Bristol channel/Sharpness?

[CaptainCaveman]

As our boat is currently on the Severn and we are looking to head down to the Bristol channel via sharpness lock in a couple of weeks, I have spoken to a few other boaters who to say the least have not really enjoyed the experience but is it really as bad as some boaters make out? in only 3 weeks of boating from scratch we have already covered the whole of the severn and now think its time to tackle some tidal waters (well they do say ignorance is bliss)! From experience when is the ideal time to enter the channel and is there any need for a GPS system?
How bad can this stretch of water get? is it difficult to plot your way through the channel or is it mainly down to alot of common sense? ps any ideas of the cost of a Sharpness canal license?

thanks
CC

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[gonfishing]

be carefull very carefull

the channel is known to run up to 9 knts on occassion particularly after rain, also on big tides. and yes a gps is a necessity preferably with a plotter/charts,there are a lot of mud banks around i would be inclined to go in convoy with someone who has experience of the area

julian

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[byron]

You are sailing in waters that make the Solent look like the pond on Clapham Common. Make sure you know exactly what you are doing.

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[Andrew_Fanner]

Bristol Harbourmaster and IIRC his oppo at Sharpness will give advice, there is also a handbook full of good ideas available from BHM. The trip is an exercise in fairly exacting pilotage but if you have the power to beat the tide it is less fearsome than doing it in a narrowboat. It is not actually very far to Avonmouth but if you leave Sharpness on the turn then remember that the Avon may come over all empty. The marina at Portishead looks like an option, tides permitting.

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[Mr__Max]

where are you planning on going to when you leave sharpness ?

e mail me for help on Mr.max@fsmail.net

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[hlb]

You just do not want to atempt it on your own the first time. Even with experience. The transit marks are not cardinal
buoys or anything recognisable. But a black square on the bridge and a pink mark on aunty flows house and so on. Also you have to be very quick to get out of there in time to get to Penarth or where ever, in time for the tide. It's not a place to fool with.

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Haydn