A Question of Race

[Anwen]

So far, I've found the race off Nash point the most bumpy and you can't really avoid it when you are going between Swansea and Cardiff via the Nash Passage. Foreland also seems to have strong overfalls which go out a long way towards Lundy.

 

[Anwen]

Or even Hartland Pt...

 

[john_filer]

I have personally had experience, or know of people who have been caught in overfalls in the following places.
a) Between Lavernock point and Flatholm, a strong South Easterly against a fast ebbing tide.
b) Off North Foreland, again when the tide is strong.
c) I've been in the Lundy races in an 18' sail boat, again the tide was running quickly.
d) Between the Severn Bridges, in not very strong wind there can be a patch of overfalls.
e) Just South of the Shoots, on a strong ebb, but this was into a South Westerly Force 8.
f) Off Hartland, again when the tide is running well.
g) All along the centre of the Bristol Deep Channel, with a strong ebb tide into anything over a force 5. In fact the waves being kicked up shows where the tide is, which is useful for racing.

 

[damo]

Thanks John, that is just the kind of detail I was looking for /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[graham]

Re the Lavernock point overfalls I have found the worst conditions on the ebb with a Westerly wind.

 

[john_filer]

On point a) in my previous posting, of course the wind was South Westerly NOT South Easterly.

 

[john_filer]

The other places where the waves can be a problem are the entrances to;

Burnham on Sea, this can be very tricky in a Westerly.

There are frequently patches of waves off the entrance to Barry harbour, and Watchet harbour.

Barry harbour is very well protected except in a strong Southerly when swell enters the harbour and access ashore can be difficult.

The entrance to Cardiff Barrage can be threatening in an Easterly, at which times it's best to enter near high water when the breakers are further from the entrance channel.

The entrance channel to the Taw and Torridge can have breaking waves either side on the beaches.

Dare I say that I have had some interesting experiences entering Portishead lock in a North Easterly.

Hope this helps.

 

[damo]

[ QUOTE ]
Dare I say that I have had some interesting experiences entering Portishead lock in a North Easterly.

[/ QUOTE ]

I once sailed into the lock with a 20kn easterly, with a little bit of jib for steerage way. We came alongside neatly and surged the line to stop, feeling very pleased with ourselves. We turned for the applause of the crowd.................why is it that you only have an audience when you mess it up? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[graham]

If you had missed the pontoon cleat then stemmed into the lock gates with the crew catapulted into the water then not only would you have had an audience but they would have all had cameras at the ready... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[damo]

You are right of course... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

We did it to satisfy ourselves it was reasonably possible to do, after seeing a yacht with engine problems, in identical weather, blown onto the shore at the top of a mega spring tide. They needed the lifeboat to pull them off, and it never even occurred to them that they could sail in.

I would try to avoid entering though, if there was a good swell from the north, having seen a yacht rolling in - he was close to losing his mast as the spreaders nearly hit the wall by the gates.

BTW for smallish yacht owners - don't let your crew stand at the midships rail ready with the lines, until you have passed between the outer gates. The boat heels towards the wall, and if the lock is quite low you could scrape the masthead. I've seen a vhf antenna bent that way!

 

[graham]

All respect to you .Its great to see someone trying to be self sufficient rather than call for assistance that may not allways be neccessary.

I sculled vega for an hour one hot and windless day to get into Cardiff Barrage with a dead motor.

With blisters on my hands and suffering dehydration I asked a large motorcruiser ahead of me for a tow out of the lock. He replied that he was in a rush to get to a meeting.I refrained from telling him where to shove his gin palace then a fishing boat waiting to lock out pulled me out of the lock.Much appreciated at the time. A tiny breeze filled in then allowing me to sail back to the mooring.

I would absolutely not call for lifeboat assistance unless in imminent danger.They are there to save lifes not get you home in time for tea.