Dinghy cruising in the Bristol Channel

Annabel Bowker-Dance describes the joys and challenges of dinghy sailing in the Severn Estuary

- Annabel Bowker-Dance

For around 15 years I have been dinghy cruising up and down the Bristol Channel in my wayfarer, Windlord, from Lydney Yacht Club in the Severn Estuary. Over the years varying numbers of dinghies and open boats have participated along with yachts in the club.

We have cruised all the way up river to Gloucester, and down channel as far as Ilfracombe and Lundy Island, but a typical weekend away involves setting off at high water Lydney (which on a spring tide is often around breakfast time) and sailing into the wind down river to take advantage of the fast currents of up to 7 knots.

At that speed it’s all too easy to get tangled up with fixed obstacles such as channel markers, bridge pillars or the few rocks along the way. But at least you can see them! Visibility in the water is practically zero so underwater rocks and obstructions cannot be seen. The muddy sides of the river, however, are kind to boats.

The strong tides lend themselves to a fairly tight fleet, as everyone has to leave at the same time and sail with the tide.

The sea can be rough in wind-over-tide conditions. Short, lumpy waves form in certain stretches depending on the direction of the currents and positions of sandbanks. The sandbanks also present a drying hazard on an ebb tide. Some of the sandbanks are huge in the Bristol region, stretching over half way across the channel. The incoming tide can be unpredictable with fast currents even in very shallow water.