Sparkes Marina Chichester

[richgiddens]

Hi all,
was in Sparkes on Sat night and noticed on the way in (about 2hrs before LW) that I had a bit less under the keel than I was expecting. The almanac suggests a min of 2M at mean LW in the approach and that ain't right. I asked in the marina office but they didn't have a lot to offer.
A couple of boats went on the putty on the way out on Sun morning; drawing 2M, I left it 'til LW+ 2 and a bit, kept bang on the transit and still ploughed a furrow.
No big deal on a rising tide, no wind and the sun shining but, might be worth considering if you are going in there.

 

[Zagato]

I went in on a high tide only as suggested by locals a few years ago with a 3' 9" draft to fill with diesel. They may have dredged more out since then but I'm as I'm not keen to return, was pretty ety tight in places. I'd rather chance the lock at Chichester Marina for a fill up and that is equally fraut!

Have to say I am also finding the 'kids' employed in some marinas hopeless for such knowledge also - especially when they are in charge of locks .

Sorry cannot edit/correct this post for some reason.

 

[Moonbeam]

There is a shallow spit on the north shore than extends well beyond the first Starboard buoy as you enter the channel from the main part of the harbour. It caught me out a few years ago with 3 foot of draught near low water. Next time I was fine keeping close to Port

To avoid fraught fill ups of water and fuel, we now tender out water and fuel with us in cans on each visit to the boat, keeps it all topped up for weekend use. A week on the boat inevitably has you searching for a chilled out place to re stock the tanks!

 

[[2068]]

The deepest water is about one boat length off the metal posts, and then along to about one boat length off the sailing club pontoon.
Anywhere near that silly green buoy, and you'll be doing a bit of dredging yourself.
Substitute "1 and a bit M" at low springs for "2M" in the Almanac.

 

[Moonbeam]

By the way, have they replaced the missing 'nose section' of fuel pontoon? It was not there earlier this season which made things tighter than usual.

 

[Zagato]

As an aside the young guy at Sparkes said they use red diesel whereas Chi Marina use bio diesel with a diesel bug additive - not sure if they can be mixed!

 

[[2068]]

By the way, have they replaced the missing 'nose section' of fuel pontoon? It was not there earlier this season which made things tighter than usual.

When I refuelled on Sat, the end section had been replaced, but was still not usable because the longer section of main pontoon was sticking out about 2ft proud of the nose.

 

[savageseadog]

High pressure at the moment so tide levels may be down?