Portland Bill Rounding Tips

[Daverw]

We are in the middle of our Summer trip to Scilly Isles, currently in Weymouth harbour waiting for this next wind to blow through. Hope for Thursday or Friday to leave and head west again. Looking for local advice from rounding Portland Bill and suggested timings.

 

[Tranona]

Long thread here forums.ybw.com/threads/portland-bill-outer-route.618071/ covers just about everything. Friday probably better day. Just follow the pilot book instructions to pick up the south flowing stream just south of Portland harbour and enjoy the ride around the inshore passage. When you pop out of the other side you will wonder what all the fuss was about. Don't forget the photos showing the 2 lighthouses.

 

[Malish]

in deference to our sponsors:
How to handle rounding Portland Bill: inshore of offshore? - Yachting Monthly

 

[Robin]

my choice was either 4 mls offshore from Poole or Studland or ultra close inside if from wrymouth area but avoid the divers and dive boat escorts trying to drive you into the rough stuff who want the slack water to themselves.

 

[dansaskip]

Timing is everything for this. Best advice is to study the tidal flow diagrams so you pick up a favourable tidal flow south from Weymouth and arrive off Portland at slack.

 

[colhel]

You can catch a bus from the King Statue (k6) to Portland "Portland Cruiser" which I think is open top. Portland Bill is in my view a beautiful place to visit, you can visit the Portland NCI and see the tides and passage first hand. Bus prices are capped at £3

 

[wonkywinch]

I'm surprised there isn't a lock to go through from inside Portland. That would be handy!

 

[Daedelus]

Took this on a fairly blowy day from Portland Bill. The yacht is quite a large one 40ft minimum I thought and he was having a very rough ride. Main reefed, and under engine. Had he come inshore a bit he would have been out of the breaking waves and would have had an easier time of it.

 

[Lucky Duck]

I'm surprised there isn't a lock to go through from inside Portland. That would be handy!

That thought occurred to me also, especially when the dry sailing ‘boat rack’ at Portland Marina can be seen some miles seawards of Chesil Beach

 

[Sticky Fingers]

I'm surprised there isn't a lock to go through from inside Portland. That would be handy!

Interesting idea, are you thinking here:

 

[Tranona]

A re-reading of Moonfleet by J Meade Falkner will find the flooding of what is now the causeway was a common occurrence in the C18th and Portland was a cut off island.

 

[Sticky Fingers]

Wow, yes Moonfleet. Read as a child. Need to revisit it.

 

[MontyMariner]

Had he come inshore a bit he would have been out of the breaking waves and would have had an easier time of it.

Yes, far to far out.

 

[MontyMariner]

Looking for local advice from rounding Portland Bill and suggested timings.

INSHORE OF PORTLAND RACE : Monty Mariner
Plus
NP257 Portland Bill : Monty Mariner
NP263 Lyme Bay : Monty Mariner
NP254 Falmouth - Exmouth : Monty Mariner
NP255 Lands End : Monty Mariner

 

[Sticky Fingers]

INSHORE OF PORTLAND RACE : Monty Mariner

I read and referred to this when transiting the Bill for the first time a few months ago, thanks for taking the time to produce it! Eastbound in a planing motor boat. Inshore route, totally harmless

 

[wonkywinch]

I've done the imshore passage about 5-6 times using Monty's guidance. The odd thing is that there is normally a gaggle of boats doing the same thing but as I checked the AIS whilst eating breakfast, about half a dozen boats went round at HW DVR - 2 hours.

I checked I hadn't mucked up my calcs but all was good. I crossed Lyme Bay watching the cluster 1.5 to 2 hrs ahead of me heading to Brixham & Dartmouth and wondered about their decision.

 

[Chi34]

The above advice is sound, but in a modern cruiser with a reliable engine, and fine weather, you can round the Bill at other times.
For instance, taking the last of the ebb westwards and a foul tide in the bay can give you a fair tide approaching Start Point.
Nowadays, I prefer a slightly longer trip to avoid night sailing.
Many preferences and factors to consider and balance.

 

[Pye_End]

First couple of times round I double checked timings with Weymouth Harbour Master, who gave a knowledgable and speedy answer.

 

[Lucky Duck]

The above advice is sound, but in a modern cruiser with a reliable engine, and fine weather, you can round the Bill at other times.
For instance, taking the last of the ebb westwards and a foul tide in the bay can give you a fair tide approaching Start Point.
Nowadays, I prefer a slightly longer trip to avoid night sailing.
Many preferences and factors to consider and balance.

Indeed, if one can do 6 or 7 knots then the calculus on temporarily punching a 3 knot adverse tide is very different then when 4 or perhaps 5 knots was the norm

 

[Seven Spades]

If you are leaving Weymouth set off about an hour before slack and by the time you get to the Bill you will wonder what all the fuss is about. You will know you have left at the right time as you will be joined by other boats and by boats from Portland. If you are on your own chances are you have left at the wrong time.