Lulworth Cove

[TrailerSailer]

Being a local boat...
Would I stop there overnight - no (but I happily use it as a lunch stop)
It is generally uncomfortable with the swell as the entrance refracts any waves so you stand no hope of a roll free night. A kedge can help and I've done that myself. It does katabatic winds which can be very strong and easily induce dragging.
It is also very noisy underwater. I don't know if that is the sea life or the pebbles on the bottom.
Personally I would go further along to Worbarrow Bay. You have either end to use depending on the wind direction. Mupe tends to roll a bit more than Worbarrow, but once the tide is below the reef generally it is quiet.
Much of the time when people are going around Portland, and needing a stop off, it is during the school holidays and the Army ranges are closed and Worbarrow is open. (Lulworth makes no sense coming from the East if the ranges are active).
Whichever option you take, just remember St Albans Ledge. This can be as bad as Portland - different, yes, but very rough. However, the inside passage is a delight to use providing you plan it properly.

 

[oldmanofthehills]

I think there are all manner of coves that locals use, overnight or for lunch, that strangers have difficulty with. Equally there are all manner of ledges where locals tuck happily inside where strangers go miles off to avoid the race. If you think Lulsworth is rolly you havent been to Lundy where boats can porpoise all night.

Anchor dragging in relatively sheltered spot is mostly due to inadequate size anchor or lack of persistence in setting it, though some spots aren't worth the bother, and weed or boulder can frustrate us all. The joy of Lulsworth or indeed Worbarrow is the joy of a very beautiful cove, if in doubt and on passage head for Weymouth or Portland Harbour

 

[ip485]

I have stopped in the cove a few times. I agree with other contributors, it often has some swell. I have always found the holding good, but then I do have a 55KG Rocna which seems to hold on anything. It is a beautiful spot and always well worth a visit, even if it is only to take in the scenery and some lunch. I think for a good nights sleep you might just as well go into Poole or even the naval docks, but for those accustom to sleeping on the hook, you will also be fine in most conditions.

 

[BlueChip]

We anchored overnight there a few years ago, it was rolly but far worse were the down drafts which came out of nowhere and has us skating around the anchorage.
Quite scary really and I've never anchored anywhere that was so dark. The situation was compounded by not realising for ages that the transit light I'd identified to monitor our position was actually a lantern used by a fisherman on the beach who kept moving. We were glad to get out the next morning.

 

[Robin]

We anchored overnight there a few years ago, it was rolly but far worse were the down drafts which came out of nowhere and has us skating around the anchorage.
Quite scary really and I've never anchored anywhere that was so dark. The situation was compounded by not realising for ages that the transit light I'd identified to monitor our position was actually a lantern used by a fisherman on the beach who kept moving. We were glad to get out the next morning.

:biggrin-new::biggrin-new::biggrin-new:

I had a really bright light monitored st achor in Southern Brittany once.... until they switched the street lights off at midnight.

 

[grumpy_o_g]

:biggrin-new::biggrin-new::biggrin-new:

I had a really bright light monitored st achor in Southern Brittany once.... until they switched the street lights off at midnight.

I've had my transit ride his bicycle away before now.

Lulworth Cove is best approached from the North as far as I'm concerned - not saying it's even difficult via boat in the right conditions but it's not especially enjoyable unless it's flat calm and sunny I reckon, in which case you'll find more boats there than at Dunkirk on a Summer's day in 1940.

 

[skipperob]

This thread is a mine of information, so sincere appreciation for all the advice (even though it wasn't me who asked !)
Just one question : No-one has mentioned a bar between the headlands, or breaking waves there. Unless that's what the 9hp Volvo owner was referring to ? I have the same engine with a saildrive, and was thinking of taking a break and seeing the famously beautiful cove while on route from Plymouth to Gt. Yarmouth, as I'll probably never go that way again. I'm slightly less tempted now, but maybe with careful anchoring it could be worth taking a chance ? I was worried about being trapped in there for a while though, which has been mentioned as a distinct possibility. Oh well, maybe another little adventure to add to the list ? !

 

[mainsail1]

Well I would certainly give it a try in good weather but be ready to leave at dusk if the swell starts.....unless you are happy sleeping as the boat rolls about. Aim for the centre of the opening in the rocks when going in or out and you should be fine. Watch out for tide trying to sweep you to the left or right as you enter and once inside anchor more to the East than the West to avoid moorings etc.

 

[Robin]

Well I would certainly give it a try in good weather but be ready to leave at dusk if the swell starts.....unless you are happy sleeping as the boat rolls about. Aim for the centre of the opening in the rocks when going in or out and you should be fine. Watch out for tide trying to sweep you to the left or right as you enter and once inside anchor more to the East than the West to avoid moorings etc.

Back in the very dim and distant when we had a shallow draft Trident 24 we used to anchor on the east to northeast side of the cove and take a stern anchor ashore onto the beach thus holding the boat bows on to any swell and avoiding rolling. The current flows around the edge of the cove otherwise and holds you side on to any swell however slight. IIRC as you enter don't go too far to starboard too soon as there is a bit of a shallow area ledge I assume it is still very kelpy too so need to find a clear sandy spot to drop the bow anchor on if possible.

 

[SimonFa]

Being a local boat...
Would I stop there overnight - no (but I happily use it as a lunch stop)
It is generally uncomfortable with the swell as the entrance refracts any waves so you stand no hope of a roll free night. A kedge can help and I've done that myself. It does katabatic winds which can be very strong and easily induce dragging.
It is also very noisy underwater. I don't know if that is the sea life or the pebbles on the bottom.
Personally I would go further along to Worbarrow Bay. You have either end to use depending on the wind direction. Mupe tends to roll a bit more than Worbarrow, but once the tide is below the reef generally it is quiet.
Much of the time when people are going around Portland, and needing a stop off, it is during the school holidays and the Army ranges are closed and Worbarrow is open. (Lulworth makes no sense coming from the East if the ranges are active).
Whichever option you take, just remember St Albans Ledge. This can be as bad as Portland - different, yes, but very rough. However, the inside passage is a delight to use providing you plan it properly.

+1

I'll also add to that be very careful with St Albans inner channel if you're heading West in a northerly. The first time I did it as I approached the wind dropped slowly from about 12kts and I had to put the engine on, then just as I cleared the channel the wind coming down from Chapman's Pool hit me hard an its the closest I've been to a knockdown. I didn't see the instruments but it felt like 25kt out of nowhere.

As for Lulworth being dark at night - if you can choose a night when they're night firing, its can wonderful firework display and a timely reminder why they have the safety area.

 

[Dipper]

This thread is a mine of information, so sincere appreciation for all the advice (even though it wasn't me who asked !)
Just one question : No-one has mentioned a bar between the headlands, or breaking waves there. Unless that's what the 9hp Volvo owner was referring to ? I have the same engine with a saildrive, and was thinking of taking a break and seeing the famously beautiful cove while on route from Plymouth to Gt. Yarmouth, as I'll probably never go that way again. I'm slightly less tempted now, but maybe with careful anchoring it could be worth taking a chance ? I was worried about being trapped in there for a while though, which has been mentioned as a distinct possibility. Oh well, maybe another little adventure to add to the list ? !

There's no bar. Just keep a bit to starboard of centre as you go in as there is a line of rocks occupying the port side where you can usually see breaking waves. As long as it's not too windy blowing directly at the entrance you should be OK getting back out. I wouldn't enter in anything over a F4 unless it was an offshore wind. Certainly add it to your list. There are far more hazardous places to visit! If the firing range is active, you will need to head straight out for several miles before you can turn east. Information can be found here. https://www.weymouth-harbour.co.uk/fcimages/files/Hydrography/19_00365_Information%20For%20Mariners_2020.pdf It's worth calling up range control as sometimes they reduce the restricted area or finish early which could save you quite a bit of time.

 

[Praxinoscope]

Haven't sailed in that area for many years, but Lulworth was a regular stop off for us if going round the Bill, moored overnight quite a few times in a variety of weather conditions and never had any problems of slipping anchor.

 

[oldmanofthehills]

A wonderful spot and a long time favourite of mine since I could walk. So when I got a boat I had to try anchor there sometime and go ashore eat etc as otherwise my club would not consider it a full visit.

Anchored eastern end on delivery run of new boat. Manson Supreme dug in fine (slightly oversize as intended for old larger boat. We always sit side on to everything and roll - doesnt everyone? (I guess not from the comments above)

Slept sound. No dragging. No wind getting up so no panics. Navigator had about 3 transits and a gps position but we merely swung 20m on our chain.

If ever that way will anchor there again if wind suitable, though worbarrow seemed nice on our lunch stop

 

[LadyInBed]

Lulworth

 

[SimonFa]

Lulworth

View attachment 96915

Nice photo. Its a good pull up that hill, I've done it a few times but its worth the view.

Just add another warning, that ledge is a favourite for kids diving in and snorkelers swimming around, I've never had a problem but I did put someone on the bow once to keep watch.

 

[LadyInBed]

Nice photo. Its a good pull up that hill, I've done it a few times but its worth the view.

I can't claim the Photo or the hike, they were down to Mark-1 of this parish who crewed for me a couple of times in 2010 (2nd time was the Scuttlebut - Cherbourg w/e), Remember those?
I just annotated the pic.

 

[Mark-1]

I can't claim the Photo or the hike, they were down to Mark-1 of this parish who crewed for me a couple of times in 2010 (2nd time was the Scuttlebut - Cherbourg w/e), Remember those?
I just annotated the pic.

Lol, that photo reminded me of that excellent weekend. I hadn't realized it was actually that weekend and that I'd taken it! ?

 

[Praxinoscope]

Total thread drift, but back in February 1981 (think it was '81) got snowed in at the Castle Inn for three days.
Had a weekend down there with SWMBO (No1)For her birthday, best man and his wife joined us, there was a freak snowstorm along the South Coast and there was a 12' snow drift across the Lulworth road. The army 'lost' a tank in it for a while.
Still being stuck in a pub for three days does have its compensations.

 

[wayfarer8088]

Worbarrow Bay to the east of Lulworth is a good option in my experience, so long as the Lulworth Ranges aren't active. The western end, Mupe Bay, is well sheltered from the west by Mupe Rocks.