Brighton to Chichester

[braithra]

Im planning a trip from Brighton to Chichester next Saturday which will see HW at Selsy Bill is 18:00 - what time should i plan to get through the Looe channel, bearing in min that ive been advised to go over the Chichester bar on a rising tide

 

[Vara]

Im planning a trip from Brighton to Chichester next Saturday which will see HW at Selsy Bill is 18:00 - what time should i plan to get through the Looe channel, bearing in min that ive been advised to go over the Chichester bar on a rising tide

I would concentrate on the best time to leave Brighton to take advantage of tide push.

Long range weather predicts very little wind for Saturday (Grib US), but much can change in 5 days.

Unless the weather goes to horrid getting into Chichester shouldn't be a problem at any time.

What will of course make a tremendous difference is how fast and far you can go with motor.

 

[braithra]

Thanks - motor speed in about 5 knots. I was also told to be careful when going through the Looe channel - but im guessing that if the weather remains calm the same applies there

 

[VicS]

Crossing Chichester bar on a falling tide as such is no problem. BUT dont cross it near LW, or when the ebb is running fast, with strong wind from any southerly point.

Your passage is about 35 miles so allow 8 to 9 hours because you will be against the tide for a fair bit.

I would definitely aim to get through the Looe channel before the tide starts going east and preferably at Chi bar by then as well.

The east going tide starts about HW Portsmouth + 4.30

That will put you at Chi bar while the tide is ebbing fast but it will be approaching neaps this coming weekend so no problems subject to not having strong wind from the south

So to arrive at HW +4.30, if it takes 9 hours, you will need to leave Brighton HW Portsmouth -4.30

HW Portsmouth on Saturday 19th is 0507 and 1750 (BST) So leave at 0030 and arrive at about 0930 or soon after 13 00 and arrive at 2200.

BUT AFAIK the Looe channel is not lit so you will need to be sure to be through there before dark. Otherwise you will have to go out round the Owers. If there is strong wind you will also have to go out round the Owers.

Assuming you will be doing the day time departure leave earlier rather than later to be sure of getting through the Looe before dark. You will also have more water in the Looe and over Chi bar.

Contrary to Vara's advice the above plan will give you a foul tide for several hours at the start of the passage

Chi is well lit although the lights are not bright.

Check with the pilotage on the Chi harbour website regarding the approach.

If conditions are not right to enter Chi go on to Portsmouth.

Double check all the above.

.

 

[PaulR]

we have done similar trip lots of times and only once - and it was v windy that day - gone outside rather than through the looe channel - just be ready if there is any breeze for it to be lumpy in the looe and the tide really does roar through there - would not want to punch the tide at all in that area

 

[oldfatgit]

I'm doing it tomorrow, but going on to Gosport. I agree with VicS, so timing my arrival at the Looe Channel just as it sets fair (so I'll be aiming to be there at 1335 hrs which is HW Portsmouth minus 1.35), punching the tide from here exploiting the strong winds forcast to help. On Saturday winds are likely to be backing from N to W and dropping, so you are likely to need your engine.

 

[brianhumber]

"BUT AFAIK the Looe channel is not lit so you will need to be sure to be through there before dark. Otherwise you will have to go out round the Owers. If there is strong wind you will also have to go out round the Owers."

Looe is well lit

East Borough Head Cardinal to the East and the port/starboard bouys at the west end ( street and boulder) are lit accordingly. In clear vis you will see to the south the Owers cardinal and Puller bank cardinal to the SW as well as Nab flashing away and the main deep water channel bouys.

From Brighton just keep to the South of the Mixon pole, a transit from EBH cardinal to the Street/Boulder will keep you safe. Mixon is further south from Selsey Bill than you think it should be.


As you go through the bouys the depth will increase sharply, this causes a line of some disturbance on both flood and ebb even on windless days - no its not an uncharted sandbank, they are to the north near Selsey Bill starting in a line due west from the Mixon Pole and curving in an arc to the north south of the coastguard tower.

Strong Wind F5 against tide will whip the sea up but in the current Weather forecast you should be shorts and teeshirts. I have fished on and used the Looe in F7 - gets bouncy with short steep seas buts thats about all.

Unless you have local knowledge keep south before angling to enter Chi after leaving Looe because otherwise
a) it gets shallower than the bar ( in Medieval times this was land)
b) the local fishing lads use very small plastic cans to mark their pots and they have lots of them out.

Do not aim for the entrance until the Ci Beacon is in line with Eaststoke. Go well past to the west of the inshore cardinal posts which mark the sunken and awash old target barges.

Chi bar is not as bad as the pilot books make out unless you are doing it hour or so before LW springs in S/SE gale.

Brian

 

[SolentPhill]

going by memory as my tide books are on the boat 3.5 after high portsmouth is good.

As you go past Littlehampton you will see the white tents of Butlins, in that area keep a sharp lookout for nets, these are not crab pots they are nets. They start with a small bouy 5 or 6 inches and then 50 ft will have a small black flag then another in all there will be 7 or 8 of them. inbetween each flag is a long net about 3 ft below the water line. this time of year there are a few of them out there.

we do the journey at least once a month its quite easy as said above keep south of mixon and you will see the 2 markers of boulder street keep an eye open there as crab pots hide and if it is a little choppy they are hard to see.

 

[oldfatgit]

Well, did it today and the plan worked. Left a bit late 0900 hrs and due to a cautious sail plan, entered the channel at 1430 hrs, 1525 exited tied up at Gosport at 1800. Fair tide was, to say the least, spectacular, 2 to 3 kts. A really cracking sail and my 2nd single handed, very encouraging. With out a doubt timing is everything, don't fight the tide in the Looe Channel. Today was all down to very fair winds which meant that progress aginst the tide from Brighton was continious. Once it turned from Looe a sail to be remembered.

 

[braithra]

Well, did it today and the plan worked. Left a bit late 0900 hrs and due to a cautious sail plan, entered the channel at 1430 hrs, 1525 exited tied up at Gosport at 1800. Fair tide was, to say the least, spectacular, 2 to 3 kts. A really cracking sail and my 2nd single handed, very encouraging. With out a doubt timing is everything, don't fight the tide in the Looe Channel. Today was all down to very fair winds which meant that progress aginst the tide from Brighton was continious. Once it turned from Looe a sail to be remembered.

Were you OK through the Looe channel, the advice above was to go through as the tides turns fair, which means going through at about 6pm

 

[oldfatgit]

Were you OK through the Looe channel, the advice above was to go through as the tides turns fair, which means going through at about 6pm

As per my first post, tide set fair at at 1335 hrs which was HW Portsmouth minus 1 hr 35 minutes, this I got from Reeds. I arrived somewhat after that but it was fine with a good strong west going tide to ride through the channel. Wind and tide were together and so the sea was more slight than moderate. Passage from Looe to the gap in the submarine barrier off Southsea brought the wind onto the beam and so, with full yankee, staysail and main, it was a brilliant passage for my heavy cutter with the fair tide making up for my slow passage from Brighton. With the same passage plan, and if winds light using engine to keep on shedule, you should arrive at Chichester at about HW which will make for an easy entry.

It was low tide at Brighton so, from now on that will be my rule of thumb. Leave at LW Brighton, punch adverse tide until arriving at Looe on or after tide setting to West. Fly throuh Looe and into Solent. If strong winds in the West, well not so good as would need to arrive at Looe just as tide sets fair to avoide excessive wind over tide effect. In that case would probably go outside the Owers.