Hurst Narrows on the ebb

[Andrew E]

Planning to pass westbound through the Hurst Narrows towards Christchurch tomorrow at approximately 14:00 HW +02hr 45 Portsmouth. There should be something like 4.5 knots of tide flowing with us. Once clear of the spit I'll turn into the North Channel hugging the beach, then head towards the North Head buoy. I'll have a wee meander about for an and hour or two, then head back through the narrows around HW +5hr Portsmouth, carefully trying to avoid the trap. The general consensus is to pass through the narrows at HW -01hr Portsmouth to avoid the worst of the tide which makes sense in a nasty SW. Is my plan a recipe for disaster. Hopefully somebody can reassure a complete n00b like me?

 

[prv]

Seems sound to me, although I doubt you'll see 4.5knots on the way out. That's more like the springs rate, and it isn't springs at the moment.

I suspect it will all be a big anti-climax and you'll wonder what you were worrying about

Pete

 

[jac]

With the wind in the north as expected and no more than a F3 forecast it will be pretty smooth at any time. Ideal conditions for your first passage through.

I tend to find that Hurst and the North channel are much kinder than the needles channel itself where the current flowing SW meets the prevailing winds. A big ebb against fairly modest winds ( 4-5) can make the needles channel pretty horrible. I've seen it from the National Trust battery overlooking the needles on a blowy day ( F6-7) whilst the boat sat in Yarmouth and told myself to avoid it in wind over tide conditions with anything over a 5.

 

[alant]

Planning to pass westbound through the Hurst Narrows towards Christchurch tomorrow at approximately 14:00 HW +02hr 45 Portsmouth. There should be something like 4.5 knots of tide flowing with us. Once clear of the spit I'll turn into the North Channel hugging the beach, then head towards the North Head buoy. I'll have a wee meander about for an and hour or two, then head back through the narrows around HW +5hr Portsmouth, carefully trying to avoid the trap. The general consensus is to pass through the narrows at HW -01hr Portsmouth to avoid the worst of the tide which makes sense in a nasty SW. Is my plan a recipe for disaster. Hopefully somebody can reassure a complete n00b like me?

On way in, if close to beach, I'd head for Fort Albert until sure no chance of fetching up near the Trap.

 

[Andrew E]

Thanks everyone. I definitely feel alot more confident for tomorrow. Cheers!

P.S. On a bad day (F5+ wind over tide etc) what sort of waves would you face? Enough to swap a 30ft yacht?

 

[jac]

Thanks everyone. I definitely feel alot more confident for tomorrow. Cheers!

P.S. On a bad day (F5+ wind over tide etc) what sort of waves would you face? Enough to swap a 30ft yacht?

Assuming you meant swamp! Not that bad but you will get a lot of water over the decks. If you pile straight into them you will slam which is a horrible motion. If there is anything weak / loose it will possibly break ( including you)

Having done it though you might choose to swap the boat for something like an orchard.

 

[oldharry]

Thanks everyone. I definitely feel alot more confident for tomorrow. Cheers!

P.S. On a bad day (F5+ wind over tide etc) what sort of waves would you face? Enough to swap a 30ft yacht?

Its not so much what's happening in the main channel in bad weather, but what is happening out past the Needles in the Bridge channel. Out there with a S or SW wind of any serious strength it can get pretty mean. An ex RN Commander told me that was the only place he had had green water on the bridge of his Minesweeper. A French Corvette was actually capsized and sunk out there during WW2, so it's not a place to be trifled with. I did it in a 30 footer in a solid SW F5 and was soon wishing I had taken the N Channelling! Equally I have seen a 23 footer negotiate the N Channel quite happily in a full Southerly 8, and have been quite comfortable running a 22fter up there in SW 6 with a following tide.

 

[DJE]

There's no reason to be too pedantic about rounding North Head buoy. Just keep Fort Albert open north of NE Shingles buoy and you will have plenty of water. And you will be a bit further from the beach.

 

[onesea]

Hurst Race in less than F4 really is an anti climax even up to a F6 I have found it quite managable if a bit damp. As others have said the Needles Channel wind against tide gets bouncy in a F4 and once you get to a 5 the brdge get a little interesting almost exciting.

F6 I would be looking for the north channel.

The trap of hurst is an intersting subject I have always tried to find it but never have, as far as I can see if you stay 50m off you will be fine just watch the water and if in doubt stand off a bit.

Watch the ebb it seems to draw you subtly towards the Shingles Bank, nothing major but be aware...

As for North head buoy if you cannot see it on the way back in just aim for the last beach hut until you its a bit of a bugger to see on occasion....

 

[jbweston]

On way in, if close to beach, I'd head for Fort Albert until sure no chance of fetching up near the Trap.

If you do, give us at Fort Albert a wave or a toot on your foghorn. We'll wave back if we're in.

 

[Andrew E]

Made it though on Saturday and yes, complete non-event. The wind picked up from the SSW as we went through, but nothing too drastic. Gives us confidence for the next time and hopefully inspire us to tackle our next Obstacle, St Albans Head

 

[DJE]

Made it though on Saturday and yes, complete non-event. The wind picked up from the SSW as we went through, but nothing too drastic. Gives us confidence for the next time and hopefully inspire us to tackle our next Obstacle, St Albans Head

Like all these places there is nothing to worry about with good timing in benign conditions. But you don't want to be there on a bad day!
Check the status of Lulworth Ranges before picking your route round St. Albans Head or you might get chased off by the safety boat. You might find rough patches at Peverill Ledges and Anvil Point before you get there.

 

[burgundyben]

St Albans Head

Passed it many times, now default to offshore.

 

[TrailerSailer]

If the ranges are closed (details here - https://www.dorsetforyou.com/article/401575/The-Lulworth-Ranges-Information-for-Mariners) then I think it is well worth coming inshore. The coast is stunning along the stretch from Swanage to past Durdle Door. Just follow the pilot books about rounding St Alban's very close in. There are also some useful anchorages along the coast if you don't want to haul down to Weymouth in one go. Enjoy.

 

[BlueChip]

Passed it many times, now default to offshore.

Me too, I've been seriously frightened there.

 

[Sailorsam101]

Agree with all that's posted here. Hurst narrows are easy...stay in the middle and hold on for two mins and you are through it.

But the needles channel over the bridge is another thing. Even the Yarmouth lifeboat won't go over the bridge and past the lighthouse in a SW 6...they go north for bad weather.

I've seen massive rollers there while coming in from France with a F5 SW behind me...get over the bridge and it all stops.

After the capsize of the local charter yacht Fairview 2 with the loss of three lives in '97, the Marine Accident Investigation Bureau came to the following conclusion:
'Advice on using the Needles Channel should highlight the dangers or breaking seas in the vicinity of the SW Shingles and the Bridge Bank, especially in strong winds from the S to W. The swell in such conditions tends to build up once the west going ebb has stopped. Around LW the seas at the seaward end of the Needles Channel can be particularly vicious.'

I remember well that yacht and what happened to it..three lives lots because they thought they could handle the bridge when another option was open to them.