Padstow to Milford Haven in a Northerly

[MoodyChris]

Hi all,

I have asked this in an existing thread, but I'm looking for advice for tomorrow crossing from Padstow to Milford Haven.

The UKV met office forecast gives a Northerly for most of the day probably a 4 although I've found it to be a little under lately so maybe a 5.

I am reluctant to do the trip but would really appreciate any feedback from anyone who has passaged north across the Bristol channel in a Northerly?

When the tide is with us it will also be wind over tide and I have zero experience in the Bristol channel, so any advice would be gratefully appreciated.

 

[Gibeltarik]

'I am reluctant to do the trip'

Answered your own question?

 

[MoodyChris]

Kind of, but being pragmatic I don't want to leave the boat in Padstow for an unknown time and it's difficult for me and the crew to get to/from too.

Given my druthers I wouldn't make the trip in a Northerly, but there's a difference between "no way, that's stupid!" and "yeah, it will be a slow 16 hours but you'll get there"

 

[B27]

Looks like the wind has some W in it tomorrow, so if it's ebbing out of Bristol, you might do Milford nicely?

Tides are springy.
The Bristol Channel is never to be taken lightly.

But tomorrow doesn't look too bad?

 

[MoodyChris]

Thanks - we're going to go for it. Hopefully will just be a matter of being mindful of the potential for changes, setting the autopilot and plugging away at 5 knots!

Looks like the wind has some W in it tomorrow, so if it's ebbing out of Bristol, you might do Milford nicely?

Tides are springy.
The Bristol Channel is never to be taken lightly.

But tomorrow doesn't look too bad

 

[ridgy]

If you're leaving at HW Padstow, 0630ish then Windy reckons you've got a broad reach for 3 hours so get some west in. Wind dying off by 1800 so motoring the last bit.
A slightly tedious but comfortable passage I'd say.

 

[Mark-1]

Hi all,

I have asked this in an existing thread, but I'm looking for advice for tomorrow crossing from Padstow to Milford Haven.

The UKV met office forecast gives a Northerly for most of the day probably a 4 although I've found it to be a little under lately so maybe a 5.

I am reluctant to do the trip but would really appreciate any feedback from anyone who has passaged north across the Bristol channel in a Northerly?

When the tide is with us it will also be wind over tide and I have zero experience in the Bristol channel, so any advice would be gratefully appreciated.

70 miles with the wind on the nose is my idea of misery but it looks quite
Westerly to me going around to SW.

Looks near perfect.

Windfinder.com - Wind, waves & weather Superforecast Padstow

 

[Baddox]

It must have changed since the above post as WidFinder is now showing a gentle westerly on Thu morning, veering NW by lunchtime. The seastate looks OK too so should be a good trip. I'd make the most of the morning wind to get west before the wind forces a more north then NE course.

 

[Mark-1]

It must have changed since the above post as WidFinder is now showing a gentle westerly on Thu morning, veering NW by lunchtime. The seastate looks OK too so should be a good trip. I'd make the most of the morning wind to get west before the wind forces a more north then NE course.

No, I just had brain fade. As you say, NW, not SW! Thanks for pointing it out.

Suspect the motor will be on by then anyway!

 

[Dellquay13]

Spring tides so try to not stray too far east in the morning, the afternoon flood from the west will be significant. If you are arriving later than expected the haven is very well lit, and there aren’t many fishing pots out at the moment, if you need to leave the main channels clear for shipping. Listen to Ch12 for Milford VTS and watch AIS if you have it

 

[MoodyChris]

Thank you all, I'm far less worried now and we'll be setting off as soon as the gate opens at Padstow.

 

[Long John Silver]

If in doubt. Wait.

 

[MisterBaxter]

The main thing in crossing a tidal channel to windward is to keep the tide under your lee bow. Makes a great deal of difference. So on that trip, if the wind was northerly, port tack on the falling tide and starboard tack on the rising tide, if possible.

 

[Boathook]

Thank you all, I'm far less worried now and we'll be setting off as soon as the gate opens at Padstow.

So how did it go ?

 

[MoodyChris]

The crossing was very long. We sailed for about the first 6 hours close hauled. We then worked it was faster to motor more or less direct as we were bearing off about 10° to keep sailing. The sea was pretty choppy.

The next 8 hours were a slog but we got there and about 10nm out from Milford entrance the sea calmed and the wind went around.

Other than changing course briefly on request of a range safety launch went into the harbour on sails.

Entered the marina lock at about 9.30pm

Not a trip I want to repeat, but it's done now!

 

[MoodySabre]

I think your final comment is one most of us have said!

 

[oldmanofthehills]

We pay lots of money for that good modern iron topsail for a reason. Sailing close hauled into chop is tiring and slow, and sometimes one just needs to get the trip over.

Glad it went OK