Deben deliberations

[Falling Star]

Thinking about one more trip this year before a lift-out. So, as we've never been there, maybe a short run up to Woodbridge from the Crouch.

What's the situation like at the Deben entrance now? I've read some posts from June/July saying how narrow it was.

Is it any better now? Or worse?

What else should we look out for?

 

[sailorman]

Its well bouyed
see John Whites chartlet for info. i will have a look for it

 

[sailorman]

http://www.debenestuarypilot.co.uk/maps.html

The HM has placed a small red can tom keep folk off of the shallows to the west between the west & mid knoll

 

[Otter]

Thinking about one more trip this year before a lift-out. So, as we've never been there, maybe a short run up to Woodbridge from the Crouch.

What's the situation like at the Deben entrance now? I've read some posts from June/July saying how narrow it was.

Is it any better now? Or worse?

What else should we look out for?

Went in Sunday and out today, easy and straightforward, 4.5m of water at HW-1.5.

 

[Otter]

http://www.debenestuarypilot.co.uk/maps.html

The HM has placed a small red can tom keep folk off of the shallows to the west between the west & mid knoll

Looked for that but couldn't see it.

 

[Burnham Bob]

Personally, I've never had any real difficulties getting in as long as you stay on the proper line between the two buoys shown on the chartlet. The way I do it is to keep looking back as well as forward which means you stay on the line instead of just heading for the next buoy not realising you've been pushed off the channel course.

Maybe it's me but whenever I read a pilot book, it's actually more terrifying than the pilotage itself. First time I went into Bradwell, Brightlingsea, the Walton Backwaters, the Deben etc it was with gritted teeth.

One word of advice - I actually ran aground in the Deben having entered successfully. There is a 'horse' where the channel crosses over the river. Just folllow the buoys and watch the echo sounder. It's not difficult, I just wasn't paying attention.

 

[Athene V30]

Well worth a visit, hadn't been in for a couple of years until August bank holiday. As others have said work out a sufficient rise of tide for your draft and make a transit so don't get swept off by the current on your beam.

I wouldn't bother trying in anything over F4 onshore, am sure it is possible but wouldn't be very nice!

 

[Falling Star]

Thanks guys. All very useful.

Looking forward to doing it now. Sort of..........

 

[Athene V30]

Forecast for this weekend isn't great!

 

[Falling Star]

Forecast for this weekend isn't great!

Hoping to come in with the Friday afternoon tide, if it's not too windy.

 

[Otter]

I drew a distance line on the chart plotter between the two buoys and kept exactly on that line, it made the easiest exit ever. Lots of free moorings at Ramsholt, the pub seemed to be doing good business but the prices were too gastro for a family of four - £11.50 for cheeseburger and chips. But gastro was the only way they would survive I reckon.

 

[pvb]

Hoping to come in with the Friday afternoon tide, if it's not too windy.

There's a good video of the entrance in this thread from earlier in the year...

http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?393890-Video-of-Crossing-the-Deben-Bar-2014

 

[Laurie]

Thanks guys. All very useful.

Looking forward to doing it now. Sort of..........

It's the loveliest of rivers...and the Tidemill a nice spot for a few days....even if the showerblock closes at 9 or 10 can't remember....
Perhaps it's me, but I always think coming out is more difficult/unnerving??
Really not too much of a problem, and an annual trip for us......

 

[ex-Gladys]

Lots of free moorings at Ramsholt, the pub seemed to be doing good business but the prices were too gastro for a family of four - £11.50 for cheeseburger and chips. But gastro was the only way they would survive I reckon.

Ah, about the same as the Shipwreck then...

 

[Laurie]

Ah, about the same as the Shipwreck then...

Better than Shipwreck.............?

 

[Hadenough]

http://www.debenestuarypilot.co.uk/maps.html

The HM has placed a small red can tom keep folk off of the shallows to the west between the west & mid knoll

It's not there any more, John had to move it when it was blown off station in the recent heavy weather. Let's hope it goes back next year, it was usefull.

 

[Otter]

The Deben bar was a puppy dog this week, loads of water. The Ore however was very scary, we arrived/left about HW-1.5 and the bar only had 3.7m but worse, the channel after the green had as low as 2.5m we tried the recommend route, then on the way out tweaked it a bit but the sounder alarm at 2.7m was going most of the time until we reached the green.

 

[Hadenough]

The Deben bar was a puppy dog this week, loads of water. The Ore however was very scary, we arrived/left about HW-1.5 and the bar only had 3.7m but worse, the channel after the green had as low as 2.5m we tried the recommend route, then on the way out tweaked it a bit but the sounder alarm at 2.7m was going most of the time until we reached the green.

Yes we've been in / out of the Ore three times this season and it ain't fun. Usually try for HW -1.5 like you did but drawing 1.7 we have had less than a metre under the keel in the channel! I will be going closer to HW in future, maybe -0.5.