Solent last weekend?

[xcw]

I sailed from Portsmouth to Whitecliff Bay on Saturday afternoon. I was very lively around Bembridge Ledge with gusts of 35knts and big seas but probably less than 2m. Anchored in a calm Whitecliff Bay and sunbathed with a glass of something chilled. Even contemplated a swim but chickened out. Very lively beat back into Portsmouth arriving at dusk but the beautiful sunset made up for it.

 

[tico]

Better to be in harbour wishing you were out there, than out there wishing you were in harbour!

 

[chillee]

Here you go ?

Amazing difference between your video / seastate and HotPockets's. Probably calmed down later in the day I guess

 

[longjohnsilver]

Amazing difference between your video / seastate and HotPockets's. Probably calmed down later in the day I guess

Actually my video, my son was sat on flybridge getting cold and wet sea conditions were all down to wind and tide. When we left Cowes the tide was turning n the same direction as the wind. That makes a huge difference, even on a neap tide. We went from getting soaked at 9-10kts to happily planing at 24kts and staying dry.

 

[Bigplumbs]

I was out with my son, bringing his new to him Sealine T46 from Gosport to Plymouth. We were due to cross to IoW on Friday afternoon but he decided it was far too windy, so we left at about 08-30 on Saturday morning. Not a pleasant trip over to IoW, lots of water over the flybridge, I went below after a few minutes, he stuck it out and got drenched, and cold. I’d estimate wave heights to be about 4-5’ on average, some bigger. Wind against tide didn’t help. I took a video but I don’t know how to post on here.


When we left Cowes at about mid day it was still very windy, but the sea had calmed down a bit.

Upload the Video to you tube and then just post the link

 

[Bigplumbs]

I went from Hamble to the Needles and back on Saturday in a 23 ft sports cruiser.

Strong winds but the sea state was "doable". The wind was NNW so we kept closer to the mainland. Rougher the closer to the IOW.

First scene was off Calshot, 2nd off Beaulieu and third on River Yar having tea..

I was doing around 24 knots and my friend in his Cranchi more like 40.....

Hello Nick

Looks like you and Gervaise had a good time. Catherine noticed that you were all sitting down to the traditional cake........ Did Steve get his Brandy out

 

[Hot Property]

Hello Nick

Looks like you and Gervaise had a good time. Catherine noticed that you were all sitting down to the traditional cake........ Did Steve get his Brandy out

Alcohol was indeed on the menu Dennis!!

 

[Bigplumbs]

Alcohol was indeed on the menu Dennis!!

Good to hear. We noticed a little smile on Steves face.

A dicky bird told me that you had put the boat up for sale. That made me sad You will do well to find anything better in that size with an outboard me thinks

 

[Hot Property]

Good to hear. We noticed a little smile on Steves face.

A dicky bird told me that you had put the boat up for sale. That made me sad You will do well to find anything better in that size with an outboard me thinks

A moment of madness Dennis - now not for sale as I enjoy her too much and life is short!

As you say its really a big Fletcher with nice size cockpit. Ticks all my boxes, I particularly like the fact that I can get into Wootton Creek barring spring lows, just lift the engine and I can get in with about a foot of water!!

The Royal Victoria Yacht Club are very welcoming to all power boaty people and the beer is good!

 

[Cathy*]

I was out with my son, bringing his new to him Sealine T46 from Gosport to Plymouth. We were due to cross to IoW on Friday afternoon but he decided it was far too windy, so we left at about 08-30 on Saturday morning. Not a pleasant trip over to IoW, lots of water over the flybridge, I went below after a few minutes, he stuck it out and got drenched, and cold. I’d estimate wave heights to be about 4-5’ on average, some bigger. Wind against tide didn’t help. I took a video but I don’t know how to post on here.


When we left Cowes at about mid day it was still very windy, but the sea had calmed down a bit.

4 to 5 ft waves are the norm off Plymouth. That's why we've left. I'm hoping the Solent weather will be more user friendly.

 

[Hot Property]

4 to 5 ft waves are the norm off Plymouth. That's why we've left. I'm hoping the Solent weather will be more user friendly.

Ermmm, whilst the Solent waves don't often reach 4-5ft the chop and complex tides more than make up for it!

 

[Cathy*]

Ermmm, whilst the Solent waves don't often reach 4-5ft the chop and complex tides more than make up for it!

We'll see. We've been in Plymouth for 8 years with cruisers and almost 10 years before that with rhibs. Prevailing south westerlies and the almost constant swell limits the trips you can make in a motorboat doing up to 8 kn. Times we've had to abandon plans because of the seas and we've looked at what's happening in Torbay or had reports from daughter in Southsea and wished we were further east. So now we've moved. If we don't like it we'll move again.

 

[Lucky Duck]

We'll see. We've been in Plymouth for 8 years with cruisers and almost 10 years before that with rhibs. Prevailing south westerlies and the almost constant swell limits the trips you can make in a motorboat doing up to 8 kn. Times we've had to abandon plans because of the seas and we've looked at what's happening in Torbay or had reports from daughter in Southsea and wished we were further east. So now we've moved. If we don't like it we'll move again.

You will be fine, within the confines of Lake Solent the swell that features so much in the West Coast is non-existent (I remember being surprised at just how much of it worked its way into Plymouth Yacht Haven).

However if you are still thinking of being based in Chi harbour then the entrance does add some limitations - i.e. entry or departure on the ebb against a strong Southerly breeze can make life rather too interesting.

 

[Cathy*]

You will be fine, within the confines of Lake Solent the swell that features so much in the West Coast is non-existent (I remember being surprised at just how much of it worked its way into Plymouth Yacht Haven).

However if you are still thinking of being based in Chi harbour then the entrance does add some limitations - i.e. entry or departure on the ebb against a strong Southerly breeze can make life rather too interesting.

Thank you.

We'll be in Northney until the end of our contract, April, then moving to Gosport. We walked down to the Chichester harbour entrance several times last week from Sparkes to get a bit of a feel for it. When we leave I want no wind ? and it was flat calm from low tide for a couple of hours.

 

[Sticky Fingers]

Chichester entrance/exit needs respect, but provided you give it that and act accordingly you will be fine.
We kept our boat in Chichester Marine until last year when it was sold.

 

[ashtead]

Gosport has the advantage of not having the grockle traffic on their way to the Witterings and of not being locked in and out but far more scenic at Chi . It’s also a fair way from the town whereas Gosport is close by marina , amazingly well stocked with supermarkets given its location however the local drivers are slow and erratic so care has to be exercised once you leave the motorway. Also you can watch warships steaming in and cross to Gunwharf if all else fails to entertain on the green ferry.

 

[Cathy*]

Gosport has the advantage of not having the grockle traffic on their way to the Witterings and of not being locked in and out but far more scenic at Chi . It’s also a fair way from the town whereas Gosport is close by marina , amazingly well stocked with supermarkets given its location however the local drivers are slow and erratic so care has to be exercised once you leave the motorway. Also you can watch warships steaming in and cross to Gunwharf if all else fails to entertain on the green ferry.

Now we've moved the boat the house is going on the market then we'll choose a new house somewhere scenic and have the boat closer to town, and closer to us than the current 5 hour drive.

 

[Sticky Fingers]

Now we've moved the boat the house is going on the market then we'll choose a new house somewhere scenic and have the boat closer to town, and closer to us than the current 5 hour drive.

That's a great plan, wish we could do that...! Best of luck, I hope it goes well.