Going from Cowes to Salcombe for first time. Advice please

[johnwest]

Funnily enough I met the op this afternoon, and I have known his new boat for some years. A rather lovely wooden TSDY. He does have some experience so I don't think there is too much to worry about. Just that this will be one of his longer trips.

j

 

[henryf]

As a Raggie, very interesting to see the difference in opinion between those thinking an8 -10 hour trip is long. Fairly typical passage length for a Raggie trying to get anywhere. I suppose the ability to cross the channel before lunch does make you look at things differently.

It's to do with workload. 25 knots on the plane means you need to keep a very sharp lookout. Lobster pots that could cause chaos suddenly appear, closing speeds with other boats can be 50 knots and the general environment is harsher. You couldn't boil a kettle and make tea. At 7 knots we can hug the coast and take more complicated routes with plenty of time to monitor depth relative position etc. At 25 knots 100 metres takes under 8 seconds. At 6 knots it takes 32 seconds.

Also in a yacht faster moving powered vessels generally have to avoid you. Much more than 3 hours at the helm of a planing motorboat is beyond the comfort level for most single skippers.

In fine weather and with a favourable tide we often cruise at displacement speed and it's a very different experience. Meals get made, tea gets drunk and the skipper can wander round handing over control to a crew member who might not be comfortable doing so at planing speed.

Also, do think this has got out of proportion. To describe a coastal trip like this as something for only the most experienced is over doing it. Yes you need more experience than the OP SEEMS to have but this is a passage that anyone with coastal skipper level of experience should be able to do with ease.

I don't think anyone has suggested you need more than coastal skipper levels of ability. Replies are aimed at the OP who, as you point out appears not to have coastal skipper experience.

To the OP.

This is an easy trip with some experience and the right boat. I'm afraid that at the moment that is not you.

So you agree with the majority sentiment then. Your post goes on to mirror advice re: qualified skipper / instructor, liferaft other safety equipment and precautions.


Henry

 

[jac]

It's to do with workload. 25 knots on the plane means you need to keep a very sharp lookout. Lobster pots that could cause chaos suddenly appear, closing speeds with other boats can be 50 knots and the general environment is harsher. You couldn't boil a kettle and make tea. At 7 knots we can hug the coast and take more complicated routes with plenty of time to monitor depth relative position etc. At 25 knots 100 metres takes under 8 seconds. At 6 knots it takes 32 seconds.

Also in a yacht faster moving powered vessels generally have to avoid you. Much more than 3 hours at the helm of a planing motorboat is beyond the comfort level for most single skippers.

In fine weather and with a favourable tide we often cruise at displacement speed and it's a very different experience. Meals get made, tea gets drunk and the skipper can wander round handing over control to a crew member who might not be comfortable doing so at planing speed.



I don't think anyone has suggested you need more than coastal skipper levels of ability. Replies are aimed at the OP who, as you point out appears not to have coastal skipper experience.



So you agree with the majority sentiment then. Your post goes on to mirror advice re: qualified skipper / instructor, liferaft other safety equipment and precautions.


Henry

Thanks Henry, useful to know that. Will fell very sympathetic next time someone goes past at 25 knots in the rain on the way to the pub


Re the experienced piece. Was really in response to reply #5 where it was described as for only the most experienced.
Most experienced would be appropriate for transatlantic, arctic circle, Patagonia etc. A day trip along the south coast in summer in a country with generally reliable weather forecasts is not in the same league.

 

[henryf]

Thanks Henry, useful to know that. Will fell very sympathetic next time someone goes past at 25 knots in the rain on the way to the pub


Re the experienced piece. Was really in response to reply #5 where it was described as for only the most experienced.
Most experienced would be appropriate for transatlantic, arctic circle, Patagonia etc. A day trip along the south coast in summer in a country with generally reliable weather forecasts is not in the same league.

#5 may not have used quite the right words. For my part I agree with your coastal skipper experience. The first decent runs for most Solent based motor boaters is either over to France or Weymouth then across Lyme Bay.

One of the great appeals for us of motorboats is that ability to have a foot in both camps. When all the ducks line up a slow amble and the satisfaction of using a bit of free help from the tide. Up to 30 knots when you need it on other occasions

Henry

 

[petem]

We have no idea if the OP understands, col regs, basic navigation skills such as finding his position on a chart and understanding depths and hazards, tides, etc. We also have no idea of the condition or sea worthiness of the boat.

If I were the OP I would get some 'own boat' training for the first couple of days and spend the remainder of the week pottering about in the Solent. Then at the end of the week pay for the boat to be taken by road to Salcombe.

Assuming the OP really has no experience then encouraging him to do the trip is plain dangerous.