East Coast Itinerary, please critique!

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vjmehra

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I'm just planning a route around the East Coast for later on this week, starting off in the Crouch (as I mentioned in a seperate thread: http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?t=330497), however I decided to expand on this and start up a new thread.

I was thinking of something like this:

Day 1: Fambridge Yacht Haven (River Crouch) -> The Embankment Marina (Gravesend)

Day 2: The Embankment Marina (Thames- Gravesend) -> Gilligham Marina (Medway)

Day 3: Gilligham Marina (Medway) -> Ramsgate Marina

Day 4: Ramsgate Marina -> Swale Marina (Swale)

Day 5: Swale Marina (Swale) -> Fambridge Yacht Haven (River Crouch)

What do people think of this route?

I don't know the draught of the boat yet (I think its a Cigala & Bertinetti Narvalo 33), but are there any particular areas I need to be carefull of (I have Imray charts C1 & C2, but not Y17 & Y18)?

Is it tricky to navigate down from the Medway to the Swale, under Kingsferry Bridge?

Are any of these marina's likely to be particularly busy?

I have purchased East Coast Rives & East Coast Pilot as well as Crossing The Thames Estuary, so will do some more reading, but I'd love to hear from anyone that is used to boating around that way.

I'm also in the process of printing off the tidal curves from Easytide...

Apparently the vessel is a bit underpowered, so it tops out at 10 knots :-(

So although its unlikely speed limits will be an issue, are there any I should worry about (more a question about the tidal Medway, as I am considering moving my RIB there, as a side issue)?

Any other tips?
 
If you want to see the best of the East Coast then stay north of the Thames. Ploughing up and down the Thames chop for a few days sounds very unappealing.

Crouch/Roach
Blackwater/Colne
Stour/Orwell
Deben
 
Haha, well the starting point isn't optional unfortunately!

I was quite keen to check out the Medway and the marina's along it, as I am contemplating moving my RIB there next year, so I would like to include a passage down there, as we will have to navigate the Thames to Medway at some point anyway!

That said, its not essential, I take it the Thames Estuary isn't much fun?

I'm quite keen to marina hop, rather than anchorages (largely so we can have proper showers in the mornings), any recommendations on that front?
 
vjmehra said:
Haha, well the starting point isn't optional unfortunately!

I was quite keen to check out the Medway and the marina's along it, as I am contemplating moving my RIB there next year, so I would like to include a passage down there, as we will have to navigate the Thames to Medway at some point anyway!

That said, its not essential, I take it the Thames Estuary isn't much fun?

I'm quite keen to marina hop, rather than anchorages (largely so we can have proper showers in the mornings), any recommendations on that front?
Click to expand...

Ramsgit is full of commercial windfarm cats in & out not caring if they damage your boat or not
 
Seeing as I live in Kent I'll take umbrage at the comments about staying north, but I suppose it keeps our lovely anchorages over here uncluttered.
I gather you're in a RIB, so Kingsferry Bridge is hardly a problem, just keep your head down.
Embankment Marina is a bit 'basic' and you can only get in and out around HW but you have a copy of ECP so you already know that. You must phone ahead for that one, indeed I would call ahead for all of them except Ramsgate, as at this time of year most boats will be in their home berths. Plenty of space in Ramsgate, don't worry about the comment about windfarm boats.
As you're RIbing why not consider going right on up the Medway to Allington (covered in ECP) or even beyond? All very quiet and pretty.
Oh, and there are speed limits in the Swale and on the Medway, again detailed in ECP.
By the way, do check the ECP website (see below) for changes that you may not know about, including changes to buoyage off Reculver and extra buoys around new rocks south of the Kentish Flats windfarm. With my CG hat on I am painfully aware that there are plenty of matelots out there who are still blissfully ignorant of these.
 
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Cantata - in the words of Oscar Wilde "A gentleman never gives offence unintentionally" :o

The Swale and the Medway are of course very pleasant rivers but the Thames, in my experience, is generally not.
 
Ah not quite, I've sort of merged two seperate issues here!

I'm on a 9.6m Motor Cruiser this week, however I wanted to use this trip to scout out the area as I am considering moving the RIB to the Medway for the new season next year.
 
MoodySabre said:
Cantata - in the words of Oscar Wilde "A gentleman never gives offence unintentionally" :o
The Swale and the Medway are of course very pleasant rivers but the Thames, in my experience, is generally not.
Click to expand...
Too late, I'm offended, I shall bear a grudge until or unless you place a beer under my nose.
The Swin can be 'orrible, mind you...
 
ChattingLil said:
well the tides might actually be good for you to get to the Laying Down supper this year.....:D so you can call in all your virtual pints!
Click to expand...
I know I know, I still haven't manged to get to one.....but been wearing a groove across the estuary this year (dotted lines have burned in the chartplotter screen) and I'll have to go to the Moody do at Bradwell, so that's another one...
 
You will benefit greatly by using the tides (sorry if grandma/eggs applies). To get from Fambridge to Gravesend or the Medway in one day you will ideally go out of the Crouch with the tide, aiming for the Whittaker near LW and then carry the tide up into the Thames or Medway. Big tides this week but not ideal for leaving tomorrow. Potter about on the Crouch/Roach tomorrow and stop at Burnham Yacht Harbour. Very early start on Thursday.

If you decide to give Ramsgate a miss then the extra day could be used for a trip to the Blackwater (via the Spitway) on the way back and a nip across the Raysand back to Fambridge on Sunday afternoon.

Enjoy your trip and let us know where you go and what you thought of it all.
 
Yeah, sure will post a full write up on here after, hopefully with some pictures, although only from an iphone 3GS camera which isn't the best :-(

I have all the tidal curves and HW/LW times, although am struggling to work out which one's are neaps & springs as I don't have that data to hand, I think if I pay on easytide I can get that, unless there is a better way anyone can think of?
 
vjmehra said:
......... although am struggling to work out which one's are neaps & springs as I don't have that data to hand, I think if I pay on easytide I can get that, unless there is a better way anyone can think of?
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Easy. In our part of the world, if HW is roughly between about 1200 and 1600, and midnight and 0400, they are Spring tides.
 
Well after an exciting day we got as far as Burnham on Crouch and had to turn back! Unfortunately there was a problem with the boat and when we got back to the marina it turned out to be unfixable (in the short term I mean), so it meant after a quick visit to the pub we had to head home :-(

The school were naturally very apologetic and paid for our lunch, having already offered a full refund before we could even ask the question, so full marks to them on that, as these things happen, its how you handle them that marks the professionalism of a school (I think :-)

A bit of a shame as I'd come up with a passage plan and come up with a few places to visit. Ah well, hopefully we'll move the RIB there soon anyway and can explore a bit on our own!
 
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