Solent Exit - East or West

[davel]

I'm planning my second channel crossing for this Friday, departing Hamble and bound for Cherbourg. My last exit of the Solent (and the seemingly prefered route) was westbound past the Needles.
I know this is the shorter route, but the tides on Friday suggest a more civilised departure time via the eastern exit and past Bembridge. Does anyone have any comments on this? The western route seems to be so much more popular that I'm wondering if I'm missing a trick !

 

[andy_wilson]

You have answered your own question I feel.

Why bash the current in a narrow channel when it can help you out the other way. The difference in distance across The Channel is insignificant in terms of the extra hours you will save.

More important is which side of The Solent to use in heavier weather.

Yachts (and lives) have been lost in The Needles channel in heavy weather, 'specially wind over ebb. The Eastern approach is much preferable if you find yourself arriving home in a blow.

 

[andrewhopkins]

why people choose the needles

Its mostly down to the fact the "generally" the winds are SW in summer (although i'd like to see the average this summer!!) and consequently, heading from the needles to Cherbourg give you a heading of 180 and a nice reach.

Heading from the East would make the course more like 200 and more of a beat.

However, as Andy says, the tide is most imporant so choose the easies way out of blighty. Sometimes you might find it easiest to leave via east but come back via west (or vica versa)

 

[Laurence]

The only time the Needles exit is the "better" of the two is when the wind is SW ie our prevailing wind. Laying a course for Cherbourg or St Vaast is then a little easier (about 25 degrees easier to be precise).

Leaving via Bembridge at the start of the ebb tide or via Needles at the start of the flood will give you the benefit of a current with quite a bit of South in it.

I will also be setting off for France from Hamble this wekend but leaving after work on Friday so I'll take the last couple of hours of ebb down to the Needles to be there in time for the turn of the tide and a beautiful clear night sail (with sadly almost no wind) to arrive Cherbourg on Saturday morning.

 

[robp]

Unless you want to arrive Cherbourg late evening, it looks though you would be best leaving Hamble at 05.00 or 06.00 (or earlier) and going West. Otherwise going to Bembridge, you'll be plugging the tide if it's before about 08.30.

See you there!

 

[ChrisJ]

So what will the weather be this weekend in the Solent area?
The forecasts seem to suggest dry, hot (25 degrees) and sunny all weekend - but as its a Bank Holiday that can't be about to happen.
Maybe the crowds on the roads will be so great that no-one will get to the water....

 

[davel]

Many thanks to everyone for replying. I've concluded three things:
1. East is just as good as west, if not better from a comfort and safety point of view as it avoids the potential hazards of Hurst and the Bridge,
2. The points made about the prevailing SW wind seems to be a good explanation for the apparant preference for a Westerly exit.
3. I'll probably end up not going this weekend anyhow as the forecast seems to be for very light winds all over the weekend and I don't fancy a 12 hour motor each way! Still a bit of time before I finally decide though.

Thanks again to all.