sichef
New Member
hi all new to boating but would like to bring my boat over from the swale to the river crouch any advice would be most welcome
crossing the thames estuary
- Thread starter sichef
- Start date
BAtoo
Well-Known Member
Malish
Well-Known Member
get a knowledgeable friend to help if this is your first big trip across the Thames or maybe consider hiring a skipper for the day. The combination of shallows, tides and big ships is not to be underestimated (and sailing is meant to be a relaxing hobby!)
Cantata
Well-Known Member
Hi, welcome, we are also in Oare Creek.
Route is pretty straightforward.
Best to leave your berth about 45 mins before HW. Run NE out of the East Swale, then head due N from the Columbine Spit buoy (I assume you don't have a very deep keel - up to 1.6m draught will see you all right, otherwise go to the Columbine buoy before heading N), pass the Red Sand Towers, aiming for the SW Barrow buoy.
From there, you can buoy-hop: follow on past these buoys... Maplin, Maplin Edge, NE Maplin, South Whitaker, then turn towards the No.6 buoy watching your depth as it may be getting near to LW by then. From there, just follow the chart into the Crouch.
If this sounds at all daunting, then do take someone with you with the experience to do it.
Route is pretty straightforward.
Best to leave your berth about 45 mins before HW. Run NE out of the East Swale, then head due N from the Columbine Spit buoy (I assume you don't have a very deep keel - up to 1.6m draught will see you all right, otherwise go to the Columbine buoy before heading N), pass the Red Sand Towers, aiming for the SW Barrow buoy.
From there, you can buoy-hop: follow on past these buoys... Maplin, Maplin Edge, NE Maplin, South Whitaker, then turn towards the No.6 buoy watching your depth as it may be getting near to LW by then. From there, just follow the chart into the Crouch.
If this sounds at all daunting, then do take someone with you with the experience to do it.
lilianroyle
Well-Known Member
Assuming your boat has a reasonably shallow draft (say 3 feet) I'd say go straight across from the Swale to Havengore creek arriving around 1 hour before high tide then go through the creek to the Roach and the Roach to the Crouch. That way you miss all (well most) of the problems associated with crossing the estuary further east, or entering the Crouch from the sea, which are all pretty straightforward problems really but on the other hand Havengore is tailor made for what you want to do.
chasroberts
Well-Known Member
With a draft of 1'3" I would definitely secong Havengore. Should pose no probs whatever, channel is marked with whitheys (?) and once inside the bridge should be plenty of water at all states of the tide. Nice trip as well, lots of wildlife, seals etc get in there. Also great overnight anchorages before you get through to the crouch.
Enjoy.
Chas
Enjoy.
Chas
Cantata
Well-Known Member
Practical problem with Oare Creek to Havengore is that both require HW.
SiChef, if you happen to be around on Sunday morning (31st) I am running the bar in Hollowshore Cruising Club, 1200-1500. Pop in for a natter if you want, doesn't matter if you are not a member, come in and head for the bearded chap behind the bar.
SiChef, if you happen to be around on Sunday morning (31st) I am running the bar in Hollowshore Cruising Club, 1200-1500. Pop in for a natter if you want, doesn't matter if you are not a member, come in and head for the bearded chap behind the bar.
sichef
New Member
thanks for all the advice my boat does have a very shallow draft so havengore sounds good
sorry working sunday but will try to pop in soon
thanks again
sorry working sunday but will try to pop in soon
thanks again
