For those out on the solent this weekend

[Warpa]

This was what we concidered our 1st proper weekend of boating. For those that dont know its a 17.5' bowrider with 3L mercruiser. On saturday i had 5 adults and thought it actually handled better in the rough stuff than with the usual 2 or 3.

My question is about the sea state, something i never took any notice of years ago in my tiny inflatable with 5HP OB. There seemed both yesterday and today to be some rather large rolling waves (seacat wash ) 99% i could ride or take at an angle, a couple i had to throttle off, but that is probably more about my confidence and safety of passengers than what the boat can and cant take.

After some advice from here i played with the trim and got the wave to break just behind the helm, keeping the bow a lot higher than i had previously, now while my confidence increases my other half doesnt like the boat slamming, something i cant avoid i told her and i only travel in the solent at minimal planning speed but cant avoid the occasional slam.

Now without droning on i wanted to go the the IOW, i got just past the entrance to the Hamble and turned back (she kept saying that it looks awfully rough ) For the size boat and the conditions does it get worse going to the island or stay about the same?

Over the weekend we took on about half i pint of water in the bilge, that was with the bow cover off, so im guessing she could take an awfull lot more as my confidence builds?

 

[ricky_s]

This was what we concidered our 1st proper weekend of boating. For those that dont know its a 17.5' bowrider with 3L mercruiser. On saturday i had 5 adults and thought it actually handled better in the rough stuff than with the usual 2 or 3.

My question is about the sea state, something i never took any notice of years ago in my tiny inflatable with 5HP OB. There seemed both yesterday and today to be some rather large rolling waves (seacat wash ) 99% i could ride or take at an angle, a couple i had to throttle off, but that is probably more about my confidence and safety of passengers than what the boat can and cant take.

After some advice from here i played with the trim and got the wave to break just behind the helm, keeping the bow a lot higher than i had previously, now while my confidence increases my other half doesnt like the boat slamming, something i cant avoid i told her and i only travel in the solent at minimal planning speed but cant avoid the occasional slam.

Now without droning on i wanted to go the the IOW, i got just past the entrance to the Hamble and turned back (she kept saying that it looks awfully rough ) For the size boat and the conditions does it get worse going to the island or stay about the same?

Over the weekend we took on about half i pint of water in the bilge, that was with the bow cover off, so im guessing she could take an awfull lot more as my confidence builds?

You should have gone over Friday or today. Was very calm.

On the way back from Cowes to Chichester this afternoon we decided to buzz the Nab Tower which shows the state of the sea this afternoon.

 

[epervier]

when did you attempt to go across? was it this weekend? I only ask as on Saturday it was as flat as a witch's tit, this afternoon it got a bit blowy, plus you had Calshot lifeboat station open day all day today and there would have been a fair amount of wash off of all the activity at the top of Southampton water, the lifeboat chucks up a three foot wall of water when she's at full chat,helicopter landings, there was a tracked amphibious vehicle giving rides off the slip most of the day,and high speed big rib rides, but it has been a beautiful weekend,

 

[mlines]

Depending on the tide state, the wind and the number of boats the mouth of the Hamble and Southampton Water can get bumpy for small boats, its the short chop that does it. It should have been quite good today (I wouldn't know we were relegated to the Thames for our boating today )

 

[Warpa]

Saturday was the day we went just past the Hamble toward the IOW, today i didnt bother as we just wanted a slow day out and to veg. I wouldnt say either day was rough, it was all wash from the ferries, sea cat and everyone else leaving southampton...hense all the 'rolling' waves i mentions that were a few feet tall at times, but again offered no threat to the boat or us.

Im just curious if it calms down on the 5 min passage across to the island, gets worse or is much the same. At no time did i see any of the water as calm as the pic above unless close to weston shore.

 

[paultallett]

Hi Warpa,

We are based on the Hamble and tend to find it can be bumpy until you round Calshot. If your heading down the western arm to the Solent, once round Calshot the herd of boats thins out and it generally smooths right down.

Cowes can stay lumpy all the way over...... depending on tide / wind / number of boats out. Thats why we tend to 'do' Cowes on a week day or winter weekend so with have a smoother run!!

It's much the same with the run to Portsmouth, it's starts lumpy, then once in the north channel it tends to settle, then once you near Portsmouth it always picks up a bit.

Today we went to Beaulieu and had a great run there, yet coming home the sea never got big, but with the container ships / ferries / pilot boats etc..... was just very confused...... I think thats just the Solent for you!!

 

[rbcoomer]

We're in much the same position - we've used rivers and inshore coastal stuff to get used to the boat, handling etc, but want to go further afield. For me this initially just means going further out, more choppy headlands etc so we are prepared for what we might encounter if conditions change when we're further away. I'm a firm believer in experience and I'm trying to build on ours (mine really) before we venture too far! It's difficult to know how much 'chop' the boats will take, but like you I feel passenger comfort and safety is foremost and if they're unhappy, you can bet your life you will be too for the subsequent few days/weeks! Everyone tells me that the boat will take far more than I will however, and as I push the chop harder that seems to be true. Presumably there comes a point where that no longer holds true however and I don't want to find it! Thankfully, my son (7 y.o.) loves the bumps - 'Dad we're airbourne!' was the phrase of the day today as we crested a 4' 'lump'... I however was flinching at every landing - given that the hull's 30 years old!

I'm also sure your other half would rather the slamming than spearing the bow into the waves. For me, over the top and slapping back down is better than getting very wet which often seems to happen when you slow down... The bit I've got to work on is getting used to being thrown in all directions when planing over confused waters as that's when I throttle off... I can't yet get comfortable with the random direction changes and heeling over. You should suffer much less on that front at 17.5' (mine's 14') A friend of mine recently changed up from a 15' to a 19' and there's quite an improvement.

 

[oGaryo]

but it has been a beautiful weekend,

and we missed it

 

[Warpa]

The 2 above posts sum up my experience basically Very well put. My last boat (for a day) was a 14' skimmer with a very shallow hull, that coped fine for the day, this has a much deeper hull and as i said took on no water so the conditions are more down to me and my mrs. TBH if i were alone i would just go for it, put the bow cover on if needed, run the bilge pump and have the manual pump to hand (not that i got even close to needing it)

My passengers are all young lads (15-25) and my mrs, they have no fear and fully trust me, but i dont want to scare the mrs out of respect, im sure over time she will get more used to it. As its our 1st weekend for a proper outing we have a long time till we get bored of the area, but the IOW is a little goal of mine

We still enjoy the river cruise up to woodmill on tickover, a blast arount Eling is it? Totton area, tie to a free bouy or drop anchor and enjoy the peace and quiet.

We all agree that the 40-60 liters of fuel is a bargain price to entertain 3-5 adults for a whole weekend

 

[stelican]

The 2 above posts sum up my experience basically Very well put. My last boat (for a day) was a 14' skimmer with a very shallow hull, that coped fine for the day, this has a much deeper hull and as i said took on no water so the conditions are more down to me and my mrs. TBH if i were alone i would just go for it, put the bow cover on if needed, run the bilge pump and have the manual pump to hand (not that i got even close to needing it)

My passengers are all young lads (15-25) and my mrs, they have no fear and fully trust me, but i dont want to scare the mrs out of respect, im sure over time she will get more used to it. As its our 1st weekend for a proper outing we have a long time till we get bored of the area, but the IOW is a little goal of mine

We still enjoy the river cruise up to woodmill on tickover, a blast arount Eling is it? Totton area, tie to a free bouy or drop anchor and enjoy the peace and quiet.

We all agree that the 40-60 liters of fuel is a bargain price to entertain 3-5 adults for a whole weekend

If you are concerned about sea conditions just tuck in behind the ferry it certainly flattens everthing and crosses at 14knots (no not the Red Jet)

 

[epervier]

and we missed it

I'd post photos, but it'll only make you spiteful



































This evening after the RNLI bash had finished, it was rough out there

Yesterday afternoon laying a mooring with Nick

Yesterday evening, the pilot put up some wash

some fat old basketcase going mackerel fishing in a SW'ly blowin' all of 3-5 knots and 24 degrees

same old git behavin' like a hooligan tearin' around in his 8' 4hp powered rib

 

[oGaryo]

great pics mate.. very very envious... we're down this weekend hoping the weather holds

 

[STEVEDUNSTABLE]

and we missed it

you n me both !!!!!!

 

[ricky_s]

you n me both !!!!!!

Don't want to make you feel bad, but I am off out again today! I am off this week so taking a couple more days while the weather is fine.

 

[STEVEDUNSTABLE]

Don't want to make you feel bad, but I am off out again today! I am off this week so taking a couple more days while the weather is fine.

"obviously" you "will" be thinking of me pulling 40tons of frieght around the M25 !!!!!!....and YES, you DO want to make me feel bad,ER !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Warpa]

Where abouts is that pick with the shingle in the background, i cant recognise the background in any of those pics

 

[epervier]

Where abouts is that pick with the shingle in the background, i cant recognise the background in any of those pics

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&ll=50.817351,-1.308274&spn=0.014126,0.040812&t=h&z=15

 

[STEVEDUNSTABLE]

Where abouts is that pick with the shingle in the background, i cant recognise the background in any of those pics

they are all taken round the back of the calshot activity center (near the slipway).