Coming back from the Orwelll at the beginnng of October with Centaurpipedream on board we took a close in line across the Colne Bar a bit before HW. Seemed to be plenty of water and no real bar (calm and light winds). I was surprised to find us crossing the Colne inside the Inner Bench Head. The bar seems more noticeable further out and hence I have normally gone round the end of it.
Yeah, but I'm really sailing away from the Moliette so.....
Pyro: I'm just generous. It's actually 15.38.22. Have you been digging? Listen Morgana got a black plastic 'Lobster Pot' in one go "I'll name that lobster pot in one"
MoodySabre: coming down the Wallet, I've cut across the bar heading for the Blackwater; in places its quite shallow and I've seen some nasty rips there; worse on a strong NW helping a flood down the Wallet. Maurice Griffiths used to write about being able to hear the shingle on the bar; never heard that myself.
That all depends on the weather and how brave/foolish I am feeling. You can lay across the bar well inside the Bench Head. I have a couple of clearing lines on a chart somewhere.