Sensible or Not ?

[Hunson]

We enjoyed our week away in July. And we have another week off coming up at the begining of September.

Our dilema is the following.

We did not really look too much into the tide times and depths when we booked the week off. And having managed to venture past Osea twice now, we are looking at heading past that way again.

Wanting to make the most of the first weekend 28th/29th Aug our theory is to depart our mooring on the Friday (HT Osea at 19.11 at 4m) we should be able to get off !! normally about 1.5 hrs before HW, but require minimum 3.9 to get off mooring which is at 18.30 so to err on the side of caution say 18.45. Sunset is 19.53.

We leave mooring at 18.45 and motor to the anchorage at Osea. Approx 3nm so should take an hour !!. Get the hook out and throw it over the side with a good amount of chain.

Now this sounds simple enough. Major factors are. Obviously the weather. Probably the more important is that this would be our first time with the hook out and the fact that the light will be fading if not already faded. And then do 2 hourly watches (only two of us).

Our friends were away the other week and they said they picked up a yellow bouy for the night before they came back. And we saw said bouy on our trip down to bradwell last weekend with a boat on it, but obviously can't take for granted that there might not be a vessel on it that night.

Then Saturday we would head up to the Orwell on the morning tide.

If we don't go down this route we will sail from Tuesday for a few days and have a practice with the hook.

Your knowledgable thoughts appreciated.

Gary.

 

[Cantata]

Sorry if I'm missing a point here, but if you anchor in the anchorage (i.e. not in the channel), hoist an anchor ball (yes, on the East Coast most people use an anchor ball), and use a riding light, you do not need to keep a watch. Make sure the anchor is well dug in, that you have minimum length of chain out 3 times the depth at HW (make that 4 times if there is a breeze or one forecast) and have a good night's sleep.

 

[Hunson]

Sorry if I'm missing a point here.

No need to apologise. Its hidden right in the middle of the additional wordage.

Basically, we haven't anchored before, the darkness of night will be drawing in and the tide will be falling.

Additional info that swmbo will be handling anchor and chain as anything mid to forward I take the o/b out the water.

 

[Cantata]

Ah, OK, I was just picking up on the comment about 2-hour watches.
Understandable you'd be cautious, quite right too. Can only suggest you have a practice in daylight, if you can, in order to get the hang of it and gain confidence in the anchor. Do it at Osea so you learn how to get the anchor dug in reliably, which will probably need you to use astern on your motor. I've not anchored there personally but I expect someone will come along soon who has.
You're not alone in this. I sail with a group who are all quite experienced except they (and especially their SWMBOs) are very nervous of anchoring overnight, and indeed one husband and wife never have despite cruising for years. They refuse to believe my assurances that the local holding over here (the Swale) is like thick glue!

 

[Hunson]

Ah, OK, I was just picking up on the comment about 2-hour watches.

Understandable you'd be cautious, quite right too. Can only suggest you have a practice in daylight, if you can, in order to get the hang of it and gain confidence in the anchor.

They refuse to believe my assurances that the local holding over here (the Swale) is like thick glue!

Thank Cantata. I don't think our plans over the next couple of weeks will allow for having a practice during the day (damn work).

I think we should dig up some of the mud around the coast and market is a glue, as it seems to stick very well to all manner of surfaces.

As an aside, would you go for anchorplait or 3 strd nylon splice to chain, or 3 strd nylon with galvanised eye on the anchor warp.

I plan on having a chain grab hook with 3 strd nylon to snub the chain ( if that makes a difference on the above ).

 

[Cantata]

At the moment I use 3-strand, but have used anchorplait in the past. No particular feelings either way.
But I do splice it to the chain, it's far neater. Easy to do, and if you don't know how there are instructions around on the internet - try the Jimmy Green Marine site for instance.

 

[tillergirl]

Another choice would be to drop down to Marconi and pick up a vacant mooring. Chances thaqt any free at that time of night are going to stay free. The tide does run hard through there though but you'll be snug on a mooring whatever the weather does. Only the inner ones dry.

You've got plenty of time to get there before it gets dark.

I've never really liked Osea as an anchorage - its a personal thing that you should disregard I always used to just drop down from Southey Creek and tuck ourselves out of the channel down river from the channel marker. Alway found the holding there perfect. Needs an anchor light though.

 

[MoodySabre]

Another vote for picking up a mooring at Marconi SC - the buoys start just east of Osea. Marmalade of this parish is commodore and he will confirm that this is OK - if there is not a dinghy on the buoy then it's likely to be free, particularly late in the evening. I wouldn't risk anchoring for the first time in failing light on the first evening of a trip (or upsetting the admiral by trying to do so.

 

[Hunson]

Another choice would be to drop down to Marconi and pick up a vacant mooring. Chances thaqt any free at that time of night are going to stay free.

I've never really liked Osea as an anchorage - its a personal thing that you should disregard I always used to just drop down from Southey Creek and tuck ourselves out of the channel down river from the channel marker. Alway found the holding there perfect. Needs an anchor light though.

Another vote for picking up a mooring at Marconi SC - the buoys start just east of Osea. Marmalade of this parish is commodore and he will confirm that this is OK - if there is not a dinghy on the buoy then it's likely to be free, particularly late in the evening. I wouldn't risk anchoring for the first time in failing light on the first evening of a trip (or upsetting the admiral by trying to do so.

Had thought Marconi as stated its not much further past osea.

Anchor light purchased from SaltyJohn of the YBW parish.

Hmm just had another thought, must get down the boat and try and ascertain why the mast nav light is not working. Not that we plan to do any night sailing (insurance) other than getting out at dusk that friday.

 

[Hunson]

Splicing to the chain

But I do splice it to the chain, it's far neater. Easy to do, and if you don't know how there are instructions around on the internet - try the Jimmy Green Marine site for instance.

Out of the two methods of splicing to the chain, do the learned here go for the splicing down the chain length or through the first link and then splice up the warp.??

Pro's and con's of both. No windlass, all manual labour for the admiral.

 

[MoodySabre]

With anchorplait splice down the chain. With 3 strand you haven't got enough strands so splice back.

Lots of instructional splicing sites on the web. Takes a bit of time but ultimately satisfying.