Plymouth to Poole route in a 26 foot yacht

“1) are you 100% sure of the engine and the quality of the fuel? I’d get the engine serviced, if not already done, check that there are spare filters etc on board and check that the diesel is clean and no water or debris in the tank. Inc put fuel conditioner (recommendations for enzyme stuff on the forum as it is said to digest the organic sludge).”

👍👍 what he said.

Suggest Eyeball the the bottom of the tank or suck out the bottom of it throughly.
 
“I'd anchor off Weymouth beach and pick up the next tide.”

I vaguely recall there are nice waiting visitor buoys of Weymouth harbour entrance and there was restrictions on how close you can anchor near the beach. Maybe someone who has been there recently would know better than me.

If you need to stop in that area, Portland Marina might be somewhat easier overall, depends what your needs are I guess. The port authority, with advanced permission, allows small vessels to use the short cut to the marina via the ship eastern entrance. If you need it, I recall the fuel pontoon is the first you come to. I understand that some people anchor in Portland Harbour somewhere, not sure exactly where.

Inshore v offshore at Portland - in some areas crab pot buoys are a risk of significance. So I would say preference for to go offshore at night, particularly if on engine.
 
I agree with the easterlies being an issue, this year we set off in March and it was easterly for the first two months straight. They are usually relatively light and the conditions good so it is possible to go east regardless.
The days are not as long as summer but they are not what I’d call short. By March you’re back to decent daytime similar to the past month so 10-12 hours. A 12-14 hour dark may feel long and cold though.
 
A lot of good advice on this thread, not surprising given the poularity of that route - which should bring you plenty of confidence.
The nice thing is there are a few ways to skin that cat, the most important piece of advice I can give is to get a good weather window - don't plan around neap tides if the wind is going to be a brisk easterly or significantly strong. As you have no tidal restrictions either end, plan the tide gate well to push you past Portland. From Plymouth to Pool, I usually opt to go outside and get the boat settled so I can vook and get rest. Depending on how many crew and their abilities, it is doable in one go, or you can stop off - as also mentioned, Dartmouth & Weymouth/Porland are good options as safe refuge ports or just for a break and good grub.
Portland is the one that everyone stresses about, but it's easy enough around 5/6 miles off, and if there are easterlies, you may need find it easier to do a long beat offshore and layline straight into Poole bay - definitely longer, but saves beating up the coast IMO. It's a journey, not a race ;) If you are going into Weymouth or the weather is bad, the inshore route is the one, but follow the pilot book as it's closer than you think!
Finally, be mindful of the risk of overfalls off St. Alban head too, it's easy to overlook with all the talk about Portland Bill, but it can get spicy off there too in the wrong conditions.
 
Channel Sailor said:
“I'd anchor off Weymouth beach and pick up the next tide.”

I vaguely recall there are nice waiting visitor buoys of Weymouth harbour entrance and there was restrictions on how close you can anchor near the beach. Maybe someone who has been there recently would know better than me.
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I spent a night anchored off Weymouth beach last year, in a W5-6 and was pleasantly surprised by the amount of shelter, it was basically a flat calm. I dropped at the line of white buoys that mark the edge of the no-anchoring zone and the holding was excellent.
 
Jonny A said:
I spent a night anchored off Weymouth beach last year, in a W5-6 and was pleasantly surprised by the amount of shelter, it was basically a flat calm. I dropped at the line of white buoys that mark the edge of the no-anchoring zone and the holding was excellent.
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After a failed attempt to get further west a couple of months ago, we spent two/three nights in Portland Marina (as above) enduring a continuous howling easterly of 20+ knots that kept us awake. We decided to move round into Weymouth Marina (Boatfolk) and encountered pretty horrible swell 1.5m plus coming across into Weymouth Bay. Had to adjust course to take it on the forward quarter then the stern quarter rather than beam on even on the short 1 mile dash round into Weymouth.

All calm once past the pier and smooth thereonin.

Got to have a fantastic curry in Shalims, a good night's sleep and meet colhel all following that decision.
 
I did a similar trip to the OP a few years ago with my ‘new’ yacht - similar to the OP’s. East to West though. In May when the daylight and the weather were better. I took 4 days over it with stops at newton creek, Poole Harbour and Lyme Regis on the way. It made the trip into a pleasure and not a chore and it reduced the pressure on the untried engine and sails. Waiting for the weather window cost a bit in marina fees.
 
I suppose this depends on crew strength but you say limited experience /solo . Personally I would not push each leg so aim for say Brixham or Torquay then to Portland or Weymouth. A lot depends on weather windows/wind direction etc. you might at one extreme have a boring motor to Portland or winds against you . Going other way we normally go to Portland Masses of space there and good marina) before rounding next day or so for Brixham .
 
ashtead said:
I suppose this depends on crew strength but you say limited experience /solo . Personally I would not push each leg so aim for say Brixham or Torquay then to Portland or Weymouth. A lot depends on weather windows/wind direction etc. you might at one extreme have a boring motor to Portland or winds against you . Going other way we normally go to Portland Masses of space there and good marina) before rounding next day or so for Brixham .
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Having done this, not sure I agree.

In another post, I mentioned :

If standing off, I find it more time efficient to carry on to Studland. From 5nm south of the Bill to Portland/Weymouth is 12.5nm. To Studland is 25nm. From Weymouth to Studland is 23nm and if you're already south of Portland, you can easily remain south of St Albans and Durlston which can be rough in certain wind/tide.

Daverw

Thread 'Portland Bill Rounding Tips'

We are in the middle of our Summer trip to Scilly Isles, currently in Weymouth harbour waiting for this next wind to blow through. Hope for Thursday or Friday to leave and head west again. Looking for local advice from rounding Portland Bill and suggested timings.

To thread your way north from 5nm south of the Bill into Weymouth/Portland is more tricky with the Shambles then the onward passage east puts you through Lulworth ranges, close to St Albans and Durlston so you may have to add miles to give them an offing. Why not just take the extra 12 miles and carry on from south of Portland across towards Poole and leave all the troublesome bits to your port side?

I find although it makes for a longer day, it almost feels like you're home (Solent resident) when you anchor up in Swanage/Studland after the crossing from Brixham/Torquay.

If you don't need a marina, and the wind is from the west, then good anchorages exist at Churston and Elberry just outside Brixham. Watch for all the trawlers coming back in the early hours though, they leave their AIS off to stop their competitors spying on their choice of grounds.
 
I have done the journey as part of a longer one once and the reverse ( Westwards) again as part of a longer journey twice. All of those journeys were in late March virtually the last week and all required long periods of motoring. As well as what Tranona says there can be long periods of settled windless weather at that time of year.
Make sure the engine is OK, carry spare 5L of oil and spare fuel filters, know how to change them and bleed the fuel lines and a couple of cans of spare fuel that you know is clean and know how to rig up a jury system to bypass the main fuel tank. Change the water pump impeller on the engine or carry a spare and know how to fit it. The engine is likely to be used and it needs to be reliable. The rest is plain sailing even if a little cold so warm clothes essential.
 
I think the qualification “if standing off” is key here - if venturing round Portland we tend ideally to do so when inshore passage is possible. Obviously if venturing from Brixham say it might be harder to form a view than say leaving Portland westbound but maybe we have been lucky with weather hence use of Portland.
 
ashtead said:
I think the qualification “if standing off” is key here - if venturing round Portland we tend ideally to do so when inshore passage is possible. Obviously if venturing from Brixham say it might be harder to form a view than say leaving Portland westbound but maybe we have been lucky with weather hence use of Portland.
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Absolutely. I almost always go west via a night in Portland and then the inside passage but come back Brixham/Torquay direct to Studland.

Here's us hugging the coast after the tide turned (we used the ebb to carry us out of the Solent and as far west as poss).

Screenshot_20251101_173126_Gallery.jpg

And eastbound ..

portland_offing.jpg
 
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Not much to add apart from it's a long slog across Lyme Bay, feels even longer when the tide is against you, in the dark watching Portland Bill lights not moving. I'd probably split the journey at Brixham, if off Portland in day light if it's running you should be able to see the race. I'd have to check the almanac/channel pilot but last time did this journey was only 5 NM south. Having struggled to move my own yacht after purchase at same time of year I'd aim to go the first of your two weekends and then if the weather is bad at least you still have a reserve weekend. Good luck.
 
wonkywinch said:
Absolutely. I almost always go west via a night in Portland and then the inside passage but come back Brixham/Torquay direct to Studland.

Here's us hugging the coast after the tide turned (we used the ebb to carry us out of the Solent and as far west as poss).

View attachment 201489

And eastbound ..

View attachment 201490
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Something to bear in mind if cutting it fine with a fair tide (or looking to get a wiggle on from Poole or Studland) is that in that neck of the woods is that the tide turns around two hours earlier close inshore.

Also if heading eastwards towards the Needles into a South Easterly with a fair tide stay offshore as it will continue to lift you ESE rather than trying to push you into Poole Bay
 
Found another screen shot. This is where we plugged the tide across Lyme Bay, intending to aim for the inner passage but the wind was up and the inner passage not tenable so I changed course for a point south of the Bill and pressed on for Studland. You can see the speed increase later in the voyage as the flood tide really took hold.

bill.jpg
 
Re inshore around St Aldhem’s and Anvil points, as others have said above these overfalls need respect too. They can spoil your day somewhat if you don’t think about and plan for the changes in sea conditions and the speed of the tidal current changes. Very close inshore exactly at St Aldhem’s Head sure does miss the overfalls off the headland, should the overfalls be present. But it can then still be very sloppy sea from there on to Anvil. Have your meal and coffee before the headland.

I really enjoy the beauty of the inshore passage here. Yes, the range times have to be worked around.

Chapmans Pool (or the entrance to it) as a place to pause has it’s uses in the right calm weather.
 
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