Solent last weekend?

chillee

chillee

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Anyone out on the Solent last weekend. I'm interested to know how the conditions were compared to Windfinder.
I didn't venture out as it looked like it was predicted to gust for an F6/7, and with wave heights close to 2m

I'm wondering if we really do get wave heights like that in the Solent, or if these figures are just the best such forecasting engines can do, and whether they take into account the sheltered nature of the Solent.
 
I have seen 2m waves in the solent on more than one occasion. Both times it was in the western Solent, but east of Southampton water can get very choppy too and I have had a waterfall coming down the flybridge stairs of a 38 footer going through the North Channel, inside of Bramble Bank, before.
 
The issue with the Solent in an F6/F7 isn't so much the wave heights, but more that there can be a short period between the waves (especially with the tide going the wrong way) which can make things quite unpleasant. Also getting back onto the Marina Berth in a tight spot can be difficult.

I didn't go out last weekend ... it didn't look anything like 2m waves, though.
 
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.
 
I was out on Saturday, in the central Solent, and I don't recognise any of the wave heights described here. It was breezy certainly, with some strong gusts and squalls, but not noticeably rough. I had doubts on Friday about whether it was a good idea, but in the event I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Pete
 
We nipped across from the Hamble to Ashlett Creek in a 4m Rib. Very protected on Southampton Water and no sign of big waves. I would not have ventured around Calshot though.

Edit Sorry that was the week before!
 
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prv said:
I was out on Saturday, in the central Solent, and I don't recognise any of the wave heights described here. It was breezy certainly, with some strong gusts and squalls, but not noticeably rough. I had doubts on Friday about whether it was a good idea, but in the event I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Pete
Click to expand...

As always, conditions change, especially with wind against tide as opposed to wind with tide. And of course, wind direction.
 
thanks all. Probably sounds like I was better off staying on the dry stack then. If you were getting wet on the fly bridge, by little 25footer would have been very wet heading up to Newtown C. As always, its so hard to predict what the sea state and wind will be like on the Solent.
 
We were alongside in Shepherds Friday Am, slipped the lines in gusting 34-36kts and went up the Medina to Island Hbr a little more sheltered as it was only gusting 30 Kts there, it remained very gusty 30kts till Sunday 13.00 and then slowly abated. We came back Monday Am and had a very leisurely sail back to Pompey under spinnaker at a steady 3-4kts in the sunshine with an occasional spitfire for company
 
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.....

 
remember wave height is not amplitude. But height from bottom of trough to top of crest and often the trough isn't actually seen giving the impression of only 1m swells. At least until you are in it
 
longjohnsilver said:
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.
Click to expand...

Here you go ?

 
Hot Property said:
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.....

Click to expand...
That looks very ok. I know the camera flattens the sea somewhat but... Perhaps i need to take a punt more often and see hiw it is.
 
Thursday was horrid. Wind over tide heading to Western solent Even the Insode Yarmouth harbour the boats and pontoons were all over the place.

Friday was better but still windy
Saturday was lovely.

Was bigger solent chop but not 2M.

we did go out in August when it was really bad and probably 2M off hurst then.
 
chillee said:
That looks very ok. I know the camera flattens the sea somewhat but... Perhaps i need to take a punt more often and see hiw it is.
Click to expand...

Yes there was some debate about going out initially. In 50% of cases when I have looked at the forecast(s) and decided not to go out, it actually turned out to be lovely conditions judging by other friends videos and experiences.

Avoiding spring tides helps as things calm down whatever the weather...
 
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