Passage from Levington to Ramgate/Dover

Aeolus_IV

Aeolus_IV

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The subject says it all ... could any of the Forumites from the East Coast area be kind enough to share with me their approach to crossing the Thames Estuary in as rapid and seamanly way as possible. What state of tide to leave at and the routing through the seemingly endless channels and banks in the estuary itself.

The boat in question is an Oyster 26 with its original engine so I would anticipate that under engine a cruising speed of 4.5 to 5 knots is wise assumption in calm conditions. Sailing wise she should easily match this given the right wind.

Charts we have, though I do need to run through the updates, especially about Gunfleet Sands and the new wind farms under construction.

Cheers,
Jeff.
 
With reasonable weather, I prefer to go straight out and down the outside of Kentish Knock. None of that puddle-jumping nonsense!
 
Hi Alison, not knowing anything about these waters, this link and book look excellent.
Hope all goes well Geoff, it looks like good forward planning is esential and favourable weather a great help.
By the way geoff, (some useless information) ..... my pal owns a Twister 28 same as mine called Aeolus, kept in the upper waters of Portsmouth harbour. Also another Twister is called Aeolis.
 
Leave 4 hours after HW go arround Cork Sand beacon - Sunk buoy, Long Sand Head buoy, outside Kentish Knock, arround North Foreland and into Ramsgate.
I very much doubt you will make Dover on one tide. If you are headed the streem runs at about 3 kn.
Good sailing and a fair wind.
 
While not disagreeing with others, our course is out of the Backwaters, round the Gunfleet, and across the Sunk sand a mile west of the old Little Sunk beacon (to avoid hitting the stump) in about 3 1/2m at LW, and through Fulger's Gap to the North Foreland. The whole trip is almost a straight line done on a rising tide. Although we probably move a bit faster than you, it should work out ok.
 
Using the Crossing The Thames Estuary book and your start time the Harwich to Ramsgate trip of 39nm via Sunk Head, Black Deep and Foulgers Gat would take 7 hours based on 5 knot average speed. The book doesn't deal with going outside Kentish Knock which must be another 7 or 8 nm.

This was a good excuse to get the book out as it has not yet been used in anger.
 
I'm very surprised at all the suggestions to go round the outside.... its a much longer journey, and in a boat that will struggle to make the journey in one tide, an unseamanlike approach IMHO.....

The fastest route out of Harwich route (avoiding Kermudjon's suggestion of crossing the Sunk - which I also agree wth BTW, but a bit harder nav wise for a first timer) is up Black Deep and through Foulgers Gat, or Fishermans gat if you are feeling slightly less confident.... no need to go out to Cork Sand Beacon either.... through the Medusa channel via Stone Bank under Walton, and direct to Sunk Head.... thats an hour saved in its own right, and you'll not see less than 2.5m of water at LW springs....

The other factor, is that if there is any North in the wind, especially if for a few days, then the inside route is considerably less bumpy....

I'll say it again.... go round the outside if you must, but IMHO its sailing a lot further for the sake of it, and also forces you to cross much busier traffic areas.....
 
Thank you all for your considered replies. The navigation and execution of a plan present few real issues (well, over and above the normal ones /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif ) - I am simply looking for some guidance on the general approach. Having not crossed the estuary before it seems prudent to ask.

I have found an East Coast Rivers Pilot book buried in a shelf which presents its view, but it is at least 10 years old, if not more. So I am not confident that it, in this case, is really that useful as its last piece of advice on this subject was (to paraphrase) "update your charts, update this book, update everything. The sands can move quickly". Hmmm ... /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

Cheers,
Jeff.
 
[ QUOTE ]
the inside route is also more interesting, with plenty to occupy the navigator.

[/ QUOTE ]

I do NOT go sailing to be occupied. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif
I like to cross the Thames Estuary with a book in one hand, and a glass of booze in the other. And with the autopilot doing all the work.
The occasional sail-tweak and that's it.

I ALWAYS go outside /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Drawing 7' - a no-brainer.

From Levington it's 7NM more to Ramsgate.
We do it on average in 7hrs.

But in this specific case - Oyster 26 - there's a good case to be made for going 'inside'.
 
[ QUOTE ]
The sands can move quickly". Hmmm ... /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif


[/ QUOTE ]

Tell me about it /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

In 2006 one particular sandbank was not where the 2004 chart said it would be /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

That particular episode added 4hrs to the trip /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
 
Be aware that you will be sailing on an incoming tide which flows INTO the Thames Estuary, it will take you with it. For safety go the outside route, it may take a little longer but who cares your not in a race.
Whenever I have used this route the comercial traffic has been light.
 
Best route for you is S of the Cork, via Black deep, Foulgers Gatt, direct to N Foreland. Start on ebb and employ all Flood tide.

With this course you will not have less than 2m depth under the keel and avoid all hazards.

Dep Levington HW Harwich +4, takes you out to sea, heading midway between S Cork on your LHS and green Medusa on your RHS.

Passage SE passing south of NE Gunfleet buoy by upto 1 mile on your LHS. No more.

Pass no more than 1 mile to south of Sunk Head Tower, and see green conical on your RHS marking N side of Black Deep. Make turn SW into Black Deep.

Head south until haven buoy at N end of Foulgers Gatt. Head past in direct line to S haven buoy (round with red/white stripes) Depth may drop to 3m but not less. Course between the buoys quite forgiving.

From S buoy shape course for red can at eastern end of Margate Sands, and keep half mile off N Foreland until intersecting with Ramsgate channel.

Call Ramsgate for entry, and be prepared to be mucked about - such is their nature there.

Best meal in Ramsgate is Churchill pub high on cliff on LHS - good grub and proper beer. Temple club high on cliff is home of famous matelot sanctuary. Nice to admire all that silverware!

Onwards to Dover - just avoid shallows immediately south of Ramsgate entrance by making out to coastal channel markers
landward of the Goodwins.

Dover port - call in before entry - very professional guys there. All-tide pontoons on RHS at western entrance cost more than than in locked marina ahead as you enter!

Any wind over tide in the area of Dover docks - be prepared for choppy waters.

Dover a desert for eating, but castle is one of our very best.
Have a cultural layover and take your own sandwiches!

Good sailing!


PWG
 
Peter, Thank you for your post. I feel more comfortable about the decision to go the "short route". Now the only decision is when to leave. I'll be up in Levington this weekend from Friday evening - leaving Saturday to finish getting getting the boat ready (checking lights, depth sounder, autopilot etc), then leaving early(ish) Sunday. Forecast at the moment puts Saturday as a southerly breeze in the mid teens, but Sunday as a Northerly. As a friend pointed out last night, the weather is whatever it is at the time. At least this plan gives us a chance of a beer and some food in the Yacht Club before we go.

/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

Cheers,
Jeff.
 
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