Hamble to Tor Bay??

[rbcoomer]

Those webcam links are great. Its always good to have some forsight. I'll be storing the link. It's funny, I always take a look at the Hamble Pont one but never even ocurred to me to look up elsewhere...duh!!!

Quite lucky here in the SW as the land mass is quite small so I often look at a couple of webcams on the Atlantic coast of Cornwall when planning to head out too. May seem irrelevant, but prevailing weather is from that direction and nice to be prepared for what's coming in!

I'm hoping to add some more local info to the South Devon group like boat friendly places to stay, eat, visit, get fuel, repairs etc. I'd certainly find it useful, but being very much a landlubber until recently, need to visit a few and look at from a mariners perspective... (any excuse really! ) Perhaps some others will pick up the challenge in the meanwhile? Group is open for locals and visitors alike.

If you do stay a few days and conditions are good, certainly do Salcombe too! I've not yet ventured that far on the water, but certainly will when the opportunity arises. I have visited by road many times over the years and now I have some extra fuel tanks for boat, have enough range. Our boat is significantly smaller than yours, so opportunities have to be picked very carefully.

 

[hlb]

Done it more times than I care to remember. Both round the coast and straight across.

No advantage in going round the coast, but it's just more fun.

Cant add alot to whats been said above, except, I never found St Albans much of a problem and if it looks bumpy, just go out a bit, till it stops looking bumpy.

From Weymouth, hug the coast as you near the bill, you will see the overfalls to your left as you go round, just keep in the water between land and bumpy stuff.

Keep going round the Bill till no bumps, then off you go. I always managed to find another lumpy bit, about three miles off, but just bash through that, then it calms down again.

 

[lisilou]

Just wanted to say thanks to everyone for your advice. I can promise you it's of great value to me and all of it has been taken onboard (pardon the pun).
Thanks so much again
Lisa.

P.S. whatever the outcome, even if we only make to Hamble River mouth, I will do my best to post some pics.

 

[pappaecho]

I would overnight in Portland and then on. Should be doable dependant on how fast you go, as I find that more than 6 hours at sea is a bit wearing unless you are split into watches

 

[lisilou]

I would overnight in Portland and then on. Should be doable dependant on how fast you go, as I find that more than 6 hours at sea is a bit wearing unless you are split into watches

Was looking at Portland Marina last night...looks good and as u say, 6 hours is quite a haul in one go for me at least.
Thanks,
Lisa

 

[gjgm]

Was looking at Portland Marina last night...looks good and as u say, 6 hours is quite a haul in one go for me at least.
Thanks,
Lisa

There is no need to do it one go. Stop off for lunch in Lulworth or Weymouth, and then take on Lyme Bay. Also gives you time to try to catch slack(er) water around the Bill. So then its just two 3 hour trips.
On way back though, we seem to do it in one, but it is tiring, and if the sea is challenging, 6 hours is exhausting in a smaller boat.

 

[lisilou]

Have to agree Gavin. We've decided to take all advice and make our next trip first to Portland or Weymouth and stop over and take in the sights etc then, if the weather looks good, carry on the next day. We want to check out Lulworth Cove and maybe drop anchor there for a bit. Lyme Bay stretch is worrying me a little...got it in my head it could be a bit like making a run for it much like the POW's dodging the German search lights!!
Cheers
Lisa

 

[STEVEDUNSTABLE]

Have to agree Gavin. We've decided to take all advice and make our next trip first to Portland or Weymouth and stop over and take in the sights etc then, if the weather looks good, carry on the next day. We want to check out Lulworth Cove and maybe drop anchor there for a bit. Lyme Bay stretch is worrying me a little...got it in my head it could be a bit like making a run for it much like the POW's dodging the German search lights!!
Cheers
Lisa

hi lisilou.....when you "make a run for it" across the bay, keep your eyes open and you might meet some nice "friends"!!!!!...............see here....im the 1 with all the noise!!!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ASKSNG1ouP0 ......it only lasts 3+mins but the camera batt was nearly flat, so i just kept it rolling untill it "died"....

 

[lisilou]

Oh wow!!! Steve thats awesome! I hope that's a regular thing coz that would just make my day!! I take it thats about as calm as you could expect crossing Lyme Bay yes?

 

[STEVEDUNSTABLE]

Oh wow!!! Steve thats awesome! I hope that's a regular thing coz that would just make my day!! I take it thats about as calm as you could expect crossing Lyme Bay yes?

hi lisa..from what my 1 brain cell remembers, it was a cool day but we had high atmospheric pressure, so even the breeze did,nt "do" much.....in fairness i,ve not seen it much flater but others have!!

 

[Scubadoo]

Good post Lisa, I too have been thinking of doing a similar trip in my S24 to Dartmouth, I have done the Southampton to Weymouth quite a few times. On one occansion I based myself at Weymouth to do diving trips in my boat over a long weekend, we were diving in Lyme bay (M2 Sub wreck), I had no conditions that worried me. It can cut up rough at Portland, but as other has said stick close to the land. Also I would do it on a neap tide.

When I see a weather window, hopefully this year (yea right), I hope to give it a go, I said that last year too but never happened. Anyway, you might want to consider an evening crossing or an early morning crossing, "generally" speaking the sea can be a lot calmer because of the lack winds.

Do a few trips to Weymouth to build your confidence, then go for it

 

[lisilou]

Good post Lisa, I too have been thinking of doing a similar trip in my S24 to Dartmouth, I have done the Southampton to Weymouth quite a few times. On one occansion I based myself at Weymouth to do diving trips in my boat over a long weekend, we were diving in Lyme bay (M2 Sub wreck), I had no conditions that worried me. It can cut up rough at Portland, but as other has said stick close to the land. Also I would do it on a neap tide.

When I see a weather window, hopefully this year (yea right), I hope to give it a go, I said that last year too but never happened. Anyway, you might want to consider an evening crossing or an early morning crossing, "generally" speaking the sea can be a lot calmer because of the lack winds.

Do a few trips to Weymouth to build your confidence, then go for it

Hi scuba,
diving sounds really interesting, might fancy that myself. Mind you, I get lost in a straight line so god only knows what i'd be like under water!! An evening crossing sounds good too although we've never gone out that late and i wouldnt want to get caught out and run the risk of it getting dark, no experience of night waters at all so it would almost certainly be an early start (tide allowing).
Please let me know if and when you do it...i would be really interested.
Thanks
Lisa

 

[Scubadoo]

Hi scuba,
diving sounds really interesting, might fancy that myself. Mind you, I get lost in a straight line so god only knows what i'd be like under water!! An evening crossing sounds good too although we've never gone out that late and i wouldnt want to get caught out and run the risk of it getting dark, no experience of night waters at all so it would almost certainly be an early start (tide allowing).
Please let me know if and when you do it...i would be really interested.
Thanks
Lisa

When I suggested the evening, it is when it doesn't get dark until quite late e.g. 22:00, but you do need to allow for being caught out in the dark e.g. engine problems etc. Worth considering, but prehaps more local trips at sunset to get the experience before taking a longer trip. I'll keep you posted, if and when I manage to take a trip.

 

[STEVEDUNSTABLE]

When I suggested the evening, it is when it doesn't get dark until quite late e.g. 22:00, but you do need to allow for being caught out in the dark e.g. engine problems etc. Worth considering, but prehaps more local trips at sunset to get the experience before taking a longer trip. I'll keep you posted, if and when I manage to take a trip.

hi lisa...not wishing to muscle in on scubadoo,s idea, im down on 23rd for a few days, if youre interested could, POSSIBLY, do a brief evening nip to cowes, n back in the dark in convoy...totaly up to you...

 

[lisilou]

Scuba...i know lol but i just had visions of getting stranded for hours into nightfall.

Steve...thanks, ive PM'd you.

 

[longjohnsilver]

Look for offshore winds and stick close to the coast, call in to West Bay, Lyme Regis, Beer, teignmouth, Babbacombe, all on the way, you'll love it. I did a trip many years ago from Lyme Regis to West Bay in a 21' boat when it was blowing a F7 northerly and the sea was flat calm inshore. Would have been a different matter a few miles further out!
So pick your conditions and it"s really quite an easy trip.

 

[John009]

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