and not very obvious, the approach can be made using the very conspicuously marked channel to Port Polnocny (Gdansk's commercial port; an artificial harbour constructed behind great breakwaters). This has some very large green markers, visible for some miles. You cross the channel at right angles about two miles before the harbour entrance.
The harbour mouth faces just west of north, and is well marked by two lights at the end of the breakwaters: Fl(2)G 5s 9m 6M and Fl(2) R 5s 11m 6M. The breakwaters are obviously new and considerably increase the shelter within.
As well as the lights on the breakwater, there are several channel markers which are also lit. The channel narrows down to about a cable's width, with a depth of 4m, before opening up again. Be wary in the river, however: there are shoals which are not obvious.
The entrance can be rough with onshore winds, and lies in the corner of a bay. Be cautious in these conditions if it is your first time. Gdansk may be a better option here.
berthing and facilities
There are several yachtclubs down the river, with varying facilities, as well as the new National Sailing Centre, opened in 2006.
The Sailing Centre is effectively a marina, with facilities to match. It has pontoons with water and electricity (with marina type sockets), and there are good showers and loos. There is also a bar, restaurant, and some hotel rooms.
However, there are three other yacht clubs, one adjacent to the Sailing Centre, and the other two a little further down. These are cheaper, and, perhaps, more basic.
The great drawback to Gorki is its remoteness - there are no local shops at all. The bus is about a kilometre walk. The peace and quiet that is its greatest attraction comes at a price. Also beware mosquitoes - they obviously breed in the reeds which flank the river, and are quite voracious
charts:
BA 2688 - Zatoka Gdanska.
Google Earth
Resolution is, however, rather poor.
The entrance, taken from the beach, in an onshore Force 6/7.
The marina at the Sailing Centre.
Marina clubhouse
An evening view
All photographs copyright CNH/COH. Please ask if you wish to use them and please acknowledge the source.