GEM43
Active member
I’ve done Portland Bill a few times. Now, sailing in Scottish waters, I’d say that I find the Mull of Kintyre more intimidating.
Portland Bill : personal experience
- Thread starter Bristolfashion
- Start date
oldmanofthehills
Well-known member
Having watched the Race from the cliffs near our Portland Cabin, I would never ever go anywhere near it in bad weather in a small boat, and the Shambles Bank is not much better. I have seen giant power boats hurled upwards in a slight chop, and seen monstrous churning seas in bad.
Having said that, on our only excursion past it westwards on a delivery run, it was a peice of cake inshore though the number of pots would have made a night passage unwise, and its not a place to get 'potted'. Close enough to throw stones at our old swimming spot very very close inshore by the blowhole, and see if my nephew was about on the cliff near the cafe (he wasnt)
Having said that, on our only excursion past it westwards on a delivery run, it was a peice of cake inshore though the number of pots would have made a night passage unwise, and its not a place to get 'potted'. Close enough to throw stones at our old swimming spot very very close inshore by the blowhole, and see if my nephew was about on the cliff near the cafe (he wasnt)
colhel
Well-known member
We're just down from you on the HM pontoons along with a couple of other forum members. There's a good live music scene in Weymouth and worth (IMHO) checking out some of the more traditional non yachty pubs like the Belvedere and the Boot just a stones throw from the harbour.Yes, but if you're a drunk idiot like me, Weymouth is GREAT!
Actually, we're in the Boatfolk marina after the bridge which is pretty peaceful - and the showers are dead posh.
We are experiencing Weymouth's height of culture & sophistication tonight - the Bee Gees experience at the Pavilion - it's the wife, honest!
wonkywinch
Well-known member
Chiara’s slave
Well-known member
The water seems a little ruffled there, I thought the inshore passage was calm?
oldmanofthehills
Well-known member
There used to be a sea stack about 20m tall some 20m off shore by the old lighthouse. My dad was staying in hut on a stormy night, and went to cliff edge first thing to see the waves, and the stack was no more just a tumble of blocks.
The bay to the West by the Cove Inn is called Deadmans Bay. However once long ago an embayed ship expecting to be wrecked was lifted by storm waves straight over the high shingle bank known Chesil Beach into the Fleet lagoon.
The bay to the West by the Cove Inn is called Deadmans Bay. However once long ago an embayed ship expecting to be wrecked was lifted by storm waves straight over the high shingle bank known Chesil Beach into the Fleet lagoon.
wonkywinch
Well-known member
A top tip for rounding the Bill close in is to keep the tip of the Cleopatra's Needle within the red band on the lighthouse then you know you're at the right sort of distance off.
oldmanofthehills
Well-known member
Set up that way for the boatmen laying crab pots in that safe spot originally under power of oars only. The quarry crane on the cliffs towards the lighthouse is to get boats into that stretch of water
colhel
Well-known member
If you get the opportunity it's worth a trip to the Portland NCI
NCI Portland Bill – QAVS | ……..eyes along the coast
NCI Portland Bill – QAVS | ……..eyes along the coast
andsarkit
Well-known member
Good advice.
The last four times it has been a flat calm so I'm probably jinxed for the next time.
I've found it can still be quite lumpy 5 miles off and recommend further off if not going inshore.
doris
Well-known member
Ammonite
Well-known member
Lots of pots on the east side when heading west at the end of July via the inshore route plus loads of pots in deeper water when turning west at Pulpit rock. Flat calm though. Opted to take the outside route on the way back as the previous days F7 SW had kicked up quite a swell and was surprised to discover loads of pots mid way in a direct line between Brixham and Portland. It struck me as a long way off (6 hour round trip) for the circa 35ft crabbing boat we followed out of Brixham that was picking them up.
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Skylark
Well-known member
August 2013. 2nd day after taking delivery of Skylark from the Hamble. Conditions were pretty benign. The scary stuff, waiting for us, was Jack Sound.
Daedelus
Well-known member
Went East to West and flat calm, what's the fuss about.
Returning West to East at different time of day and asked crew to try and steer straight, received abuse and "I would if I could", water was swirling something wicked for a few hundred yards but otherwise no worries.
Just to see it on a bad day I heard that the move the cruel sea had the storm scene on their return from Murmansk was shot off the Bill as being the only place it looked really rough. Frigate being tossed about a bit.
Once visited on land when blowing a bit and if I can dig out the photos I'll post them but there's a very definite demarcation of very rough water and less rough close inshore.
Returning West to East at different time of day and asked crew to try and steer straight, received abuse and "I would if I could", water was swirling something wicked for a few hundred yards but otherwise no worries.
Just to see it on a bad day I heard that the move the cruel sea had the storm scene on their return from Murmansk was shot off the Bill as being the only place it looked really rough. Frigate being tossed about a bit.
Once visited on land when blowing a bit and if I can dig out the photos I'll post them but there's a very definite demarcation of very rough water and less rough close inshore.
Habebty
Well-known member
This would be a good time to avoid the race! (Press watch on YouTube)
B27
Well-known member
First time I went around in a 22ft boat, my Dad thought I was bonkers, because he'd found it rough in an aircraft carrier.
colhel
Well-known member
@Bristolfashion pleasure to meet you both yesterday, have a safe and enjoyable onward journey. Atb Colin, Helen and Leo
wonkywinch
Well-known member
Same link as my post #64 above
stranded
Well-known member
I can wholeheartedly recommend Welcome | Catch at the Old Fish Market
C08
Well-known member
I have been round several times at the right state of tide and the lobster pots have always worried me as it would be grim to be tethered by the stern with the flow picking up. A couple of years ago I picked up a lobster pot around one of my rudders but managed to get it off without a problem, but still a few minutes worrying as the tidal window was closing. At that time there seemed to be a whole series of new looking blue lobster pot buoys, no marker dans. I have also used the outer 5 miles off pasage mostly when west to east as it is more difficult to get the timing right that way.
I think the tidal timing seems more consistent than St Audlems where I have had a real battering at the supposed correct time of tide for the inner passage.
I think the tidal timing seems more consistent than St Audlems where I have had a real battering at the supposed correct time of tide for the inner passage.