Thames estuary

[tomdmx]

Hey All,
We're setting off from Grimsby on Wednesday on my yacht with aim to get to London with an option to go to Ramsgate.

I was wondering as such if its more difficult to cross the Thames estuary than to actually to follow a channel upstream?

I've not really sailed the estuary before so a bit concerned but looking at the charts it looks reasonably ok to follow a channel in...

 

[Lodesman77]

Probably be helpful if you gave a bit more detail so people have some idea of what you're trying to do - but a good start might be to get a copy of East Coast Pilot. And posting in the East Coast forum would be good...

 

[Phoenix of Hamble]

Coming down from Grimsby i'd just head straight down Black Deep into the Thames.

 

[rob2]

I only have on experience of crossing the estuary and none of going up channel! We only hit the ground once just where the cart said there was plenty of water! The sanbanks move around quite a bit, but I believe it happens more in the gats cutting between the channels. Its a big expanse of water with no distinguising marks, so I suggest you keep a close track of where the GPS says you are but with a pinch of salt about whether you'll have the depth the chart shows. Let's hope someone comes along now with the current local knowledge as to which routes are available!

Rob.

 

[tomdmx]

Coming down from Grimsby i'd just head straight down Black Deep into the Thames.

I thought as much (re Black Deep) as it looks wide enough for ships so should be sufficient for our small yacht...


And I should have said more about what we're doing...I'm sailing my yacht a 31 foot steel cutter from Grimsby to London...I'd like to park her in a marina on the tidal thames (probably Shepperton) to fit her out for an offshore cruise which means that I will need to drop the mast somewhere before I actually hit London (and I would welcome any suggestions as to where to do it also)

I just bought her and the previous owner agreed to sail down with me and a mate which means we get a couple of days of getting to know her properly with the previous owner (of many years) onboard which is a big bonus...but he has never sailed the estuary (only up north and across to Holland)

 

[VicS]

.

I'd like to park her in a marina on the tidal thames (probably Shepperton) to fit her out for an offshore cruise

I dont think Shepperton is on the tidal Thames!

 

[tomdmx]

Or just one lock away then I think it is just past Teddington..if not I will try to find another possible site....but to be fair we will first park in Limehouse or there abouts so that we can drop the mast and sail upstream....

 

[Cloona]

consider the Medway as a first port - good jumping pff point for London - leave on last of ebb take flood up to London -

also plenty of cheap yards and creeks for mast stuff -

also tidal cheat via the swale when making for Dover

 

[tomdmx]

Limehouse is ideal for me as I work near there...but if Medway any particular marina/boat yard?

 

[tillergirl]

Can I suggest you have a look at my Notices to Mariners service at http://www.crossingthethamesestuary.com/page9.html. There are some works going on for wreck removal, dredging, wind farm construction. None of which will be a party stopper but you should be aware of them.

 

[tomdmx]

Tillergirl, many thanks for your link, most usefull

 

[KellysEye]

>I'd like to park her in a marina on the tidal thames (probably Shepperton) to fit her out for an offshore cruise which means that I will need to drop the mast somewhere before I actually hit London

A question, if you are refitting her and taking the mast down why go to London, many east coast marinas have haul outs, take masts down and chandlers? Burnam on Crouch is an example, we did did exactly what you are doing in Burnham.

 

[Conachair]

I thought as much (re Black Deep) as it looks wide enough for ships so should be sufficient for our small yacht...


And I should have said more about what we're doing...I'm sailing my yacht a 31 foot steel cutter from Grimsby to London...I'd like to park her in a marina on the tidal thames (probably Shepperton) to fit her out for an offshore cruise which means that I will need to drop the mast somewhere before I actually hit London (and I would welcome any suggestions as to where to do it also)

I just bought her and the previous owner agreed to sail down with me and a mate which means we get a couple of days of getting to know her properly with the previous owner (of many years) onboard which is a big bonus...but he has never sailed the estuary (only up north and across to Holland)

As for getting up the river, you could pick up a buoy in Queenborough to wait for the flood tide or if conditions are OK maybe anchor round Southend and save a couple of miles, http://www.visitmyharbour.com/harbours/thames-estuary/canvey-area/

Southdock have a crane & should be able to drop the mast - be worth giving them a call first of course. http://www.southwark.gov.uk/info/200065/south_dock_marina

If you're thinking of a berth over the summer then one thing to bear in mind is the olympics, during the games southdock looks like a non starter, limehouse don't like long stay yachts during the summer anyway and even if you do get into st kats it will cost you a fortune. Don't know about up the river though, probably less of an issue there.


(I'm on an offshore steel cutter as well )