Watchet passage plan.

Allan

Allan

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I'm thinking of doing my first single handed trip to Watchet in my new boat on Friday. I don't have my charts etc. at home so will have do the passage plan on Friday, before I leave. It would be nice to have some idea of what time I have to be at CYC. The Watchet gate opens at 15-20ish and I would normally passage plan at ~5kts although I can do 6kts+ under power. Does anyone have a plan that fits? In my old boat I used to go to Minehead for low tide and then sail with the tide to Watchet but I think I should be able go straight across in Cobby girl.
Allan
 
Louise and I are keen to try this in a week or two, if possible, so any info will be gratefully received.....
 
Hi,
Many thanks for your reply. Yes I spoke to the Marina this morning and he said it will open earlier than published ~15-00 so I would like to arrive ~15-30. I would like to know approx what time I will need to leave the barrage to achieve this.
Allan
 
What are the visitors moorings like at Watchet? do you moor bow or stern on, or sideways? Is it likely to be very busy there midweek next week, does anyone know?

I'm being wimpy, if we go, Tues/weds looks good, I'm concerned about manoevering in a tight harbour abd want as much space as possible

/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif
 
Its a marina, similar to Penarth so you usually moor bow on. There is less room for maneouvre I would agree but as long as you go slow. It gets a bit muddy at low water but the fin keels just sink into the mud. You will usually find that you are close reaching most of the way as the wind is typically from the SW or West. Hope you like heeling.

The only hairy part of Watchet itself is getting through the entrance as there is quite a current going across. Been there twice in a Bavaria 37. Lovely little village with nice pubs like the Star. We would like to also go across sometime once I have a jib sorted but we are also a bit wimpy as we haven't actually got the sails up on our boat yet and need to have some practice in the Bay.

Good luck.
 
Hi Matt. I wondered why Sunbeam was against the pontoon on Monday.

My main worry is the close manoeuvering stuff. I'm happy with a passage plan, and the first time I don't even care if I have to motor the whole way there, but I'm really very inexperienced with moving the boat in tight spaces. Slow is the way to go, as you say. There must be a bit of pontoon with, say 2 or 300 yards free down there for people like me, surely?

Weather looks calm next mon-wed, and tides seem to be going the right way, Louise is mad keen, so I just have to decide whether or not to try it.
 
You generally moor alongside on finger berths. Sometimes on the linear pontoon which will probably have space now. There is plenty of room compared with some marinas. Tell the berthing staff you need help before you arrive and someone will be there to meet you. They generally do this anyway, but tell them just to be on the safe side.
I've never encountered the stream across the entrance by the way!
 
[ QUOTE ]
If a Bavaria 37 can do it and there are some bigger ones there I'm sure you can do it in Ishtar. Just get louise on fender duty!

[/ QUOTE ]

Hey, you're in trouble now Matt, she reads this stuff. She's lost weight, you know. She'll come after you with her nurses bag....

If the weather forecast stays the same, I think we'll have to go for it. We said we'd try and aim to do an 'overnighter' this year, and teh way the nights seem to be drawing in so quickly, I think it needs to happen soon.

Is it possible to buy a yacht shaped fender that goes all the way around? Can't do much damage with one of those.....

Thanks PCUK, I think I'll give them a ring.
 
Hi Allan The problem with timing to arrive just after the gates open is that you will be fighting the tide all the way.

Doing it on one tide I would try to leave cardiff about half tide on the flood. This then gives you about 5 and a half hours to cover the 20 odd miles., before the gate shuts. Wont be a problem in your boat especially as you get a bit of help once the tide turns.

I know you have been there before so the next bit is aimed at anyone who hasnt.

The marina entrance is immediately on the left once you enter the outer harbour. Go in when you get a green light.

WatchetMarinaEntrance.jpg

This picture shows the marina entrance at Low tide with the flap gate closed to retain the water.Remember that the times the flap open and shut are governed by the height of the tide which can be affected by weather and air pressure so dont arrive at the last moment if you can help it. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gifIf you did arrive too late you can lie against the wall in the outer harbour.Near the steps it is sandy further in its mud.You can access the outer harbour about another 30 mins before or after the marina gate closes?opens.
 
Regarding the signal lights, we've recently had a couple of kn*b heads who couldn't wait the three minutes for the lights to change. One made it out OK the other encountered a 45ft steel ketch half way through being followed closely by two other yachts. They had no chance to alter and luckily the kn*b head was able to reverse out of the way with his twin outdrives.
The lights aren't just there to entertain the locals, they have a serious purpose!
 
If I had a 45 ft steel ketch I would just go in whenever I wanted.Especially if I had a long bowsprit. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
 
Thanks, Graham. I'll bear the lights in mind if we go. I think the ketch we were on last year was steel. It was 44ft, anyway. Northwind or something?

And yes, the owner did seem to go wherever he wanted, although he lost an argument with a rock entering the Levkas canal.
 
We were stuck there for 6 days due to weather in August. They put us side on to C pontoon (sharp right after the entrance) and there was plenty of space to just slide gently alongside, which was just aswell 'cause I'm a learner-driver too. There can be a disconcerting cross-current in the marina entrance but its worth it for a pint in the Star! /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif
 
Louise rang them this morning and said the chap was very nice. He said not to worry and that they will come onto the pontoon and help us. THey seemed very understanding.

I might get in a spot of bother, workwise, if we are stuck there for 6 days though.......
 
I always battle through but NEVER try and get the boat back because of work. My crew have often left me and got the train home.
 
We will be leaving Cardiff on the 5:00 lock and rushing across to get in just before the 8pm gate close. By choice I'd have left an hour or so to ensure that we do get in but much earlier that 1 1/2 hrs before HT Cardiff and a lot of time would be wasted punching the tide. Depends upon the speed of the boat of course.
Just after the gate opens and just before the gate closes there can be a strong current on the marina. As already said they are a friendly lot over there so give them a call on VHF as you approach and they'll be there to show you into the right berth and take your lines.

See you over there.

Neil & Trish - Zephyr
 
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