Harwich Powerboatfest 31/7-1/8

PaulGooch said:
Ooh, never been out of Harwich in the dark, anyone got a torch ?
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Going out is not so bad, it is coming back in that presents the problem. Very tricky to pick out the lights from buoys against all the shore lights, ships etc.

Particularly keep a good lookout for crabpots :(
 
Leighb said:
Going out is not so bad, it is coming back in that presents the problem. Very tricky to pick out the lights from buoys against all the shore lights, ships etc.

Particularly keep a good lookout for crabpots :(
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When i first moved to Shotley, i saved a route on the plotter, from the lock, through the posts, past the Ganges buoy and along the edge of the main channel as far as Landguard. Just in case i ever had to come back in poor visibility. This might be a time that the route will at the very least be a comfort.

We once came back through The Wash and into the Nene to Wisbech in the thickest fog ever, on the darkest night since time began, literally couldn't see past the pulpit. I had a very accurate route through the windy channel and along the river to the marina, but despite knowing for a fact that if i followed the route we'd be OK, it was one of the scariest things i've ever done.

Oops, drifting again :(
 
Just looking, and the race timings are very awkward... LW Dover is around 10h00 on the Saturday, and therefore anyone wanting to leave to head across the estuary, or down the wallet or generally towards Essex or Kent will have to stem the tide by leaving earlier than ideal.... c'est la vie.
 
Morgana said:
Just looking, and the race timings are very awkward... LW Dover is around 10h00 on the Saturday, and therefore anyone wanting to leave to head across the estuary, or down the wallet or generally towards Essex or Kent will have to stem the tide by leaving earlier than ideal.... c'est la vie.
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I haven't studied all the courses and times in depth, but just looking at the marathon course, it looks as though keeping North of Medusa, just passing Cork Sands to the South, then heading south just the other side of Gunfleet Sands, or even the Black Deeps, you'd only cross the course somewhere between The Swin and the Sunk Head. Bit further perhaps, but would that still be better than pushing the tide ?

Actually, if i was going to North Foreland, i'd go Landguard to Black Deep No1 to N Foreland. What am i missing ?
 
Leighb said:
Going out is not so bad, it is coming back in that presents the problem. Very tricky to pick out the lights from buoys against all the shore lights, ships etc.
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Another 'top tip'is that the flashing yellow lights on the Felixstowe shore move, do not use them as something to steer for :)

A couple of years back I accidentally got caught up in a similar event in Plymouth Sound and not wanting to repeat the experiance the best bet seems to be to head for the Deben or other points North in a fortnight's time.
 
PaulGooch said:
I haven't studied all the courses and times in depth, but just looking at the marathon course, it looks as though keeping North of Medusa, just passing Cork Sands to the South, then heading south just the other side of Gunfleet Sands, or even the Black Deeps, you'd only cross the course somewhere between The Swin and the Sunk Head. Bit further perhaps, but would that still be better than pushing the tide ?

Actually, if i was going to North Foreland, i'd go Landguard to Black Deep No1 to N Foreland. What am i missing ?
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Not much... thats probably the route i'll take.. only area to be careful tehn is around LSH... that I can live with...

The problem is more the inshore bit off the Naze... i'll be leaving at LW, and going inside Pye End far enough to be clear of the inshore race is troublesome as it gets quite shallow, and the same going the Cork Sands side of the course, and us saily boats have bits sticking out the bottom!

I could go round the other side of CS, but thats a LOT further in a sailing boat.... far enough extra that it would cause me problems with making tidal gates.

Its not a big deal... i'll just leave a bit earlier and plug the tide out of Harwich for a while... or as Karouise has suggested, leave Friday night instead!
 
i've received the attached timetable and course details from the cruising association. we're opting to avoid the area until 1 aug
 
Annabelle said:
i've received the attached timetable and course details from the cruising association. we're opting to avoid the area until 1 aug
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I appreciate that this event and the potential restrictions to navigation are being publicised via Coastguard broadcasts, HHA notice to mariners and of course this forum, but has anybody seen any notices in local clubs, marinas, etc?

I am fairly certain there is no mention of it where I sail from.
 
simon14b said:
I appreciate that this event and the potential restrictions to navigation are being publicised via Coastguard broadcasts, HHA notice to mariners and of course this forum, but has anybody seen any notices in local clubs, marinas, etc?

I am fairly certain there is no mention of it where I sail from.
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I had seen no mention of it in Shotley marina, until i called in at the lock tower yesterday evening. There was an A4 poster amongst all the other bumpf on the notice board. I think it'd be fair to say there will be a few surprises next weekend.
 
Morgana said:
I suspect you are right Paul, which bothers me a little.... not from the organisers perspective, but from the boat owners perspective.... it makes me wonder how much some of them have their eye on the ball!
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Perhaps it raises the question, "how many people check the local NtM's before every trip" ?

Nothing much happens most of the time, so it's easy to get out of the habit of checking, certainly has been for me. I'll make more of an effort.
 
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