From Dart to Plymouth - Optimum tide time?

[john_morris_uk]

[ QUOTE ]
Agreed, sheltered closer in with northerlies but Metcheck are predicting Gales throughout Friday & Saturday, seastate maybe slightly confused, the reeds recomendation is to be at least 2M off in bad weather.


[/ QUOTE ] We seem to be in agreement really. I'm no hero - I've sailed in gales and given the choice I don't put out to sea into one! I haven't seen the detailed forecast (our boat isn't due to be launched until the 13 April!) and so wasn't commenting specifically except what was originally put in the question which mentioned Northerlies.

I think Reeds and other pilotage notes will assume that the rough weather is from the South or Southwest and in those circumstances 2 miles off sounds not unreasonable.

Force 5 or 6 from the North and I'd be tucking myself in along the coast.

 

[Phoenix of Hamble]

Although i'm now an East Coastie, i've been off Start Point a time or two in pretty dodgy weather.... mainly thanks to the blummin navy boys at Dartmouth insisting on racing back to Plymouth despite the forecast, and hence honour needing defending (and even worse, being of slight build, guess which muppet always got foredeck duties /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif).... anyway back to the subject in hand... I agree with John... its not that bad a bit of water... there are many worse headlands in a gale.... but given half a chance, a pint and an open fire would win out every time... particularly if you combine it with pretty cold weather in that bitter northerly!

 

[Bilgediver]

Never experienced force 5's off Start point so perhaps I shouldn't pass comment but Iv'e always been cautious.

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If a strong SW blows then life can be very interesting and no place for a young crew as they will experience a ride more exciting than Alton Towers....

I suspect maybe a few days in Dartmouth feeding them Fithy Mcnasties burghers before heading out as the worst of the weather passes by is a better option unless they have to e back in school....I was caught out there once in a gale on board one of the Torquay pleasure boats...Skipper didn t fancy going broadside to the weather to enter the Dart so just kept heading slowly into the weather. The decks got a very good washing and it was a while before the skipper felt like turning round and running straight back to Torquay..
We even got our money back.... /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

Certainly wouldn t like to brave those seas in a 26 footer

 

[whisper]

I agree with you. The only time I've found it really nasty at Start Point has been in a fresh SWly against a SW going tide and vice versa.

With a Nly wind, even a strong one, I'd hug the coast of Start Bay and nip round the point within 50m of the offlying rock. If there are any overfalls they don't last for more than a couple of hundred metres anyway.
It is often worse off Prawle Point ,I find, and the bit from Start to Prawle can be lumpy but not with tide and wind in harmony.
I'd again keep close in between Bolt Hd and Bolt Tail and there will be no fetch for any sort of sea to have developed. It might get a bit bumpy in Bigbury Bay but again shouldn't be bad with the wind between NW and NE.
With regard to departure time I'd base it on planning to arrive at Start Pt. at Slack Water, whenever that is.

I'd not worry about being able to get over Salcombe Bar if a diversion is needed. Unless, that is, one's draught is over 2m and it is at LW Springs with breaking waves. Again that would be unlikely in a Nly.

Wish I was able to be down there next week but family gets in the way - again.