Havengore this weekend, anyone?

[LeonF]

Well I used to have East Coast Rivers until it got waterlogged, and now have the East Coast Pilot, so I can't vouch for what is actually in the current ECR. I think everyone should, possibly, have both! It's the Cruising Almanac that seems to differ the most. They suggest heading in from the Inner Shoebury and compass headings.
I am sure once you have updated the ECP it will be THE one to have.

By the way for those without fridges on board, the convenience shop at Fambridge Yacht Haven will re freeze your freezer blocks. Cold beer at anchor again...what more of a recommendation can one need for going there ? The idyllic setting is still the same, but with better facilities, helpful and friendly staff. Gold star to Fambridge Yacht Haven !

 

[Mandarin331]

The strange thing about the actual directions is that they don't seem to be written down clearly anywhere, even in the best selling east coast book, although perhaps that's because we didn't get a good run at it, nor any useful pics, last time the notes were compiled.
However we now have a myriad of scribblings, photos and lat/longs for next time.QUOTE]

Great to hear this. We have the ECP on board and thought it would be nice to use Havengore a couple of weeks ago coming out of the East Swale (to avoid a 5am start). We were disapointed to find very little data in ECP and made the decision to skip it as too risky with limited information, and from what LeonF says if the broomway only has 0.9 on a spring we wouldn't have made it anyway (that's exactly what we draw).

It would be a real coup if you could be the first to give some defintitive pilotage information on your website.

 

[Cantata]

........... and from what LeonF says if the broomway only has 0.9 on a spring we wouldn't have made it anyway (that's exactly what we draw).
It would be a real coup if you could be the first to give some defintitive pilotage information on your website.

Thanks for this, Shamal, we're discussing what we can do with this on the website right now. It may take a little while, possibly too late for this season, as we take great pains with this stuff to ensure we get it right, and I have to study the tidal data for one thing so that my findings can be related to other weather/tide conditions - the pilotage notes are going to have to spell out the need to take all factors into account before setting off across the sands, as I'm sure all wise forumites already do. What we can add, I hope, is a degree of certainty.
Incidentally I found substantially more than 0.9m over the Broomway (I draw 1.2m with a full beer locker) but it was a big Spring tide.

 

[T_S]

Yes, as Cantata says, we managed the Havengore with great ease last Saturday. What was interesting was that using the info from the Roach Sailing Association it all seemed so easy, despite their info being totally different to that in the almanac and pilot guide I consulted. I recommend anchoring to the west of the artificial island. Get there at LW and the channel is easy to see. I went far around the bend till I went aground, then threw the hook out and waited. Plenty of fish for those with an angling inclination. I just watched the family of seals playing. With a good set of bins, the two black balls marking the wreck is easily visible. This is the first mark to aim for, some two hours before HW, then follow the beacons around. The first to starboard is a bit of a dog leg, but it then becomes clear as the others all lead in from seaward, the last two mark the Broomway. Then it's withies all the way. The RSA recommend East Coast Rivers. I was a bit early, almost an hour before HW, but had 0.9 over the Broomway, but it was an exceptionally high tide and benign conditions. Go on try it.. it was great fun and quite easy. I can't wait to have another go next year. And yes Thalia was in Swale Marina, but sadly only in there for repair at their excellent workshops, after being hit by a Thames Fuel Barge while on her river mooring.

Hi LeonF not too much of a problem for me as Tadpole draws only 2' with her keel up, the question I would like to ask : if you were leaving the creek going out to sea what mark would be you steer to?

 

[LeonF]

Shamal I had 0.9 under the keel, which is 1.2, and we were a tad early. It was an exceptionally high tide. TS, I was told to steer a course of 010/020 from the artificial island to the wreck marker, so I reckon you would have to steer the reciprocal until you had cleared the drying shoreline. I can get the co-ordinates of where I anchored at LW springs last Saturday morning in the lee of the island, if you wanted to anchor and sit out the ebb, but it wouldn't be until late next week.

 

[T_S]

Just been looking at the chart Leon, would I be correct that you past the wreck on your port beam with this bearing? If so this course would cut a big chunk off my originally plan which was to set a course to the Blacktail West.

 

[LeonF]

That's exactly what I did. There were yachts arriving at the start of the line of beacons from the Blacktail West direction, but I went for the wreck marker to port. The next beacon is to starboard, but well over, almost a dog leg. So in fact you are heading out to pick up the line of beacons leading in. Do remember we had very high tides last weekend. I am not sure I would want to try over the Bank Holiday, but maybe with a shallower draught you would be ok.

 

[T_S]

That's exactly what I did. There were yachts arriving at the start of the line of beacons from the Blacktail West direction, but I went for the wreck marker to port. The next beacon is to starboard, but well over, almost a dog leg. So in fact you are heading out to pick up the line of beacons leading in. Do remember we had very high tides last weekend. I am not sure I would want to try over the Bank Holiday, but maybe with a shallower draught you would be ok.

Looking at the chart maybe it would be best if I head out to the Blacktail West as this heading seems to have slightly deeper water!