Christchurch Entrance/Run this weekend

[Moonshiners]

Howdy folks, I've got to deliver a sailing boat (5 kn cruising 0.8m draft) from the solent to Christchurch (up the river) this weekend if possible.

I left my charts and pilot books on the boat and could do with a head start, I know for tides It basically works out that I need to get in through the harbour entrance late afternoon on a Spring Low. The tide is in my favour for this, but can you actually get through the entrance and up the river on LWS?

It must be a common problem for anyone coming from the solent to be on an ebb. So...

1) What do most people do?

2) Can you get through at MLWS?
(if not what height can you?) /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[steve6367]

Some with more experience will give better advise - but from memory you will need to be there a couple of hours either side of HW.

Steve

 

[PeterI]

On Saturday you should be OK any time after 9.30am until 3.30pm
On Sunday about an hour later for both.
If you miss the tide in the afternoon you can anchor just outside, where it should be sheltered from a SW wind, and wait until about 8.40 when you would, at least, be on a rising tide all the way in. Sunset is about 9.20 and it takes 30 minutes or so to get up to Christchurch from the run, it's mid summer but it will probably be overcast.
If you can get through the run at the entrance there's reasonable depth all the way up but there are a couple of shallow patches as the bouyed channel swerves round and again opposite the Hengtbury Head outdoor pursuits centre. Once past there the depth is fine all the way.
In the run the bottom is either very hard sand or large unforgiving stones (guess which one you'd hit if you did), in the harbour just lots of soft mud.
You might like to look at http://www.christchurchsailingclub.co.uk/visiting.htm
Hope it goes well.
Peter

 

[l'escargot]

[ QUOTE ]
...but can you actually get through the entrance and up the river on LWS?...

[/ QUOTE ]
You can walk through the entrance on LWS in wellington boots, but you won't get a boat in there!

 

[Moonshiners]

Thanks guys, that's what i needed to know, I couldn't find any info what state of tide you could get through on, only that it's recomended HW. I'm gonna make a run for the afternoon tide / balanced against Hurst Ebb and getting down teh solent and hopefully get there before 3.30 and push my way through the run before it really starts going? Once were in I guess the pressure is off a bit...

If it all falls apart i'll anchor up and wait for the flood.

Thanks for the info, while local to the solent I've never bothered with getting in to mudeford before due to this problem of getting in vs getting there!

If your in the pub keep your eye out for a 20fter going all out at 6 knots...

Backwards....! ;-)

 

[PeterI]

"Once were in I guess the pressure is off a bit..."

Certainly much better once you're in but the harbour is, until you get past the sailing club, shallower than the entrance. Many breathe a sigh of relief once through the run only to come to a gentle halt 1/2 mile further in. That said it's nasty and bumpy to go aground in the entrance but only vaguely embarrasing inside.

 

[l'escargot]

Have a look at this thread as well.

 

[Moonshiners]

Just wanted to say thanks for your help guys, left Beaulieu at 11.30ish am - c'chruch harbour entrance for 2.40pm straight through with plenty of tide and depth.

Not bad for a 20ft bilge keeler, averaged around just over 6 knots, glad we didn't have to wait for the flood!

thanks again. Nice little spot you all have down there!

 

[l'escargot]

Sounds like you had a good trip and looking at the tidal curve for today, your arrival time was spot on: