advice sailing isle of Wight to Plymouth

[southseaian]

A non stop passage off-shore by 10/15 miles is shorter and avoids the stronger tides around the headlands.
Calling into every other place will add many miles and take a lot of time.
It's really down to the strength of the crew and the boat.
Depending on wind and motoring think 24 hours. If there are only two of you what if one of you gets sea sick?
Is this a 22 footer with a weak crew or a well crewed 45 foot off shore yacht?
Short pleasant hops or a good thrash down the channel?
Passage planing is based on an assessment of the boat, the crew, likely weather/sea conditions coupled with a good read of passage notes in Almanac etc and examination of the charts.
As already stated above there will always be different plans for different boats, crews and conditions.

 

[lpdsn]

It's always difficult to know what to say on threads like this, as it's hard to gauge the OP's experience. I'm assuming they can sail but taking them at their word, they sound very inexperienced at tidal sailing.

So for the OP.

1) Read the Almanac - it's my pet subject to criticise the reliability of its coverage in more remote parts of the British Isles, but it's pretty dependable for the south coast of England.

2) Don't under-estimate the effect on sea state of the tide in the wrong conditions. There are places where the moving water can really cause waves to heap up. If you come whizzing down the Needles Channel into a strong SW'ly you'll understand what I mean. Best avoid it in those conditions, but it can be like a pussy cat at other times.

3) The boat rarely goes where you point it. You probably know this already, but never forget it when trying to work out where you're going. The Needles Channel again is a classic example. You may think you're pointing down the channel, but on the ebb you'll be being swept out over the Shingles unless you're actively steering off to avoid that and are monitoring your position appropriately.

4) Best avoid the inshore channel at Portland Bill. Play safe, go outside, which means at least 5 miles south.

5) Don't dismiss St Alban's race - just because Portland gets the limelight it doesn't mean St Alban's can't get you.

6) Note all the tide times and work out the flows you need to know about in advance. Don't forget the hour for GMT -> BST. People who have sailed all their lives in tidal waters can do tidal calc pretty quickly, but don't under-estimate how long it'll take you. Hard to concentrate that well at sea in a small boat in rough weather.

7) Similar vein. Work out the tidal heights for ports you might have to seek shelter in in advance. Most people on here would automatically discriminate between all-tide and drying harbours (and I haven't seen any of the latter mentioned) but if you're used to the Med, you might assume these small ports are usuable - especially if a bit tired and stressed.

8) Weather. Can be more changeable and less predictable. So keep a good eye on the forecasts. Plan to seek shelter (even in the summer).

 

[Ads&Al]

Thanks everyone for all the advice! I've come home to find my partner has already started a passage plan and done her reading up like the great skipper she is!.... I sshould learn to have more faith I think! Haha all advice has been.passed on

 

[Seajet]

There's only one thing which will get you; it's fatigue !!!

Have a rest whenever the crew and you can; it's not rocks or fog that'll get you, it's fatitgue suddenly finding yourself slumped over the tiller heading for the rocks - take this from someone who's tried it and considering it and I don't overall recommend it !

Autohelms are a massive help for cross Channel sailing, on the trips I did before having them - and with novice crews - I learned what exhaustion really means !

Andy

 

[PetiteFleur]

A few days ago we did Yarmouth to Weymouth; Weymouth to Dartmouth then Dartmouth to Plymouth(we actually went on to Fowey) cautions as earlier, read up in Reeds, we did it in a 1929, 29' bermudian cutter, mostly motorsailing as headwinds practically all the way.......

 

[Wansworth]

Plan for a morning arrival off Start Point and when you have the light dipping hove too and have a upper and a nap so you will be refreshed on making land...... well that's what I did...... although * fell sound asleep instead OF A QUICK NAP

 

[BruceDanforth]

A non stop passage off-shore by 10/15 miles is shorter and avoids the stronger tides around the headlands.
Calling into every other place will add many miles and take a lot of time.
It's really down to the strength of the crew and the boat.
Depending on wind and motoring think 24 hours. If there are only two of you what if one of you gets sea sick?
Is this a 22 footer with a weak crew or a well crewed 45 foot off shore yacht?
Short pleasant hops or a good thrash down the channel?
Passage planing is based on an assessment of the boat, the crew, likely weather/sea conditions coupled with a good read of passage notes in Almanac etc and examination of the charts.
As already stated above there will always be different plans for different boats, crews and conditions.

Why do you think a boat would have a weak crew just because it is a 22 footer?

 

[prv]

Why do you think a boat would have a weak crew just because it is a 22 footer?

He doesn't, but he wanted two examples at opposite ends of the scale of capability. A 22 footer with a strong crew and a 45 footer crewed by numpties are equally valid possibilities, but they both fall inside the range defined by the extremes.

Pete

 

[southseaian]

Why do you think a boat would have a weak crew just because it is a 22 footer?

Sorry just my wording.
Of course a 22 foot boat might have a strong crew and a 45 footer a weak crew.
The OP does not mention size or design of boat or total crew. A point that I would make is that it would be unwise to give passage planning advice without knowing about the boat and crew.
Some contributors seem to assume that because the OP is asking advice they must be lacking experience.
Actually asking advice concerning local knowledge shows maturity and experience.
I guess it's the nature of online forums but people seem to make assumptions when a question is asked about one subject that this implies general ignorance on all matters nautical.

 

[laika]

Is this a 22 footer with a weak crew or a well crewed 45 foot off shore yacht?

We know of at least one design of 22-footer which has done the Salcombe run in 12 parsecs...

Much of what I'd contribute should be obvious if the OP's partner is experienced and competent and has already been said by others. The thing that can't be planned from the almanac is the wind which more often than not precludes a straight course to prawle point so needs to be factored into the plan.

 

[southseaian]

Lets be sure about this. There is nothing wrong with 22 footers.
Capt. Bligh completed a voyage of more than 3,500 nautical miles in a 21 foot open boat with 18 crew following the Mutiny on the Bounty.
A 21 foot Corribee was sailed single handed across the Atlantic. They have been sailed single handed around Britain including the well known adventure by Ellen MacArthur.
Sailing is adventurous for most people. Be it making Cowes from the Hamble or sailing alone around Britain.

 

[dslittle]

I'd be intrigued to know what delivery company is hiring people with limited tidal sailing experience for deliveries on the South coast. (If I've understood the OP correctly)

Crossed my mind as well..

If time is not an issue, have you considered going across to the Channel Islands? Distance is the same as crossing Lyme Bay (x2), (I did once get effectively embayed in Lyme Bay when the wind died - thank God for the iron sail) and you should get a good wind angle on both legs.