Leaving chichester - Spring ebb

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Good evening, I wanted to know what was your experience of leaving Chicheter harbour when the ebb is flowing during a spring tide.
Is there a strong side current around the bar beacon that could be dangerous? Do you usually try to avoid it by leaving earlier or this is fine and the stream just pushes you in the right direction?
Many thanks to all
 
Depends on the wind and the state of tide. Leaving at the start of the ebb should be fine, even in a southerly. Which direction are you headed?
 
Thank you both. I was thinking about a case where the wind is not significant (no F4+ southerly / no breaking waves) and more concerned about a strong cross current that would push me against the sand banks on the side of chichester channel if my engine is not powerful enough at high tide +3h when the ebb is the strongest. But maybe i shouldnt be concerned about that?
Thank you
 
I’ve never encountered any difficulty with the tidal stream itself, only with the waves that wind-over-tide can produce. On one occasion we took a look and decided to press on to Portsmouth.

Pete
 
The main direction of flow is down channel, which is the direction you'll be heading. The main effect of the cross-tide, I find, is that the water is quite lumpy along the channel due to the flows out and across plus the effect of the sandbanks. But the cross-tide effect on the boat is minor - just be aware of it and minor corrections will keep you on your chosen course.
 
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I was based in Chichester for many years. Only turned back from the bar on one occasion with a strong southerly wind and ebb tide.
My first boat was an MG Spring 25 which barely had enough power to get into Portsmouth against the ebb. Never a problem at Chichester. Agree that cross currents are not a major issue.
I have so many fond memories of the harbour. I learnt to sail there on the bosun dingies with yellow sails at Cobnor point. I think they are still there. My favourite anchorage is off Pilsea with early morning visits from the resident seal.
 
+1 on the above. Even in mid winter with a lot of extra water coming down, cross currents were non existent. Even in a moderate breeze expect a lumpy ride though! There is plenty of water to the east of the channel though so once clear of Hayling and the Winner there is no need to hug the line of the beacons as long as you stay east of them, except near the W Pole beacon where a spit can build from the shoals Off Wittering Even so there's plenty of water. Just don't cut the corner if you are turning east from about HW +4! The real hazard is The Winner shoal opposite HISC. lt is clearly marked but don't try to cut the corner! It shoals very steeply close outside the buoys!
 
The only thing I'd add to the above that it is useful to keep an eye on an imaginary line drawn between the port-hand beacons / buoys. That helps to correct for side-current.
 
Chichester Entrance /Bar has quite a reputation for dinghies breaking their masts while trying to get back to HISC in S wind.
It's not such a problem leaving.
 
Ningaloo said:
I was based in Chichester for many years. Only turned back from the bar on one occasion with a strong southerly wind and ebb tide.
My first boat was an MG Spring 25 which barely had enough power to get into Portsmouth against the ebb. Never a problem at Chichester. Agree that cross currents are not a major issue.
I have so many fond memories of the harbour. I learnt to sail there on the bosun dingies with yellow sails at Cobnor point. I think they are still there. My favourite anchorage is off Pilsea with early morning visits from the resident seal.
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The OP is referring to leaving with the ebb but that aside the ebb at Chichester is up to 6.4 knots on Springs!
 
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Never experienced any cross current that caused concern. Once came out on the ebb with wind against and halfway over the bar decided it was a bad move but had no option but to continue, it really was that lumpy. It was a good reminder and made sure didn't do it with the family on board ever.
 
Ammonite said:
The OP is referring to leaving with that ebb but that aside the ebb at Chichester is up to 6.4 knots on Springs!
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Understand that but he also commented on the power of his engine and wanted to reassure him that this shouldn't be an issue. I found that most excursions from Chichester involve heading west so leave at about high tide to take advantage of W bound tide down the Solent. Returning usually planned for a flood tide if possible...
 
Ningaloo said:
Understand that but he also commented on the power of his engine and wanted to reassure him that this shouldn't be an issue. I found that most excursions from Chichester involve heading west so leave at about high tide to take advantage of W bound tide down the Solent. Returning usually planned for a flood tide if possible...
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I agree just not with the inference that the ebb at Portsmouth is stronger than Chichester!?
Having said that its rarely an issue as you say
 
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Funny old World! 50 years ago during summer the hols, we used to regularly do this in Cadet's, racing out to West Pole, then back to HISC!
 
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Ammonite said:
I agree just not with the inference that the ebb at Portsmouth is stronger than Chichester!?
Having said that its rarely an issue as you say
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I've not sailed in or out of Portsmouth since the Navy dredged it for Big Liz.
But the tide runs pretty fast in the harbour mouth.
The difference is, in Portsmouth entrance, the small boats have a safe bit of shallow water on the Gosport side where the tide is much slower.
Towards the end of the ebb at Chi, the water is getting quite shallow, so it flows pretty fast in places near the bar. In light airs you can get in the shallows with a dinghy and avoid the stream sometimes.
 
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