Severn Estuary

[ivan4199]

Hi - I wondered if any of you members here ever venture up into
the infamous Northern reaches of the Severn Estuary? My boat lives near Gloucester but being a bit of a novice I havent yet gone out through Sharpness lock. Hoping to do this soon and keep the boat for a few weeks in Portishead or Bristol but would like to be
able to follow someone who 'knows the ropes'. Any tips or info
would be much appreciated. Thanks, Ivan

 

[Who]

Ivan, let us know what sort of boat Mobo or Raggie etc.

There is nothing on your bio to know what sort of boat you have etc.

There are a few Mobo users that regularly go out of there, I am sure they will be along soon

 

[buster3]

there are a few of us in upton marina that go out alot always back and forwards so should see you some time /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif

 

[CuttyStark]

I keep my boat at Thornbury Sailing Club at Oldbury On Severn. We are out and about on the stretch between Sharpness and the old severn bridge most weekends racing.
Cutty Stark a 30' Cruiser Racer with a 1.8m fin keel
Also I was Coastguard in charge of Sharpness for 5 years so know a bit about the upper stretches. Happy to give you and anyone on the forum advice etc.
PS ARE YOU COMING TO THE BCYA RALLY AT MERMAID QUAY ON 10th 11th 12th July.....It will be FANTASTIC !

 

[boatingdave]

Ivan4199 - I am also in Gloucester and in a similar position. Happy to meet up to discuss. There are some great people on this forum and you (and hopefully me) will get lots of offers of help. I have a motor cruiser in Victoria Basin. The whole family love the G/S canal - it really is a nice stretch of water and not as land locked as the Thames (which is where we were previously - hence the username!). It really is one of the best kept secrets and we are looking forward to venturing further afield should the opportunity arise.
The Gloucester Yacht club could also be a good source of information and help (happy to get you membership details should you be interested?).
Good luck, keep me in the loop and hope to meet up sometime.
Dave (Davnic Row) /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[wotayottie]

[ QUOTE ]
Any tips or info
would be much appreciated. Thanks, Ivan

[/ QUOTE ]

I used to be based at CDYC and so sailed regularly in the area from Lydney to Avonmouth. That said the sandbanks do move around a bit so I wont even attempt to guide you in terms of planning a course.

The tides in the area are strong so be careful about wind over tide conditions particularly at springs and particularly under the bridge. Dont be frightened of them, just be cautious. If in a mobo, make sure your engines are reliable. If in a longboat - dont go except in calm weather.

Then make sure you have a good chart and follow the shipping channel. Dont try any of the short cuts unless you have someone experienced with you. Use the many transits.

Remember, sailing trows used to work these waters with no engines at all - they are not the river Styx and you wont meet Charon

 

[graham]

Hello Ivan Welcome on the forum.Im not an expert having only been up to Sharpness a few times.

The passage is not that difficult in quiet weather and good visibility but Once you leave and start making your way down your more or less committed to it so choose a quiet day,even a moderate wind against a strong tide will kick up a nasty sea state.

The tides run very strongly and in places will be pushing you out of the deep water channel so you have to be able to make use of the various leading marks and understand the buoyage.

Dont over rely on a chartplotter to guide you though obviously it will help.

Echo sounders tend to give false readings in turbulent water so be aware and dont panic if it suddenly says 0.9 provided you know you are in safe water /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

It would help if you could do the passage with an experienced person prior to taking your own boat down.

Cheers.