Chichester bar conditions on Sunday

alistairedw

alistairedw

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I am crewing out of Chichester this weekend and returning on Sunday. Windguru is forecasting relatively large waves for Sunday (1.8metres) with a southerly 15 knot wind.

Is this going to make life a bit hairy getting back in over the bar? We would be coming back in with the flood tide.
 
OK the forecast is looking several days ahead so conditions could be different by Sunday.

However if conditions are as forecast what will it be like at Chi bar?
 
Extract from Reeds Almanac - "Best entry is HW-3 to +1, to avoid confused seas on the ebb, esp in onshore winds >F5. Do not attempt entry in S'ly gales"

So, based on your forecast, top end of F4 & probably gusting F5+, it may get interesting. However, wind over tide should be ok. It's also Neaps.

Since your skipper may have local knowledge, he will be aware of the possible risks. If at all concerned, just make sure you are wearing your lifejacket & on deck - if all else fails (unlikely hopefully) you should at least get into the harbour one way or another. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
 
I've found the two worst places in a blow are to the west of the bar beacon, where an onshore swell can get really nasty with a big area of breaking waves, especially after prolonged high winds, and just to the south of the winner pole where you can get some interesting standing waves when the tide is running. You get them whether the wind is with or against the tide, although obviously much worse when against, but I think it is much flatter at slack water. Of course I've never been over the bar in anything above a F6, but if you approach the outer pole from offshore, rather than the west, and aim for slack water then even in boisterous conditions most boats will be happy enough.

If the site is right, and you are looking at a 15kt wind then there is nothing to fear from that, but a 1.8m swell sounds distinctly hairy. It's a long way off to be making predictions, but I suspect he is talking about the big waves the windsurfers are looking for, i.e. actually on the bar, to the west of the beacon rather than in the channel. For comparison, at the height of last weeks little storm, on Thursday night, the bar beacon was recording 0.9m waves.
 
[ QUOTE ]
......However, wind over tide should be ok. ......

[/ QUOTE ]this has been the subject of some debate on here in the past. the general consensus is that wind over tide is a bad thing, in that they are opposing each other, not in the same direction.
 
the general consensus is that wind over tide is a bad thing, in that they are opposing each other
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Agreed.

However, I seem to remember the report on the 'Court of Enquiry' following the tragic loss in 1997(?) of a yacht entering the Needles Channel in a F11.

The Yarmouth Lifeboat Cox'n gave evidence to the effect that conditions out there can be worse when there was wind 'with' tide. This was not simply a reference to the extreme conditions on that day.

Not sure I'd like to actually confirm that though.
 
Nothing to be overly concerned about - the swell whilst it may a bit uncomfortable crossing the bar will rapidly disappear as you enter the harbour. If lumpy and have a few delicate crew with you I would when approaching from West stay out from Hayling as much as possible to avoid the swell and then make your approach as wide as possible. We have had a few uncomfortable moments at the bar on the Ebb but never needed to opt for delays and alternatives to ensure safety. It is obviously down to the individual but as with any rough conditions life jackets and clipping on would be advisable. Although the current crystal ball prediction as it stands should not give you anything to worry about at all. Enjoy the weekend.
 
Thanks for all the responses.

The yacht is a Sadler 34 so lively conditions should not be a problem.

However we will have a couple of inexperienced people on board. Hopefully the wave height will be less than currently forecast.
 
Re: Chichester bar conditions on Sunday next

I've only been sailing in/out of Chi AND looking at the Bar for 30 years - see last November's Yachting Monthly for an actual view from our lounge - and here's my two penn'orth:

Any harbour entrance is going to be rough with wind against tide but that doesn't mean dangerous. IMHO the poor reputation of Chi Bar is attributable to it being the only Solent harbour where these factors must be allowed for. Let's face it, if you go aground in Beaulieu Entrance you're hardly likely to be overwhelmed, but I wouldn't like to get stuck either here or on the Winner outside Langstone.

How could it go wrong? For a start, going wrong will be no more than uncomfortable, possibly broaching IF you're going too fast in wind-over-tide conditions - but most unlikely with this weekend's Neap tides. So leave the spinnaker in its bag and concentrate on that tidal opportunity on Sunday afternoon.

If your Sadler is well found, your skipper excperienced, and you are all prepared, then there won't be a problem - that's a prediction, I don't even have my fingers crossed for you.

Relax, it will be easy peasy, and like the Raz de Sein you'll wonder what the fuss was about.

As back-up I'll be at home if you want up-to-date info of actual conditions on the Bar - just PM me as per Profile. And if I get Ebb Tide sorted I'll come out and greet you, OK?
 
Re: Chichester bar conditions on Sunday next

Not bein' picky, but Chichester is not actually in the Solent. Reason I mention it is because there's quite often a bit of a sea running for the last couple of miles on the approach if there's any South in the wind. You are out of the lee of IoW and experiencing a bit of the Channel, which we rather enjoy

Like yourself, been sailing in and out of Chichester for 30 years
 
Re: Chichester bar conditions on Sunday next

You ARE being picky Sir. Personally I'd not disagree with Adlard Coles who included it in Solent Harbours for some 50 years. However I'm pleased that you actually reinforce the point that Chi is outside the shelter of the Wight - and possibly also outside the experience of many Solent yotties . . . ?
 
Re: Chichester bar conditions on Sunday next

Tom's right about the bar but for chr1sts sake don't listen to his weather forecast - if he says it'll be a bit bumpy read - kicked to [--word removed--]. I felt the wrath of the sea whrn routed off Finisterre once to be told "Hmm thought you'd get a bit of a dusting".

The only thing to watch is the loonies with too much sail up slewing around...

cheers

Ian
 
Re: Chichester bar conditions on Sunday next

Chuggin

Thanks for the reassuring info.

Hope to see Ebb Tide out on Sunday. Always fun spotting fellow forumites.

Coming back into Chi a few weeks ago we passed Victorious. What a fantastic restoration.
 
Re: Chichester bar conditions on Sunday next

Ok, maybe I was being a bit picky but for me the Solent is the water separating the IoW from the mainland and extends from forts at Spithead to Hurst Pt
 
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