TiggerToo
Well-known member
wind blowing from the South. Which is best: east or west entrance?
Entering Plymouth Sound in rough weather:
- Thread starter TiggerToo
- Start date
Cookee
New member
I would go in the Western entrance - it's wider with fewer surprises!
Sandy
Well-known member
And usually has a lovely swell
TSB240
Well-known member
Make sure its not foggy and you know the Ferry timetable...
jamesjermain
Active member
Both are safe, all weather entrances, the west perhaps slightly easier, especially at night and if approaching from the west but remember that the Grey Funnel Line and ferries use this entrance.
Entering Plymouth in a storm is a wonderful experience - as you pass the breakwater and tuck in behind it the world seems to go to sleep.
Entering Plymouth in a storm is a wonderful experience - as you pass the breakwater and tuck in behind it the world seems to go to sleep.
TiggerToo
Well-known member
Sandy
Well-known member
It is one of my favourite places to sail too.that is music to my ears....
Last summer a trip was organised out to the breakwater and, had the weather been kinder, we had permission to land. There was a chap from the Plymouth Museum giving a talk on its history - quite fascinating, built by a lot of Scots apparently. Napoleon was impressed when he saw it, Cherbourg was being built about the same time.
photodog
Lord High Commander of Upper Broughton and Gunthor
I always preferred the eastern entrance in daylight... Whilst it can be quite bouncy outside, the swell doesn't seem to get inside, and there is less tide in my experience... Plus of course less big ships.
Nighttime entrances need to be much more cautious if using the east, as it's easy to get caught inshore of the shagstone and you can end up in real trouble.. If comeing from salcombe ish... Even in daylight make sure that you identify the mark before making the approach from the vicinity of the mewstone, if your close inshore...
Nighttime entrances need to be much more cautious if using the east, as it's easy to get caught inshore of the shagstone and you can end up in real trouble.. If comeing from salcombe ish... Even in daylight make sure that you identify the mark before making the approach from the vicinity of the mewstone, if your close inshore...
jordanbasset
Well-known member
I always used the one closest to the direction I was coming from, did not notice much difference, both are fairly straightforward.
Appledore
Member
I always use the Western entrance, even if coming from the East. Yes, there are probably more large ships this side, but I find it's easier to navigate on this side. The swell will depend, of course, on the wind and tide directions. And if you miss the tide if going up the River, or just want a rest, then Cawsand Bay is the place to go.
oldbilbo
...
My good TiggerTwo, I would warmly encourage you to read and ponder the lessons in the MAIB report of the loss of 'Kishmul of Ayr' and its experienced skipper, on the unlit rocks adjacent to the Eastern Entrance....
We've visited this matter before....
Like many others here, I've used both entrances many times in good weather and bad and I've been confused, due to unsuspected fatigue, over just how close to the Shag Rocks we were being set. I'm now wary of it in degraded conditions. To the best of my knowledge, the Western Entrance hasn't yet killed a yachtsman....
We've visited this matter before....
Like many others here, I've used both entrances many times in good weather and bad and I've been confused, due to unsuspected fatigue, over just how close to the Shag Rocks we were being set. I'm now wary of it in degraded conditions. To the best of my knowledge, the Western Entrance hasn't yet killed a yachtsman....
Robih
Well-known member
It's a blessing have Plymouth as a home port. We were coming downwind from Fowey last month with a full 40kts up the chuff. Once we rounded Penlee Point it was like boating on the municipal duck pond which was relief after passing Rame Head which was quite an experience that day!
Tidewaiter2
New member
+1, we had same on day Boscawn got flash flooded first in our RF on passage back from Truro to Chi Hbr, wonderful feeling, esp. when inside the breakwater-W entrance, of course
.SWMBO still has a soft spot for Mayflower Marina to this day, the 'Bethlehem inn stable' of that sodden Fireworks Competition day.
alant
Active member
When was Boney in Plymouth?
TSB240
Well-known member
On in his way to be incarcerated on a distant island possibly?
Sandy
Well-known member
July 1851 The link has the detail.
http://beastofdartmoor.com/historical-england/napoleon-in-plymouth/
FWB
N/A
Great link, very interesting thanks.
Grumpybear
New member
1815 actually! He died many years before the breakwater was built, I believe.
lenseman
Active member
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I took a Cat in to Plymouth, to the Multihull Centre Milbrook, about two months ago during a SW'erly Force EIGHT gale. Like sailing a tea-tray !!
I entered via the east and was chased all the way from the Mew Stone, between East and West Tinker by rolling breakers straight off the Atlantic, with a very long fetch - 'Twas fun indeed (NOT) !!
As stated, OK once inside int e breakwater, someone just throws the rough weather switch to off.
.
oldbilbo
...
Her's the 'skinny' on Plymi....
From the Mewstone Ledges to inside the Eastern Channel, 'tis a dead lee shore, with nowt much in the way of lights to help ( Whidbey Sector/Occulting is useful only in departing, and the Occulting Sector at Fort Bovisand much the same. ) The best night navaid - the only useful night navaid - on that side is the LFl WR 10s on the east end of the breakwater.... the White sector is most helpful, and once past the E Tinker Q(3)10s you have only about 3/4 nm to run, to shelter.
However, note that the depth shoals right across that approach to well less than 10m. That implies big seas will break, and that will produce a significant set towards the usually-lee shore just to the east.
The Western Channel is significantly deeper and wider, and is also under the lee of Folly Hill/Rame Head, so benefits from more shelter and less breaking water. For my money, in serious weather it is always preferable to utilise the western entrance to the Sound. Whether coming from east or west, I'd prefer to maintain a sufficient 'offing' until quite certain of passing the end of the breakwater. FWIW.
From the Mewstone Ledges to inside the Eastern Channel, 'tis a dead lee shore, with nowt much in the way of lights to help ( Whidbey Sector/Occulting is useful only in departing, and the Occulting Sector at Fort Bovisand much the same. ) The best night navaid - the only useful night navaid - on that side is the LFl WR 10s on the east end of the breakwater.... the White sector is most helpful, and once past the E Tinker Q(3)10s you have only about 3/4 nm to run, to shelter.
However, note that the depth shoals right across that approach to well less than 10m. That implies big seas will break, and that will produce a significant set towards the usually-lee shore just to the east.
The Western Channel is significantly deeper and wider, and is also under the lee of Folly Hill/Rame Head, so benefits from more shelter and less breaking water. For my money, in serious weather it is always preferable to utilise the western entrance to the Sound. Whether coming from east or west, I'd prefer to maintain a sufficient 'offing' until quite certain of passing the end of the breakwater. FWIW.
