Raysand Channel

[Sheff]

Hi to all on the East Coast Forum.

Intending heading round to the Crouch from the Blackwater over the Easter weekend.

Is anyone aware of any significant change to the Raysand Channel over the winter? Is the yellow mark still on station at this time of the year?

Or do I do my usual and follow someone I know has a deeper keel /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Cheers,
Paul.

 

[Athene V30]

Last time I did it (earlier in 2007) I thought the yellow buoy was in the wrong place and used GPS waypoints instead.

I expect Full Circle would have a better idea when he is next along.

 

[alan17]

I have used this channel very frequently. Yellowbouy on station. I keep it well to the west.
My route is aim for the "goal posts" on Foulness sand and keep the beacon about 1 cable to port.
I am planning the same trip but the other way round. I am leaving the Crouch and heading for Brightlingsea. Possibly will speak via VHF on route.
Hope we both have a good trip.

 

[FullCircle]

I havent done it since last September, but it seemed as if the spit is marching toward Clacton, as it has for some time. The buoy was off charted position by probably 500 yards to the east, but the entrance was 'wide' in that there seemed no significant advantage for about that width to get into the channel.

Dont follow me, I look as if I should draw more, as two 25 footers found out last year.

I think that what I am saying is, you will have to do your own little survey when you get there, and (optional advice here) dont do it first time in the season when its rough, or when the tides are weird due to earlier weather patterns, cos the results will be a bit skewed. I look forward to my first cup of tea on the sands a bit later.

 

[mormargh]

Errrrr, have you seen the forecast, especially for Friday?

 

[alldownwind]

Errrmmm, what's the point of reading next Friday's forecast today?
Round here it's been totally wrong the last few days, 18 hours before, so with 5 days' notice I suppose maybe they'll get it right, quite by chance though. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Sheff]

Thanks for the replies.

Jim, I often sail with a couple of lift-keelers so know to be wary of following a bigger boat with "apparent" deep draught.

This weekend is looking worse every time I look at the forecast. I daren't tell my sailing companion what the wind chill forecast is (she doesn't mind testing conditions but hates being cold).

Anyway, if any of you see "Herald", a Westerly Tempest, around Easter weekend please say hello and share a beer/glass of wine.

Cheers,
Paul.