Southend Air Show

[Stoaty]

Has anybody taken their boat to watch this event? Is it worth going or are the aircraft just little dots in the distance when the tide is out?

HW is just after 10 on the sunday. By my calculations I would have to be in the deep water, near the end of the pier, by 12.45.

 

[Nauti Fox]

We have been before and it was fine....until a huge thunderstorm rattled in so we ran for it and met Fred coming toward us, who then saw the storm and fearing an eggy soldier upset ran for home with us!
There were some there who went in too close and got stuck, but if the weather is fine I'd reccomend it.

 

[Stoaty]

Looks like we will give it a try if the weathers OK. Could stick out a rod an have a dabble as well.

Flying Program

 

[nyx2k]

most of the activity takes place between the end of the pier and the casino on westcliffe sea front so if you can more at the peir end it will be a perfect vantage point.

 

[dpb]

We went about 5 years ago, most of the action took place over the water and therefore directly overhead, can't remember how we were placed relative to the end of the pier.
Will always remember a jet fighter diving vertically at us and pulling out at the last moment and ducking as others went overhead (an experience you would not get ashore).
You need reasonable conditions though as there is not much in the way of local shelter!

 

[nyx2k]

there was an exclusion zone last year to the west of the peir but there were loads of boats at the peir head so that will be ok.

 

[clivew05]

Yes I was going to stop for this on my way back to Essex marina last year - but as we came out of the Medway - that huge thundery cloud came over and threatened us - so we ran just ahead of it back to Essex marina - had a little bit of it by the whittaker which was a little bumpy - and our friends who were following us in their Bayliner 285 got a little wet due to rough sea and rain ... but limped back on - we had to go back for them once as they dissapeared in the distance /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif but it was too cloudy to see anything anyway - lots of nice loud jet noises over head though ...

 

[SilverTT]

Went last year i think. Weather was great, which always helps. I was going to Chatham from Harwich when i saw all these planes flying about. Went for a look and decided to hang around.
We even went ashore in the dingy.

 

[SilverTT]

There are marshalls and RNLI floating about keeping people at the end of the pier. No closer to shore than that. This was the same set up as Lowestoft airshow. Boats must stay behind line.

 

[oldgit]

"a huge thunderstorm"
This normally follows Unit18 around for most of the summer months.You can tell where he is by looking up at the sky.
Force 9/10 winds will step up to the breach if the thunderstorm wants a few days off.
When is it by the way.Anybody but Unit18 please supply the info,as his dates/times/months weeks tend to vary depending on what freebe 1979 calender he is relying on at the moment.

 

[nyx2k]

28/29 may two days over that weekend. its gets extremely busy so better to stay on the boat if you dont like crowds.

 

[MiskinDriver]

Don't forget to check the PLA website - there's a Notice to Mariners with this year's exclusion zone.

 

[Nauti Fox]

What day you going Fred?
I'll go on whatever day the weather will be allegedly better.
PS Your boat could do with a bit of a polish. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[oldgit]

"PS Your boat could do with a bit of a polish" .....and I know just the man. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Prob best to wait until a bit closer till "Caddy" or "Jemma"

(Sigh) give us the amount of wind/rain ratio in your immediate area ?
Just had quick look at the PDF map of the ex. zone. Quite narrow and well inside the end of the pier.