Fleetwood Preston conservative passage plan- gentle comments please!

[NickRobinson]

I'm babysitting plasterers and can't be troubled to do real work.......

Here goes-
First time visit to Preston. Yacht, say 4.5 kts 1.5 draft
Assume weather window =<f4
1 or 2 on board

Gates:
Fleetwood lock HW +-1.5
Wyre channel not LW -2/+2
Pilot says OK now to use main channel, not earlier than HW -2 (depart inbound Gut fairway buoy)
Preston lock HW+-1.5 07.00/21.00 only
No coastal current allowed for
Ribble current assumed +1/1.5kts

Plan-
Dep FW marina HW +1.5 and pick up a buoy. (Night)
Dep Wyre HW +4
Arr. Gut HW -3 (c.20Nm @ 4kts)
Dep Gut HW-2 (c.15Nm @4kts =1kt tide)
Arr Preston HW + 0.30/1.00 (Daylight)

Love to hear from those who've done it- (ok- and everyone who hasn't too )

Nick

 

[pcatterall]

Hi Nick,
Clearly you would adjust your speed to arrive at the Gut at HW -2 rather than circling the buoy for an hour.
There can be a big swell entering the channel. The shallowest bit we found 2 years ago is what we called the 'Preston Bannana' which is the bannana shapped shoal area out from Lytham.
Shallow bank on port side bank as you come out of the Ribble into the lock approach, stay well over to starboard at the mole.
Otherwise the channel is well marked ( just dont cut any corners!!)

 

[NickRobinson]

Hi Nick,
Clearly you would adjust your speed to arrive at the Gut at HW -2 rather than circling the buoy for an hour.
There can be a big swell entering the channel. The shallowest bit we found 2 years ago is what we called the 'Preston Bannana' which is the bannana shapped shoal area out from Lytham.
Shallow bank on port side bank as you come out of the Ribble into the lock approach, stay well over to starboard at the mole.
Otherwise the channel is well marked ( just dont cut any corners!!)

Hi Peter

Useful info, thanks.

Nick

 

[ffiill]

A few years back there were a few mooring buoys often vacant just above where the dock channel enters the wyre which gives you more opportunity to set off when most suitable.
The wyre chanel was OK to exit even at low tide.

 

[pcatterall]

There is a useful mooring just off Lytham, it was used by the lifeboat lot but is now available to marina users. We found it handy to get an early start sailing to IOM or Wales.
We found the depths as charted and certainly would not have managed at low tide. ( 1.5m draught)

 

[2copplane]

A few years back there were a few mooring buoys often vacant just above where the dock channel enters the wyre which gives you more opportunity to set off when most suitable.
The wyre chanel was OK to exit even at low tide.

Moorings are still there but most dry at low water springs. careful on depths as the channel is no longer dredged and I'd be doubtful you would get out safely at low water on a spring. The office has a detailed up to date survey that will confirm latest depths.

 

[NickRobinson]

Moorings are still there but most dry at low water springs. careful on depths as the channel is no longer dredged and I'd be doubtful you would get out safely at low water on a spring. The office has a detailed up to date survey that will confirm latest depths.

Yes, the ILB can do it at LW with care but not me-

Thanks all
N

 

[NickRobinson]

To avoid a 'ghost thread'...

We had that dilemma on Friday night, high-ish winds forecast both Friday and Saturday F4/5 poss 6 e/ly and the clock ticking on people's availalibity against the fleetwood fees being due on monday midnight.

We departed into the Wyre @ HW and moored with a plan to review whether to depart or await the Fwood lock reopening (aborting).

Conditions were deemed OK though I decided to leave LW -3 rather than -2 to ensure water in the channel (it was fine)

The night sail was cold but we were well wrapped up and all three managed a turn below to sleep. The hardest part was going slowly enough- we did the whole trip South on less than half a jib.

My remaining concern was entering a new river channel HW-2 so with potential (Easterly) wind over tide but the conditions were bouncy but well in the capacities of boat and crew with plenty of depth.

A longish motor up to Preston to one of the best welcomes we've ever had, both from staff and other berth holders, very impressed so far, even though it is a long way to the sea.

Thanks to all who posted-

Nick

 

[Preston Marina]

Welcome to Preston Marina Nick, glad to have you here.

 

[pcatterall]

Glad you 'enjoyed' the trip and good to see that Preston are as welcoming as ever. We are no longer there but enjoyed our stay.

 

[NickRobinson]

Welcome to Preston Marina Nick, glad to have you here.

Thanks!

N

 

[Jim@sea]

Is this why Fleetwood Marina has loads of empty spaces in the Marina. Perhaps they should place a few Mooring Buoys out in the approaches for visiting yachtsman to tie up to.