Passage plan or South Coast Tour - Help Please

[tony345]

So, I've finally got agreement for a weeks holiday on the boat
(22ft single engine cruiser) with SWMBO.

Experience to date has been in the Solent - Yarmouth - Bembridge on nice days.

I'm planning to head from Yarmouth to Poole first
either Hust castle and turn left (Is Christchurch bay worth the visit ?)- or via Needles to Hengistbury Head ?

then along the coast from Poole , round St Aldhelms head and along the coast to Weymouth.

From there do I dare go round Portland Bill, across Lyme Bay and on to Exmouth ?

I'd really appreciate some advice from people who've done this sort of strip in a smallish Mobo. I'm ok on the flat pottering along at about 12 knots but its all a bit scary in big waves

What am I likely to encouter - Whats the escape plan etc.

I have done RYA L2 powerboat so I'm not a complete novice - just a bit nervous

Thanks

Tony

 

[ajt]

If you leave Hurst Castle and turn left you will either hit the IOW or end up in France, you must mean right!
If you use the inner channel at Hurst it can be a bit disconcerting as you need to be quite close to the shore but it saves going out past the Needles and shigle bank.
Never been into Christchurch itself so cannot comment but when using the inner channel you do go past so you could call in (strong tide in entrance)
As for St Alban's Head and Portland theyboth have tidal races also there is the firing range at Lulworth to watch out for, so best to check out your Almanac or pilot book beforehand.
This all sounds a little worrying but it is not that bad, just needs a bit of planning.
Good luck and enjoy

 

[mjf]

I did this myself only a couple of weeks back - flat calm in a slightly larger boat.

The inside routes around Hirst, Anvil, St Albins etc are fine in flat seas, you can see any eddies and make adjustments to course , speed etc. The big issue was fish pots - loads and loads in close so not recommended in anything other than calm clear conditions.


But I reckon on your boat you would not put out in anything less than fine clear weather anyway.

Coming back we went outside as it was F4 and SHMBO/self could not be fagged with the fish pot worry. A lot less outside.


The Dorset coast was beauitiful from seaward and the bays between Poole and Weymouth world class IMHO.

Enjoy!

 

[hlb]

They seem to have changed the inner passage chanel into Pool. I went the old normal way and nearly ran out of water. Then found the bouys had moved. Not sure I'd go across Lyme Bay in your boat, but plenty of others would. The inner passage round Portland Bill is easy enough in the sort of weather you would be out in. Just remember it's ok to turn back if you dont like it. It can be a long hard slog across Lyme Bay, with few if any bolt holes. Exmouth is crap IMHO Tynmouth much nicer, but you would probably be much safer heading for Brixham/Torquay. On a good day with offshore winds, you can go right round Lyme bay, stopping off at all the little harbours.

The problem is, not going, but can you get back a week later.

 

[blueglass]

[ QUOTE ]
there is the firing range at Lulworth to watch out for, so best to check out your Almanac or pilot book beforehand.


[/ QUOTE ]
always pays to check of course, but the range is closed now until september so you can take an inshore route and enjoy the superb Jurassic coast. Depending on conditions, try and spend a night or two at anchor - Studland bay, Swanage, Lulworth cove etc. As you only have a week for the round trip I'd say Weymouth is far enough for a leisurely stopping off cruise in a smaller boat.

 

[tony345]

Thanks Guy's

Some good advice here.

So Lyme bay really is as big as it looks on the map

I guess any venture into that area for a first timer is best done by hugging the coast rather than trying to go straight across

Thanks

 

[mjf]

Yes, I was caught here too......I watched the Bournmouth ferry thingy leave Poole from the Sandbanks Hotel and then when I did it myself next day the chart had an extra buoy.

Great! I stopped and sniffed my way out of the Looe channel ,I think its called, and then blow me if the effing ferry turns up and blasts right past on my intended track..... so yes buoys are correct - chart is not!