Leaving Chichester Harbour against the flood

[baart]

Hi all,

My first post here, so a quick introduction, I am Solent based, have some local experience and planning to grow it Sail 30ft Hunter. Next weekend (26.06), weather permitting, will probably end up in Sparkes Marina, with a plan of heading to Southampton on Sunday. Never been to Chichester Harbour before so looking for some guidance. Original plan was to leave on Sunday just before HW so about 2pm. But I started thinking maybe we could leave earlier (say 3-4 hours before HW) and anchor somewhere on the way to Southampton for lunch. That would mean going through the entrance against a considerable spring flood. Not sure what to expect though, how difficult/rough can it get there? The engine would manage I guess but it is more about the family comfort. We will only do it if it is not blowing too much otherwise will probably stop for the night in Portsmouth instead.

How does it compare to Portsmouth entrance or the Needles channel against the tide ? Could anyone comment please?

Thx,

B.

 

[northwind]

Simple answer is that it depends on the wind and sea state. Not recommended in wind against tide, as the bar can make it very bumpy, coupled with the lack of depth it can be dangerous. General recommendation is 3hrs before hw and 1hr after as the window so your timings fit in that.

The major difference between chi and other harbours is the sand bar and its effect on sea state.

You may find leaving earlier lets you use the best of the westward tide to help you on your way.

 

[oldharry]

Yes anything over f4 onshore particularly from the south is generally not recommended. At best you will get wet, at worst you will be dropped hard on the sandbar. Seas can be short and very steep. Current, on springs expect 3 _4 kts on the flood. I have seen over 6kts in exceptional conditions. Its usually worth it though because the flow in the Solent sets west on springs around 2 hours before hw giving you an extra 1.5kts orr thereabouts.

 

[RJJ]

It's very much about the wind and swell.

In most conditions, you should be fine (subject to depth). Worst would be a strong southerly swell hitting the bar - but it's still substantially better than wind against tide.

Any wind from the W should be fine. F5+ from the north could throw up a chop against the tide, but manageable as the fetch is limited.

In all conditions, do be careful to allow for the wave troughs when you do your tidal curve.

Subject to the above, I don't see a problem with your plan. Additionally, you can take a good steer from conditions in the channel and on the sandbanks to port, after you pass HISC but well before the bar. If it's bumpy there with significant waves, you can always turn back (with a favourable tide to take you back into the harbour).

 

[baart]

Thank you for all the replies. I will keep an eye on the forecast and decide nearer the time. Anything else worth thinking about ?

 

[NDG]

Thank you for all the replies. I will keep an eye on the forecast and decide nearer the time. Anything else worth thinking about ?

its generally much calmer on the flood than on the ebb so nothing to worry about unless its blowing a bit. The main issue is fighting a strong current which is a bit of a pain. In reasonable conditions at half tide you certainly don’t need to worry about getting dumped on the sandbar (provided you stay in the channel).

 

[Mark-1]

its generally much calmer on the flood than on the ebb so nothing to worry about unless its blowing a bit. The main issue is fighting a strong current which is a bit of a pain. In reasonable conditions at half tide you certainly don’t need to worry about getting dumped on the sandbar (provided you stay in the channel).

...and, of course, the stronger the tide against the easier it is to turn around and quit if you don't fancy it once you get there.

 

[neil_s]

Why not anchor at East Head for lunch ?

 

[Mark-1]

Why not anchor at East Head for lunch ?

Well yeah, but it's been heaving the last few months and not everyone wants to stop 5 minutes after they started.

 

[PhillM]

I shall be doing this in my new to me XOD, potentially single handed in about 2 weeks time as I need to get her to Hamble. I doubt I could sail her against the flood, especially if there is a SW as wind and tide on the nose would not likely work. I shall be leaving from Itchenor. Any advice re timings, etc.

 

[Poey50]

Hi all,

My first post here, so a quick introduction, I am Solent based, have some local experience and planning to grow it Sail 30ft Hunter. Next weekend (26.06), weather permitting, will probably end up in Sparkes Marina, with a plan of heading to Southampton on Sunday. Never been to Chichester Harbour before so looking for some guidance. Original plan was to leave on Sunday just before HW so about 2pm. But I started thinking maybe we could leave earlier (say 3-4 hours before HW) and anchor somewhere on the way to Southampton for lunch. That would mean going through the entrance against a considerable spring flood. Not sure what to expect though, how difficult/rough can it get there? The engine would manage I guess but it is more about the family comfort. We will only do it if it is not blowing too much otherwise will probably stop for the night in Portsmouth instead.

How does it compare to Portsmouth entrance or the Needles channel against the tide ? Could anyone comment please?

Thx,

B.

Personally I'd leave about an hour before HW Chichester entrance. Plenty of depth, the flood will be easing and fair tide heading west.

 

[ashtead]

You don’t say why you chose Sparkes marina as your starting point ? I would have thought Chi harbour has nicer spots to spend the night . Sparkes is quite tight I recall and you can if unlucky run aground on entry channel That said if venturing to Soton then personally Stokes bay just past Gosport might be a n afternoon tea stop stop unless you fancy a stop at Haslar marina for the night.

 

[Mark-1]

You don’t say why you chose Sparkes marina as your starting point ? I would have thought Chi harbour has nicer spots to spend the night . Sparkes is quite tight I recall and you can if unlucky run aground on entry channel That said if venturing to Soton then personally Stokes bay just past Gosport might be a n afternoon tea stop stop unless you fancy a stop at Haslar marina for the night.

I like Sparkes. If they put you outside you get nearly the nearly same view as you would on a bouy in Mengham Rythe combined with shore access. Plus you're in pole position for the Entrance.

Tight is pretty subjective, I can't imagine it would cause many people to fret.

 

[ashtead]

Yes agree it used to take an entire Bavaria fleet in the days of Opal (remember them -I think the CEO was leader of the BMF or suchlike body ?) and you could turn the larger ones round but had a lot of mud I seem to recall and few facilities but maybe it’s improved of late and has new facilities ? As said though it’s close for exit but it he or might be a more pleasant location for a first time visitor .

 

[Mark-1]

Yes agree it used to take an entire Bavaria fleet in the days of Opal (remember them -I think the CEO was leader of the BMF or suchlike body ?) and you could turn the larger ones round but had a lot of mud I seem to recall and few facilities but maybe it’s improved of late and has new facilities ? As said though it’s close for exit but it he or might be a more pleasant location for a first time visitor .

I have little recollection but it has showers and heads and it's not a long walk to Hayling Island Sailing Club. Not sure there really are nicer places for a fin Keeler who wants walk ashore access. Certainly not nearish the entrance.

The three classic Chi anchorages are heaving due to Covid so even anchoring isn't especially great right now. (Even the lesser known places that shoal draft boats can access seem to be attracting multiple boats at the moment. I stayed in a personal favourite the other day, somewhere I've never seen more than one boat anchored and most frequently zero boats. When I was there there were two other boats overnighting with Rain forecast. Unheard of.)

It's all subjective, though.

 

[Never Grumble]

Unless its been updated in the most recent edition Reeds says best entry is HW -3 to +1, to avoid confused seas on the ebb. Not based in Chi Hbr now but when I was dont ever recall worrying about the flood tide either going in or out more a problem going over the bar with ebb tide and wind against. Did it once last summer and it was very lumpy ... reminded me how bad it was and not to do it again especially with the family onboard. Also if you look at the tidal curve in general terms that for the flood is less steep than the ebb, which should help to gauge worst time re the tidal stream.

 

[Stemar]

If I want to punch a tide out in the entrance to Chi Harbour, I head over to the east side, as far as I dare and the depth sounder thinks is a good idea. The shallower the water, the less current there is. However, don't push your luck, especially on an ebb - I've seen a good few boats parked there and they didn't look very comfortable!

An ebb tide and breeze with a good bit of south in it is uncomfortable at best, with the option, as mentioned above, of having your keel join you in the saloon at worst, but a flood tide is a lot less nasty in my experience, even with a northerly wind

 

[baart]

The reason for staying at Sparkes is that we want to see Hayling Island as we have never been there before. From what you are saying I will have to wait and see what the wind is doing on the day. Not desperate to leave earlier, just checking the options. if too rough I will wait till HW/stay somewhere else.

 

[ashtead]

Not certain I can really think of any sites to see on Hayling island -the traffic ques to get on by road often block the road to the far more delightful Emsworth and property prices are cheaper there I suspect with a high degree of bungalows but otherwise I’m afraid I cannot really recommend the land based approach to Sparkes. The most interesting sight there used to be a large Bavaria yacht on a road trailer negotiating the housing estate, however maybe it’s the yacht club which interests.

 

[Ammonite]

As others have said as long as the weather / wind direction is suitable you will be fine. I kept my boat in Mill Rythe (next up on the left from Sparkes) for years and would typically leave 2 - 3 hours before HW but hug the west side of the entrance a few metres off the beach / groynes as there is way less tide plus an eddy that sets up as you approach the harbour speed limit. It always used to amaze me that more didnt follow suit rather than sticking to the middle of the channel when we were making twice their speed. Going past the red buoy at the entrance is a bit of a slog but the tide eases off past this.