First Trip - Advice sought

[TwoStroke]

Now I've got some experience of how my boat handles and what I can comfortably take her out in - am planning my first little hop along the coast, from Brighton to Littlehampton. This will literally be my first trip out to another port, so am a liitle anxious as to what to do.

Any advice from the forum as to the tides, best time to approach, do I need to give the harbour master a call for a berth for 3-4 hours, best place to moor, anything to watch out for etc... Many thanks. /forums/images/icons/smile.gif

<hr width=100% size=1><font color=red>... too late I've bought the boat... how much to fill'er up!!</font color=red> /forums/images/icons/shocked.gif<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by TwoStroke on 21/07/2003 14:19 (server time).</FONT></P>

 

[daffydd2000]

The only advice I can give is : Get a tide time table, see your own harbour master's office for advice and inform the coast guard of your trip with expected time of arrival. and let other people know of this aswell so that if you get into dificulties they will have a head start on were to start looking. also make sure that you have all the required emergency flares etc.
Good luck.
David

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[TwoStroke]

Thanks for that. Am going to the boat this weekend so will ask the marina for their advice.

Have all the flares etc... Am hoping to slowly build up the distances I travel (this is why I bought Popeye for).

<hr width=100% size=1>How much to fill'er up!

 

[Solitaire]

First of all get a chart of the area, something like IMRAY C9, then a tide table – you can also get tide times on the web by visiting http:// www.ukho.gov.uk/tideprediction.cfm and a tidal flow booklet for your area. You should be able to get this from your local chandlery. The chart should also have a tidal streams marked on it. Then put together a passage plan – best done at home. Set up some waypoints and put them into your GPS (if you have one!) and draw up your route - consider "boltholes" in case things get rough. This will then provide you with both course and distance important from a fuel consumption point of view. When you’ve done this, check the inshore weather forecast, remembering that you have to come back as well! I would suggest that as this is your first trip away from your home port, that you try ad avoid anything over a Force 3 (wind strength). The tidal streams are not that fast in the area you will be travelling, but you will find the tide is “weaker” the closer to shore you go – but don’t go to close! There are some shallow areas off Worthing depending on tide times.
Let someone on shore know when you are leaving and what time you expect to arrive – but let them know when you have arrived! You can inform the coast guard as well, but again let them know when you arrive. If you register a passage plan and don't call them when you should, you may (will) set up an S & R opperation which is not needed.
Littlehampton is at the mouth of the River Arun (standard port is Shoreham) and the entrance can be dangerous in strong SE winds.. I’d also suggest you buy an almanac – Macmillan Reeds Channel Almanac will do fine.
Do all your checks before leaving Brighton – fuel, oil pressure, water flow etc and put a few spares on board – alternator and power steering belts if you need them and you have a stern drive. Check your VHF is operational - call up your marina when your still on your berth. Check your flares, if you don't have any, get some An inshore pack will suffice, and of course your lifejackets for you and the crew and make sure you have them on at all times
If you need any more help you can PM me and I’ll happily answer any questions. Good luck and enjoy it.


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[TwoStroke]

Thanks for the advice - will PM if need any further suggestions.

<hr width=100% size=1>How much to fill'er up!