Looe or Owers?

[phanakapan]

I've done both before, but in calm conditions. Pilot says Looe channel good easy shortcut in good vis, moderate weather and daylight. So, have you got any horror stories, or any tips? Likely to be doing it next Friday or Sat which is forecast S/SE 4 (obviously too far away to be accurate) it will be neaps (ish).

 

[pessimist]

Much prefer the outside route. Have seen but not transitted the Looe in 5/6W. Was glad I was outside.

 

[LinTeal]

I have navigated the Looe Channel a dozen times without a problem The key is to ensure you have a fair tide and not above a force 4/5.It can be a bit lively but does not last long.

 

[Viking]

Looe Channel - If you are sailing up from Brighton, make sure of the tide 'gate'. If you 'miss' and have tide against you. The tide sweeps round with the coast around the headland, so you will be taken south (inshore) and you will then need to keep a more nor-west heading to head up to the 'gate'.

 

[stevebirch2002]

I have always used the Looe so never believed the pilot books, big mistake. Coming back from Brighton SW5 but the tide with us. Saw a wave across the Looe which I thought was a wave from a big Sunseeker that had passed a few minutes previous, it was in fact a large standing wave. Buried the nose of my Vega three or four times but after about ten minutes all was clear. If the wind is behind and you have a fair tide then should not be a problem. Good luck

 

[phanakapan]

Thanks guys. If any one sees a tatty MacWester with one or 3 beautiful women /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif on board next weekend, do give us a wave!

 

[jonjo]

[ QUOTE ]
MacWester with one or 3 beautiful women /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[/ QUOTE ]
Can I follow you and pick up the two who might go overboard?

 

[phanakapan]

/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[billmacfarlane]

I kept a boat in Littlehampton for 10 years and the way the Looe Channel was talked about in the club you'd think it was Cape Horn ! Basically in most conditions it's a pussy cat. In normal conditions, say up to F4, wind with tide, you'll experience mild overfalls just before and just after the Boulder and Street buoys. Coming from the Solent heading east, with a fair tide under you and a W/SW wind, you'll experience no difficulties unles you wander too far inshore before the buoys and hit the Hounds. The only time I found the Channel uncomfortable was beating into an E6/E7 with a spring tide under my keel. I had an unpleasant 20 minutes or so near the buoys, with armies of vertical standing waves hindering my progress. They died down about half a mile after the buoys. if you're under engine keep your eyes peeled for lobby pots - there's lots of them about.

 

[phanakapan]

Pots- yes, I was bringing my boat from Southampton to Brighton in Dec, very little wind so motoring, tide taking us nicely towards Looe, picked up a pot, engine u/s, couldn't risk Looe, went round the Owers at about 2 knots- then something broke at the top of the rolling foresail mechanism, jib fell down. Now only mainsail until we found a spare halyard. Took a VERY long time to bring our new boat home!