Burnham on Crouch to Ramsgate - route suggestions please if SW Sunk is suspect

Burnham Bob

Burnham Bob

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Looking on Roger's site the SW Sunk crossing is still suspect, so if I'm going from Burnham to Ramsgate (which I've never done before) what do forumites recommend as the least nerve wracking route? SWMBO may want to do Ramsgate and the Kent coast as the next cruise depending on the weather.
 
I too suspect the SW Sunk would be OK... however; the cool alternative (not sure of your draft though) is through Havengore and then through N Edinburgh (or Knob) and around (North or through) Margate Sand.

If too deep or unsure of Havengore - then come out the Crouch and skirt the Middle Sunk to the north and then come through Foulgers or Fishermans Gat - one or t'other is being windfarmed at the moment - I'm sure someone will come along and say which shortly.
 
Erbas said:
Nah,, the SW Sunk route will be fine

(SOMEONE needs to pathfind this year :encouragement::p)
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I hope to get down there next week - assuming a day of settled weather. In the meantime Barrow No 2 and Foulger's Gat. Bit further I admit but the Sunk Sand in way of the Barrow No 2 is wide, flat and pretty stable.
 
I crossed by Barrow No 2 - see Roger's website for download - on Fri and back again on Sun night.

Found Foulger's Gat rather confusing sailing between the turbines. Was below checking the chart and crew lost the plot for a moment, thought they were looking at the right turbine to head towards when a windfarm boat came and sat on our quarter. Thought this was rather odd and I checked the compass - crew way off course! Got them back on the right heading and all was fine.

Coming back at night - I could not see Long Sand Outer - was totally lost in the mass of light so gave up and used Fishermans.
 
I was talking to someone that came across the SW Sunk last weekend who said they found only 2m of water at HW Neaps. I was slightly refreshed so I didn't have the presence of mind to ask if it was depth under keel or total but I'm guessing the former as he said he wouldn't be returning that way.

Agree with what Peter said about Foulgers at night. The flashing whites on the safe water marks for the route are just pathetic. I missed one completely even though we were looking for it, but when we spotted the other two, the lights were weak beyond belief. It would be easy to hit one of these and I really do think that they need attention.

Approaching from the South, the pylon at end of the avenue from the Knock Deep had yellow lights just above the base, as did the one on the dog-leg turn to the North. However this isn't to be relied upon as there was another pylon with yellow lights towards the north which was NOT the entrance to Foulgers. My advice is to plot your course around the waypoints provided by Roger, and do not let yourself be fooled by any visuals around the pylons.
 
What is your draught?
We draw 1.1 with boards up. We aim to be at mouth of the Crouch just before HW ans simply go straight across the top of Foulness Sands. We cross next to No 4.

The depth metre is quits scary the first time. But once you get on top of the sands it is very flat and smooth.. all the way to the Black Deep. Then a straight line across the Estuary tillNorth Foreland and turn right...

In a predominant SW, it is a slodis wind all the way....
 
Tomahawk said:
What is your draught?
We draw 1.1 with boards up. We aim to be at mouth of the Crouch just before HW ans simply go straight across the top of Foulness Sands. We cross next to No 4.

The depth metre is quits scary the first time. But once you get on top of the sands it is very flat and smooth.. all the way to the Black Deep. Then a straight line across the Estuary tillNorth Foreland and turn right...

In a predominant SW, it is a slodis wind all the way....
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Is that really doable , what kind of depth is there , I'm quite used to using the Ray'sn route but never contemplated going the other way ! ..
 
Tomahawk said:
We draw 1.1 with boards up. We aim to be at mouth of the Crouch just before HW ans simply go straight across the top of Foulness Sands. We cross next to No 4.
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I've been tempted by this myself

One important navigational note though before trying it ...

Make sure the Shoeburyness Range isn't operating! If it is you'll get chased off and chastised by the range safety boat "Sentinel" :redface-new: and could even be prosecuted and fined (never heard of it happening though)

There are Red flags at intervals around the shoreline, announcements at the end of the MSI broadcast although these aren't consistent and if in doubt you can call "Shoe Radar" on Ch.16 or Ch.72

The following may be of interest ...

http://www.shoeburyness.qinetiq.com/public-safety/Pages/information-for-mariners.aspx
 
Irving's pilot to the East Coast Rivers shows a number of 'half-tide routes across Foulness, Buxey, Maplin back in the 20's and 30's so they have always been possible.
 
tillergirl said:
Irving's pilot to the East Coast Rivers shows a number of 'half-tide routes across Foulness, Buxey, Maplin back in the 20's and 30's so they have always been possible.
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Indeed I am living proof it is doable.... And it is a very good trip tidewise... apart from punching the tide down to the end of the river..
 
I went across Foulness Sands once, advised by a venerable mariner of my acquaintance. I don't think I saw less than 2.5m of depth on a 4m tide but I'm not keen to repeat the route. Thinking about it since, there could be any sort of old wreckage fouling the seabed, and I'm not too keen on the firing range aspect of it either. It's also a little moot if SW Sunk has gone and we need to head up to Barrow No. 2 anyway.
 
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