Ipswich to Newhaven

[david42]

A friend of mine is picking up a new boat in Ipswich and we're sailing her back to Newhaven. Any tips?

I've just had a look at the Dover - Ipswich thread, is there anything extra to consider going South?

David

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[Evadne]

I brought my boat round to Chichester harbour from the Blackwater many years ago in a series of weekends. I did Maylandsea-Ramsgate, Ramsgate-Dover (was to have been Rye but curtailed due to gales), Dover-Newhaven and Newhaven-Chichester. Dover-Newhaven was the only leg longer than 24 hours, and the last leg was singlehanded. Apart from the obvious, i.e. the tides and the winds are always against you, the points I recall are:
Don't bother trying to stem a foul tide off Dover, we failed to make some ground by leaving early and still missed the tide gate around Dungeness. Tacking round Dungeness against the tide is also not recommended.
Dungeness offers a good anchorage to the east to wait for the tide, just remember to go as close inshore as you dare. I lost an anchor on WW2 wreckage 1/2 mile offshore.
On the way to Newhaven we also anchored off Eastbourne to wait for a fair tide. Its a little more exposed than Dungeness but comfortable enough.
It is possible to tack up the channel into Newhaven if your engine won't start, but do ask the harbourmaster when the next ferry is due.

The Thames has probably changed since I was there, I'm sure someone more experienced would be able to recommend a route.


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[pandroid]

The main hassle on this route (apart from the Thames Estuary sandbanks) is the strong tide off Ramsgate. Our usual method is to leave Harwich pretty much at the bottom of the tide. This gives you a push up the Black Deep and gets you to Ramsgate just before the stream starts against you. If you overnight there, you can then get a lift round South Foreland. The tide in the channel is less so its no so much of a bother, but strong south westerlies make the chop off Dover somewhat uncomfortable.

The best route through the Estuary (unless going round the outside) is Medusa, Black Deep, Foulers (or Fishermans) Gat, then across to North Foreland.

I seem to remember its about 45 miles to Ramsgate from Harwich, and about 70 odd to Eatsbourne, with Newhaven just beyond.

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[davidfox]

I brought my boat around from the Hamble to Ipswich in November 2002
although the other way around.
I pretty much agree with Pandroids route - make Ramsgate your stop. its easily achievable

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[sailorman]

ipswich > long sand hd > kentish knock > gull channel ( inside goodwins) > dover
all on one tide,. leave ipswich @ 1 1/2 hrs before low water

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[Abigail]

We came the other way last week, Brighton to Ipswich arriving on Saturday afternoon. We were very conservative etc and also doing other things on the way so went Dover, Ramsgate, Ipswich.

Best route depends obviously on boat and crew - do you want to do long passages or hops?

The worst and much the most boring bit is really from Dover, unless you're shoal draft. It's not really worth going into Eastbourne but just push on. If there is a NE there is a nasty chop just west of teh Royal Sovreign Bouy, so go to south of it.

People are absolutely right about the tides. Our lower port shrouds parted company with the mast halfway between Beachy Head and Dungeness, so we proceeded very slowly into the head wind. Whereupon we missed the tides and edged our way round Dungeness at some times doing 1 knot over the ground - I never want to see that lighthouse again!



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[david42]

Thanks all

This has been really useful, we're having a crew meeting on Tuesday and planning to do the trip over the Easter weeklend.

David



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[sailorman]

Hi David
have u bought from Foxs or Wet Dock ?.
we r in foxs C12 berth

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[david42]

I'm not sure, I'll check with the skipper.

Are you around Easter weekend?

David

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