Poole Harbour entrance tidal stream

[bluemoongaffer]

Hi

Doing some planning for next weekend and I'm trying to get my head around the tide times / streams at Poole Harbour entrance. Reeds etc are on the boat so not much help from there...

I looked up the tides though for next Saturday:
LW: 05:57 0.7m
HW: 10:48 2.3m
LW: 13:41 1.7m
HW: 15:09 1.9m
LW: 18:14 0.7m
(corrected for BST)

My question is: during the time between HW at 10:48 and HW at 15:09 (double high water), do the tidal flows at the entrance correlate with these times? (ie out for 3 hours until 13:41, then in for 2 1/2 hours until 15:09).

Plus what is the rate like - I assume high on the ebb but not so fast on the flood?

Having written this out, it seems a bit of a daft question, but better to get a bit of ridicule from you lot than be trying to motor in against the ebb.

Thanks in advance
Paul

 

[Boathook]

Hi

Doing some planning for next weekend and I'm trying to get my head around the tide times / streams at Poole Harbour entrance. Reeds etc are on the boat so not much help from there...

I looked up the tides though for next Saturday:
LW: 05:57 0.7m
HW: 10:48 2.3m
LW: 13:41 1.7m
HW: 15:09 1.9m
LW: 18:14 0.7m
(corrected for BST) .....

Thanks in advance
Paul

Sailing out of Christchurch the HW/LW times seem incorrect. LW is around 0535 and 1815 hrs approx. Double HW is around 1100 and 1415 hrs. As it is springs the tide will ebb after the first high and then possibly flood in a bit as 2nd high is approached. There are back eddys if you keep close in but it has never stopped me from motoring or sailing in. The ferry has right of way so be prepared for it to see a gap and change sides! Before it moves a light flashes and a ball is hoisted.

 

[Dipper]

Have a look at EasyTide to get an idea of the rate.

As mentioned, the chain ferry is the main difficulty when the flow is strong because it is fixed to the land and not the water!

 

[Robin]

Hi

Doing some planning for next weekend and I'm trying to get my head around the tide times / streams at Poole Harbour entrance. Reeds etc are on the boat so not much help from there...

I looked up the tides though for next Saturday:
LW: 05:57 0.7m
HW: 10:48 2.3m
LW: 13:41 1.7m
HW: 15:09 1.9m
LW: 18:14 0.7m
(corrected for BST)

My question is: during the time between HW at 10:48 and HW at 15:09 (double high water), do the tidal flows at the entrance correlate with these times? (ie out for 3 hours until 13:41, then in for 2 1/2 hours until 15:09).

Plus what is the rate like - I assume high on the ebb but not so fast on the flood?

Having written this out, it seems a bit of a daft question, but better to get a bit of ridicule from you lot than be trying to motor in against the ebb.

Thanks in advance
Paul

The times to avoid going in if possible are when the tide has started to run out after second HW down to LW, the rate in the entrance can be as much as 5kts on big springs, less in the approach channel (Swash). If going in against the ebb, hug the west side between the main port hand buoys and the secondary port hand stakes marking the Training Bank (it isn't learning nor does it teach, it directs the flow..) until you get off the inner end then keep closer to the main channel marks as it shallows off Shell Bay beach. Against the ebb is real fun from the ferry to where the channel splits to go along the sandbanks shore or up the middle of the harbour. Between high waters is no real problem. The flood tide is almost as strong as the ebb so better to avoid trying to fight it if you can. Wind against tide can make the Swash lumpy and seriously knock speed off in stronger conditions.

Watch out for the chain ferry, it has right of way these days anyway, not that it ever bothered about that before.

It is perfectly possible to fight your way in and out if your boat can make 6kts or more, even in a sloppy sea, but it will certainly be very frustrating!

 

[Tranona]

Just to add a bit to Robin's explanation, the strongest streams are about 2 hours either side of low water on springs as it is next weekend. Southerly winds can make the entrance very popply with a strong ebb and quite challenging waves in the first narrow part of the Swash.

Ideal if coming from the Solent is to arrive in the Fairway around low water to catch the first of the flood through the entrance. Any earlier and it can be hard work. Alternatively come in through East Looe, again at the start of the flood, although a bit shallow which might frighten those not familiar with the area.

 

[Robin]

Yes, as Tranona says if coming from the Solent it is relatively easy to time arrival to suit. There are two options. 1) if you are quick enough or push a bit of tide out from say Lymington to Hurst and can make Poole by 2nd HW that is good or 2) As Tranona says arrive at Poole Bar, entrance to Swash, around LW.

Otherwise if the wind is anything west, another option is to take a breather and anchor in Studland until the tide is favourable.

 

[bluemoongaffer]

Thanks for the advice