Our next big adventure....

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Alcyone

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We managed to circumnavigate the Holms on Friday. Once again, not a lot for you experienced guys out there, but a big deal for Louise, Tigger and me.:

flatholm.jpg


It all went really well until we realised that we were fighting the tide on the way back, getting to the Ranie buoy about mid tide and not making more than 1 knot with engine alone. I put teh sails up and a few good gusts and we were back, although I was a bit concerned, as we were meeting some people for a curry in Solva at 7pm.....

So, any advice on doing this against the tide? Is the tide stronger closer to the shore or further out? Would we have been better heading anticlockwise around the islands and a little up channel, allowing the outgoing tide to take us back on the return?

Any thoughts/ideas gratefully received.
 
We usually go down with the tide from Cardiff plannning to be off Steep Holm around LW then returning on the new tide.

The tide rund very hard between the islands so may be worth gettingout of the deep channel (also keeps you away from the ships) where you might find the tide slacker. Have a look at the tidal atlas which may give some more options.
Looks like a nice day out

Neil
 
It was fantastic - we only started sailing this year. I did use the tidal atlas, and yes, would normally plan to do just as you say, it's just the first nice day we've had when we were both able to go for a sail so I thought, well, we may as well give it a go.

The reason I ask about current strength close in as opposed to further out is that I know that local knowledge can often offer more insight than the charts - sometimes there are back eddies that can be used, or maybe the strength of the flow is less in a particular area.

I probably won't try it again when we are pushed for time, but we are both chuffed that we did it, and survived! Tigger seemed less impressed and, as you can see in teh picture, was definitely more interested in the beaxh at Flatholm than the boat......

Thanks for the reply.
 
Well done to the 3 of you, as skipperneil has said its best to use the tide to your advantage,it can take a long time to get back against the tide as you found out, between the islands the sea can get a bit lumpy and confused on certain states of tide, but i have learnt to hug the coast if going west against the last of the flood.
 
Thanks. Chris. I've got my eye on the weather and tides this Thursday. Might nip off and try it again, but the right way round this time.......
 
When I did my dayskipper theory I was always told that the tides are slowest near the coast and strongest in the centre, this can be seen from the tidal atlas.

I've bought my first boat, and was also thinking of going around flat holm as our first real adventure. Will have to get a bit of practice in the bay first though. I'm glad you made it in one piece. I really fancy anchoring and visiting steep holm from what has been said about it previously about the wildlife and scenery. Hope the weather improves for our launch on Saturday.
 
Well, in fairness, it was pretty much flat calm for us, the only problem was the lock. They squeezed us in like Sardines, and then one of the lock keepers shouted down to us - watch your rudder, youre right on the sill. Which was fine, considering I was one inch off the boat in front......

THe thing about the tides and being close in can be true, but I've also seen the opposite, say where you get shallow water, or a reef, which can cause localised stronger currents close in. I've always believed in asking the folks that know.

We are still very much learners - I've tried to break it down into chunks, motoring, sailing, mooring/locking, anchoring and so on. Then break those down further - sailing onto my mooring using just the main etc. It makes it feel like we make a little bit of progress every week. 'Couldn't do that last week' sort of thing.

Course, i don't tell people here when I get stuck in the mud ........

Good luck on Sat, I think the weather looks nice.
 
Hi Sunbeam-mat, good luck with your launch on sat,i think it will be less windy so jock permitting you should get in, the boat looks good you have done a good job on her, she will look after you, i had a sail on her a few years back with her late owner,John. she handles really well for a boat of her size and is quite nippy, all the best,
Chris (Rose).
 
And don't forget to call in for a beer in the bar if you are not too busy.
 
Thanks Chris, I saw John's son the other day and he was glad the old boat was now getting some use (I didn't tell him about the old pair of John's Y fronts found in starboard cockpit locker well). I didn't get to meet John when he was alive but many people have spoken highly about him.

Martin I do find it a bit difficult to get to the bar in the nights as we have to go home to put the kids to bed. I'll probably be up there though tomorrow night (Thursday) as I'm going for my interview to be a new member of the club. I hope they won't ask me to calculate a course to steer! Sounds like the barrage lock is an adventure in itself. I can't wait to get out there sailing....
 
No problem with difficult steering questions, most of the questions are on the collision regulations, Cardiff Bay rules and water depths using the rule of twelfths with varying atmospheric pressures. Of course, they are all in Welsh, as you'd expect, and the spotlight they put on you is a bit bright, but you'll be ok......

Seriously, there are a few questions, like why do you want to join, and have you been banned from any other clubs, if I remember correctly, nothing to worry about, although I was nervous!
 
Yep, sometime after about 8pm. We'll be sailing about 6. Then we've all got to go down tomorrow to make sure Matt gets blackballed on his membership.
 
Didn't make it tonight, sorry Matt. Had a busy day. Got our mooring rope around the prop this morning and Louise took ages to get it off. She kept saying it was cold as well, and wasn't very chuffed when I asked her to splice it back together.

Went for a sail then and ended up at Weston as the tide turned. Got a bit lumpy and the drizzle set in so we came back betwen the Holms. One of our winches is iffy and it let the genoa fly. Burned my hand grabbing the sheet, so we came back early.

Did try and get up the mast to change the faulty wind masthead unit, but I couldn't manage it. Louise really wasn't putting the effort in Winching me up. When I suggested having a chinese tonight then, she suggested I lay off the takeways for a bit. Don't know why.
 
Welcome to the club Matt, don't know if anyones told you but a group of us sail every Wednesday evening from around 6 then meet in the bar after - you'd be welcome to join us - kids are also welcome - I sometimes bring mine.

Martin - will winch you up your mast next wed - we'll discuss terms once you up the top!!!!!
 
Did they let you in then Matt? Martin you need to have a word with louise, i noticed you were buying your own beer at the club on wednesday,also she wasnt smiling much when she was rowing you ashore in that gale the other night. wheres it all going to end? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
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