Portland Bill - First Time Advice

[Tim Good]

This weekend, providing the sea state is ok and the wind is not on the nose we plan to sail from Dartmouth to Weymouth. I plan to arrive the Bill via the off shore route at around 6pm (HW Dover -2ish Saturday 23rd March). From the tidal diagrams for Portland Bill this seems to be ok.

In terms of returning the following morning HW Dover is approx 9am. May I ask opinions of the best time to return. I'd hoped to depart to round the bill approx HW Dover -2 / -1 again but taking the inshore passage. That way getting a bit of a push out into Lyme Bay for the return crossing and arriving Dartmouth in good time.

Can I get some opinions on this please?

 

[VicS]

Read the pilotage notes in Reeds

West bound round the Bill on the first of the ebb so that you are carried well clear before the tide turns . If leaving from Weymouth then do so at Devonport +0400 (Portland +0300)

Inshore passage is ¼ to ½ miles off the Bill. No more! Beware of pots!

East bound aim for a point well north of the Bill itself to allow for the tidal eddy and round on the first of the flood. Devonport -0130 ( Portland -0230) if heading for Weymouth when there is a favorable stream up the Eastern side to carry you towards Weymouth.

Look also at the tidal stream altas for Portland so that you are aware of the eddies than form down tide of the bill.

Dont attempt the inshore passage if conditions are not suitable......... When they are suitable you will wonder what all the fuss is about.

 

[Tim Good]

East bound aim for a point well north of the Bill itself to allow for the tidal eddy and round on the first of the flood. Devonport -0130 ( Portland -0230) if heading for Weymouth

Many thanks for that. The Westbound is as I thought but Eastbound we can't make it for Portland -0230 (1430 Sat 23rd) because the sail makers don't open till 9am in Dartmouth. This is why I thought we'd take the offshore passage passing well East of Shambles go around about Portland +0100. (1800 Sat 23rd). Is there any issue with that or is the offshore route pretty much fine most of the time assuming a favourable tide direction.

 

[LadyInBed]

23 Mar the current starts it's E flow at 14:00 give or take 10 mins.
So you will be arriving at the Bill a tad or two late, try and get away a few hours earlier because if you are delayed or don't make the speed you expect you could end up at the Bill when the current turns West (at 20:00) so making the last bit of the trip very slow!
If you can get to PB at 14:00 then take the inshore passage, that will save you an hour or so.

Just seen the reason why you can't leave earlier, in which case have the day in Dartmouth and catch the next PB window at 02:30 - No, rubbish idea if it's your first trip round PB

 

[lw395]

What boat?
What wind is forecast?
If in doubt, I always like to consider cheating, so would it be possible to start from Brixham?
Also, I sometimes have flexible passage plans, which might mean having a decision point about inshore or offshore.
If things go well, nipping up the inside whie the tide is still good might be a betteridea than being 'prudent' and spending unnecessary time offshore in a building foul tide etc.
I commend Mr Fishwick's book.
I've not looked at your times or the tides.


Although I've sailed around the Bill a fair few times over the last 25 years, I'm happy to admit that the time before last we turned back.
Seastate was horrible by the time we were 2hrs out of Dartmouth, weather was not following forecast. Only me and SWMBO aboard.
The next day was much better.

 

[VicS]

Many thanks for that. The Westbound is as I thought but Eastbound we can't make it for Portland -0230 (1430 Sat 23rd) because the sail makers don't open till 9am in Dartmouth. This is why I thought we'd take the offshore passage passing well East of Shambles go around about Portland +0100. (1800 Sat 23rd). Is there any issue with that or is the offshore route pretty much fine most of the time assuming a favourable tide direction.

No problem with the offshore route Just adds an unnecessary 5 miles or so to the trip to Weymouth....... but if its sailing you are after then enjoy the extra hour or so.
It's the Moboers who don't enjoy being at sea and are desperate to reach their destinations in the shortest possible time.

You must still go with the tide even offshore though and if you are getting a bit late you will have to keep a bit to the East of Portland to avoid a contrary eddy that'll be trying to push you back south.

 

[TrailerSailer]

The weather does not look great for Saturday. F4 SE with 2.3m swell and potential for rain and mist. This link takes you to the Chesil wave buoy although with a SE it will be quite sheltered and you may want to pick up the Weymouth Bay buoy instead http://www.channelcoast.org/data_management/real_time_data/charts/?chart=68

That is all a bit of a shame as I plan to be out in the Bay on Saturday trying out my new main sail :-(

 

[Tim Good]

That is all a bit of a shame as I plan to be out in the Bay on Saturday trying out my new main sail :-(

Yeah its got a worse as the week has gone on and shifting more E. Looks like a small trip round to Brixham might be on the cards instead. I'll welcome a blow as I have new reefing points to test

 

[LadyInBed]

Yeah its got a worse as the week has gone on and shifting more E. Looks like a small trip round to Brixham might be on the cards instead. I'll welcome a blow as I have new reefing points to test

You will certainly test your new reefing points!
Windguru suggests NE 5-6 next week and with it coming up to springs it won't be a pleasant experience going round PB.
Brixham is more or less open to NE. Torquay is much better sheltered from a NE would be a wise choice.

 

[boatmike]

I agree with both of Vics posts having done it many times in both directions. Reiterating his points for the sake of emphasis, the INSHORE route is just that. No more than 1/2 mile off. Don't be afraid of being too close, the fishermen around there say if you can't chuck a housebrick ashore you are too far off! (which might be slightly OTT in reality) OFFSHORE means at least 7 miles out where the tidal streams timing is not so critical and passage either east or west can be made at any state of the tide in a pinch but it is still of course advantageous to plan your trip to take advantage of fair tides.

 

[jwilson]

I agree with both of Vics posts having done it many times in both directions. Reiterating his points for the sake of emphasis, the INSHORE route is just that. No more than 1/2 mile off. Don't be afraid of being too close, the fishermen around there say if you can't chuck a housebrick ashore you are too far off! (which might be slightly OTT in reality) OFFSHORE means at least 7 miles out where the tidal streams timing is not so critical and passage either east or west can be made at any state of the tide in a pinch but it is still of course advantageous to plan your trip to take advantage of fair tides.

Have been round PB inshore a few times an hour or two outside the "ideal" window, and although I've battened down hatches and done oilies/harnesses etc never had anything too bad, though it's obvious how much flatter (sometimes though with some standing waves) close in is to a bit further out, where you see the breakers.
Close in is right - 50-100 yards seems about right, but watch out like a hawk for lobster pot buoys half-submerged.

 

[oldbilbo]

'Google is your friend' - and so is the NCI. A phone call asking the Duty Officer what sea conditions are actually like before you get anywhere near Portland Bill - or any of the other big headlands they have resources on - is likely to save you a lot of bovver.