Rounding Portland

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WayneS

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The only time that I have rounded the old Bill was 7 miles off shore but over the next few weeks I will be looking to go the inshore route on passage from Weymouth to Salcombe.

All my research shows that I should look to pass the bill at around HW Dover.

Can anyove tell me how long I could expect to take from Weymouth to the end of the bill. Assume 5kn boatspeed.

Cheers

Wayne
 
The Pilots are very good in their description of timeto go round. One thing to be aware of though, is the approach direction. You MUST approach from either North West or North East. The first time I did it - (some one else was navigating) we approached directly from the East. We were sucked into the mailstrom - and boy - what a ride. - there was no wind but a spring tide. Great fun - but I wouldn't want to do it on purpose!!!!!
 
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We were sucked into the mailstrom - and boy - what a ride. - there was no wind but a spring tide. Great fun - but I wouldn't want to do it on purpose!!!!!
>
What happened? One of my books suggests that you will be "through in ten unforgettable minutes". This sounds like brown trousers time to me, and I'm planning on going round in a month's time in a motorboat.

Trying to work out at the moment where I am on the scale

Overcautious-Timid-Proper Planning-Faith in One's Abilities-Over Confident

:-)



Two beers please, my friend is paying.
 
About 90 minutes. Suggest that you look in the Weymouth Marina Office where the optimum times for the inshore route are given on the chart there.
 
Yes - it was ten minutes of an unforgetable ride! Hatches closed and harnesses on. One moment you were in a great hole, the next you were thrown skywords like an elevator! very exiting, but I wouldn't do it on purpose! Can't imagine what it would have been like if there had been any wind
 
All the nautical almanacs have tidal stream digrams for Portland Bill and it's easy to work out the best time from them. Weymouth Quay to The tip of the Bill is about 1 hr 30 min at 5 knots.

You must keep in very close, the old saying is you should be able to throw your hat onto the rocks, deep water right to the cliff edge. Main problem is 'Pots' there are loads of them.

If you are thinking of doing the same inshore passage on the way East, remember to aim at least 1 mile north of the point of the bill or you will get pushed out into the race. It's not so easy to get your timeing right from Torbay area so I often go straight through to Swanage/ Poole.

Just as an aside the race at Anvil Point is just as bad, but there is also an inshore passage.

The only way to go is by water
 
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