sailing the uncharted bits of the solway silloth to annan etc

[steve yates]

where the chart says, uncharted; local knowledge or pilotage required. If I want to poke around and explore this area, what are the hazards, in a small 18ft boat with lifting keel, drawing 1.5 m max, 40 cm min?
Anyone sailed here?

Im assuming lots of shifting sand banks etc, but if I ground, can I just sit and wait till the tide comes back? Are the sandbanks the main hazards, rather than rocks and reefs etc? In other words, am I more likely to get stuck for a while, than holed and sunk? The tide can flow over 3 knts here I think, is there any point trying to buck that with a mariner 6 if I have to? or should I just go as far a s I can in the flood and run away with the ebb?

I'm think particularly of trying to reach Annan if the tide turns before I get there.
thx.

 

[lpdsn]

where the chart says, uncharted; local knowledge or pilotage required. If I want to poke around and explore this area, what are the hazards, in a small 18ft boat with lifting keel, drawing 1.5 m max, 40 cm min?
Anyone sailed here?

Im assuming lots of shifting sand banks etc, but if I ground, can I just sit and wait till the tide comes back? Are the sandbanks the main hazards, rather than rocks and reefs etc? In other words, am I more likely to get stuck for a while, than holed and sunk? The tide can flow over 3 knts here I think, is there any point trying to buck that with a mariner 6 if I have to? or should I just go as far a s I can in the flood and run away with the ebb?

I'm think particularly of trying to reach Annan if the tide turns before I get there.
thx.

In a prolonged period of calm weather it probably isn't much more than that. Beware that the tides prob run at a fair bit more than 3 Kts. There's even supposed to be a bore on big spring tides, so pick neaps for your exploring. Beware that a strong tide over a bank could lay your boat on its side, but a lifting keel should give you a good chance of getting away with it.

Be very wary of the wind getting up, causing a nasty sea if you're running away on the ebb.

 

[aquaplane]

The lifting keel is good, if you touch just lift it and head for deeper water, don't forget to put it back down again.

I was once left towing a dinghy in knee deep water for a couple of hundred yards as the tide sluced out past me. It was a long way to get the trailer when I ran out of water altogether and even further pulling the loaded trailer off the beach. It saved waiting for the tide to come back in though.

 

[EdWingfield]

I believe the bore only applies to the R Nith. Your boat is perfect for the job. Take care when wandering about on the sand, I've heard that there are soft bits. Auchencairn Bay is lovely (W of Kippford)

 

[JumbleDuck]

It's an interesting question. There are still a few fishing boats based in Annan, so someone must know where the sand is. I suggest you contact the Annan Harbour Development Group and the Port of Dumfries Development Group and ask them if they can help.