Winsford Flashes, information please

[DaveR]

We are to take Legacy down onto the Weaver & I can not find any information if the Winsford Flashes are navigable for a narrow boat with 2' 3" draught.

 

Can I go beyond the Winsford Marina?

 

Thanks

 

Dave R

[BEngo]

Depends on how much fresh there is in the river really, and I believe even then  there are shallow spots in the lower flash. I would want company and/or a local expert if going off piste.

 

The Winsford visitor moorings are fine, for depth, generally, though you have to go canny after CRT's water ends at the bridge by the pub.  

 

N

[beerbeerbeerbeerbeer]

21 minutes ago, BEngo said:

Depends on how much fresh there is in the river really, and I believe even then  there are shallow spots in the lower flash. I would want company and/or a local expert if going off piste.

 

The Winsford visitor moorings are fine, for depth, generally, though you have to go canny after CRT's water ends at the bridge by the pub.  

 

N

Yep, and that’s the fun bit. 
 

Have a go and see. 

[TheBiscuits]

42 minutes ago, Goliath said:

Yep, and that’s the fun bit. 
 

Have a go and see. 

 

I'd advise doing it very slowly so you don't get very hard stuck.  A lot more neutral than forwards ...

 

[beerbeerbeerbeerbeer]

👍

 

did this with Dmr, 

had a stick to test depth. 
 

And yes, went very slow. 

[dmr]

Did this with Goliath and I was at the front poking the bottom with the stick. Its quite a hard bottom and gets shallow quickly if you hit the wrong spot, but its worth doing and if done slowly and carefully should be fine. You wont get far beyond the marina (unless there is a hidden channel), but will be able to turn.

The pub was rather good but had an enforced change of management. Please report back.

[J R ALSOP]

I am up there now, been here for a couple of days, The Red Lion has had a make over, very clean and tidy, friendly staff and good food, six boats have turned up here but only one spent the night.

Every boat turning in here kept very close to the bank none ventured into the flash.

I went about 1/4 mile in with three other boats very slow with pole prodders at the bow, wouldn't want to do it on my own. Yesterday a guy in a inflatable dinghy came back after a couple of hours and said that is was not deep, he ran aground a few times.

I was told the deepest water is on the port side near to the bank. 

[enigmatic]

Think if I wanted to explore the flashes I'd take a tender or standup paddleboard. The "marina" entrance is fine because they've dredged it although even that bit's shallow, but the rest was never intended to be navigable, the bottom is soft and you're not getting any help from the bank or a passing boat if you go too far

[Jerra]

Once when we were up the Weaver we met a boat at a water point.  They said we will stop filling and let you top up.   Very kind.   It turned out they were having to refill the water tank having been stuck in the flash.  They had tried CRT and RCR for help.  Neither offered the ability to assist and suggested they emptied the water tank and reversed as the only way they might get out.

[ditchcrawler]

I chickened out at this point, Di was depth sounding on the bows

[Francis Herne]

You have to be close in on the caravan club side at that point. There's a very shallow sand bar in front of the river mouth that blocks most of the 'neck'.

 

Today's track with Lark Ascending (disregard pointy glitches):

 

Here the geese are conveniently marking the sandbar:

 

Very close to the caravan park seemed to be the only channel. It's still quite shallow, not much over 2ft with a hard bottom.

 

After that there was plenty of water, at least 5ft mostly. I stayed near the east bank to keep clear of all the dinghies tacking around their buoys.

 

The far end:

 

Looking back:

 

The dinghy sailers seemed amused to have a narrowboat visit them. A few of the fishermen were seriously pissed off. Various people quite reasonably warned me about getting stuck.

Well worth trying in my opinion.

Edited September 24, 2023 by Francis Herne