Harwich to Ostend, which way round Cork Sand?

[dolabriform]

Hi all

I'm hoping to head over to Ostend tomorrow, first time doing this trip, and I was wondering which way round Cork Sand to go?

Aiming to be at Long Sand Head for LW, which means leaving around 0400 so pot marker spotting won't be easy, which makes me favour going east of cork and via roughs tower as I believe there are less pots on that route?

Tidal wise, I can't see any advantage, other than it will be more wind over tide on the west side, and it's shallower which could be an issue if it's lumpy ( we draw 2m ).

As always, thanks for your help.

David

 

[johnalison]

Either way, according to how you read the tides. I’ve done both, though more usual south-about.

 

[Koeketiene]

Aiming to be at Long Sand Head for LW, which means leaving around 0400 so pot marker spotting won't be easy, which makes me favour going east of cork and via roughs tower as I believe there are less pots on that route?

That was our usual route and for the exact same reason (avoidance of pots)

 

[Leighb]

Just for the record, I had my 2am pot encounter and lifeboat “rescue” between Roughs tower and Cork Sand Beacon. I think you can be unlucky enough to find them almost anywhere?
It was dark and at LW slack tide there would have been lots of loose rope just waiting to wrap round the prop.

 

[Marmalade]

We usually go to the North of cork sand - more from habit than anything else. Going S works if you have a northerly flowing tide to set you back out. I've always felt that N is deeper (or fewer v shallow bits) but I don't have a chart to hand to verify that

 

[dolabriform]

Thanks all for your help as always.

Left at 0415 this morning, tied up at RNSYC at 1820 local time. 13 hours and 5 minutes, single handed.

It was a great sail, and going via roughs felt more relaxing than the medusa channel.

 

[johnalison]

I hope you have a lovely time. Treat yourself to a draught Trappist and I will pay in forum-virtual Bitcoins. Even better if you are teetotal, make it orange juice.

 

[dolabriform]

I hope you have a lovely time. Treat yourself to a draught Trappist and I will pay in forum-virtual Bitcoins. Even better if you are teetotal, make it orange juice.

Thanks John, very kind. Orange Juice it is

Now I'm just hoping the fog that has just arrived lifts before tomorrow morning

 

[westhinder]

Thanks John, very kind. Orange Juice it is

Now I'm just hoping the fog that has just arrived lifts before tomorrow morning

No fog (not yet?) in Nieuwpoort. Forecast says fog or mist will clear in the morning

 

[dolabriform]

No fog (not yet?) in Nieuwpoort. Forecast says fog or mist will clear in the morning

Thanks

 

[dolabriform]

Slower journey back, but great nonetheless.

If anyone is interested I'll write up the experience with customs / immigration / forms etc in a separate thread.

TLDR . it was as painless as it could be