Poole to Weymouth, neaps. Inshore or offshore?

Sticky Fingers

Sticky Fingers

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Planning my first passage in our 40' sports cruiser from Poole toward Weymouth, will be neaps on the intended day in question. The streams around St Albans's Head are slack at about 09:00 or 17:00.

My question for people who've done this trip in a planing mobo, is whether the inshore route at neaps around St Alban's Head is viable at times between between these slacks, or whether I should look at going offshore to avoid overfalls / standing waves, and in which case, by how far.
 
Unless there is a big swell running with wind over tide its not to bad close in and you can see the line of waves so just slow down a bit , look out for pots and don't be drinking a cup of tea ?. Will the firing range be live when you're planning to go because that's a pain if it is.
 
andy59 said:
Unless there is a big swell running with wind over tide its not to bad close in and you can see the line of waves so just slow down a bit , look out for pots and don't be drinking a cup of tea ?. Will the firing range be live when you're planning to go because that's a pain if it is.
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Thanks, sounds alright.
I've got the range on my list of "to do". It's midweek so certainly a possibility.
 
Go right out. The chart and pilot book show the edge of the shoal. The inside passage is fun and great if you want to view the coast close up or pop into Chapmans Pool but really no saving for a passage to Weymouth.
 
I would go with the above advice and go offshore. I have only done it once Solent down to Dartmouth, lots of dolphins and sea like a millpond. Hopefully you will get the same !
 
The transit has always been fine in my 27’ / 9hp boat, during both neaps and springs, so long as there is not a howling wind against tide. I confess my boat does have a mast but I have on occasion used motor only so hope not to be thrown out of this forum. There can sometimes be overfalls at the east end around Peveril but the bouncing doesn’t last too long and would not put me off. At the west end of the inshore passage there are nearly always scary looking overfalls. But stay in close, really close, it’s quite safe, and all will be fine, at least at low speed. After three or four modest ups and downs you’ll be through and in calm water again.
 
We done that trip a month ago and were in Weymouth for a week. going west 3 hours into the spring ebb with F3 NW wind we went straight across the over falls with no issues. Coming back a week later on the flood tide 2 hours after HW Weymouth F4 SE wind, we took the inside passage and it was a bit lumpy on the eastern side of St Albans head. We are a 10mt Mobo so you should have no problems
 
I have rounded St Albans head many times in my sailing boat and tide is of the essence, both for speed and comfort.
I brought my new to me 25 foot motor boat back from Cowes to Weymouth in January. It was a nearly windless, and sunny day we hit the inside passage at about 3 hours after high water and it was bumpy, but it only lasts for about 5/6 minutes so nothing to worry about.
Waste of time really, going inside, the range was firing and we were sent 4 miles out.
 
There is an NCI station at St Albans who are happy to relay conditions St Alban's Head - QAVS | National Coastwatch Institution

Personally (and I seem to be in the minority and to be fair I've only done this trip a handful of times) I'd take the inside passage and if they're firing prepare to make a course for Portland and then turn in when past Lulworth, be a shame IMHO to miss out on scenic coastline.There's a useful bouy of Peverril which if kept to your Starboard will keep you off the chop.
 
That's also shown in the Reeds almanac, it's pretty clear that starting the inshore route when there's firing in progress will push you through the St Albans overfalls to avoid the Inner range; and also put you between the Inner firing range and some of the DZ target buoys :( DZB and DZC which are in the Outer range.

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colhel said:
There is an NCI station at St Albans who are happy to relay conditions St Alban's Head - QAVS | National Coastwatch Institution

Personally (and I seem to be in the minority and to be fair I've only done this trip a handful of times) I'd take the inside passage and if they're firing prepare to make a course for Portland and then turn in when past Lulworth, be a shame IMHO to miss out on scenic coastline.There's a useful bouy of Peverril which if kept to your Starboard will keep you off the chop.
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Don't even think of going inside as in inshore of peveril buoy it marks a rocky ledge and could spoil your day bigtime.
 
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