Lulworth Cove

[richardbrennan]

I have often enjoyed a lunch stop in Lulworth Cove, usually prior to a night in Weymouth before sailing further West. However, I was somewhat surprised to see it described as "an ideal overnight spot before tackling Portland Race" in the latest YM.

My understanding has always been that the holding is poor and that it's prone to swell from any wind with South in it; what do others think?

 

[Dipper]

My boat always seems to lie broadside the the waves (and the entrance) when I go there for a lunch stop. I wouldn't want to spend the night there.

Edit: It's also a trap if the wind does pick up. My little 9HP Volvo wouldn't make it out of the entrance if there was any significant swell.

 

[mainsail1]

Yes, it is very prone to swell and the holding is not great. I gave up staying there overnight many years ago. A lunch stop can be good but that's it.

 

[Garold]

We anchored overnight in Lulworth a few years ago.

We anchored in the NE area near the shore. The holding was poor but plenty of depth. We watched a heavy hillyard drag past us for about 20m before the skipper put out more chain. Our Rocna held just fine but there were a few boats around us so I didn’t have as much chain out as I would usually have overnight with poor holding.

We chose a very calm night to give it a try and we did row to the village for a swift beer but didn’t feel confident enough to stay on shore late. We happily moved on to Weymouth the next day.

Garold

 

[Cactus Sailing]

the holding isnt great, i wouldnt trust it overnight tbh.

of course this could turn into an anchor thread! but unless its a millpond id be cautious, i wouldnt sleep well so would rather avoid the hassle

 

[mainsail1]

By the way, the swell appears to be caused by a tidal effect and can start even when there is no wind.

 

[Boathook]

My boat also lies broadside to the swell. I think that I have stayed one night many years ago and never since.

 

[Topcat47]

I guess I've been lucky, I've never had a problem there. Mind you I have an all chain rode. I also favour the eastern half of the harbour as there weren't any permanent moorings there Last time I was in.

 

[LadyInBed]

Agreed that it isn't a great anchorage with S in the wind, it gets a bit rolly, but a kedge can help. I often overnight there with wind having N in it. Holding is good close in and just E of moorings. Don't try and anchor in SE or SW corners, too much kelp and rock.
It's always entertaining watching boats come in, have about three goes at anchoring then carry on to Weymouth.
And yes, it's a good jump off point to round the Bill.

 

[lw395]

I have stayed overnight there a couple of times. Light airs, which is why we weren't making great progress and decided to stop.
Holding was adequate, we had a Danforth the first time, with about 2m of chain. And plenty of rope.
Second time, bigger boat, CQR and a lump of lead on the (mostly rope) rode.
It seemed like a good idea to walk up the coastpath and take a photo looking down at the boat.
A stiff climb IIRC.

 

[oldharry]

My understanding has always been that the holding is poor and that it's prone to swell from any wind with South in it; what do others think?

Correct. I have overnighted there several times, but only in settled, preferably offshore weather, and even then its a bit rolly. If there's any chance at all of it blowing up onshore, its a big no-no.

 

[Pete7]

Dived the cove a number of times over the years. The bottom consists of rock and large smooth round pebbles like dinner plates, so hardly surprising the holding can be tricky. Warbarrow Bay further along has a gravel and course sand bottom as an alternative.

 

[Tranona]

Anchored there several times over the years and agree about the swell in onshore winds. Never had problems with holding in the NE corner, but that can be subject to evening downdrafts off the surrounding hills.

Excellent jumping off point for rounding the Bill using the inshore passage, particularly as you can time your arrival at the waypoint on the east side of the bill fairly accurately.

 

[richardbrennan]

I am not suggesting any criticism of the lady that wrote the article, She is obviously an experienced sailor and the article makes clear that conditions were very benign when she overnighted in Lulworth. She also sailed the inshore passage westbound into a SW breeze, which earns respect in my book!

However, I think it clear from the thread that the caption on the picture of the Cove suggesting it as being an "Ideal" overnight spot was misleading. I think "possible" might have been more accurate.

 

[Sandy]

Only stopped there once. An overnight in very calm weather, arrived at about 1800 to find about 10 other boats already in the cove. We anchored just to the east, pulled the anchor up at first light and cleaned the clay off it. I must have been luck.

A lovely place to spend the night. Not sure what the other boats thought as we all stripped off and went for a swim.

 

[Seven Spades]

Anchor, then put out a stern anchor to hold the boat bows to the swell. We found that our Rocna held without problem but watch the depth.

 

[Robin]

I have often enjoyed a lunch stop in Lulworth Cove, usually prior to a night in Weymouth before sailing further West. However, I was somewhat surprised to see it described as "an ideal overnight spot before tackling Portland Race" in the latest YM.

My understanding has always been that the holding is poor and that it's prone to swell from any wind with South in it; what do others think?

+1 quite correct. When we had a shallow draught boat we used to set an anchor astern on the beach to keep nose into swell, current runs in and around the edge so with one anchor you end up side on to swell coming in the entrance however small. Portland anchorage is a better option too for timing the race or better still skip the stop option and go direct outside the race from Poole or Studland or Swanage.

 

[oldmanofthehills]

The holding may not be great in Lullsworth, but its not bad in the NE corner and we stayed quite happily there. Having a manson supreme I wasn't much worried we would go anywhere but I always do transits maybe every 2 hours at night until I am confident: with a lesser anchor I might have checked more often. The holding was better in Worbarrow Bay in our single experience but it doesnt have that nice pub so less suited to our overnight needs. As it happened I wanted to do the Portland Inside passage for sentimental reasons so we then mooched along to Weymouth before going west as timing easier, but Lulsworth is geographically fine as a jump point for the Outer passage.

 

[jimi]

Been in there a couple of times, difficult to set the anchor (Delta) even with all chain rode, rolled like a pig. I'd only use it for a lunch stop unless very settled weather

 

[chrisD]

I think this thread is a touch pessimistic. I have stayed overnight maybe 10 times and whilst it can be somewhat rolly, it isn’t always. In winds up to F3 with no South in them, it can be an absolutely delightful place, we have enjoyed many a happy evening especially after the crowds have gone. On a sunny day you can see the sandy spots in which to anchor, and once settled in we regularly leave the boat to walk to the pub or the increasingly good shop in West Lulworth. The only problem I have had was another boat dragging onto us in the middle of the night. It is a good spot for setting off for the Bill, but it always seems to take a long time to get there, it’s further than it looks.