Medway to Ramsgate

[RobGill]

I am planning on bringing my new boat (to me) from Chatham to Solent. The first leg will be Chatham to Ramsgate and I was planning on going via Four Fathems/Horse/Gore/South Channels. The boats draft is 1.5m. Is this the best route? I was planning on leaving at HW -1.

 

[Malish]

I would leave slightly earlier (max 1 hour) to be at Sheerness for high water, otherwise you route seems fine. Beware of crab pots after the Spile, don't cut Foreness point too tight, the cardinal mark is often out of position & again beware of crab pots in the North Foreland area

 

[ctelfer38]

Hi, It is the best route if you wish to steer clear of the shipping lanes and is of course shorter. If you have a reliable depth sounder and if you stick closely to the recommended inshore routes shown in the detailed charts for that sea area, you should be ok. If that is a worry for you, there is nothing wrong in following the red cans via Shivering Sands and Princes Channel, leaving them to port, all the way from the Medway to the vicinity of the East Margate Bouy lying North by North East of North Foreland. A longer passage but with the benefit of a stronger tidal push. Being on the wrong side of the cans will keep you clear of shipping. If visibility closes in the cans will be good waypoints to keep you on track. Time your arrival North of North Foreland to pick up the start of the south going ebb tide to take you down towards Ramsgate. Either way you can stay closer to the shoreline south of North Foreland to avoid a long run in to Ramsgate from the East. Hope this helps.
CBT

 

[RobGill]

Thanks for input. Not really worried about shipping just looking for quickest/shortest/safe route, just less depth than I'm used too! I'll probably stick with planned route if all the kit on boat is working OK. Just seeing if any problems not obvious on charts.

 

[chrisbailey]

You have chosen a good route but be careful when you get to the East Last bouy as it can be quite shallow, stay north of the E. Last by about 200 yds and then alter course S Eastly to pass about centrally betwwen E last and the Hook Spit bouy. the water soon starts to get a bit deeper after that. On spring tides you can easily be swept sideways towards the hook spit. Also there were a couple of very large unlit mooring bouys in the gore channel off Westgate to beware of especially at night.

 

[robind]

I would leave as early before highwater as you dare so that you arrive at the shallowest pieces just before high water. It depends on your draft of course and dont believe that its really "four fathoms" either /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif))