Quick S Coast question

[Marmalade]

Leaving Portland harbour bound west - what's the ideal time to depart pls?
Should I stay inshore and go inside the race or head slightly south and east and go outside?
Just after a little local knowledge for an East Coaster
If on passage I'd stay well outside but being in the harbour throws up a different situation!

 

[Concerto]

Every time I have passed Portland, I always pass as close to the rocks as I can get. Great view of the rocks as they slip by and little rough water.

 

[LiftyK]

From the almanac: Going west, round the Bill between 1 hour before and 2 hours after HW Dover.

I did exactly this a few weeks ago, choosing to round the Bill (in the non-restaurant sense) at the start of the window to get slack water.

As already advised, when you get near the lighthouse and the Bill, do hug the shore. I went around in about 6M of water. Fuss free and no drama.

Usual advice is to continue close to the shore and up the other side until level with Pulpit Rock in the west side then bear away towards your destination. It takes just a few more minutes to do this.

The few pots are well marked. I’ve only ever used the inshore passage and in settled weather.

 

[DJE]

"Inshore Along the Dorsrt Coast" by Peter Bruce is worth a look.

 

[Tranona]

If you are not already in Portland then Lulworth is a good overnight in fine weather then a good starting point for using the inshore passage. Obviously takes a bit longer to get to the point on Portland at the time suggested in the Almanac for picking up the tide but is a bit more scenic.

 

[johnalison]

I have never done anything more sophisticated than plan on the basis of the tidal charts in Reed’s. It is quite easy to see when the currents change and a comfortably close distance to the shore has always been satisfactory.