Jerrard
New Member
I was wondering if anyone has used the Raysand this year?
Raysand crossing between Crouch and Blackwater
- Thread starter Jerrard
- Start date
Tomahawk
Well-Known Member
Nope...
Just wanted to let you know people are reading your thread..
Just wanted to let you know people are reading your thread..
Plum
Well-Known Member
Last edited:
johnalison
Well-Known Member
I have a confession to make. I have sailed these waters since 1972 and never done the Raysand, so I am in no position to answer this interesting question. More importantly, who has done it and survived to tell the tale?
Leighb
Well-Known Member
Our first ever East Coast cruise was on a friend’s boat from Burnham to West Mersea and back, on the outward leg on the Saturday we went through the Raysand. Never been near since. That would have been in the late 70s I think.
tillergirl
Well-Known Member
Downloads and scroll down. If you look at the Notices to Marienrs page, look in the Temporary List. There is a new Ray Sand buoy.
Jerrard
New Member
Hi, I asked because I'd like to use that route and would appreciate any inout/advice from someone's who has used it recently. for instance - should one expect the depths in line with the range for Burnham on Crouch? Did you follow the 2 raysand buoy markers? I guess I'm looking for helpful comments which is why I made the enquiry. As you are a frequent user then you're just the person! Thank you for any help.
NealB
Well-Known Member
I have sailed these waters since 1962 (starting as crew on my Dad's old converted naval cutter).
I have 'done' the Rays'n hundreds of times, and survived.
But not even once this year!
Bru
Well-Known Member
Chance would be a fine thing. Bloody boat is still in the yard and will be now until next year 
Used the Ray'sn quite a lot in happier times, even first time out with the latest luxury yacht.. fin keel and all
Used the Ray'sn quite a lot in happier times, even first time out with the latest luxury yacht.. fin keel and all
Plum
Well-Known Member
The post above from Tillergirl leads you to his excellent and accurate chart http://www.crossingthethamesestuary.com/Ray Sand 2020 Upload.pdf . Suggest you use tidal data based on Sheerness and then check for negative surge on the day from the PLA tide gauges Hydrographics . As you will see from Tillergirl's chart, best water is not where the buoys are. I just follow the 1 degree longitude line and that gives about 0.5m more depth than the buoyed line. I usually cross about 2.5 hours before HW (1.4m draft) which enables me to carry the flood up whichever river I am heading for. If heading south to the Crouch , and well before HW, do not let the flood tide into the Crouch sweep you Westwards off the 1 degree line before you reach the deeper water, the bottom is hard sand!
Www.solocoastalsailing.co.uk
ianc1200
Well-Known Member
Colin, have you done this on Plum (with it's deep draft) or your motorboat?
Plum
Well-Known Member
Jerrard
New Member
Thank you for your good information - very helpful.
dabsolute470
Well-Known Member
yes its fine as said above used it twice this year
tillergirl
Well-Known Member
Good to hear you Heather and Steve. It seems to have been a while.
prologica
Member
Tillergirl and I have corresponded previously about the wisdom, or otherwise, of crossing the Rays’n in a 1.8 fin keeler but this thread has sparked my interest afresh. Looking at Tillergirl’s 2019 chartlet, and fully aware that depths may have changed, I see a maximum drying height of 1.6m on the 01 degree line. Assuming Whitaker Beacon is the best tide table to use, the tidal height at HW-1 today is 4.5m and 4.8m at HW. The crossing at 01 degrees due south between the 2m contour lines is approx 1.4 miles so say 20 minutes at 4 plus knots, or a bit longer if you were to cross slower just in case. Does that not suggest that in benign conditions without a ‘negative surge’ or lower tide caused by wind or high pressure, a depth of 2.9m with a rise of another 0.3m at high water would make this a realistic proposition with due care? I stand by to be contradicted!
Regards
David
Regards
David
Bru
Well-Known Member
Admiralty Easytide has predictions for Holliwell Point (free for the next 7 days, a modest payment for future tides) which is what i use for the Ray'sn
One of these days I'll get around to investigating the rumoured inshore channel (if it's still there, if indeed it ever existed ... some three yeara back i saw two yachts head North close around the point and a look across with the binocs at low water from the river hinted at possibilities! Some "a mate of a mate of my mate reckons ..." comments followed from local sailors )
One of these days I'll get around to investigating the rumoured inshore channel (if it's still there, if indeed it ever existed ... some three yeara back i saw two yachts head North close around the point and a look across with the binocs at low water from the river hinted at possibilities! Some "a mate of a mate of my mate reckons ..." comments followed from local sailors
)tony_lavelle
Well-Known Member
We crossed southwards from Brightingsea to the Crouch on Wednesday, 2 days before springs, at HW-1. Using Roger's notes we followed the 1degE meridian rather than the two safe water buoys. With 1.5m draught we had a minimum of 1.4m under the keel. No drama.
Plum
Well-Known Member
tillergirl
Well-Known Member
I don't think I could add anything David, other that I doubt the Ray Sand will have substantially changed this year. But I might go down on the next springs anyway. I want to redo the survey with the new software and I fancy testing Bru's 'hint of possibilities'. There is a cul de sac closer to the Point which is a very good start (local oysterman and sailor took some pictures:
IMG_0200 by Roger Gaspar, on Flickr
but I think the sand beyond the end of the cul de sac is over 2m high for a while. I think that picture was taken west of the Outer Crouch No 3.
IMG_0200 by Roger Gaspar, on Flickrbut I think the sand beyond the end of the cul de sac is over 2m high for a while. I think that picture was taken west of the Outer Crouch No 3.
