Man with JCB wanted

Twister_Ken

Twister_Ken

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Why has no one ever dug a canal from Portland Harbour across Chesil Beach and into Lyme Bay? With gates at each end (to prevent water flowing through @ 20 kts) it would avoid the neccessity of playing chicken in the Race, and cut a good few miles off an east-west trip. Or an west-east one. At a fiver per transit it might even make money.


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Probably because Chesil was formed by longshore drift and the cost of the the thing

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Ever taken the inshore channel?

Speaking as a coward who has always aimed for a point rather more than 5 miles offshore I've never been brave enough to do the "couple of cables off the shore" thing you read about in pilot books.

<hr width=100% size=1>John
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Miser speaking.........

Speaking as a miser I've never gone more than a cable or so off the Bill, why use more diesel than absolutely necessary! /forums/images/icons/smile.gif

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Been through it

Many years ago, the skipper of a westerly 33 I was on approached from the southeast in a spring tide. We got sucked strainght into the mailstrom - most exiting 5 minutes of my life. One moment in a hole surrounded by 2 storiy houses next on an elevator shooting upwards - all over far too soon. Not going to risk my boat though!!

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Have wondered about this for years too. Suspect that it is unatractive in that it has little commercial value and would cost more than pleasure boaters would want to pay.

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As i recall

there only the roadway (swing bridge needed) between the harbour and a lagoon and then only about 50 metres of pebbles between the lagoon and the bay. As to the longshore drift, just open the thing clean through for an hour at the height of the ebb and it'll flush all the pebbles away.

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Re: Been through it

Portland Race in a dive boat many years ago, waves coming from all directions, the only occasion I've ever had to have a chat with hughie. Not pleasant!

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It's an interesting thought though, because combine the idea with a waiting marina and you have all the attractions of convenient tidal stopover and the spending power it brings. There would be more at stake than merely the transit fee.

<hr width=100% size=1>John
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Re: Miser speaking.........

Can you do this at any point in the tide?

<hr width=100% size=1>John
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Re: Miser speaking.........

Portland gets in the way whenever we want to west, and on the journey back.
I have been most ways. Going outside is great, provided you do not mind the long trip from the Needles to Torbay.
Going round from Weymouth is just about getting the tides and time right. I have been round inshore in a dead calm with the mackrell line trailing.
Coming back once I misjudged it. We came out of Exmouth in drizzel, expecting to motor all the way back. However, a good breeze developed and instead of getting to the Bill at 21.00 to catch the easterly tide, we arrived ay 16.30 and, having had such an enjoyable sail forgot about the tide. We spent 20 minutes with the coastguard cottages and the lighthouse in transit, falling off of waves at way over hull speed. There was a Benetau doing the same about half a mile away. The only good thing was a powerboat out from Weymouth that came over to both of us to see if we were OK (all stinkies are not bad). Once the tide eased we soon popped out into the calm on the eastern side.
Once was enough. Now I check my calculations as I approach the Bill, and if too early head north until the tide changes. I have found the place to aim for coming east is the Admiralty Underwater Weapons buildings about half way along the island. You can see them quite clearly from way off. Keep aiming for them until you chicken out (yes, you can go round with your hands pushing off the rocks, but it is not recommended). Turn south and you will suddenly find yourself on the eastern side of the Bill. I have done this in a Westerly F4 and it is quite exciting, although fully under control.

But is the weather is wrong, don't try it. If wanting to go west, speak to the local dive boats and they will advise. If you are in Weymouth another day does not matter. If you are on the way east, go well outside and keep on to Poole or the Solent. Going past the race and then the Shambles makes it hard work to turn and get into Weymouth.

Respect the Bill. Its a fun place, but only in the right conditions.

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Energy

No one would do it just for small boats. But suggest that it might be a suitable place for a tidal turbine and you could be on to a winner!

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Re: As i recall

Ken
This idea has merit, but I think you are aiming to low.
If you insert a swing bridge on the main Portland / Weymouth road, then sail down the Gannel, dig a canal from the western end of the Gannel into West Bay Harbour, you've cracked it, but a word of warning, beware of low flying swans<s>

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Re: Ever taken the inshore channel?

Its really not bad going close inshore - plenty of water close in - certainly stone's throw to the beach. Just get the tides right - you should have a couple of hours window to get round.

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Re: Miser speaking.........

<Going past the race and then the Shambles makes it hard work to turn and get into Weymouth>

There's a back eddy to the N of Shambles which helps get you into Weymouth - we used this last week coming round from Dartmouth.

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