Poole to Torquay

[rich2925]

Hi

We are looking to make our first decent trip (for us) later in May Poole to Torquay,

I am trying to calculate the time of the trip, I can try to calculate it on the Map but wondered what time people who have made this journey actually think.

We will aim to cruise at 22-25 knots but using some online tools it quotes 4.5 hrs which seems a lot but may measure the coastline rather than the actual route.

I apologise if this seems to be something I could easily calculate but experience seems to be the best source of information.

Thanks

 

[burgundyben]

At 25 knots, I would think 3 hours. Assuming inshore at St Albans and at the Bill.

A good hour to the Bill.

Short two hours across the bay.

Why Torbay? Brixham and Dartmouth both nicer.

 

[petem]

Rich, I use Google Maps (Right Click to measure distance). Looks to be around 80 miles (70 nautical miles) so feels more like 3 to 3.5 hours to me. Quicker / slower depending on tide.

 

[Andy Bav]

We did it as the second leg of our delivery trip so clean bottom and new props etc,,, . We went 10 miles off Portland, cruised at similar speeds to you and did it in around 3 and a half hours, flat calm all the way....

 

[rich2925]

At 25 knots, I would think 3 hours. Assuming inshore at St Albans and at the Bill.

A good hour to the Bill.

Short two hours across the bay.

Why Torbay? Brixham and Dartmouth both nicer.

Brixham Next time and maybe Dartmouth, Torquay as we have friends who will be there and also we have not been before (by Boat)

 

[rich2925]

Thanks, I will assume 3 1/2 hours, we have all day but with a few Children always good to plan.

 

[wonky]

Have done it a couple of times and as others have said 3.5 hours BUT that’s with good weather! Dartmouth is a must, make time if you can.

 

[Andy Bav]

Thanks, I will assume 3 1/2 hours, we have all day but with a few Children always good to plan.

Before we did it there was a debate regarding Portland , we opted for 10 miles off, which was quite nice as for about an hour (maybe longer) we were out of sight of land - a first for us... But my "children" were 16, 20 and 23 at the time... And the eldest was the skipper

Some lovely places to cruise down that way. Enjoy

 

[sprocker]

I brought my last boat back from Hamble to Torquay, we did it in two stages and stayed overnight in Portland, next day once round The Bill (Inside route) we had it flat calm straight across Lyme Bay, it took us just short of 2 hours at around 22 knots.
It is rather boring going straight across though, when we do the same trip later this year I will take the scenic route closer in so we can at least admire the coastline.

I also agree with other comments about Dartmouth, it really is a must, 30 minutes from Torquay it is our favourite place on that coastline.

 

[gjgm]

Its about 70 ish miles isn't it? If you assume good sea and you do manage 20 plus knots then 3 to 3.5 hrs.
No need to be near Portland Bill..just head straight for Torquay. Just remember the Lulworth ranges as the safety boat seems to stop you even if you are clearly going to be well outside tbe ranges!
If you are flexible on times then choose an easy crossing going west across Lyme Bay..it isn't going to be 3 hours if you are slogging into head seas all the way. It isn't going to be a pleasant trip either.
However if it is dead calm and you have time then do take the longer inside route all along the coast..it is worth doing once and is alot less dull than saving 30 mins and crossing 20 miles out.

 

[alant]

Before we did it there was a debate regarding Portland , we opted for 10 miles off, which was quite nice as for about an hour (maybe longer) we were out of sight of land - a first for us... But my "children" were 16, 20 and 23 at the time... And the eldest was the skipper

Some lovely places to cruise down that way. Enjoy

Put the Shambles Cardinal buoys in as a waypoint & you should be far enough off.

 

[enimsti]

Hi Rich

We have done the trip a couple of times and I would say you need to allow 5 hours. Pick a calm day as Lyme Bay can be rough and daunting. At 22-23 knots to cross Lyme Bay is 3 hours. There is an inner channel you can take but we have always taken an outer direct route as it can be close to the shore. Portland Bill can be choppy with the cross current so plot a course around the cross tide.