Having a peek outside...

NUTMEG

NUTMEG

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Location
Essex
www.theblindsailor.co.uk
As a beginner to this sailin lark, I would appreciate comments from you seasoned salty old seadogs. This coming Friday my old Mum, middle son and myself are planning to 'double tide' it from our drying mooring at Maylandsea down the Blackwater to the Knoll north cardinal and back.

Leaving just before HW in the morning to take advantage of the ebb and return with the early evening flood. Back on mooring by sunset.

We are watching weather forecasts and so far so good.

Boat is a W21, son and I both have Day Skipper theory and VHF SRC. We have a tender with o/b, flares, toilet paper, tea and coffee and bacon for sarnies.

I know this might seem daft but we have never stayed out for longer than 4 hours (basically Osea Island and back)

We have charts and a SH chartplotter so shouldn't get lost!

Any hints or tips or anything we should be aware of?

Cheer all

Steve (getting nervous)
 
Sounds like you are going to have a great time.
Chart/Hand bearing compass/bucket(for bailing or bilge pump)/ essentials as listed we will often have a thermos pump type flask for quick access to hot water for brews. Tide tables to hand for the day and or notes re timings to keep you on trackTakes about 4 litres (not sure exactly) but useful and saves having to light the stove.
VHF as a must aside, a radio for listening is standard kit for us!
Something to maybe fish with! We haven't caught a bite yet but always adds a distraction. Seem to be going too fast for anything to bite!
Our children seem to eat more afloat so a well stocked cool bag with lots of goodies always keep morale high. Lots of drinks too. Sun kit - hats, cream and shades! (in France at mo with temp 28/29 deg c, so topical for us.
Camera for the trip photo log as you never know what you may see.
We keep so much on board as standard so we are pretty much ready to go except water !
Let someone know where you are going and when you are likely to be back just in case you have any difficulties afloat.
Always have a plan B if weather is not good and if at all unsure make plans before it is too late - sometimes we learn more by really pushing the boat out but with a young crew take that into account!
But most of all have fun being on the water.
Ben
 
Looks like you might need a waterproof - Mersea forecast.

If you don't like the look of it when you get down the river you could go into Mersea Quarters and pick up a buoy or go into Bradwell.

I'm leaving Bradwell about HW Friday for a few hours on the river so will wave :) nothing like a few other boats about to put you at ease.

You should be fine. Then try Pyefleet Creek, The Colne, Brightlinsea and before you know it your confidence will soar.
 
Hi Steve,

I've been up and down this stretch of the Blackwater many times now (I used to have MOBO's moored at Maylandsea) and i've now a little sailing boat at Stone Sailing Club just up river from you which, like you, i'm learning too.

To be honest you shouldn't have any problems at all. It does get a bit 'lumpy' around Bradwell Powerstation area but don't let that concern you too much. It's more surprising than concerning and it's good experience.

Make sure you have enough fuel onboard so you can motor back in the event of anything going pearshaped. It's good peace of mind.
As others have said, have plenty of water on board for everyone. The same goes for snacks.
Hats for the sun and waterproofs in case it tips down. (Which is quite possible)
Make sure the batteries on your VHF are charged up and you all know how to use it on C16 and as others have said, have your flares accessible and your crew have half a clue how to use one.

To be honest, you'll probably need very little of that (other than water and nibbles) but it's good practice to have the basics covered for every trip so it becomes normal practice.

If you get a bit more adventurous, take a trip up the Colne towards Wivenhoe. It's a very quaint little stretch of water and you can have a quiet meander if the Blackwater is a bit blowy.

Anyway, hope you have a good trip. I should be out at the same time so if I see you i'll give you a wave! :)

Nik
 
Two things missed of the list (and possibly stating the obvious).
1) drinking water - plenty for all.
2) Anchor + rope or chain - your best friend if things are not working out as planned

And.. if it all starts to get a bit much then be preapred to turn round (or anchor for a while and wait for the tide), the target of the trip will always be there another day.
 
Thanks all

If anyone is about Friday morning pleasemgive the W21 with the tatty sails a wide berth!!!

Seriously though, boat name is Alexandros, will have the VHF on so give us a shout if your about.

Do you chaps think we should take some water :-)

Fingers crossed for gentle breezes (F4 forecast)
 
Sophie19 said:
If anyone is about Friday morning pleasemgive the W21 with the tatty sails a wide berth!!!

Seriously though, boat name is Alexandros, will have the VHF on so give us a shout if your about.

Do you chaps think we should take some water :-)

Fingers crossed for gentle breezes (F4 forecast)
Click to expand...

Will do..

On the water front.. Actually No.. If the weather is like it is outside my window right now, Just take some saucepans and you'll have more than enough.. :D

Have a good trip. I'll be fun..
 
Common schoolboy error on the Blackwater is forgetting Thirslet Spit - marked by a starboard channel marker. Leave it to port on the way out and to starboard on the way back. Don't sail down the middle of the river!

Failure to observe can = premature parking in middle of river accompanied by much ridicule.
 
Marmalade said:
Common schoolboy error on the Blackwater is forgetting Thirslet Spit - marked by a starboard channel marker. Leave it to port on the way out and to starboard on the way back. Don't sail down the middle of the river!

Failure to observe can = premature parking in middle of river accompanied by much ridicule.
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Don't spoil all our fun Simon :D

Steve - I will try to remember A) to switch the radio on and B) name of your boat.
 
Nice to someone with a bit of savvy asking the right questions rather than just going for it and to hell with the consequences, hope you have a great time :)
 
Thank you

Thanks for the advice and supportive comments. Still a bit worried about predicted wind later in the day so have 2 plan B's in place.

First is to duck into Bradwell and the other is to run past our swinging mooring and leave the boat at Blacwater Marina for the night to avoid using the dinghy at the end of an exciting day with wind rising.

We have water, lunch and snacks, chart, chart plotter, East coast rivers and East coast pilot books. Yes we have 15m of chain with 30m of nylon rode aboard. Fixed dsc/VHF linked to chart plotter, HB compass, steering compass, fog horn, LJ's with harness's and safety lines for changing firewalls and reefing. Yanmar inboard. As well as Anchor ball and radar reflector, horseshoe with 50m of line att, smoke canister and some out of date flares.

Anyone would think we were rounding the Horn!

I am allowing for average SOG of 4kts including the tidal stream, and reckon on 5 hours to get to the Knoll with out rushing. Does this sound about right or am I overdoing it, as usual?
 
It's about 15nm Maylandsea to Knoll - you should manage 5 knots with tide under you and wind behind or on the beam. Don't get there too early or you'll be fighting back against the tide and wind. Bear in mind the Knoll is only an idea, a prospective destination. With the first trip out further just go as far as you feel comfortable with and don't scare anyone and get back grinning :cool:.

Looking forward to seeing you on your adventure :)
 
Indeed, traditionally Bench Head (SH buoy) is the start / end of the Blackwater so you could turn there and say you'd left the river...

Only saves a short distance though
 
Sophie19 said:
I am allowing for average SOG of 4kts including the tidal stream, and reckon on 5 hours to get to the Knoll with out rushing. Does this sound about right or am I overdoing it, as usual?
Click to expand...

With tide the Knoll is about 3 hours max. from Maylandsea.

Be aware that the Knoll area can get a bit bumpy if wind over tide, as the tide funnels through this area. You could always run up to the Colne instead (you can cut across a big chunk of the shallows), and at least the tide isn't so strong for turning round and coming back.
 
Just thought it would be polite to let you know we did it. Maylandsea to Knoll beacon and back. 12 hours non stop. What can I say but elated. We had a fantastic sail, well reefed for most of it but learned a great deal. The W21 was fantastic, she really seemed to enjoy herself!

Special thanks to the chap (name sadly forgot) who contacted us in the morning on the VHF, first time I have used the thing since passing the exam last year.

Now if only the room would stop moving I could go to bed!

Thanks again chaps for your support.
 
Sophie19 said:
Just thought it would be polite to let you know we did it. Maylandsea to Knoll beacon and back. 12 hours non stop. What can I say but elated. We had a fantastic sail, well reefed for most of it but learned a great deal. The W21 was fantastic, she really seemed to enjoy herself!

Special thanks to the chap (name sadly forgot) who contacted us in the morning on the VHF, first time I have used the thing since passing the exam last year.

Now if only the room would stop moving I could go to bed!

Thanks again chaps for your support.
Click to expand...

Great news Steve,

Glad you had a good trip.. Ahh the trusty 'sea legs'. Shows you had a proper trip. :)
 
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