eastcoastbernie
New member
Welcome fellow She.
I can see why the old timers (tee hee!) would describe the Deben Bar as a doddle, but in my opinion it is a potential hazard to be treated with the utmost respect.
For your first entrance to the Deben, plan to cross the Deben Bar on a rising tide. This goes against the grain somewhat as it means you have to punch the tide on your way to Woodbridge Haven, but it isn't very far from the Orwell, so it won't take forever. The closer to HW you are on arrival at the Deben Bar, the more water you will have and the less stressful crossing it will be.
If you are a nervous type, that's good, cos you're unlikely to do anything stupid. Equally, if you want to be cautious, don't go for Woodbridge Haven on your first entrance to the Deben.
Why rush on to Woodbridge when Ramsholt Arms is lovely, with a very nice pub. It involves a short trip in the dinghy, but if you don't fancy that, eating on board can be lovely too. You will probably be rewarded with a beautiful sunset.
Carry on to the rocks and you will find a pretty easy anchorage. The best holding is on the left on the opposite side of the river to the beach. You can dinghy ashore to the beach or stay on board to eat.
After the rocks, the channel is narrower and the closer to Woodbridge you get the shallower it all gets. And you have to time it right for the cill at the Tide Mill.
So, if it is your first time, and you are a bit nervous, don't be too ambitious and settle for Ramsholt or The Rocks and leave Woodbridge for the next day.
Well, that's my opinion anyhow.
I can see why the old timers (tee hee!) would describe the Deben Bar as a doddle, but in my opinion it is a potential hazard to be treated with the utmost respect.
For your first entrance to the Deben, plan to cross the Deben Bar on a rising tide. This goes against the grain somewhat as it means you have to punch the tide on your way to Woodbridge Haven, but it isn't very far from the Orwell, so it won't take forever. The closer to HW you are on arrival at the Deben Bar, the more water you will have and the less stressful crossing it will be.
If you are a nervous type, that's good, cos you're unlikely to do anything stupid. Equally, if you want to be cautious, don't go for Woodbridge Haven on your first entrance to the Deben.
Why rush on to Woodbridge when Ramsholt Arms is lovely, with a very nice pub. It involves a short trip in the dinghy, but if you don't fancy that, eating on board can be lovely too. You will probably be rewarded with a beautiful sunset.
Carry on to the rocks and you will find a pretty easy anchorage. The best holding is on the left on the opposite side of the river to the beach. You can dinghy ashore to the beach or stay on board to eat.
After the rocks, the channel is narrower and the closer to Woodbridge you get the shallower it all gets. And you have to time it right for the cill at the Tide Mill.
So, if it is your first time, and you are a bit nervous, don't be too ambitious and settle for Ramsholt or The Rocks and leave Woodbridge for the next day.
Well, that's my opinion anyhow.
