River Deben

[Ecosse120]

I have read various posts about getting up the river Deban and the fact that HW-2hr is the suggested time. Can I ask a dumb question, when is it best to get back out of the river ?

 

[eastcoastbernie]

This has only just been discussed:

http://www.ybw.com/forums/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/1934870/an/0/page/0#1934870

CliveG suggested exit best just after the ebb. Moodysabre suggested if Horse Sands is covered there'e enough water over the bar.

 

[Chris_G]

We tend to cross HW +/- 2hrs though 3 is usually possible. Beware it gets really lumpy with a strong onshore blow - avoid - we tried to exit the other week when schedule over took sense @ av26 knts and even with the the sping ebb (HW+2) under us struggled with 2.1m waves between the knowls & made no way so high tailed back into the river very slowly before the water ran out. lesson learnt
C.

Finally escaped this Sunday with 17knts SW at HW -1, perfectly flat and had a beautiful sail back to the Orwell

 

[CliveG]

As I said in the other thread.
Do not try crossing the bar with a strong on shore wind after the ebb has started.
A strong off shore wind can make the bar very uncomfortable on the flood.

Talking to the Felixstowe Ferry harbour master the other day he agreed with me that there appears to be about 0.6m of water over the bar at chart datum.
The bar is gravel.
You can drag you keel through it.
I have. Just to check the depth, you know /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
If the conditions are calm you just need enough rise of tide to get you over.

 

[Ecosse120]

Thanks everyone for your advice, I am hoping to go up in a couple of weeks time but can only afford, due to work, to stay one night up the Deben.

 

[Chris_G]

Thanks Clive, I read the other thread between trips ;-) Can now categorically say you're right. Never let schedule overcome instinct - no matter what ! We just spent two more weeks in the Deben.

BTW hope Sirena's starting to look a little better...
C.