Dare I invade your patch?

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ebbtide

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It seems possible that this summer's cruise plans may have to be rebuilt and instead of South Brittany we target the Bristol Channel. We could go up the Severn or west to the Scillies in our offshore angling boat which takes the ground with impunity.

Details of recommended pilot books and guides would be appreciated. (Not favourite pubs at this stage, thanks!)
 
Try the Bristol Channel and Severn Cruising Guide by Peter Cumberlidge published by Imray, a bit costly but very good.
Of course the blue book, published by the BCYA is fantastic, click on the link below for more info.

BTW - welcome!
 
I'd second the Severn Cruising Guide by Peter Cumberlidge, which coincidentally I have just unwrapped as a birthday present. It's excellent.

For Pembrokeshire there is a superb local book, "A Sea Guide to the Pembrokeshire Coastline" by Tom Bennett, a very knowledgeable local, published in 2003 by Happy Fish (apparently a very small company in Milford Haven), ISBN 0 9512114 7 1. Unrivalled for local detail.

On a wider scale there is the Lundy and Irish Sea Pilot by David Taylor, published by Imray.

I generally buy books and charts from Sea Chest at Plymouth. They have an extensive range and deliver promptly.

For charts, the UKHO leisure folios now cover the area well.

Good luck.
 
A handy harbour guide is the "Blue Book" published by the Bristol Channel Yachting Association. The chandlers in Watchet Marina had some left last time I looked google Watchet Marina for the phone number or Marine Scene chandlers in Penarth may have a copy.
 
Re: Invading your patch.

Thanks for all that.
With 0.9m draft and only 2.3m air draft we can explore rivers and broad canals.
How about the Severn or the Avon? SWMBO fancies strutting her stuff at Stratford!
And on the way back to our Solent home the Scillies have eluded me for 50 years. 'bout time to catch up.
Again, useful pilot guides welcomed.
 
Re: Invading your patch.

I've been from the Severn to Stratford a couple of times, Not on my boat of course! I think you may struggle with a couple of the bridges at the top end. The inland waterways people will help you with that.
Allan
 
Re: Invading your patch.

In a boat such as yours you could have a fun time in the channel. Places to visit are legion if you are happy to take to the ground - and since most ports are still ports rather than marinas, life is a bit more interesting. You need only visit marinas if you havent got showers on board.

If you can get hold of a copy, read "the last of the sailing coasters" by Edmund Eglington. Its the story of a man who worked the sailing trows of the channel just before engines arrived and when they were still the HGVs of the area, but its a very interesting read of the small ports and backwaters of the channel.

You can go up the avon into the floating harbour in bristol though since we have got a mast and a keel we have never gone through the locks from there into the waterways and the Thames. You can enter the shiiping canal at sharpness near gloucester and travel up to gloucester but I think it becomes a narrow canal thereafter.

As for pilot books I would buy both the ones suggested but more important are up to date charts. The sand banks move, the tides are fearce in the upper reaches so navigation has to be treated seriously.
 
Re: Invading your patch.

[ QUOTE ]
You need only visit marinas if you havent got showers on board.

[/ QUOTE ]

/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Sounds like a very weird reason for having to visit a marina /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Sniff? Hmmm...
 
Re: Invading your patch.

Its the only reason Damo. Appreciate its your living, but marinas have all the charm of NCP car parks. In fact I've often wondered why NCP didnt set up in competition with MDL.

All you need for a happy boating life is a good anchorage, an on board genny and a decent shower.! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif I reckon I can cope with anything if I'm warm, fed and clean.
 
Re: Invading your patch.

I agree absolutely (apart from the showers thing /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif )

I live in a marina, I work in a marina, and I sure as wotsit don't want to visit one when I'm cruising /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif I even anchor off Penarth or at Mumbles to wait the tide (Admittedly some of that is due to singlehanding a longkeeler, but everything spent for berthing is something less to spend on the boat)
 
Re: Invading your patch.

Agree with you there Damo Even the most tranquil and pictueresque marina cant compare with a God given anchorage.

Have to say though that on occasions when really tired smelly low on fuel etc a well placed marina can be like an oasis in the desert.
 
Re: Invading your patch.

[ QUOTE ]
Even the most tranquil and pictueresque marina cant compare with a God given anchorage.


[/ QUOTE ]

Dead right, so why do they fill them up with moorings and make charges and......ooops! wrong thread /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif
 
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