Crossing the Thames in a Westerly gale?

Tim Good

Tim Good

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We just made landfall from Norway and on the River Alde waiting for some wind to go South. Friday night and Saturday is showing a very strong westerly indeed. However, Much of the east coast is ok in a strong westerly but having never crossed the Thames before I was curious what it might be like? Intention is to get to Ramsgate at least.
 
northcave said:
We just made landfall from Norway and on the River Alde waiting for some wind to go South. Friday night and Saturday is showing a very strong westerly indeed. However, Much of the east coast is ok in a strong westerly but having never crossed the Thames before I was curious what it might be like? Intention is to get to Ramsgate at least.
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Horrible. Shallow water syndrome. In a twin keel Westerly Merlin. Got caught out once in an extended squall around Fisherman's Gatt going from Shotley to Ramsgate. Wind mainly from the SW. Limited sea room.

Never again. ‼️

I would never consider the crossing The Thames Estuary if there was any chance of high winds.
 
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south west is wind against tide and horrible in the Wallet, "slightly" better off shore, .... west wind is a little better in the Wallet, but still horrible wind against tide. If you have the time, wait until next week when south east is forecast....
 
Truly horrible, strong tides being funnelled between the sandbanks make for some nasty confused seas in a blow and almost none of the crossing is close in to the coast unless you were bonkers enough to turn a 50 mile trip into a 150 mile one so you get no real protection in a westerly wind. The Alde is a great place to wait though!
 
Colvic Watson said:
Truly horrible, strong tides being funnelled between the sandbanks make for some nasty confused seas in a blow and almost none of the crossing is close in to the coast unless you were bonkers enough to turn a 50 mile trip into a 150 mile one so you get no real protection in a westerly wind. The Alde is a great place to wait though!
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IIRC don't you have history in this department?
 
There are places (depending where you're starting from) where you DEFINITELY don't want to be in a W gale. From Mersea the preferred route to Ramsgate is Spitway, E Barrow, SW Sunk Swatch (VERY NARROW!!!! dries on both sides), Fisherman's Gat, E Margate, to N Foreland. Beam on most of the way.... Fun...
 
Good choice...had the experience a month ago from Harwich to Ramsgate aboard a Cat in a blow. Once the initial excitement of speed had worn off, twitchy bum syndrome took over navigating between the sandbanks whilst hoping nothing of the boat fell apart. Still, will be having a look at heading from the Deben to Ipswich tomorrow morning, hopefully just an unpleasant batter through the chop in to Harwich, then heads down for the slog up the Orwell. Plan B will involve Tide Mill (again) and the choo choo to Ipswich.
 
ballyabroad said:
Good choice...had the experience a month ago from Harwich to Ramsgate aboard a Cat in a blow. Once the initial excitement of speed had worn off, twitchy bum syndrome took over navigating between the sandbanks whilst hoping nothing of the boat fell apart. Still, will be having a look at heading from the Deben to Ipswich tomorrow morning, hopefully just an unpleasant batter through the chop in to Harwich, then heads down for the slog up the Orwell. Plan B will involve Tide Mill (again) and the choo choo to Ipswich.
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Yeah we'll do the same and check out the Deban and others. Never cruised this area before so should be novel.
 
Before you try the Deben, download the entrance chartlet from here: http://www.debenestuarypilot.co.uk/maps.html - the points about streams setting across are very relevant.

The entrance is extremely narrow this year, and be ready to metaphorically shake hands with people on the beach! Last week we went in about an hour before HW at the Bar, and I wouldn't have wanted to try it much earlier. Came out about 20 min after HW, and the stream was pretty slack
 
Gladys said:
Before you try the Deben, download the entrance chartlet from here: http://www.debenestuarypilot.co.uk/maps.html - the points about streams setting across are very relevant.

The entrance is extremely narrow this year, and be ready to metaphorically shake hands with people on the beach! Last week we went in about an hour before HW at the Bar, and I wouldn't have wanted to try it much earlier. Came out about 20 min after HW, and the stream was pretty slack
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In a westerly blow (wind over tide) the entrance to the Deben can be exciting and very unforgiving.

The Orwell and Stour are easier entrances in any state of tide or weather and offer plenty of interesting sheltered cruising. Then there is the Walton Backwaters with the resident russet coloured seals.

Plenty to see and do if waiting for the weather for a few days.
 
northcave said:
Yeah we'll do the same and check out the Deban and others. Never cruised this area before so should be novel.
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The Ore, Alde, Deben and Stour are great places. Entering the Deben at the very top of the tide should remove the worst of the wind over tide, it's a beautiful river and "The Rocks" a stunning anchorage. I love a night or two at Wrabness on the Stour and as others have said Walton Backwaters is worth exploring and all these have places that are bomb proof in a blow and all free.
 
LittleSister said:
Weather is the result of complex systems with many factors. I'm sure that yachtsmen's plans are one of them. So it's your fault, then? ;)
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There are those who plan to go sailing when I'm not and there are the other those who plan to go in the opposite direction to wherever I'm heading :ambivalence:
 
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