Planning a trip from Chichester Harbour to Woolverstone

[2hullsonemarinaberth]

I'm planning on moving my Motorcat 30 from Chichester Harbour to Woolverstone Marina in the not too distant future. The cat cruises at 15 knts and is comfortable anywhere between 10 and 15 knots, or at 6knots on one engine and low revs. I want to do the trip in a weekend, not flat out for mile after mile, but avoiding any night cruising. Just wondered if anyone has done this trip recently, and cared to share their experiences, or thoughts.

 

[tillergirl]

I have no special knowledge Chichester to Ramsgate but from Ramsgate to Woolverstone you have the choice of the 'inside' or 'outside' route. The outside route is longer: from outside Ramsgate Harbour to outside Harwich Harbour via the outside route is 46.16nm against 39.07nm for the best inside route. Not really that much of a time issue at 10 knots I suppose.

Outside route - Ramsgate - off North Foreland - leaving the Thanet wind farm to starboard - leaving the Kentish Knock to port and taking the gap up between the Kentish Knock to port and the Long Sand Head two-way route to starboard. Pretty much due north up to the Long Sand Head north cardinal buoy. Notre the sands at the Long Sand Head have been gradually extending north east over the last few years so it is worth trying not to cut the corner here. Pass the Long Sand Head north cardinal pretty close too keeps you well clear of the sands and bear in mind that it is the 'left hand marker' for ships coming up the two-way route and turning sharply into the Black Deep to head to London. Across the Sunk Inner and Sunk precautionary areas heading for Roughs Towers - no special rules of leisure craft in the Precautionary Area except 'keep out of the way' as this is a gyratory for large ships - but there is ample room. From Roughs, Cork Sand Beacon is the next mark and from there you follow the outside of the Harwich Deep Water Channel along and then round into Harwich Harbour. No depth issues although you will see the bottom rise up around Ridge as you near the bend into Harwich. But there will be ample water for a Cat.

Inside route: Ramsgate - off North Foreland - Long Sand Outer Safe Water Mark (this is the entrance to the avenue leading through the London Array Wind Farm). See the chartlet on the Updates page of my web site. You go Long Sand Outer to Long Sand Middle down the gap between the A line of turbines and the B line. Note that you will not see the Long Sand Middle from the Long Sand Outer from deck level (might if you have a Flybridge). Then Long Sand Middle to Long Sand Inner and you will have cleared the wind farm. Note that at night, it is reported that the lights on the safe water marks are virtually impossible to see from deck level against the light pollution from the lights on the turbines. But GPS co-ordinates will of course work. At the Long Sand Inner head across the Black Deep to a waypoint which I suggest is 51.41.22N 001.24.97E. Note the possibility of strong cross track tides and big ships heading to or from London (Listen to London VTS on 69 to get an idea of movements). It's not that much of a problem but they will all be constrained by draught. Making good a track of 318(T) takes you over the Little Sunk in at least 3m LAT and safe between any unmarked hazards. Once clear of the sands (the Barrow No 2 is hereabouts), head diagonally across the East Swin to a waypint clear of the head of the Gunfleet Sands, then Medusa, Stone Banks and directly for Harwich. Not great depths but sufficient (and Nelson Managed it). Keep an eye out for poorly marked lobster pots hereabouts.

If you don't like the idea of going through the Wind Farm (plenty of people have done so but it is acknowledged as a new experience), head for Fisherman's Gat instead of the Long Sand Outer, pass up the east side of the marked channel and turn to starboard into the Black Deep and head for the above waypoint. If doing this it would be worth ensuring that you are not fighting the worst of the tide which can run at 2kts.

All this ignores the tide. My tables only go to 7kts but I could estimate a beneficial start time from Ramsgate given an intended speed through the water average.

I forgot to add that there is a chartlet of the Little Sunk crossing also on my web site.

Great journey, you will have fun.