Southwold Entrance.

[curtius]

Aborted a sail north to Southwold recently when it became increasingly clear that we would not make it before HW. Assuming that we would have arrived off Southwold at about HW+1 were we being over cautious? The idea of fighting against a 4 plus knot current did not appeal on a boat that occasionally struggles to exit the Deben.

 

[Lucky Duck]

While arriving after high water in the river is not ideal, having cut things a little too close for comfort on a couple of occasions I have noticed that the ebb doesn't flow really hard until a coupe of hours after high water in the river.

 

[MoodySabre]

Although wisdom says arrive near the top of the tide, I have on two occassions left an hour after LW and there was enough water (1.7m fin keel). 'Enough' being 0.8 under the keel at the worst. The current was no issue. It might be worth asking the HM if arriving at that time would be doable, particularly on neaps. It would certainly make the journey north a lot easier.

 

[Boz]

Hi MS
just out of interest, where did you tie up at Southwold?

 

[Cantata]

Assuming the conditions were benign you should have been OK. The standard advice for Southwold anyway is to always call up the HM's office and ask for advice, they don't mind in the least and they know exactly what's possible and what isn't.

 

[xyachtdave]

Assuming the conditions were benign you should have been OK. The standard advice for Southwold anyway is to always call up the HM's office and ask for advice, they don't mind in the least and they know exactly what's possible and what isn't.

As a first time visitor this year armed with my ECP I felt I had all the information required for a successful entry.

As I arrived at 7.30 I didn't bother with the radio on entry as the pilot states the HM is a 9-5 operation......imagine my surprise to realise a) I'm on camera and b) I'm in trouble!

Someone owes me a beer....

 

[Cantata]

They do work 9-5, perhaps they were keen that day!

 

[xyachtdave]

I was wondering why I got a frosty reception!

He reckoned they start at 6 in the summer and the fishing boats answer the radio if the HM isn't around.

When I explained the ECP bible said they would still be in bed when we arrived and that's why I didn't bother he warmed up a little....I'll win him over next time

 

[Bru]

Chatting with the HM on our last visit gleaned the advice that you should always call on entry and exit even out of hours because the regular users will be monitoring the channel and will thus know your about

 

[Cantata]

I was wondering why I got a frosty reception!
He reckoned they start at 6 in the summer and the fishing boats answer the radio if the HM isn't around.
When I explained the ECP bible said they would still be in bed when we arrived and that's why I didn't bother he warmed up a little....I'll win him over next time

OK OK I think we need to have another chat with him. Sounds like I do owe you a beer. But I've avoided meeting you so far...

 

[xyachtdave]

....hopefully not on purpose....'quick hide, it's Xyachtdave!'

 

[curtius]

Assuming the conditions were benign you should have been OK. The standard advice for Southwold anyway is to always call up the HM's office and ask for advice, they don't mind in the least and they know exactly what's possible and what isn't.

In retrospect I should indeed have called up the HM whilst en route. I had spoken with him the previous day to check the mooring situation but at that time I was more interested in the desirability of leaving the following morning at 2 hours after HW. He reckoned I should be okay. This should have been the clue but unfamiliarity with conditions at the entrance plus the lack of alternative destinations made me put prudence before valour!

 

[Cantata]

............ the lack of alternative destinations made me put prudence before valour!

Nothing at all wrong with that !!

 

[MoodySabre]

Hi MS
just out of interest, where did you tie up at Southwold?

We were on a pontoon just seaward of the HM's office. Not one of the new pontoons - I just asked nicely as we had little kids coming on board.

 

[Boz]

Thanks MoodySabre.....

 

[Bru]

Experience the stagings while you can. They'll almost certainly be gone in a few years (according to the HM) and it's liking stepping back through a time warp.

(with little kids I too would try for a pontoon mooring though)

 

[Tradewinds]

I was on a staging on the Walberswick side for a couple of years a while back.

Nothing romantic about them IMO to those that have to lie against them day in day out - & don't mention North Sea surges :disgust: .

 

[Javelin]

Pete and Jerry are the HM's
I'm constantly in the dog house for moving boats about on the river and forgetting to radio in.
Out of the holidays its rare to see either if them before 08:00 or after 17:00

I draw 6'4" and can get in 4 hours before and three hours after HW.
The Avril Rose fishing boat draws 5'8" and he can get in at LW except on springs.
I have seen a Sadler 32 come in bang on LW springs this year but not sure what they draw.

The tide runs the hardest at the knuckle to about 4 knt max but the rest is usually 3 or less.

This time of year there is always space on a floating mooring and even in the height of summer there are usually free pontoons about.
Peter will usually ring us to see whats available if his slots are full.

 

[curtius]

Thanks for your information Javelin, it's good to have input from one who obviously knows the local conditions well. Will definitely try and visit again, if not this season, then next.