Tranona
Well-Known Member
I agree after 30 years sailing a boat like that where using tide was critical. Quite liberating now having a boat with substantially better performance where gains from the tide are more of a bonus than an essential.
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Portsmouth to Weymouth tide timing
- Thread starter Cactus Sailing
- Start date
I agree after 30 years sailing a boat like that where using tide was critical. Quite liberating now having a boat with substantially better performance where gains from the tide are more of a bonus than an essential.
richardbrennan
Well-Known Member
Some interesting comments in this thread, but I think everybody is essentially saying the same thing. I mark my tidal atlas pages from -30 minutes to +30 minutes so leaving at HW -2 would actually be leaving at a spot time of HW -2 1/2. Add 30 minutes to get off the mooring and out of the harbour entrance and this would mean a departure at a spot time of HW -3, earlier if you're in Port Solent rather than Haslar or the Premier Marina . There seems to a a consensus that this would be the optimum time if one wants to make Weymouth in one tide. Also there would appear to be agreement that St Albans Head needs a great deal of respect depending on conditions. if you are going to have a beat, I think it unlikely that it's possible in one tide in a 30 foot boat and you will need an intermediate stop.
lw395
Well-Known Member
My comment about bilge keelers was not meant to be derisory, more based on having had a couple of pleasant sails on one recently which would have been frustrating if we had not considered the tides.
I sailed to Weymouth several times when I had an Impala, it's very possible to get there in one go upwind sail, it's a lot less work if you get the right side of the wind changing through the day.
Once you are past Christchurch the tide is a lot weaker apart from St Aldhelms.
OK, the Impala was a good boat on the beat, but not a pleasant thing to do much motoring in.
St Albans AKA St Aldhelms does need a little respect in a breeze, I've been there and found waves so big you lose all power in the troughs and have to put the engine on.
Other times in very light air, the sea is a mirror up to a line where it sort of boils as the stream hits the seabed ledge. IMHO worth being there on a nice day.
In up to F5, it's probably not trying to kill you, but can spill the tea.
Spare a thought for the return journey, if you try to keep inshore avoiding the W tide, you can be looking at Bournemouth for far longer than I'd choose.
but the old cliche of 'I wouldn't start from here' is completely valid in this case, if you can get to Yarmouth or Cowes on Friday eve, Weymouth is suddenly a lot nearer.
I sailed to Weymouth several times when I had an Impala, it's very possible to get there in one go upwind sail, it's a lot less work if you get the right side of the wind changing through the day.
Once you are past Christchurch the tide is a lot weaker apart from St Aldhelms.
OK, the Impala was a good boat on the beat, but not a pleasant thing to do much motoring in.
St Albans AKA St Aldhelms does need a little respect in a breeze, I've been there and found waves so big you lose all power in the troughs and have to put the engine on.
Other times in very light air, the sea is a mirror up to a line where it sort of boils as the stream hits the seabed ledge. IMHO worth being there on a nice day.
In up to F5, it's probably not trying to kill you, but can spill the tea.
Spare a thought for the return journey, if you try to keep inshore avoiding the W tide, you can be looking at Bournemouth for far longer than I'd choose.
but the old cliche of 'I wouldn't start from here' is completely valid in this case, if you can get to Yarmouth or Cowes on Friday eve, Weymouth is suddenly a lot nearer.
Tranona
Well-Known Member
but the old cliche of 'I wouldn't start from here' is completely valid in this case, if you can get to Yarmouth or Cowes on Friday eve, Weymouth is suddenly a lot nearer.
Even better tucked in behind Hurst and set off just before the tide changes westwards. you may well also start with a clearer head having not been tempted by the fleshpots of Yarmouth the night before!