Help needed with first 'proper' cruise

NUTMEG

NUTMEG

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Essex
www.theblindsailor.co.uk
Evening all. We are planning (?) to attend the forthcoming WOA cruise to the Medway (27th July). As a 'rule of thumb' I am working on a cruising speed of 4kts.

I have been looking at charts etc and have discovered that the outward trip from Maldon to Harty Ferry will will take a conservative 51nm/12 hours.
Saturday morning the cruise sets off for the Medway, 19nm/4 hours 50 mins.
Sunday Medway YC to Maldon 58nm/14 hours 30 mins.

The longest cruise we have done thus far is about 12 hours, out to the Gunfleet and back. We have spent a few nights afloat at Brightlingsea, W. Mersea and Pyfleet.

We have both done Dazed Skipper shore based and have radio certs.

We have the usual chartplotter, VHF fixed and H/H, radar reflector, nav lights etc and the RNLI Seacheck chappy seemed happy with our kit and so on.

Alex is a W21 in good order for her age and this is our third season.

Honestly now, does the panel think we are up to this trip? Am I running before I am able to walk properly? Is this too ambitious? If the forecasts are not perfect we will call it off of course.

Any opinions, warnings, advise etc very welcome?
 
Are there any other owners you could cruise in company with? I have done a few Leisure owners club events, and it is always reassuring to have other boats within radio range.
 
Go for it!
Providing several non negotiables: weather and how you are feeling with your sensible hat on as opposed to the Gung Ho anything is possible attitude.
By this I mean if the weather window seems within your vessels capability and you are feeling confident about the passage, your kit and nav ability.
Longer passages can be more relaxing if everything is in your favour and plan B ports of shelter are not required.
Ultimately you will know your comfort zone and what you feel is achievable, sounds to me that with good care and safe planning you would be in good shape to go for it and extend your horizons.
We made our first nth sea crossing with a settled weather window and limited kit ie handheld gps chart plotter no fancy radar and chart plotters etc. we had a serviced engine that could be relied upon. We had a great crossing and great learning curve.
Ben
 
Another Go for it!

It looks like the weather beforehand will be good so the sea state should be favourable - I think that is important as it enables you to relax and sail your best speed. Tide timings are crucial for a trip like that and will help you make good time.

You can always bolt into Brightlingsea on the way back if the wind, tide or weather turns against you.

I think it will make a very good cruise - have it in mind for myself this year. Good luck. Look forward to the video (not 14 hours of it though :eek::D).
 
Another go for it from me.

When I did my first estuary crossing, I chose to go do it the coastal route - ie hug Essex around to Shoebury and then a quick bolt across (4nm) to the mouth of the Medway, then you could pick up a bouy or even use the pontoon at Queenborough. It's very simple pilotage that way and only a short lane to cross. - And you get to see the Montgomery!
 
You will be fine, just try to work the tides to optimize journey times. Wind against tide in the Thames can be a little bouncy in F5 or higher so keep an eye on the weather. From Harty to Medway you might want to consider going along the Swale if the tides are right but check that the Kingsferry bridge is operational (it usually is).
 
I'm sure you will be fine, provided you don't choose a day with strong SW'lies.
Can I just query your route as I just roughly measured the distance on the chart on the wall here, and I would have thought about 42 miles, not 51.
I would exit the Blackwater, cross the Spitway around LW, head for the S.Whitaker, then NE Maplin, Maplin Edge, Maplin, SW Barrow. Then track due south passing close to the Red Sand Tower, aiming to arrive at the Columbine Spit buoy about HW-1 to HW-2. With this timing you can go straight across all the shallows south of the fort. Then the last bit from the Columbine Spit to Harty is about 5 miles, total I make about 42 (admittedly I didn't measure all the Blackwater bends though!)
Good luck with it.
 
If you are confident about your boat and engine and the weather is favourable you should be fine. Tolesbury to the Medway was my first "long" trip when I bought my last boat a MG Spring there. On that occasion lack of wind was the biggest problem we had, and had to motor all the way to Shoebury when the wind eventually picked up to sail the last few miles.
Depending on the weather and timing of the Bridge lifts, round the back of Sheppey can be the quickest route from Harty to the Medway. A Chart Plotter helps keeping to the narrow channels.
It looks as though the London Aray cable is being buried in the Swale at the moment. On Marine Traffic there are 2 vessels between Shellness and Harty and the Guard Vessel, Sorrento is sitting near Ham Gat. The cable laying ship is well clear of the Swale now.
 
FulmarJeddo said:
.......... On Marine Traffic there are 2 vessels between Shellness and Harty and the Guard Vessel, Sorrento is sitting near Ham Gat. The cable laying ship is well clear of the Swale now.
Click to expand...
There is no problem at all with passage through the East Swale. Might get an advice visit from a friendly guard boat, that's all.
 
Thanks all,

Right. Money for dinner at MYC sent off so decision made. I will now spend the next week poring over charts, East Coast Pilot, Crossing the Thames Estuary and anything else I can lay my eyes on:)

Will clean water trap and check engine over, although less then 20 hours since full service.

Exciting isn't it!

Thanks again all.

(will limit film to 2 hours of edited highlights!)

Steve
 
MYC will be lively this weekend, the Wayfarer nationals are on, with a band at the club on Saturday evening. Should be fun.

Wind looks light on Saturday, but not pouring down, should be a nice change....
 
We did our first trip ever last week. The first leg was a windy 19 hours through the night (learnt a lot on that one) The second leg was a breeze 3 hrs. The third was a 7 hr force 5 wind against tide. Rough but we know the boat a lot better and can't wait for the next trip.

Go for it. If you are not ready now you never will be.
 
Thanks all, got the charts today, a 2012 almanac, a new set of parallel rulers and a rubber. Cost? £70!!

Never mind, the eraser will come in handy for all those mistakes working out tidal vectors and I am sure (hope) this will be the first of many estuary crossings.

Just need to top up the fuel tank and spare cans, fill the biscuit tin and keep fingers crossed for good weather.

Cheers chaps

Steve
 
I wouldn't worry too much about tidal vectors, the Thames is not that wide, just point a few degrees up tide of what you are aiming for (or use a waypoint). Concentrate on enjoying the trip :)
 
Another go for it...

However, I think your speed may be a bit conservative.. You will have the tide under you from Maldon to the Swin.. That will be about half tide.. You should get the tide under you again by about half way down the Maplin sands.. Then it is. cross tide to the Swale.. and the. again it is under you... these should push up your SOG ..
 
Thanks Tomahawk, I now have an up to date almanac :) I did not have one when roughly calculating distances/speeds. I tend to work on 4kts and that seems to work out about right most of the time for pilotage, but as you say, we often arrive early!

Cheers

Steve
 
Sophie19 said:
Thanks Tomahawk, I now have an up to date almanac :) I did not have one when roughly calculating distances/speeds. I tend to work on 4kts and that seems to work out about right most of the time for pilotage, but as you say, we often arrive early!

Cheers

Steve
Click to expand...

Always easier to lose time than make it up. I always aim to arrive at any tidal gate destination early so when the unexpected happens, I have time to sort it.
 
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