COWES TO POOLE ROUTE?

[Medskipper]

Is it best to go out to the needles, bridge bouy and then turn west across Dolphin Sands and Poole Bay, or is the inshore route around NE Shingles, N.Head and Woolwich bouys and then across Christchurch Bay & Poole Bay O.K.? Any advantages/disadvantages? I've not done this bit before, any opinions gratefully received!

Regards Barry


<hr width=100% size=1>I just want to retire with my boat to the Med!

 

[Wiggo]

depends. Can get v lumpy just off the needles, in which case the North Channel is better. Otherwise, the Needles route is more direct and may save you a minute or two.

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[jhr]

I think you'll hear every opinion under the sun about this; both routes have their merits and disadvantages. Though written with sailing in mind, <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.ybw.com/cgi-bin/forums/showflat.pl?Cat=&Board=ym&Number=250085&page=&view=&sb=&o=&vc=1>this thread</A> from the Stone Ages has some helpful advice and debate. If there's one piece of advice I'd underline out of the whole thing, it's James Jermain's comments about the Needles and their undesirability if the tide is ebbing and the wind is from the South (sorry if this is teaching granny to suck eggs).

Whichever route you take, enjoy it!

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[tcm]

is needles more direct? I wd've thort going (a bit) further offshore wd make it less direct. can't be much in it, whatever.

Thinthe needles is more big ship route better for poor viz? mebbe.

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[simonH]

I would choose the needles then across dolphine sands to pick up the bar buoy at the start of the swash channell leading into Poole. The needles can get rough though so this is a consideration. With regards to going the North Channel then across hengisbury head is that their are lots of lobster pots to foul your propellors, but then again calmer in strong winds.

Simon

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[hlb]

Dont think it matters in the sort of weather that you would want to be out in. Iwent Pool to Solent last week by the inside passage, then back to weymouth via the needles. It's about change of scenery I think. Long as you go one way or tuther and not the middle bit.../forums/images/icons/smile.gif Hmm Maybe it's easier to find the buoys via the needles.....??

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Haydn

 

[milltech]

I'm with you, I go inside with the idea I'm saving distance, but I've never measured it.


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[BrendanS]

I go out to take a look at the exits everytime I'm on the water, just for fun really, but quite educational.

First thing is, don't ever be tempted to take the short cut straight across, even when flat calm. I've done it a few times (v carefully) just to look, and it's scarily shallow in places. I've seen 3 m banks exposed at high tide. and have often had less than 1m of water at high tide. You can look over the side and see bright orange/yellow gravel and sand almost within touching distance

The North Channel will almost invariably be a more trouble free route. The swell can build up in the Needles Channel in all sorts of conditions. If there is anything above a F3 with any hint of E or W in it, or there are wind with tide conditions, take the North Channel, it will be more comfortable.

Needles Channel is fine if you are heading off West long distance and are aiming a long way out as it will give you an early indication of what the sea conditions further out are likely to be (that takes experience), but for local voyages such as to Poole, you'll usually find the North Channel a bit kinder.

To be honest, a lot of it is local knowledge, and usually means sticking your nose out around Hurst point, and looking at what the weather has brought.

My advice is if in doubt, North Channel is the preferred option, especially when returning, if the conditions are at all marginal

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[BustinAround]

If you take the inshore route in a strong southwesterly watch out for the lumpiness off hengistbury head, there's a big ledge therebouts that is best avoided

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[Wiggo]

Go inside and then you have to turn SW to clear Hengistbury Head, go to the Needles and you run more or less due West for Poole, so the North Channel puts in a bit of a dogleg, I think.

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://homepage.ntlworld.com/graham.wignall/boats/eulimene600x800.jpg>The old and the new</A>

 

[BrendanS]

You can pretty much take a direct course from N Head buoy to Poole which takes you far enough outside Christchurch ledge to be fine in just about all conditions.

The route through the Needles, you probably won't swing west until at least Bridge Bouy, though I'd prefer to play safe and not turn until SW Shingles Bouy (it's still pretty shallow out to the West of Bridge Buoy, and can be some significant rough stuff), in which case this is a marginally longer trip.

There's not really that much difference in distance though

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[nwclegg]

This lot scared a novice. I want to do the reverse in a couple of weeks time and am confused. The charts seem to show lots of water except for the shingles themselves. Is there more to it? Ref inshore route - I can see a route around Bournemouth Bay but is doesn't seem to exist as a route across Christchurch Bay.

I only draw 1m plus a bit extra at the stern if the rev's are up. Are all your boats so flaming big or what am I missing?

Help! Words of one syllable please.

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[Col]

They are talking of windy days where it can cut up rough. On the good side, that is generally the worst bit of sea you will meet on route to Poole. When you get to the Needles have a look. If you can do that bit the rest will be smoother.

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[duncan]

yep they are making waves whilst the sun should be shinning!

Head East after clearing Poole Harbour Entrance, keeping in the channel North of Hook Sands.Aim to just clear the end of Christchurch Ledge, avoids most pots and possibkility of overfalls on wot and then reverse the situation by coming in North of the Shingles before turning in round Hurst Castle.
By all means wander over to look at the Needles if you want to but that's a seperate issue as hlb alludes.

<hr width=100% size=1>madesco madidum ..../forums/images/icons/smile.gif

 

[jon_bailey]

As Duncan and Col both say no real problems taking the inshore (North) route. Christchurch ledge at Hengisbury Head can get a bit lumpy as can race around Hurst Castle. Keep close to Hurst but watch for a very shallow patch on Eastern side that is very close in. I was slightly surprised to see it exposed at low tide earlier on this week.

Just a keep a watch for the lobster pot buoys that are particularly prevalent around Christchurch ledge.

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[Medskipper]

Thanks for all your comments, had a superb weekend trip from Ramsgate to Poole and we took the inshore route! plenty of water, we were around 3 hours b4 high tide. Water was smooth except for a slight chop around hurst castle. Loads of lobster pots, but you just have to watch out for them!

Cheers Barry


<hr width=100% size=1>I just want to retire with my boat to the Med!

 

[duncan]

Are you going to be around Poole for Saturday night Barry? See post re fireworks @ Swanage

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[Medskipper]

No Sorry I'm not! I was helping a friend take his boat to Poole, Boat name: Cloudy Bay. Owner's name is Chris, he might be on board!
I'm doing the same trip again this weekend with my own boat, but we won't be there until Sunday/Monday, but thanks for the thought!

Regards Barry


<hr width=100% size=1>I just want to retire with my boat to the Med!

 

[adarcy]

Re: Cloudy Bay

Please pass on my best RSrn wishes to Chris + the boss we met up at the Spring bash in Poole

Anthony

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