Sailing in the Wash

[flipperskipper]

I have just acquired a new yacht (26' Hunter Legend). I have only been sailing 2 years on the Broads with a Seawych, seeking to progress to coastal sailing. What are your views on the Wash as a sailing ground and Wisbech as a suitable mooring, taking into account my (lack of) experience? I intend to do my Day Skipper this autumn having done Comp Crew in June. Any advice gratefully rec'd.

 

[Jomo]

Hi and welcome,

Don't know the wash area that well myself yet, tho' am thinking of going up the East coast for our 2 weeks this year. There have been a number of threads recently about sailing/mooring in that area, might be worth having a browse.

2 things spring to mind:

You'll have to check the tides carefully

It's a fair way from Wisbech to the Wash, and then a fair way to anywhere else.

I'm sure others with more knowledge of the area will be along soon.

Ian

 

[MrCramp]

Hi flipperskipper.

If you click on the "search" at the top of the page and then put in "the wash" you will be able to read the considerable number of recent posts on this subject. You will also get ther posts on "washing" in general but there is no way round that!

Welcome to the forum.

 

[nortonmotors]

Hi flipperskipper,
Welcome to the forum and to salty water !
Where you base your boat depends partly on where you live.
To gain experience quickly, you really need to be able to sail at any chosen time and not to be too dependent on tides. That rules out many interesting places, but does include, for example, almost anywhere on the Orwell, the lower end of the Blackwater and Colne, Walton Backwaters, The Crouch, etc..
However, sailing is meant to be fun/challenging/character-building/..... and there's great satisfaction in it too. Enjoy !

 

[macnorton]

The Wash

I think the wash is ok (plenty on here will say i am wrong!), the moorings at Wisbech are good but you have to dance to the tune of the tides to get over the bar.
Wisbech is app 10 miles inland and you have to arrange passage through Sutton swing bridge.

http://www.fenland.gov.uk/ccm/navigation/environment/harbour/wisbech-yacht-harbour/

Best to try it yourelf and find out if you like it!

 

[Tommyrot]

I think the wash is ok (plenty on here will say i am wrong!), the moorings at Wisbech are good but you have to dance to the tune of the tides to get over the bar.
Wisbech is app 10 miles inland and you have to arrange passage through Sutton swing bridge.

http://www.fenland.gov.uk/ccm/navigation/environment/harbour/wisbech-yacht-harbour/

Best to try it yourelf and find out if you like it!

Agree completely.

I learnt there (and still sail there...) and the sailing is fine, I like the place!
But once you're out - you're out! The tide is in charge and won't let you back in until it's ready.

 

[bastonjock]

Flipper,A couple of years ago around this time i bought a Macgregor 26X,i had limited sailing experience at the time.I have now clocked up a few hours sailing on the east Coast around wells and the wash,i thoroughly reccomend doing day skipper and dont forget the theory,the DS course helps with the practical side of things but you really do need at grasp of Bouyage and Tides for the wash area.

What is your minimum draught on your Hunter? does it have a lifting keel?,a lifting keel will allow you greater acess to the sailing grounds of the wash, and a mast that can be raised and lowered will cut out the need to call Sutton bridge.

I left Peterborough last friday and motored down past Wisbech and out for 12 hours,the winds were F4-F5 from the South west and it was a very enjoyable day

 

[Fenlander]

Sailing from the Nene is usually a case of straight out as far as you can get until the tide turns then straight back in again, taking into consideration the wind direction or lack of it. 30 years ago I used to go out on a friends boat with no engine, radio or electronic device, we always managed to get back in.