Single handed Lyme Bay crossing

[lw395]

When heading East I generally plan to take the adverse tide in Lyme bay where it is weaker and then pick up a favourable tide near the bill

That's what I do, particularly as I normally go direct from Dartmouth to Yarmouth.
If aiming for Weymouth, then timing is everything. Mr Fishwick will explain more clearly than I can now.

 

[oldmanofthehills]

Fishing boats already have a mandatory system, not AIS as far as I'm aware, which allows the authorities to check their positions & where fishing according to their licenses, so would assume their rivals might also use it

Only vessels over 12m need to have VMS and even over 12m they only need to report every 2 hours - you can catch a lot of fish in 2 hours in someione elses patch and anyway lots of coastal boats are under 12m

 

[Seajet]

When heading East I generally plan to take the adverse tide in Lyme bay where it is weaker and then pick up a favourable tide near the bill

+1. same here.

 

[SimonFa]

To state the bleedin obvious, I'd make sure you've got a decent weather window. With your speed you are going to have to carry the tide as far as possible and going west you'll not make any headway if you decide to turn back.

Wise words. I had checked a number of sites before setting off from Salcombe to Weymouth, the long way round because it was springs. I got about 1/3 of the way across the bay when the weather started to close in. By half way visibility was down to between 100m to 250m with a fine drizzle. It was a miserable and scary journey until I got about 5 miles off Portland when it started to clear.

I learned a valuable lesson, similar to the old reefing adage about if you think you need to reef, it’s too late. I did wonder when it first started o close in if I should have headed for Brixham or Torquay, by the time I wished I had it was far too late to turn back.

 

[PhillM]

Thanks everyone, lots to take in here. I will be starting my planning this weekend, I know my boat pretty well and can usually manage all the sailing tasks alone, even if the tiller pilot packs in.

I quite like single handed sailing and I am comfortable with being self sufficient. I refitted my boat, so I do know how everything works (and what currently needs fixing!). Note to self to re-wire the power to the depth and log and fix the stern light!

I shall be reading My Fishwok's excellent book too. Tidal and weather planning, an absolute must. Re the cruise in company, one of the things I like is that there will be a bunch of experienced skippers to sanity check my plans and I am sure they will keep an eye out for me en-route. even if they don't see me, at least somebody will know if I fail to turn up where and when I should.

I think I may skip the cross channel return, as that does sound a push too far.

I am sure I shall have plenty of more specific questions over the next few weeks - for me this IS an adventure. Meantime, thanks everyone.

 

[Greenheart]

My Fishwok

Good heavens! Isn't using a wok rather warm work in a little cabin?

 

[Seajet]

Do like the only funny thing in Mr Bean, take the fish in your jacket pocket to the shop and use it as a guage as to the size of wok.