Bradwell entrance

[Javelin]

On Sat we had a great sail from Southwold and passing Harwich only 4 1/2 hours later we decided to continue, fight the tide and go to Bradwell.
So we arrived at the creek entrance about 1 1/2 hours before low water.

The depth on the pole was 5ft and still falling and as we draw 6'4" we had to wait.

We then watched a number of boats of varying size take significantly different routes into the creek and it quickly be came apparent that the red can buoys are just there to lead the unsuspecting into a muddy stop.

One boat who passed us said he drew 5'6" and happily chose a route roughly halfway between the red cans and the shore.

Around an hour after low water we tried the approved route and made it just past the first red buoy.
We turned round and tried again but this time three boat length's the wrong side of the red cans and lo and behold we had 7' all the way until the green can where it dropped to 9'.

It felt very strange to be so far from an approved channel and caused not a little confusion to a couple of novice crew we had on board!

 

[MoodySabre]

TG's chart is still valid http://www.crossingthethamesestuary.com/Bradwell 2012 V1.pdf

The marina are aware of the misplaced channel but apparaently Trinity House says that if they move it then they shall have to have TH compliant buoys. So that isn't going to happen.

I have been meaning to post here that the tidal height gauge has been reinstated after three years and is intended to show the depth in the creek. I reckon that the actual depth is almost two feet less than that shown by the gauge. Beware or take the alternative route.

Last year I did make it inbound to the last can via TG's route with a healthy 0.3m to spare. I then touched the putty at the marina entrance and undertook some ploughing. The joys of soft mud.......

 

[sailorman]

On Sat we had a great sail from Southwold and passing Harwich only 4 1/2 hours later we decided to continue, fight the tide and go to Bradwell.
So we arrived at the creek entrance about 1 1/2 hours before low water.

The depth on the pole was 5ft and still falling and as we draw 6'4" we had to wait.

We then watched a number of boats of varying size take significantly different routes into the creek and it quickly be came apparent that the red can buoys are just there to lead the unsuspecting into a muddy stop.

One boat who passed us said he drew 5'6" and happily chose a route roughly halfway between the red cans and the shore.

Around an hour after low water we tried the approved route and made it just past the first red buoy.
We turned round and tried again but this time three boat length's the wrong side of the red cans and lo and behold we had 7' all the way until the green can where it dropped to 9'.

It felt very strange to be so far from an approved channel and caused not a little confusion to a couple of novice crew we had on board!

did you have a reefed main when approaching the Colne Bar By

 

[Javelin]

did you have a reefed main when approaching the Colne Bar By

Yes, two reefs in as the second batten pocket up had become de-laminated earlier when rounding the ness.

 

[Hadenough]

The marina are aware of the misplaced channel

So why don't they change the information on their web site?
"The Creek is marked with red can to port and withies to starboard. The deeper water is found centrally between the cans and withies."

 

[sailorman]

Yes, two reefs in as the second batten pocket up had become de-laminated earlier when rounding the ness.

i was to your port side & went up the Colne, you were going well & seemed to have more wind than me :ambivalence:

 

[Javelin]

yes I remember - however you were pointing quite a bit higher and my bottom is spotless, if you pardon the expression.

Lovely looking boat by the way, the nicest we'd seen that day and we saw quite a lot for once.

 

[sailorman]

yes I remember - however you were pointing quite a bit higher and my bottom is spotless, if you pardon the expression.

Lovely looking boat by the way, the nicest we'd seen that day and we saw quite a lot for once.

i went up the Pyefleet. took 41 mls to get there & 27 to get back home.
i will never ever beat into a Wallet spring ebb ever again 2kts of ebb & i got too far into the Eagle hence a few tacks on me tod loosing ground

 

[MoodySabre]

So why don't they change the information on their web site?
"The Creek is marked with red can to port and withies to starboard. The deeper water is found centrally between the cans and withies."

The deepest water in the marked channel is centrally between the cans and the withies!

You can't expect them to admit that the channel is in the wrong place. TG's chart is on the board by the loos. I draw 1.7m and use the marked channel at a bit more than half-tide. The country route is easier when approaching from the east or if pushing the window.

 

[tillergirl]

Looking at Javelin penultimate paragraph, maybe the country route has deepened - which is a little what we were expecting given the reduction of the baffle wall and the opening of the sea wall - so that it is going back to how it was in the thirties. I must get over and run some data.

 

[UncleAlbert]

This daylight entry is all well and good but night time with no moon and an ebbing tide makes for a heart stopping moment or two.

I made it in on Thursday night (at about midnight) but there was a time I had no idea where I was and the Garmin Chartplotter was my saviour. (oh I also stumbled, literally over a withy,) Never saw the lonely Green buoy at all!!!
Upshot is that the Garmin CP is accurate for Bradwell entry.

Apologies if we woke anyone during our arrival,moorings etc.

Unc