steve yates

Thats handy Jim, thx, whats the app called?

Thanks everyone, apologies if I was seeming flippant, I wasn't. I get that the severn needs to be treated with respect, and respect it will get. Just to check I wasn't being out of order I did ask the question about this on a sailing forum. No one would use a pilot, nor thought it necessary, but I got a lot of good tips and advice, and will no doubt get more if I go this way and ask in depth. There is a dedicated bristol channel sub forum I can ask for advice on local conditions.

Interesting, so did you take a pilot the first time you sailed in the Severn estuary? Let's be realistic, sailors, even those learning the craft, learn about passages by advice from others who have done it, and by doing it. They do not take a pilot to "learn" a passage for the first time, otherwise they would never leave their own harbour. Thank you for the link, it will be very useful. Narrowboats are not seagoing craft, I can see why they would emply a pilot. Cargo ships and ocean going vessels are large, ungainly and very expensive, they usually have to employ a pilot. Leisure yachts and fishing boats would very rarely, if ever, employ a pilot. Thx, and it is the most probable one, but if I have time I will be tempted to divert

Thx David. I will post when I decide a route. I only thought of the Severn as a detour cos the trip looked prett I know the Severn has a rep, and I always do my research. I overload on info to counter my inexperience. Having said that, I'm not as inexperienced as I was last year when I started sailing, I've Singlehanded that little boat 1100 miles from Cumbria, all the way up the entire west coast of Scotland and back down. Crossed the Irish Sea, the north channel, the Minch, rounded ardnamurchan, fairhead, and dealt with various tidal races round Northern Ireland and Scotland. I will be fine in the Severn estuary Locks worry me more than tides and sandbanks!

I mean no disrespect guys, but .... I have never used a guide in the himalayas. I have never used a guide in over 30 years of climbing, at a reasonable standard, all over the world. I know nothing about the severn estuary, nor the avonmouth tides, (which is why I asked) and of course I will do some research. I will ask on a sailing forum about navigation and pilotage in the upper reaches of the severn, like I asked on here about transiting canals. I asked about canals here because I know nothing about them, and quite fancy a go. I would have charts and tidetables for the severn, as I had whatever available maps, and route descriptions (when not attempting new routes) when climbing. I appreciate that someone taking a narrowboat down the severn estuary after only ever cruising canals, may require a pilot, seems like sense. But a small sailing boat most certainly does not require one, regardless of whether I know the area or not. I had no clue about the areas I have sailed in, until I went and had a look. I simply asked advice and took the charts and tide tables. Now, back to the canals, good pubs and great stopping off points

Yes, I don't think I would need one. That's not doing it myself. Bethfran is a seaboat, if I can't take her down the estuary myself I shouldn't be there. It's like going climbing and hiring a guide to take you, pointless.

No pilots thx

Mmm, what would it be like punching upriver to bath from avonmouth? is there any tide to carry me partway up? and whats the riverflow like I would have to motor against?

Looking at the maplinks you guys have posted, one thing sticks out. Going down the severn or avon to gloucester, and then back up the stroudwater canal to the upper reaches of the thames. But it is not a solid link on the map, is this currently possible or is the canal closed or being restored?

Thanks for that, ordered

Thanks Alan, will do.

I like that idea, though bethfran's passage planning speed is 3-4 knots But, if I go into the canal system, I fancy going the whole way then down the non tidal Thames as far up as I can get into it, thence down to the sea. Once based in Benfleet I can explore round towards the Humber and across the channel to my hearts content. And that could be a great route back north if I want to get her back out of season.

Someone posted a link to an article on the hoo ness yacht club site about their trip up to oxford, I can't find the original post, but whoever it was, thank you, that was a really enjoyable read.

56 days I think it said? 2 weeks initially, a week or two back at work, and another 2 weeks to finish? That should do it.If it is strictly 30 days, that could be a problem.

That sounds pretty much perfect for me, thx David. I took her through the Crinan canal, she can do 4 knots easily with the ob.

No loo, pee bottle and shoreside facilities ( bucket at sea) No fridges she's very basic. Gas cooker, solar panel to recharge battery. Do I need to have a bsc or is a visitors licence enough? The sailing and tidal bits are not a concern, I'm not precious about scratches to gel Kat etc, but other big canal boats hitting her hard are a concern

Dor, yes it would, but I'm intrigued by this idea, so much more interesting Graham, she is 6 ft wide

Brilliant, thx howard

By way of introduction, I bought this boat at end of 2015 to learn to sail in, last year I singlehanded her from Cumbria to kinlochbervie and Stornaway and back as far as Stranraer, between May and November. ( got stuck at Stranraer, still waiting for a weather window to get back to Cumbria, 'tis 5 days sailing) Same kind of thing, a week or two sailing, park her and get back to work till next gap, then off again. There are some snaps from that trip here

Thanks guys, I forgot to mention she has a stub lifting keel, 1m draft when down, 40cm when raised. The outboard on the tidal Thames will be fine as I will work the tides and have the sails back from tower bridge. But I have no idea if the canals link up to do this route, and where on the Thames I would come out, I need your advice on that. Also on timescales, is 3 weeks reasonable? Too long? Easily achievable? I will prob have to do it in stages, maybe have a week then leave her somewhere for a couple of weeks while I go back to work till I get my next week or two window. I'm self employed so that helps with the time a lot. Also reccomendatioms for moorings with good pubs and possible showers. Plus lock advice, I will be mainly singlehanded, are the locks possible with one person? Thank you.

Hi, I'm looking for advice from experienced canal users. I actually have an 18 ft sailing boat, based in Cumbria. I have had to move to Essex and instead of trailing it, I am wondering about the feasibility of sailing her down to glass on dock, dropping the mast, maybe even leave it there and take it down by road, and then making my way down to the Thames to get to my ultimate destination near canvey island. She has a six hp outboard, with separate fuel tank and spare cans, enough for around a hundred miles per hop. Is is possible? Anyone done it? How long would it take? What problems might I encounter. Is April a problem for doing this? Thanks. Steve