Cardiff to Falmouth

[Newbroom]

I am hoping to take delivery of a 45 ft motor cruiser which is currently based in Cardiff. We are taking it round to the Thames and while I am familiar with the West Country south and east coasts I have never done any boating out of the Bristol Channel and down to Lands End.
Weather permitting I am hoping to cruise at 18 knots and do Cardiff to Falmouth in one leg with fair weather and tide should be take about 11 hours.

I am best carrying the tide from Cardiff for the first 5/6 hours or trying to time it that I get to lands end at slack water and then carry the first of the west going tide to Falmouth.

I did post this on the Bristol Channel forum but that does not seem as busy as here.

I am experienced and we will be well crewed with two others the boat is well founded and has been maintained. All the usual safety equipment including life raft is carried.

Any advise greatly received

Dave

 

[IDAMAY]

I know that pushing the tide at the top end of the Bristol Channel can be a right pain but personally I would aim for slack at Lands End, especially if there is any wind about. You should be able to time it so that you get some fair tide down to Lands End from about Lundy on and then fair tide up to Falmouth. We have managed that several times when transiting north or south via Padstow. Probably the only way to get the benefit of the tide all the way and slack at Lands End is to stop on the way, either anchoring at Lundy or taking a night in Padstow.