Across the Spitway to the Crouch

West Mersea was our last port of call in the Blackwater for the OGA summer cruise. Today we had a self timed passage race through the Spitway and into the Crouch. We wanted to use every bit of tide we could, so decided to leave West Mersea two hours before low water to take the last of the ebb down river, cross the Spitway at low water, then take the first of the flood up the Crouch. This works fine for Robinetta, drawing 1.4m, but on a spring tide owners of deeper draft boats were reluctant to do the same. Another reason for reluctance was it meant leaving around 5am...

We crossed the start (Nass beacon bearing 0M ) at 05:17. Sunrise exactly, and on a lovely broad reach.

passing the Wallet Spitway buoy

Three boats did the same as us, and we sailed almost in company down the Blackwater and to the Spitway. Once through we had to harden up, and beat into the Crouch. It was only just after low water and there was very little tide to help. We had wanted to go north of the Swallowtail Bank, but could not make the course, so ended up in the main channel, tacking as close to the sand banks as possible. We could see them clearly, which helped!

We had almost made it to the end of the Swallowtail bank when we saw Transcur beating down on the other side of it. Being later over the Spitway she had more tide assist so could make the course. Why didn't I think of that?

Beating into the Crouch is not generally much fun, but after we were clear of the Swallowtail the making tacks got longer, and I enjoyed myself handling the jib while Julian helmed. I could see a lot of seals on both the Buxey and the Foulness sands, and once we were passed the Inner Crouch buoy there were other things to look at too.

We finished our race at 10:46, on the Royal Burnham YC line, then continued on up the Crouch towards Fambridge. Despite Julian's dislike of beating up the Crouch he wanted to keep sailing not put the engine on, so we stayed under sail all the way to North Fambridge, only getting the engine on after we had passed the Yacht Station pontoon where we were to moor the for night.

Once we had everything away we motored back and rafted up on Rely.