solent to west country Next week

[steveeasy]

Hi,
Planning to sail from solent to Plymouth next week. forecast is favourable but ever changing wind directions. By far my longest trip yet. don't want to motor too much if at all. Typically cruise at 4-6 knots and motor a lot less. ideally like to do the trip 4-5days. will need some careful planning regarding tides.

Any thoughts and advice appreciated.

Steveeasy

 

[prv]

Four to five days sounds very comfortable if the goal is just to get to Plymouth.

We travel at similar speeds to you, and last time we went west we did Keyhaven (anchored in the roadstead under the lighthouse) to Brixham in one long day. That was a bit of a mission (though enlivened by dolphins in Lyme Bay, almost in arm's reach alongside the cockpit for minutes at a time) but at that point you've arrived in the West Country and can switch into holiday mode. Portland Bill is a complete non-issue going this route, you can go miles south of it without adding much to your journey.

You could go from Brixham to Plymouth in another day, but since you have the time you can instead visit some or all of Dartmouth, Salcombe, and the Yealm on the way.

Pete

 

[PhillM]

Did this trip (although not stopping at Plymouth) this summer. I plan on 3.5kn.

On the way down, Lymington, Portland, Dartmouth, then past Plymouth to Fowey, the Falmouth.

Came home Falmouth to Dartmouth, then Dartmouth to Lymington.

I agree with Pete that staying out wide of Portland Bill is much easier than adding miles by stopping in Portland overnight and then having to navigate the inshore passage to get past the Bill.

 

[steveeasy]

Hi,
Had not thought of doing Keyhaven to Brixham in one hit but it might be a good plan to avoid Portland Bill. Ill look at the tide times as I don't want to really be out in the dark. Think HW at Keyhaven is about 11ish on Monday. Could leave Keyhaven at LW, any tips on the Needles channel At LW with a NE wind.

Steveeasy

 

[lw395]

The wind direction forecasts will firm up closer to the day.
Personally, I'd look at taking the first of the W-going tide out of Hurst and aiming for Weymouth.
Next day aim for Dartmouth, but if you only get to Brixham, that's fine.
Then Salcombe or straight to Plymouth.
Flexible plan, adapt as the weather dictates.

If the tide is completely wrong for that, get out of the Solent on the last W-going, up the North Channel, stay out of the worst of the E going, then take the tide past the Bill to Brixham. That will be a long day.

Or get some crew and just yot the thing to Plymouth, stopping when you feel like it.
Swanage to Salcombe in one is easy enough if there's 3 people who can stand a watch.

Winds look light?
What's your fuel range?
Enough cans to give the option of a long leg under motor would be among my plans, although I prefer to sail as much as I can, 4 days does not allow being too rigid IMHO.
Do it however you think will be most enjoyable.

 

[Sandy]

Portland to Plymouth a fun if long passage. Daylight might be a limiting factor so Brixham, if you want the luxury of a marina, or one of the many bay,s Ansteys Cove comes to mind, is a viable alternative.

Where in Plymouth do you hope to end up?

 

[steveeasy]

Portland to Plymouth a fun if long passage. Daylight might be a limiting factor so Brixham, if you want the luxury of a marina, or one of the many bay,s Ansteys Cove comes to mind, is a viable alternative.

Where in Plymouth do you hope to end up?

Heading a bit further west than Plymouth. end destination Fowey, I hope!.

Steveeasy

 

[Bobc]

Hurst to Studland
Studland to Weymouth
Inside Portland - West Bay or Lyme Regis or Exmouth
Then to Exmouth, Teignmouth, or Torbay (Torquay harbour is only about £10/night)
Then you have Saclombe, the Yealm (one of my favourites), and Plymouth.

The smaller ports like West Bay, Lyme, Teignmouth can break the trip nicely assuming you can take the ground and the weather is on your side.

 

[vandy]

Done this trip in the past on a motorboat!

Key hazards are:

Tidal Races: Needles Channel, St Albans head, Portland bill and Start Bay
Fishing nets/ropes lobster pots: Lyme Bay can be a minefield - make sure you do that passage in daylight.

It is a lovely passage - try River Dart and anchorages there.

 

[lpdsn]

Could leave Keyhaven at LW, any tips on the Needles channel At LW with a NE wind.

A few years since I sailed in the Solent, but with that proviso, the Needles Channel should be OK in a NE'ly. It is swell, particularly from the SW, that makes it awkward so if that is absent you should be fine.

Worth considering the North Channel too where you'll have flat water protected by the spit. If it's a strong NE'ly you could have quite a bit of chop between Keyhaven & rounding Hurst Castle but after that you should have flat seas for the start of your trip.

Oh and in between worrying about the Needles Channel and Portland Race don't forget about St Alban's.

 

[Nikia]

Portland to Plymouth a fun if long passage. Daylight might be a limiting factor so Brixham, if you want the luxury of a marina, or one of the many bay,s Ansteys Cove comes to mind, is a viable alternative.

Where in Plymouth do you hope to end up?

Rather than MDL in Brixham, I would enjoy the hospitality of Brixham YC and their visitor pontoon.

 

[Seajet]

Steveeasy,

will you be singlehanded or with crew ? This is vital to know before recommending a plan.

Assuming you are solo with autopilot, I'd go

Keyhaven

Studland ( or just inside Poole at South Deep if winds are easterly )

From there outside Portland Race to Brixham - a long leg but I've done this a few times and with favourable conditions spiffing

Brixham to Salcombe

Salcombe to Plymouth.

I disagee with comments you have plenty of time - it's getting late in the season, every chance you get to make progress west, make the most of it

You must carry plenty of fuel.

 

[steveeasy]

Steveeasy,

will you be singlehanded or with crew ? This is vital to know before recommending a plan.

Assuming you are solo with autopilot, I'd go

Keyhaven

Studland ( or just inside Poole at South Deep if winds are easterly )

From there outside Portland Race to Brixham - a long leg but I've done this a few times and with favourable conditions spiffing

Brixham to Salcombe

Salcombe to Plymouth.

I disagee with comments you have plenty of time - it's getting late in the season, every chance you get to make progress west, make the most of it

You must carry plenty of fuel.

Hi Seajet,
Of course no crew. Been having nightmares overnight about hitting the rocks round portland bill, The one thing ive NOT got is any punch ,, good engine, but the prop sucks. Interesting weather later next week, Ill be taking extra cans for sure.

Steveeasy

 

[Tomaret]

We did this route in May, leaving from Portsmouth early afternoon, then Yarmouth, Poole (visiting an aged relative) then the offshore route south of the Bill to Torquay (very friendly, nice facilities, faster Wi-fi than at home), into holiday mode via Dartmouth, Salcombe and Plymouth. More motoring than I’d hoped, but not much point wallowing in the middle of Lyme Bay.

 

[steveeasy]

Steveeasy,

will you be singlehanded or with crew ? This is vital to know before recommending a plan.

Assuming you are solo with autopilot, I'd go

Keyhaven

Studland ( or just inside Poole at South Deep if winds are easterly )

From there outside Portland Race to Brixham - a long leg but I've done this a few times and with favourable conditions spiffing

Brixham to Salcombe

Salcombe to Plymouth.

I disagee with comments you have plenty of time - it's getting late in the season, every chance you get to make progress west, make the most of it

You must carry plenty of fuel.

Hi Again,
What id like to do is leave Keyhaven or Yarmouth a couple of hours before LW Tuesday 3am ish. If the winds are favorable. If all goes well head straight to Brixham. Could change the plan accordingly if progress is slow. Im waiting to see what wind is like, ill not make it if its like a mill pond, The problem with this plan is ive not been out in the dark so might not be the best plan.

Steveeasy

 

[Seajet]

Steveeasy,

re Portland Race, I have huge respect for it, having got it wrong when inexperienced it's not something one forgets - this was where they filmed ' The Cruel Sea ' with the corvette pitching out of the water simulating the winter North Atlantic, nowhere else was rough enough !

I have done the inshore passage quite a few times; in good weather it's simple enough - I don't think you would need to worry about hitting it - BUT the reason I don't use it now even in daylight is lobster pot buoys, there are many and the current drags them just underwater there...

So a slant well outside the Race to or from the Anvil Point area is my favourite; I suppose the gunnery range may be active, this is mentioned on Radio Solent - the number I have ( not tried recently ) to call and check firing times is 01929 404819.

As long as the weather is benign, don't worry about setting off in the dark - much better than arriving at night - I think you'll find it very enjoyable and soon light - dawn at sea is quite magical, seeing the odd lights resolve into ships and fishing boats etc.

Do have food and drink prepared - a hot flask of soup and a big one of hot water is handy - there's no shame in cup a soups for this, they're ideal !

I also prepare ' sandwiches ' of Jacobs crackers, Primula cheese spread in a tube and Kraft sliced ' plastic cheese ' - may not be Michelin Star but very welcome at sea.

In this situation as my mentor Charlie Solley ( Murmansk Convoy veteran & sailor ) would say " The best sailor in the world is the laziest " - ie as much preparation as poss - like old breaknife for cutting lobster pots or anything else, powerful torch, handheld VHF, ) so as not to have to do any hard work or hassle under way.

Edit - while allowing for VHF being audible, an entertainment radio is very handy to me; listening to the changes in local stations as one progresses is very satisfying.

Have a Great Trip !

Andy

 

[Mataji]

If you’re heading for Fowey there’s no need to go into Plymouth. I’d call into the Yealm, from there to Fowey is about 23 miles.

 

[Seajet]

I hadn't seen that Fowey is the destination; in that case I agree, Brixam - Yealm ( or Salcombe ) then Fowey, Plymouth is expensive these days and a long way in and out.

 

[PhillM]

I did Dartmouth to Lymington this summer. Took 21 hours as I lost tide just about Anvil point and sailed on the spot for a few hours (about 10 nm off shore).

Going the other way, after staying out wide at the Bill (I was about 8 NM off in very settled weather) if wind is kind, you could dip into Lyme bay when the tide turns foul, as there is a lot less in there than further out.

On the way down, I did Dartmouth to Fowey in a comfortable, long day (16 hours I think).

 

[Sticky Fingers]

Lulworth Ranges: Up to date info on the website here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/lulworth-firing-notice