Portland Bill outer route

[ithet]

And personally, I find St Alban's more of an issue than Portland inner passage in the weather I sail in. Always find some rough water there even when well out.

 

[[70521]]

Having visited Portland Marina for the first time in a few years last week there are a significant number of very, very poorly marked pots. Blue or black would not be my first colour of choice! Thankfully it was a daylight entry and exit.

 

[wonkywinch]

Heading towards the Bill getting the needle up into the red band.

 

[paulbrown22]

I've always done the inner passage if coming from Weymouth/Portland, and only used the outer when doing long passages from the Solent straight down to e.g. Falmouth. Unless the weather is absolutely dreadful (in which case you might not want to use the outer passage either!), I'd look at using the inner one - not as scary as it first sounds!

 

[andsarkit]

Last time round in very light conditions. I have had a much worse time 6 miles out in lumpy conditions.

Perfectly lined up as in wonkywinch above

 

[Lucky Duck]

Being somewhat of a coward about these things, if it is too rough for the inshore passage then I wouldn’t want to commit myself to 40 miles of something similar

 

[SimonD]

Being somewhat of a coward about these things, if it is too rough for the inshore passage then I wouldn’t want to do it myself to 40 miles of something similar

Sound advice. At the right time and in reasonable weather, the inshore passage is not rough. If it is, turn back safe in the knowledge that offshore will be worse. Assuming conditions are right just keep a good eye out for pot bouys and make sure you are properly round before turning west. That means folklowing the coastline until past pulpit rock. The tide on the west side of the Bill sets south most of the time!

 

[steveeasy]

First time I went west from Weymouth I took Toms advice 20 mins before slack water and your be fine.
On leaving Weymouth I wondered why no other boats were following us round. We were swept out a good 5 miles by the tide. He forgot to mention HW Dover. Still makes me Chuckle. The tide runs fast in the opposite direction to travel

Steveeasy

 

[Dockhead]

Agree that in good weather (which is what you want for any passage past the Bill) starting from Portland there is nothing scary about the inshore passage. Just follow the pilot book guidelines on timing and waypoints and enjoy waving at the spectators on the rocks as you whoosh past.

I agree with this. The first time around the inner passage around the Bill was terrifying, I admit, but it's not actually as narrow as it looks on the chart. There are some weather conditions you wouldn't do it in (stronger onshore wind), but it's a piece of cake once you've done it a few times. As long as the weather is reasonable, I wouldn't do it offshore.

 

[Sticky Fingers]

Transited the inner passage yesterday with @rafiki_ in his new boat, on passage Dartmouth - Portsmouth. About 150 yards off at a guess. Completely comfortable, we had about an F4 Easterly with 1-2kts of E-going tide.

 

[Sticky Fingers]

 

[Chiara’s slave]

We get roght in next to the blue bit, the proverbial biscuit toss off the rocks, if there’s no onshore element to the wind. Particularly westbound.

 

[Sticky Fingers]

Skipper was comfortable with needing a catapult for the biscuit.

 

[DJE]

For a bit of reassurance you can always call NCI Portland (07:00 to 19:00) on vhf ch65 or by phone to check conditions at The Bill.

 

[chriscallender]

Thanks everyone. Am somewhat overwhelmed by the speed and thoughtfulness of the replies!

We are in a 37ft sailing yacht. A 5kt average is probably about right. She is a sound vessel. Going round from Studland is an option, although I noticed that starting from Portland did shave some miles off on paper. I will reconsider the inland route also. Was somewhat put off by some of the accounts I read about it, but I heed your advice.

You'd need to be pretty careful about planning/timing anyway to manage to take the offshore route leaving from Portland/Weymouth to avoid either being set into the race or pushed back East as you head your 5 miles offshore. I've done it a couple of times in a 28 foot boat, once inshore from Weymouth, once offshore from Poole, both times the weather was settled. Inshore was pretty easy, actually there were even guys fishing close in from small undecked boats and they weren't at any risk of sinking (and didn't feel the need for lifejackets either ) although that wouldn't be my choice for an afternoon out. Which reminds me, there were a bunch of lobster pots, that's probably the biggest hazzard inshore on a nice day in summer with proper timing and being in the right place. It was a while ago so things may have changed with the lobster pots but I doubt it.

 

[Chiara’s slave]

Pretty sure thats a lobster pot in the photo just up there. Make that 2 in fact.

 

[Laysula]

Print off a copy of the marina plan from MDL Brixhams website so you Know exatly where your going when you arrive. Call in as you approach, as Skylark says, the lads are extremely helpful if you ask.
As you approach/enter Torbay watch out for bouys around The orestone, Flat rock and Thatchers rock. After that there is a largish mussel farm you need to keep east of and as you approach Brixham there a number of racing marks to avoid.
Sounds terrible but it's not. Have a great trip.

 

[ashtead]

We are not much longer than you at12.8m and have easily reached Brixham in daylight on a number of occasions from Portland inshore channel - marina staff are very helpful although shoreside facilities rather tired but do check re space ie available visitor berths . I’m told Brixham marina can get rather rock and rolly if wind in wrong quarter so maybe a consideration but don’t be tempted into Torquay if you can avoid it . I tend to think if I cannot use inshore channel due to conditions not certain I want to be traversing Lyme bay though but clearly this depends on crew etc expectations.

 

[wonkywinch]

For a bit of reassurance you can always call NCI Portland (07:00 to 19:00) on vhf ch65 or by phone to check conditions at The Bill.

I've done that but they told me they couldn't see the inner passage from their hut up on the hill.

Timing is everything ..

 

[Sticky Fingers]

Wow, that’s pretty grim dangerous. I don’t think I’d be out.