Plymouth to Poole route in a 26 foot yacht

[Dougy]

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.

Thread 'Portland Bill Rounding Tips'

14 Jul 2025

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.

• Daverw
• Replies: 64
• Forum: Yachting Monthly's Scuttlebutt

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.

After reading all the replies and hours looking at charts and you tube, I think this is my plan.
I may be solo which will mean a coast hugging trip back but still offshore around Portland. If I have crew it will be to Dartmouth/ Brixham then one long sail to studland, which would be preferable. I have made plans for numerous routes to meet all weather conditions and allowed for anything from a 3 day to a 7 day trip so After all the help from everyone I think I'm set to go as soon as we get a good weather window, I have even found an extra two weeks mooring if needed. I have put additives in the tank and it's full, the engines had a full service, I have plenty of spare parts, so I think I'm good. But After the reply about a jury rigged fuel tank!! That has got me thinking... that's a must. I never gave that a thought, what great idea. So that's my next search on you tube. Even the reply for the curry house!! Excellent.. fantastic response as ever...I will post what route we finally took and how long it all took. Aiming to set off last week in March to the 2nd week in April, that's the window I have. Tx all.

 

[doug748]

Good luck with your trip. If it's any consolation I know the boat and would be very, very surprised if you have any engine problems, you have a good buy there.

 

[mogmog2]

Didn't think of the wind direction being predominantly easterlies This is why I posted... Great advice and much to think on. Thank you all....

We bought our new boat from Plymouth to Littlehampton last October (similar to March) whilst a blocking high gave solid easterlies - often F5. This was a Fulmar and we motored the entire way. A bit slammy - as will your Griffon be, and we had to ease off sometimes.
We never contemplated doing it in one hit and did Plymouth to Dartmouth. D to Portland then Portland to Chi (anchored in Alum Bay for the tide) and that was a long day.
Our take was that if we could get to Weymouth & the weather worsened, the logistically hardest part of the trip was over and while we really didn't want to leave it somewhere, it would have easier to get it home from there.

 

[mogmog2]

We bought our new boat from Plymouth to Littlehampton last October (similar to March) whilst a blocking high gave solid easterlies - often F5. This was a Fulmar and we motored the entire way. A bit slammy - as will your Griffon be, and we had to ease off sometimes.
We never contemplated doing it in one hit and did Plymouth to Dartmouth. D to Portland then Portland to Chi (anchored in Alum Bay for the tide) and that was a long day.
Our take was that if we could get to Weymouth & the weather worsened, the logistically hardest part of the trip was over and while we really didn't want to leave it somewhere, it would have easier to get it home from there.

We've done Brixham to Portland and Portland to Poole in our Centaur and they're long days too, especially if the wind isn't playing ball. Our take is to give Portland a conservative wide berth as it doesn't matter all that much if you're going offshore towards the Needles, as you give Snorban's Head and Anvil Point a decent offing too, with all the shenanigans going on there. Or that could be a cop out