Portland Bill - from the West

[Tintin282]

I'm planning to go from the West Country to Weymouth this weekend and need some advice on the times to go round the bill. I would read my pilot - but left it in the West Country with the boat (Duh!). I recall that it is HW Dover + 5.30 as the ideal time - but would like to know a bit more. Can i go any earlier / later?

I did the inshore route on the way down ok, so plan to use it on return.

Thanks
Matthew

 

[ChrisE]

The low water slacks, ie immediately before the east going stream are at:

Sat 18th 7:30, 19:30
Sun 19th 8:30, 20:30

all times BST

 

[VicS]

Rounding the Bill from the west and heading for Weymouth:-
" aim for a point well N of the Bill itself, to allow for the tide. It is ideal to round the Bill about HW Devonport - 0130 (HW Portland - 0230) when there will be a favourable tide up the east side of Portland, taking the boat away from the race."

I make that HW Dover + 0515 so more or less what you said

The east going tide off the Bill starts at HW D'port - 0200. There is an eddy with a south going stream down the west side for about 2 hours before that and by then the spring rate is 2.9. hece the advice to aim for a point well north of the Bill

From about HW Devonport an eddy begins on the east side of the Bill with a south going stream upto a spring rate of 2.0 hence the advice to get through very soon after the tide turns in your favour in order to avoid this and carry a favourable tide until clear of the area affected by the eddy if heading for Weymouth

If the weather is favourable and you can get there early it is possible to anchor up close to the eastern end of Chesil beach. We did it once for 4 or 5 hours having just missed the tide to round the Bill.

 

[Anonymous]

If this is only your second time round, do watch out for pots if you are motoring. Sometimes they are held underwater by the current /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

 

[Tintin282]

Thanks for that - most helpful, and I will look at the option of arriving early and anchoring up. Weather prediction for the weekend makes it look possible.

Cheers
Matthew