North Cornwall, landsend and up channel in easterlies?

fisherman said:
If you want a report, Bass Point NCI, 01326 290 212
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On a slight tangent; in an easterly F6+, what is you’re assessment of the merits of anchoring behind Mullion Island? Basically, in what kind of conditions is it a haven and when is it a hell hole? Apols for slight drift, but you’ll know better than most!
 
You could be absolutely fine most of the time. However, the problem is the perpetual flood tide between Mullion and the Lizard. Also, some weather systems will shift, veer the wind through S and you're caught. If the E wind over time has pushed up a sea it creeps round the corner, gets thoroughly agitated by said tide, then comes in to Mullion, ANY S in it, much worse. I went past Mullion one morning, there had been SE wind 5-6 all night but now flat calm, spring tide flood. At the Rill, N of Kynance, it was heart-stopping (32ft 14 ton boat) and we had to turn round, back to Mullion, then W 2nm outside all the shallows, off the point was fine, hauled gear all day. Then there is the ?katabatic? wind off Kynance: passing a mile off, the E wind a near gale, sea climbing up the side and blowing across the deck, crew very suspicious. Off the end it was 2-3.
 
fisherman said:
You could be absolutely fine most of the time. However, the problem is the perpetual flood tide between Mullion and the Lizard. Also, some weather systems will shift, veer the wind through S and you're caught. If the E wind over time has pushed up a sea it creeps round the corner, gets thoroughly agitated by said tide, then comes in to Mullion, ANY S in it, much worse. I went past Mullion one morning, there had been SE wind 5-6 all night but now flat calm, spring tide flood. At the Rill, N of Kynance, it was heart-stopping (32ft 14 ton boat) and we had to turn round, back to Mullion, then W 2nm outside all the shallows, off the point was fine, hauled gear all day. Then there is the ?katabatic? wind off Kynance: passing a mile off, the E wind a near gale, sea climbing up the side and blowing across the deck, crew very suspicious. Off the end it was 2-3.
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Many thanks and incredibly helpful to have local input. So basically, with any decent swell from the south, when anything punchy has been blowing anywhere in the south, is blowing from the south, or is forecast from the south ...stay away. It’s a tricky old coast you have there!

Wishing you a successful and safe season :encouragement:
 
dom said:
Many thanks and incredibly helpful to have local input. So basically, with any decent swell from the south, when anything punchy has been blowing anywhere in the south, is blowing from the south, or is forecast from the south ...stay away. It’s a tricky old coast you have there!

Wishing you a successful and safe season :encouragement:
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...and around to NW, obs...Incidentally, on both N and S coasts, each headland seems to have early flood on the W side and early ebb on the E side, running for nine out of twelve hours.
 
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Would it make any sense in leaving Penzance 2 hrs before hw as soon as the lock opens and using the 5 hrs before the ebb starts running to get round the lizard and anchored in coverack if looking at w/sw winds with the flood. ( the easterly stream is the flood isn't it?) , if it gains me some time and means I don't sail anywhere near pots in the dark?
How far out will keep me out of overfalls/tideraces?
Or it a daft idea?
 
steve yates said:
Would it make any sense in leaving Penzance 2 hrs before hw as soon as the lock opens and using the 5 hrs before the ebb starts running to get round the lizard and anchored in coverack if looking at w/sw winds with the flood. ( the easterly stream is the flood isn't it?) , if it gains me some time and means I don't sail anywhere near pots in the dark?
How far out will keep me out of overfalls/tideraces?
Or it a daft idea?
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Its 14 nm to the Lizard, another six or more to Coverack, so yes if you can make it. 2nm off gets you out of lots of trouble, 49.56.40 at a guess. If you go near Bass Pt you will find early ebb, starts 1hr before HW, so keep a course for clearing the Black head.
 
HWs PZ 0400/1625 thurs. Forecast:
https://www.windguru.cz/47879
If you get going and it's SSW 20kts as forecast you should zip round OK, stay off because the flood very close W of Lizard runs SE. Tide is 17ft1, so getting brisk. Personally I would always look for more leeway timewise, and go for the HW before, leaving early thurs morning, go in Newlyn, get a pasty, aim for the Lizard at LW, PZ+3hrs so 1330 ish. There is NE forecast for Friday, so Coverack might be unwise. Falmouth or Fowey.
 
Don't forget Cawsand as an excellent overnight anchorage, easy to enter and leave, and well sheltered from anything with any west in it.
 
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