Fun Trying to get some speed in the strong currants of the river mouth 

Looked a good forecast for Felixstowe NE 20/30 kts and 10 degrees, with a midday low water it was a rare chance to get some flat water in the River Deben. I was the first to arrive at The Dip at about 10.15 and there was nobody about, there was a big swell rolling in with a good force five. I wasn't keen on trying to bet up to the Deben so had a ride to Felixstowe Ferry to check the conditions, I parked at the cottages at the end of the golf course and had a look over the sea wall. It looked good with an easy launch with a nice long run of super flat water, the only down side was the wind was too broad, it needed more east to make it easier to sail. I returned to The Dip as Peter and Sally Ling arrived along with speed buddy Peter Cutts. Peter Ling was keen to get out into the swells but Peter Cutts and I decided to try the Ferry. The wind seemed strong so we both rigged 6.5 and sadly this was the wrong choice and we were well underpowered, we should have been brave enough to rig 7m!!! We rigged by the cottages and then had a job to get our sails over the big sea wall as the steps were a bit on the narrow side and the wind was blowing the sail against the wall! I was the guinea pig and managed to get going turning broad down the river to mis the shingle bar, 31 kts so things were looking good but then we tried getting back :( It was a nightmare! With the wind broad and sailing against the strong current it was exhausting and involved short tacks and lots of walking!!!! I managed to break 30 kts twice more and was only one more good run off a 30 kt ave :( but sadly the wind just didn't play ball and we gave up after the tide turned and the wind seemed to ease. The surprising thing was the wind went lighter the farther you sailed towards the open sea! It was nice trying to get 30 kts at Felixstowe - a rare event! sailing with Peter. I think we would have had more fun and certainly less tiring sailing the swells at The Dip, perhaps I will do that tomorrow as the forecast is similar but with sunshine, the highlight of the day was spotting a seal :)