andyc
Well-Known Member
I need to take my boat to the Thames from the solent in October.
Can anyone give me some tips ,especially Dover to gravesend
Can anyone give me some tips ,especially Dover to gravesend
Solent to Thames trip help required
- Thread starter andyc
- Start date
ms1
Well-Known Member
what sort of boat
what sort of speed
have you done a NAV course
what sort of speed
have you done a NAV course
powerskipper
Well-Known Member
its a fairly easy trip untill you get to Dover,[ keep land on left] do you home work about traffic separation ,area its close to shore near Dover and loads of sand bars around the Thames and ramsgate, but channels are well marked, north forland can be lumpy so watch tidal state and wind direction for that area. but a nice trip, just do you homework. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
PilotWolf
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
Can anyone give me some tips ,especially Dover to gravesend
[/ QUOTE ]
Mind the Goodwin Sands?! Guess thats whats concerning you? It's fairly simple - get a good updated chart and lay off a course through the sands and then effectively hop from bouy to bouy ensuring you identify each one as you pass it.
I have done it on a few occasions and to be honest it's just as easy at night as during the day, except that during the day the bouy names are easier to read! Never done it in seriously reduced viz thou.
W.
Can anyone give me some tips ,especially Dover to gravesend
[/ QUOTE ]
Mind the Goodwin Sands?! Guess thats whats concerning you? It's fairly simple - get a good updated chart and lay off a course through the sands and then effectively hop from bouy to bouy ensuring you identify each one as you pass it.
I have done it on a few occasions and to be honest it's just as easy at night as during the day, except that during the day the bouy names are easier to read! Never done it in seriously reduced viz thou.
W.
andyc
Well-Known Member
Ill be in a 2002 42 ft fly with couple of 370hp cummins.Probably doing 20 knots as long as it isnt above force 4.
Ill probably do dover to gravesend on calm clear day.
Done my icc 4 yrs ago but all boating done in the med with no tides and warm water.Wepooddled about the solent this summer .
I have a plotter/radar and a handheld for back up and paper for extra backup.
My concern is that I have little experiance with the nav side although I can do it .
I am not worried about the Dover to gravesend trip, but the Thames Estuary worries me a bit.
Ill do a decent plan with options and bouy hop.
Ill probably do dover to gravesend on calm clear day.
Done my icc 4 yrs ago but all boating done in the med with no tides and warm water.Wepooddled about the solent this summer .
I have a plotter/radar and a handheld for back up and paper for extra backup.
My concern is that I have little experiance with the nav side although I can do it .
I am not worried about the Dover to gravesend trip, but the Thames Estuary worries me a bit.
Ill do a decent plan with options and bouy hop.
oldgit
Well-Known Member
Monitor CH 74 from Whitstable/Isle of Sheppey to Southend.Useful to know if any big stuff is around,some of it moving very quickly,keep good lookout behind.
Only real pain is uncomfortable journey if wind in wrong direction and no where to divert for shelter until The Medway and Queenborough harbour.
Ideal conditions lots of water under the keel and no perishing wind.
The trip from Greenwich up and under Tower Bridge is probably the roughest bit of the whole trip.A fellow foramite leaving Dover
Some trip highlights ? inc
A bouy
Wreck off Sheerness
M25 Bridge
The name of this bridge escapes me anyhow most photos taken this summer.
Only real pain is uncomfortable journey if wind in wrong direction and no where to divert for shelter until The Medway and Queenborough harbour.
Ideal conditions lots of water under the keel and no perishing wind.
The trip from Greenwich up and under Tower Bridge is probably the roughest bit of the whole trip.A fellow foramite leaving Dover
Some trip highlights ? inc
A bouy
Wreck off Sheerness
M25 Bridge
The name of this bridge escapes me anyhow most photos taken this summer.
CaptainThames
Well-Known Member
Depending on how long you want to go each day, I would go for a shakedown run to say Brighton, day 1. Ramsgate day 2 and St Katherines Dock or Limehouse day 3. As suggested, do your homework on tides, particularly strong tidal streams on headlands in relation to wind. Strong wind over tide off Dover & North Foreland will give you the worst conditions. Know the VHF channels as you pass Dover, Ramsgate, Medway and be on the right channels as you go up the Thames - it changes depending on which section you are in. You should report on approaching the Thames Barrier and ask permission to transit through. As for route, everyone has their preference, but I would go inshore of the Goodwins and then use the 4 fathom channel going up the Thames. Some prefer to stay further out, but I find it fine but know the depths/tides. Going up the Thames you need to time departure Ramsgate or Queenborough if stopping there to arrive in London towards the top of the tide. St Kats has a fairly limited window for access, but Limehouse is much wider, if I remember correctly St K -2 to +1 1/2 and Lime -4 to +4 on HW. You will also have the benefit of the tide with you which can add 2 knots or thereabouts. If you arrive outside these times there are buoys outside St Kats, but it can get very uncomfortable with the tripper boats scooting passed as they come into St Kats pier. South Dock is an option, but on the wrong side for the best entertainment and transport into town. Suggest phone either Lime or St Kats in advance. As also mentioned, watch out behind you as traffic on the Thames and approaching Medway can come up fast. As you get past sea reach on the Thames, keep to the correct side of the channel - they don't like cruisers cutting the corners on the bends. It can be a great trip in good weather but somewhat lumpy if blowing, particularly anything from the east - enjoy it.
andyc
Well-Known Member
why is grenwich to tower bridge rough?
oldgit
Well-Known Member
It is rough because of loads of fast ferries and trip boats going everywhere at 20 knots.The wash bounces of the banks and then gets you again on its way back.Add to this the tide going over an very uneven bottom,the odd tug boat and Hey Presto.My wife hates it,sort of OK when moving but when you have to stop!!!!
Actually it great fun but only if you are the one holding the wheel.
My preference would be St Kats(most expensive at £25 odd quid) if possible.
Chelsea Harbour is a bit sterile and Limehouse is,well fine,if your only looking for a quck stop and not fussy that you are miles from anywhere in the least bit interesting and the nearest food is up on the Commercial road.
Yes I know about Gordons new burger bar and the Italian up the road.
Actually it great fun but only if you are the one holding the wheel.
My preference would be St Kats(most expensive at £25 odd quid) if possible.
Chelsea Harbour is a bit sterile and Limehouse is,well fine,if your only looking for a quck stop and not fussy that you are miles from anywhere in the least bit interesting and the nearest food is up on the Commercial road.
Yes I know about Gordons new burger bar and the Italian up the road.
CaptainThames
Well-Known Member
Agree, St Kats works for us but Limehouse gives an option if tight to meet the tides or get delayed. Have had a reasonable pint in the Cruising Club bar at Limehouse from time to time and DLR is just outside if you need civilisation. Good pics, just shows how calm it can be on a nice day.
big_si
Well-Known Member
I did Gosport to St Kats last year, for me it was an incredible trip. Mainly because it was the furthest the boat had been and secondly because i did it single handed.
Some pics are here...
http://web.mac.com/bigsiwilson/iWeb/Scorpios%20Lair/Bladerun%202006.html
The estuary was fine, though it is certainly worth double checking where you are going. If you are following a track you should be fine. I wouldnt have wanted to go in there blind.
St Kats as a marina is average, as a location is fantastic. Sat in the cockpit with a beer watching all the suits finishing work. It is almost like the eye of the storm.
But do make sure you are aware of lock opening times!
If you arrive a bit early, you can carry on up the Thames and do a bit of waterbourne sightseeing.
My route was Gosport - Eastbourne - Ramsgate - St Kats - Eastbourne - Gosport.
Some pics are here...
http://web.mac.com/bigsiwilson/iWeb/Scorpios%20Lair/Bladerun%202006.html
The estuary was fine, though it is certainly worth double checking where you are going. If you are following a track you should be fine. I wouldnt have wanted to go in there blind.
St Kats as a marina is average, as a location is fantastic. Sat in the cockpit with a beer watching all the suits finishing work. It is almost like the eye of the storm.
But do make sure you are aware of lock opening times!
If you arrive a bit early, you can carry on up the Thames and do a bit of waterbourne sightseeing.
My route was Gosport - Eastbourne - Ramsgate - St Kats - Eastbourne - Gosport.
Renegade_Master
Well-Known Member
keep a good mile off Dover when passing cos of ferries, watch for low water before Ramsgate, try not to go round N Foreland against a big tide. Aim between the two bouys past Ramsgate cant remember their name now but I know one is red and one is green, shallow each side.
PilotWolf
Well-Known Member
PM sent...
Elessar
Well-Known Member
I've done it plenty of times.
Overnight at Ramsgate or if you need to leave the boat for a while en route Chatham is a nice marina.
Once round south foreland things get very shallow so plan your route carfully. Just north of Margate needs care too.
You are going east, then north for a bit, then west. You are going round plenty of headlands and through shallows. The journey will have plenty of changes, with different bits with differnet character. Even if the wind is slight, you will have rough bits. Turn a corner and everything changes. If its been strong easterly or north easterly for a while the swell once you're round south foreland is challenging and you'll need to tack - you can't take it on the beam. The Thames itself remains a mystery to me, I predict a rough bit and its smooth and vice versa. Once you've got to the QE2 bridge you've left roughness behind though and you're definately in the river.
The trip is great fun, and always different. I'm coming from the Itchen to the Thames myself within the next month or so, PM me if you like perhaps we come back at the same time?
Overnight at Ramsgate or if you need to leave the boat for a while en route Chatham is a nice marina.
Once round south foreland things get very shallow so plan your route carfully. Just north of Margate needs care too.
You are going east, then north for a bit, then west. You are going round plenty of headlands and through shallows. The journey will have plenty of changes, with different bits with differnet character. Even if the wind is slight, you will have rough bits. Turn a corner and everything changes. If its been strong easterly or north easterly for a while the swell once you're round south foreland is challenging and you'll need to tack - you can't take it on the beam. The Thames itself remains a mystery to me, I predict a rough bit and its smooth and vice versa. Once you've got to the QE2 bridge you've left roughness behind though and you're definately in the river.
The trip is great fun, and always different. I'm coming from the Itchen to the Thames myself within the next month or so, PM me if you like perhaps we come back at the same time?
Andrew_Fanner
Well-Known Member
Leave Ramsgate at or a little before local LW to catch the flood up the Thames estuary and have slack water off the Foreland. Time this right and St Kats is an easy option, check the lock times on their website. Overland (4 fathom) route is easy but watch out for the windfarm and tight navigation (+/- 1ca) near Margate. Prince's Channel is a deepwater one and you will see more big stuff heading your way so monitor Medway VTS until you pass the Medway, then London VTS the rest of the way. Speaking from recent personal experience the trip is a ballache if there is much N in the wind due to beam seas. The channels are not really wide enough to tack the waves very effectively. Once round the corner of the Thames, past Coalhouse Fort, its just an exercise in pottering along looking at the sights of, well the QE Bridge is impressive and mind the Cobelfret ships, digital throttles, on or off
andyc
Well-Known Member
keep it coming , this is all good info .
