Deben, Orford Haven and Southwold

[TimfromMersea]

We’ve just come back a bit early from our trip to the Suffolk Rivers. We had a good time in the Orwell and Stour, with some fabulous weather.

We came back early because we decided not to attempt any of the above due to the persistent fresh Easterlies. Every afternoon the sea breeze boosted the E or NE isobar wind and we had 20 knots plus. Great for sailing, but maybe not for getting over the bars or into Southwold, we thought.

Was I concerned unnecessarily? Have relatively small (28’) and light displacement yachts been in and out perfectly fine over the last weeks of Easterlies? I’d be really interested to know from ‘locals’. Thanks in advance.

 

[tillergirl]

I am immensely frustrated by the constant Easterlies. I have been trying to get done to the Spitway again and the SW Sunk (after a worrying report) but anything over 10kts of easterly will just cause a pitch and roll which would make it a waste of time for accurate readings. 15 kts of SW or W and that would be find but the easterlies just bring in the swell. Fine to sail but counting figures...…. The only day with anything other than E or NE is the 5th July - which would be perfect for the wind, the wind direction and the spring tides... But it is SWMBO's birthday and I have already promised.....

 

[Seashoreman]

Tim, I am sure that was the most sensible decision. I planned on going from Slaughden to Ramsholt for a long weekend but the forecast put me off. Getting in and out of the Ore/Deben would have been a challenge not a pleasure, Did a lot of sunbathing and relaxing on the boat instead, fabulous weather but it certainly gusted over 20 consistently.

 

[johnalison]

I think it is right to be cautious but the Deben is probably OK near HW before the sea-breezes start, but the tides have been wrong for this. On Sunday, when we went from Heybridge to Brightlingsea in the afternoon, the wind dropped to about 6kn most of the way. Today we had only about 20kn app on the nose in the Wallet but this rose to mid 20s true when we were in Titchmarsh later.

 

[MikeBz]

Spent last night at Harty Ferry hoping to get back North today but not only is it still NE but like yesterday it’s also blowing somewhat more than was forecast. So instead went West around the Swale. Now hoping that tomorrow’s forecast of 9-11 mph is correct.

 

[johnalison]

It looks like lighter winds later in the week, but easterly until the end of the universe.

 

[Jan Harber]

I think it is right to be cautious but the Deben is probably OK near HW before the sea-breezes start, but the tides have been wrong for this. On Sunday, when we went from Heybridge to Brightlingsea in the afternoon, the wind dropped to about 6kn most of the way. Today we had only about 20kn app on the nose in the Wallet but this rose to mid 20s true when we were in Titchmarsh later.

My sister and my nephew took their boat, a Parker 325 lift-keeler, round to the Deben from Suffolk YH on Saturday to take part in the annual Suffolk Scouts and Guides Wet Weekend at Ramsholt.

They went in at 9.30am, about two hours after LW, on Sat before the wind increased. The keel was partially raised and they didn't have much over a metre at the shallowest point (I think the downhaul on the rudder was probably freed). So they arrived in time to take part in the various activities, which all went well as the reach at Ramsholt was nicely sheltered from the NE.

On Sunday they left the river after lunch, nearer to HW. By then, as mentioned by Johnalison, the strong sea breeze had set in, conditions were quite rough and not very pleasant particularly passing the rocky bits on the way to Mid Knoll.

Fortunately they knew what to expect, having about 40 years experience of coming in and out of the Deben, but they still said that had there not been a special need take the boat into the river that weekend, they would not have attempted it.

 

[TimfromMersea]

Thank you everyone, some interesting comments. I think that we made the right decision, taking into account everybody’s views. The last time I came out over the Deben bar it was in about 15 kn of north-easterly. That was as bumpy as I wanted it to be, and this was a few years ago, when the bar entrance was wider and deeper than it is reported to be this year.

In fact yesterday and today have been the windiest so far and Landguard is getting steady 20 knots gusting 23 knots today, with the sea breeze boosting the isobar wind up.

 

[stevebrassett]

We went into Southwold on Friday afternoon, at roughly half ebb. The NE wind was about a force 5, and there were plenty of swirls and eddies going in, but it wasn't too bad. I wouldn't have attempted the Ore or the Deben, mind.