SYH to Brightlingsea(and back)

If you are arriving at Brightlingsea near HW why are people bothering about going to the Colne Bar buoy? With 3 or 4 metres rise of tide I never bother about it.

They are of a like mind with an old boy that we helped take his 40-foot shallow draft boat from Wivenhoe to the Royal Harwich many years ago (Jolene). We left before HW and went round the Bar buoy and it was all we could do to prevent him going round the Medusa. He was reputed to insist that guests slept with lifejackets to hand when anchored in the Pyefleet.
 
If you are arriving at Brightlingsea near HW why are people bothering about going to the Colne Bar buoy? With 3 or 4 metres rise of tide I never bother about it.

I know you're right - but having crunched Colne Bar on the way back from Holland a while back - whilst cutting inside... I now tend to go around it.
 
I know you're right - but having crunched Colne Bar on the way back from Holland a while back - whilst cutting inside... I now tend to go around it.

We were based in B'sea for several years and when conditions of wind and tide allow cutting right in by Colne Point was the usual route when returning from the Norhern Lands. I used to target LW at the Naze that usually gave enough to get over Colne Bar and a bit of +ve tide to shove you down the Wallet.
 
They are of a like mind with an old boy that we helped take his 40-foot shallow draft boat from Wivenhoe to the Royal Harwich many years ago (Jolene). We left before HW and went round the Bar buoy and it was all we could do to prevent him going round the Medusa. He was reputed to insist that guests slept with lifejackets to hand when anchored in the Pyefleet.

I once left the Orwell (about 20 years ago) and there was sea mist at the mouth of the river. Foolishly I went for the Medusa as a waypoint. As I got there the mist cleared and it was like Piccadilly Circus. Yachts everywhere.* Never again.

*actually 'yachts everywhere' would be Earl's Court, but you get the idea.
 
Thanks for all the advice. We are planning this for the bank holiday weekend weather permitting although we are also moving house over the next few weeks so I hope that does not make us change our plans. Anyway thanks again.
 
So I think we are going for this trip this a Friday. Wind looks very light though and not a great direction but going to give it a shot and test my navigation skills. From the look of the wind could be a long trip��
 
We are now planning our next slightly more ambitious sail from SYH to Brightlingsea for a long weekend over the bank holiday ( weather permitting) I have not looked at tides etc yet but if anyone has any advice it would be welcome.

So I think we are going for this trip this a Friday.

Have a lie-in before you set off. Get past Walton Backwaters/Pye End buoy, then keep turning right. Top up with fuel before you go. Don't forget suncream, sunglasses and refreshing drinks. Enjoy. :encouragement:
 
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