Round Sheppey- roll call

Forecast currently looks pleasant, much sunshine and F3. Not as exciting as last year though

Camping there friday and sat night

Don't expect any gentlemanly behaviour at the bridge. Sailing through the bridge while it's up is now a disqualification. The pontoon at the bridge is a pain, expect to fend off and hand over hand walk yourself to the shore, you can gain or loose 5 or 6 positions at the bridge if you're smart about it. ( see googlearth for the "T" shaped pontoon just by the bridge)

 

Close to shore and out of tide is good on the way down to Leysdown, if you decide to sail through the posts of the submarine trap (many do, it's called the Minster Boom, at your own peril)) make sure you follow someone else, If at all unsure avoid it.

 

Don't cut the corner (particularly true for dagger board boats) at the entrance to the Swale or anywhere else unless you're following another boat or you know it's OK.

 

The island about 3rd of the way up the Swale has a long sand bank that extends east, usually many groundings there.

 

The bit through the docks has many converging currents / very confused water and shifty winds, usually a spinnaker leg.....very tricky when you're tired and the concentration is slipping.....Overhauled a couple of ospreys  there last year as they went over, made ground on an Alto too. Watch out for flotsam at the docks, narrowly missed a pallet a couple of years ago.

 

Have a good breakfast, finding time to eat on the water was nearly impossible last year.