Isle of Wight passage plan tips

[stu9000]

Hi all
Can I get some passage planning tips on a cruise from Medway to Iow in July please.
5k cruising speed.
I was thinking of doing it all in one 29 ish hour hit, although we could stop in at Ramsgate, Dover or Sovereign if the weather wasn't playing ball.

I was thinking of stemming the tide a bit passing Margate, catching it as we head south.
+ 6 ish hours to Dungeness. Favourable tide.
Do I want to get to Dungeness HW - 1h?
This plan has me passing at half tide.
Beachy Head is around another 7h. Tide against most of the way but then favourable for the next leg
Bembridge is approx +10h from there.
Eta Sunday 1700 ish with a couple of hours left a rising tide to help me get in.
I draw 1.5 M.

I do not know Iow.
It may be horrendously busy to a east coast lurker such as myself.
Probably spend the night in the marina at Bembridge, then possibly Potter somewhere local for a day. Any suggestions. Newtown creek?

Then head back home, again in one long hop.
I'm concerned that I'm trying to do too much in a 5 day window.
I'm also wondering whether it will be busy, but no foreign boats so who knows.

The alternative is to head up to the Orewell and Deben which is probably a better fit for the time available, but I was looking for something new.

Thoughts?

 

[Dunx]

Chichester always makes for a lovely stop going either way

 

[stu9000]

Chichester always makes for a lovely stop going either way

It does look nice there and perhaps less likely to be crowded.
I have a good mate in Emsworth who would no doubt pilot us to a good curry

 

[Dunx]

It can get busy but there are a few nice spots to anchor away from the madding crowds..

 

[ridgy]

Since your time is fixed is the departure date also fixed? Weather will decide. Who is your crew? Rufty tufty mates or the missus? Lot of effort for one night in the Solent unless deliberately trying to get the miles in.

 

[Jokani]

I did Shotley to Bembridge and back in about 10 days last year. Got back completely knackered after many early starts and late nights, promised myself next time to have more rest up time & days off.

Unless you have plenty of crew, I would say IOW and back in 5 days is a tad ambitious.

 

[Tranona]

With just one or at most two days before starting return then too ambitious to go to western Solent. As suggested Chichester is a better bet with more choice of places to anchor or berth and a better starting point for return. However all this in 5 days does not sound like a holiday break!

 

[Homer J]

Bembridge is fantastic if you make it and you can book in advance. About 4 hrs to Newtown Creek from there. Beaulieu may be better for you around 3 hours. Or Chichester / East Head

 

[stu9000]

Since your time is fixed is the departure date also fixed? Weather will decide. Who is your crew? Rufty tufty mates or the missus? Lot of effort for one night in the Solent unless deliberately trying to get the miles in.

It's the lads on board so strong crew keen to do a some 4h shifts.
Agree the weather is key. No point in slogging against the wind and rigid schedules tend not to work.
I may well go the other way and head for the Blyth or Alde and then potter back via the Deben etc.
I might try for the IoW later in the season so I'm still interested in hearing suggestions.
Cheers
S

 

[billyfish]

Bring a fat wallet ?

 

[Concerto]

Stu9000 it is possible to make Brighton in one hop and only have 4 hours of adverse tide. There is a tidal train down the Thames, down to Dover and along to Dungerness, then 4 hours against the tide and then pick it up again at Beachy Head. I have done this this singlehanded on my Fulmar. Your main worry would be adverse tide at the Looe Channel off Selsy, then stay well south to avoid the strong tide there.

Bembridge would not be my choice as it has tidal access. Head further in the Solent to either Gosport or Cowes.

Back in the mid 1970's I remember going from Medway Yacht Club to Cowes in 26 hours in a Nicholson 30 with a crew of 4, so ye,s your trip is possible if the weather is kind.

 

[johnalison]

The first time I went that way I went from Mersea to Brighton in one hop of about twenty hours. The tides being strongest between N Foreland and Dungeness, the chief aim is to be at N Foreland at the right time, when you should make Dungeness before the adverse tide. Again, the tide is weaker off the South Coast until Beachy head, by which time it should be in your favour. Eastbourne is a perfectly good stop-over if you need a break, as are Ramsgate or Dover.