Chichester bar at low tide on saturday, will it be rough

Frontier

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It seems I never pick the right time to cross the bar. I have to go out on Saturday and am aiming to leave the harbour at low tide or about 1/2 hour after.

I seem to always pick the wrong time, either that or its always rough there.

Mostly SWMBO wants to turn around. Sometimes its so rough I dont fancy turning and being side on to the sea so I just carry on.

So can any seasoned forumite with local knowledge, offer their estimate of weather and sea state leaving Chichester on Saturday lunch time please?

Any advice appreciated.

Oh yes, we have a 32ft planing motorboat which explains why we get it so bumpy, the speed limit does not help either.
 

fireball

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Erm - I believe once you are out past the post opposite the RNLI station the limit ends ... you can open it up!

Sat - probably around 6:45HW? on around 3.8m (this is guessing as I only have the time and height for Sunday) ... so midday is going to be low water as you say. but Low water Neaps ... so more water than LW Springs by quite some margin ... nearly 1m extra water ..

Forecast is going to be around 17mph ~ F5 from the South West ... so you really don't want to leave mid morning ... I'd say somewhen after 12 would be ok - but do expect a little lumpy stuff ...
 

Frontier

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Thanks Fireball,

She is not planing very well at the moment so it would have been nice to give her a run up on the smother stuff, but its usuallly quite bumpy at the end of the speed limit.

If its bumpy she wont get up until I am out past the last mark, which was quite a ride last time. (that was when I discovered she would not plane) We are off for a lift n scrub so we have to go around then or maybe a little later.

I am never sure if high tide, low tide or any time is best for Chichester.

Cheers

D
 

fireball

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Slack water generally ... and if there is a strong southerly then it'll still be interesting ....

I went out as far as Calvert (the little yellow racing mark on the way out tonight) and despite a strong tide it wasn't rough - less than 1' waves ... which was a shame as I like planning down the front of them in my RS400 ....
 

andyball

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unless the wind drops a lot - will likely still be rougher than you'd like.... but slack water at low neaps not too bad overall.

I trudge along at 5-6 knots cuz a slow boat - so really notice the rolling - smtimes I 'tack' a bit if uncomfy to keep the waves nearer the bow.

slack at entrance doesn't mean slack all over the bar of course, but neaps lessens the currents & waves from all sides anyhow.


where are you off to for the scrub?
 

peterb26

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[ QUOTE ]
Erm - I believe once you are out past the post opposite the RNLI station the limit ends ... you can open it up!


[/ QUOTE ]

8 kt Speed limit ends at the West Pole right at the mouth of the harbour.
 

fireball

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But on the way in there is no speed limit sign until you reach West Winner pole ... (the green one at the entrance) ... and if Chi Harbour is an AONB then the map they've got on their website draws a line from West Winner to Eaststoke pole ...
 

rickp

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Never heard anyone claim it extends to West Pole before. My understanding was the same as yours - that the limit begins/ends at the Eastoke Beacon. Of course, it is not always prudent to gun it there if there are lots of other boats around, and we do normally potter out to West Pole unless its just us out there.

Rick
 

Argonautical

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Hi, far from being a seasoned expert, I am however fresh out some instruction, and have played 'Big Time' in some nice oncoming waves of about 2.5 meters on the way back accross the Bar, with an experienced skipper.

It seems we shall have the bar to look forward too many times as our boat is kept at Sparkes, on the island. I remember the words of George the skipper...............

Wind against tide will be interestig! I think thats best avoided at peak tide running time, with a 4-5 blowing into the tidal flow!

We came in the other day 'With' some big waves, a yacht went out.................into some 'HUGE' waves, and seemingly got wet!

jas.
 

benjenbav

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My 2p worth is that I tend to push up to about 10-12 knots once beyond Eastoke Beacon. In some ways this is a horrid speed for my boat as it is not planing and it is using horrific quantities of fuel. However, the boat stays nicely planted and 100m beyond West Pole the sea state is always more settled. The noise at this sort of speed gives the crew something else to think about apart from the sea over the bar!
 

peterb26

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Extract from ByeLaws:-

"5. The master of any power-driven vessel shall not,
subject to the requirements of maintaining adequate
steerage way and control, suffer or cause her to be
navigated or driven in the harbour at a speed exceeding
eight knots through, on or over the water..."

And the boundaries of the harbour are shown in the map on the site.
chich.jpg
 

DAKA

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Your plan is well thought out and dont be afraid to explain to your crew(after you have cast off) that it may be a little choppy until you get 1/2 mile past Bar beacon. I find the crew are happy to put up with massive waves for a short duration as long as they expect the sea state to improve shortly."dont worry we will turn in a minute and it will feel calmer"

Adjust your speed as you pass the lifeboat station to find a gap, you dont want to follow a large stinker out or pass one coming in.

I usually hold back until 1/2 mile past Bar beacon but I have lost count of the times I then get cut up by another mobo or Yacht, so power up in 'your gap' as soon as you reach Eastoke and look after your own crew !

Technically the speed limit is from Eastoke and the most northern of the two WWII concrete ship wrecks , these will be visible and get your crew to look for them as it will help focus their minds.
 

fireball

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Yup - thats right .... West Pole (Red) is south of the Chichester Bar Beacon ... West Winner Pole (Green) is the one just inside the bar.
 

Whitelighter

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I am sure you have a reason, but if you have concerns then why go. Can you not leave it till a little later? It is never advisable to go out in conditions you are uncomfortable with 'because you have to'.

BTW, did you sort out your servicing?
 

KevB

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I am amazed. I've been boating out of chi harbour for 6 years and 800 hours and have never been caught out at the bar. Yes it can get choppy but I've never felt it bad enough to worry. I have turned around a few time once over the bar, heading for the forts and thought it not enjoyable but the bar...never.

The forecast is for mostly westerly so can't see it being too bad at all.
 

Questor

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[ QUOTE ]
I am amazed. I've been boating out of chi harbour for 6 years and 800 hours and have never been caught out at the bar.

[/ QUOTE ]

Likewise. Only once in 10 years have we turned back at the bar, and that was in our old Targa 27. It's really not a problem. Especially at Low Water Neaps with a WSW Force 4. No need for sleepless nights, Mr. Frontier.

If you took onboard what all the pilot books and almanacs say about Chichester Harbour, you wouldn't dare enter. The dinghy sailors are scarier than the bar /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif
 
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