Severn Estuary - advice please !

ivan4199 · 17 March 2009, 10:40

If you've been on the upper Severn Estuary please give a few tips. This coming weekend we're planning first trip out through the lock at Sharpness onto Severn Esturary.

I know high-tide is around 1.30 pm so planning to arrive a couple of hours before & then maybe find someone to follow out into the Estuary. On this first trip wanted a couple of hours in the Estuary, maybe brief crossing to Lydney & then come back through Sharpness lock before it closes.
Power isnt a problem but what planning needed & what pitfalls ?
Thanks Ivan
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doggypaddle · 17 March 2009, 13:24

As far as I know its a very dangerous section of the river, with fast running tides and shoals that move about, and varying levels of semi submerged hard objects to hit from tractor tyres calor gas bottles to submerged logs which have washed down the river.(ive seen them all off lydney) not to mention several wrecks around purton.
I would say the main thing apart from all the obvious safety equipment is local knowledge of the river, and an up to date chart.
Not sure how much use an AUX engine would be, once the tide is on the turn theres only one direction you will be able to go and thats with it.
Personally its i dont think its a very inviting or enjoyable section of water, and at the moment have no great desire to venture out there even though it is literally right on my doorstep.
I think matt H may be able to tell you more, he is mad and ventures out there abouts!

matt h · 17 March 2009, 15:06

agree with DP,why dont you launch at bristol docks,then go up stream to Avon mouth,

North of the old severn Bridge is ok if you know what your doing,But there are many many pitfalls,

Steve_B · 17 March 2009, 15:12

Please forgive me, but isn't travelling from Bristol to Avonmouth downstream??

Regards, an ex-Bristollian
Steve

Avocet · 17 March 2009, 18:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by 250kts

Please forgive me, but isn't travelling from Bristol to Avonmouth downstream??

Regards, an ex-Bristollian
Steve

It certainly was when I lived there ... but things change, you know.

Leapy · 17 March 2009, 19:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by Avocet

It certainly was when I lived there ... but things change, you know.

Global warming?

matt h · 17 March 2009, 21:35

it could be!!

ivan4199 · 19 March 2009, 19:06

Thanks for the tips - especially Doggypaddle - I notice you're based in Gloucester - so do you trailer your RIB everywhere & do you use it on the inland waterways too? Mine lives in the water in Tewkesbury Marina - its not a RIB but a 'Tehri Fun Boat' only 16 foot long but with a 50 hp engine so will be quite speedy when I get round to trailering it somewhere suitable.

I like the slower trips on Rivers Severn & Avon but planning some coastal stuff hopefully this summer (maybe not Upper Severn Estuary now!). I'd be interested to hear more how you do your ribbing (you & others) based as you are away from decent coastal water?

Cheers, Ivan

doggypaddle · 19 March 2009, 19:24

Cardiff bay is good, fresh water lake to launch in,and lock down to open water. other than that is a trip to the solent or cornwall/north devon for me.
Falmouth has plenty of places to explore, carrick roads etc, and looe looks really nice too, good slip in the millpool carpark, i have yet to venture out there in my own boat though , Fowey, Mixtow pill /Penmarlam park it highly recomended by a few on here too, though i havent been there yet either, but again it looks like clean safe estuary water for when the weather is bad.(safer then the severn anyway) Queen anne battery marina in plymouth is a good slip too, with sheltered water of the sound and the Tamar river to cruise up in bad weather.

ivan4199 · 23 March 2009, 18:21

...My Question of going onto Estuary resolved itself on sunday - we couldnt get through the swing bridge by Slimbridge on the canal (its blocked off for repairs). So couldnt even get
to Sharpness but had a good trip anyway down & up from Tewkesbury.