A UK Alternative to Oostende

[nigelm]

Yes I said Dover-nice day sail from Harwich or like you said head north to Lowestoft taking in Southwold on the way back?

I wouldn't mind that , been to Lowestoft a couple of times in the past before the new pontoons in outer harbour area .

Never been to southwold so that would be interesting (is there enough room for us lot ? )

Also what about the Alde ?? We've never been up there either .......

Ive got to crack on and get boat shipshape before we go anywhere but this gives me something to aim for

 

[CliveG]

Need to check with my crew but we could go to Lowestoft and go though onto Oulton Broad.
From there it is possible to get to Beccles and St Olaves with the mast up.
If you mast hight is under 7m you could get under the Haddiscoe New Cut bridge and on up to Norwich.
For those of us with a taller mast the way to Norwich would be via Great Yarmouth.
There is a viaduct on the outskirts of Norwich with a 10.7m clearance that would stop us.
I could be tempted to drop the mast and go though onto the Northern Broads.

Mind you I have booked 17 days off for this trip.

Mind you with a 7 day visit toll for an 8m boat at nearly £50.00 and the best part of £70 for up to 14 days it may be cheaper to go to Belgium!

 

[Colvic Watson]

Love the Alde and have made it to Snape, but not in The Kipper.

Fascinated by the idea of Harwich to Dover as a day sail. When I did a passage plan it looked a whole lot simpler and barely further to go outside all the banks from Harwich to North Foreland, but a favourable south going tide will make for a very unfavourable tide to Dover, please correct me - I usually get tides wrong

 

[Lucky Duck]

In ten years being based in the Orwell I have only once managed to make it all the way Dover with a fair tide. Most recently the tide turned in the vicinty of South Foreland meaning an arrival in Dover marina after dark and more importantly after the pubs had closed.

No doubt more somebody will be able to point out the error in my ways

 

[Koeketiene]

Fascinated by the idea of Harwich to Dover as a day sail. When I did a passage plan it looked a whole lot simpler and barely further to go outside all the banks from Harwich to North Foreland, but a favourable south going tide will make for a very unfavourable tide to Dover, please correct me - I usually get tides wrong

When heading South we always go 'round the outside'.
A favourable tide to Dover would seem impossible - though we frequently manage to get to Ramsgate on one tide.
I may be a minority of one one the ECF, but I actually much prefer Ramsgate to Dover.

FWIW: in my experience you really don't want to be pushing the tide past North Foreland - makes for painfully slow progress

 

[Habebty]

I always time a Dover arrival for just before the East going stream starts. A fast boat helps.

I also like to do Harwich to Longsand Head - Black Deep - Foulgers Gat then down the Downs!

Ramsgate is a good stop heading north for a trip to the Belgian Bar!!

Lowestoft is a bit limited for entertainment and I must admit I find Southwold a bit scary if rafted out in the spring ebbs!!

Took my old boat up to Reedham on the River Yare from Oulton Broad but I could lower the mast for Haddiscoe then!!

 

[sailorman]

When heading South we always go 'round the outside'.
A favourable tide to Dover would seem impossible - though we frequently manage to get to Ramsgate on one tide.
I may be a minority of one one the ECF, but I actually much prefer Ramsgate to Dover.

FWIW: in my experience you really don't want to be pushing the tide past North Foreland - makes for painfully slow progress

as a fox`s resident you get 1/2 price in Dover

 

[Koeketiene]

as a fox`s resident you get 1/2 price in Dover

Not even that would tempt me to go to Dover.
As far as I am concerned, the place has no redeeming features.
You're in a dump, surrounded by lorries thundering by day & night.

 

[sailorman]

Not even that would tempt me to go to Dover.
As far as I am concerned, the place has no redeeming features.
You're in a dump, surrounded by lorries thundering by day & night.

you forgot to mention the carp shower block

 

[photodog]

How's about we all treck up to Neptune and go to Pizza Express for a Lager and a disc...

 

[sailorman]

How's about we all treck up to Neptune and go to Pizza Express for a Lager and a disc...

some chaps actually want to sail somewhere have a very nice meal in a real restaurant & sample fine beir at a place like this

 

[photodog]

some chaps actually want to sail somewhere have a very nice meal in a real restaurant & sample fine beir at a place like this

Fussy fussy fussy... all that bouncing back and forth over the channel is overrated...

 

[sailorman]

that's how real sailors do it

 

[nigelm]

that's how real sailors do it

Who's that then ? , the old retired ones with fast boats but no jobs to get back to or kids who need to go school

 

[wingdiver]

I always time a Dover arrival for just before the East going stream starts. A fast boat helps.

I also like to do Harwich to Longsand Head - Black Deep - Foulgers Gat then down the Downs!

We did Foxs to Dover round the outside last summer. Left to get the south going tide.
Languard, Long Sand Head, Kentish Knock, inside the Thanet wind farm, Gull channel. 70 nm, 10 hrs.
Lock into the Granville Dock. Eat at Cullins Yard or, for a real treat The Allotment. Beer in Royal Cinque Port YC was good with friendly folks.

 

[sailorman]

We did Foxs to Dover round the outside last summer. Left to get the south going tide.
Languard, Long Sand Head, Kentish Knock, inside the Thanet wind farm, Gull channel. 70 nm, 10 hrs.
Lock into the Granville Dock. Eat at Cullins Yard or, for a real treat The Allotment. Beer in Royal Cinque Port YC was good with friendly folks.

a certain well known local ex pilot recons hw is the best time to leave the Orwell.
his reasoning is the first part is accross the Thames Estuary therefore accross the ebb, then at North Forland ish you get the flood to carry you to Dover

 

[Koeketiene]

some chaps actually want to sail somewhere have a very nice meal in a real restaurant & sample fine beir at a place like this

Or even...

 

[sailorman]

Or even...

Ooooo i have 9 of those in my fridge

 

[sailorman]

8 now

 

[bendyone]

Dunkirk, Graveline or Calais?
Dunkirk is nice, marina by the Yacht club.