steveeasy
Well-known member
Thank you everyone for the advice.much appreciated. Steveeasy
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solent to west country Next week
- Thread starter steveeasy
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Dull Spark
Member
Like Seajet, I have had bad experience of fouling the propeller on the Portland inner passage, so keep a good lookout if using it.
Also, if you find yourself in the north part if Lyme Bay heading west, be very careful to clear the mussel farm south of Sidmouth. It will be difficult to see in poor light but presents some appalling prop-fouling opportunities. If you search this forum under Mussels or Lime Bay (not Lyme) you will see some correspondence.
Other than that, no specific advice that you haven't had already. Good luck!
Also, if you find yourself in the north part if Lyme Bay heading west, be very careful to clear the mussel farm south of Sidmouth. It will be difficult to see in poor light but presents some appalling prop-fouling opportunities. If you search this forum under Mussels or Lime Bay (not Lyme) you will see some correspondence.
Other than that, no specific advice that you haven't had already. Good luck!
PhillM
Well-known member
Re pots in the Portland inner passage... I left Portland at 0430 which was just before the fishing boats left Weymouth. It wasn't long before they were ahead of me and I was able to watch them laying and I assume collecting. What did surprise me was that there were at least three sets on the rhum line from the Bill to Dartmouth, with the last set I saw some five miles off.
Seajet
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Oh yes PhllM,
don't expect any common sense, seamanship or consideration; there's a line of them all along the rhumb line between Chichester entrance and the Dolphin Passage through the submarine barrier off Southsea - Horse Sand Fort - small dark blue oil / detergent cans.
If one had a suspicious mind, it's almost as if these ' mines ' were deliberately laid to damage / endanger yachts and their crews.
don't expect any common sense, seamanship or consideration; there's a line of them all along the rhumb line between Chichester entrance and the Dolphin Passage through the submarine barrier off Southsea - Horse Sand Fort - small dark blue oil / detergent cans.
If one had a suspicious mind, it's almost as if these ' mines ' were deliberately laid to damage / endanger yachts and their crews.
blackbeard
Active member
Having taken a small (8m) sailing yacht Gosport - Helford (took a few weeks mainly due to weather) single-handed last year I suggest that, if you are single-handed, you try to allow a bit more time - some of the places you will stop at are worth a day's exploration, and if you do successive long trips S/H you will probably get tired, which is when things start to go wrong. If you can, try to get the use of that most valuable item on a boat - a crew.
Incidentally I found that South Coast harbours with a fishing fleet (which is to say, pretty well all of them) do great fish-n-chips.
Lyme Regis can be a good place to stop if a. there is no East in the wind and b. your boat can take ground.
Incidentally I found that South Coast harbours with a fishing fleet (which is to say, pretty well all of them) do great fish-n-chips.
Lyme Regis can be a good place to stop if a. there is no East in the wind and b. your boat can take ground.
Seajet
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blackbeard,
that would have been great advice in your or my time until recently, now the net traps in Lyme Bay - see above - make the place deadly for small boats, let alone a singlehander.
It's sometimes enough to make me wish for a French passport, these bastards are basically laying traps like minefields for any other passing boat, sod if it's a young family, they don't care...
that would have been great advice in your or my time until recently, now the net traps in Lyme Bay - see above - make the place deadly for small boats, let alone a singlehander.
It's sometimes enough to make me wish for a French passport, these bastards are basically laying traps like minefields for any other passing boat, sod if it's a young family, they don't care...
blackbeard
Active member
I wouldn't recommend doing it at night …
lw395
Well-known member
If you want to do South Coast distance sailing in a boat which is slow enough to worry about tides, and you don't want to sail at night, you really need to be out there when the days are longer than the nights.
Personally, I love a good night sail.
There is nothing like yotting towards the Devon coast as the sun comes up.*
But for me, although I enjoy the solitude of a solo night watch, I somehow wouldn't seek to do the whole gig singlehanded.
It's not (just) that I'm cautious about it, just somethings are better shared. It's like drinking alone or going out for a curry on your own.
At least this time of year, you can enjoy (and log!) some night hours and still make last orders.
* except possibly the Dorset coast when you've left Lyme due to the swell at 2AM?
Seajet
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lw395,
I'm not sure that was terribly useful nav info, but I think I get the spirit !
The answer for us yotties seems to be the bastards have made Lyme Bay basically a no- go area - are even their chum/ friendly rivals aware of these minefields ?
One of my best friends is a from a family of fishermen who is now a yottie -I would very happily let my family's lives rely on him, he would never countenance such shitty poor seamanship, it makes these people no better than gypsies and to be treated accordingly - as a short term solution may I recommend this;
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Spear-Jackson-Razorsharp-Advance-Telescopic/dp/B004N9BSQE
or this; https://www.amazon.co.uk/GRÜNTEK-Te...136&sr=1-26-spons&keywords=long+loppers&psc=1
- The ones with an outside serrated saw edge are the best - and keep a harness on while attending to these scum pot lines.
I'm not sure that was terribly useful nav info, but I think I get the spirit !
The answer for us yotties seems to be the bastards have made Lyme Bay basically a no- go area - are even their chum/ friendly rivals aware of these minefields ?
One of my best friends is a from a family of fishermen who is now a yottie -I would very happily let my family's lives rely on him, he would never countenance such shitty poor seamanship, it makes these people no better than gypsies and to be treated accordingly - as a short term solution may I recommend this;
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Spear-Jackson-Razorsharp-Advance-Telescopic/dp/B004N9BSQE
or this; https://www.amazon.co.uk/GRÜNTEK-Te...136&sr=1-26-spons&keywords=long+loppers&psc=1
- The ones with an outside serrated saw edge are the best - and keep a harness on while attending to these scum pot lines.
steveeasy
Well-known member
Good points. Times not a big issue. Will call in to Weymouth I think.
Steveeasy
Steveeasy
Muddy32
Active member
Why,
Th eRange of St Aldhelms will push you out so avoid the seahorses. Go direct to Portland. It is easier, cheaper, less off the track than Weymouth and you can anchor off Castle cove. Eat onboard for another early start. People get paranoid about pots and lines. - Just keep a look out. I do this trip about 6 times a year, there and back. Enjoy it
Seajet
...
I did say I'd avoid Weymouth and Portland altogether, and just slant outside The Race from Anvil Point.
oldmanofthehills
Well-known member
We delivered our boat from Emsworth to Plymouth this summer but did it in 2 hits as we did not have a whole week free. Boat is slow and winds were mostly nil or on the nose so old engine got to prove itself.
The tidal direction lags the rise and fall by some hours so use tide charts plus tide tables. We went round the back of Wight to avoid South or North channel, but mostly so we could see the back.
So Portmouth to Studland, but you could push on to Lulworth if you can tolerate a longish day.
Studland to Weymouth.
Weymouth to Brixham via Portland inside passage. Crab pots are the greatest danger as you must keep within about a cable of Portland. Time it so you get to the Bill just before the tide turns west 4hrs after HW Plymouth/Devonport as its lumpy otherwise and if on inside passage potentially dangerous as some flow is sideaways to your course. Same timing if on outside passage as the Shambles is not much nicer than The Portland Race
Lyme Bay is the longest unbreakable passage as going to intervening harbours takes you miles out of your way. If you had pushed onto Lulworth then its much the same as from Weymouth but you will have saved a day. I didnt because it was my desire to anchor in Studland and drink at the Banks Arms. I also bumbled round Lulworth for similar reasons
Crossing Lyme Bay some folk head for Dartmouth but that extends the crossing slightly and in any event the final leg to Plymouth is shortish. If blowing up from the west Brixham approach gives you shelter, and the marina is mostly sheltered from easterlies.
The tidal direction lags the rise and fall by some hours so use tide charts plus tide tables. We went round the back of Wight to avoid South or North channel, but mostly so we could see the back.
So Portmouth to Studland, but you could push on to Lulworth if you can tolerate a longish day.
Studland to Weymouth.
Weymouth to Brixham via Portland inside passage. Crab pots are the greatest danger as you must keep within about a cable of Portland. Time it so you get to the Bill just before the tide turns west 4hrs after HW Plymouth/Devonport as its lumpy otherwise and if on inside passage potentially dangerous as some flow is sideaways to your course. Same timing if on outside passage as the Shambles is not much nicer than The Portland Race
Lyme Bay is the longest unbreakable passage as going to intervening harbours takes you miles out of your way. If you had pushed onto Lulworth then its much the same as from Weymouth but you will have saved a day. I didnt because it was my desire to anchor in Studland and drink at the Banks Arms. I also bumbled round Lulworth for similar reasons
Crossing Lyme Bay some folk head for Dartmouth but that extends the crossing slightly and in any event the final leg to Plymouth is shortish. If blowing up from the west Brixham approach gives you shelter, and the marina is mostly sheltered from easterlies.
greggron
Well-known member
+1
oldmanofthehills
Well-known member
I have used Portland Marina, a slightly soulless place compared with Weymouth Harbour and a bit far from Chiswell for evening drinks at The Cove Inn but it does save distance and thus time, particularly as you can usually use the eastern entrance. You can indeed anchor by Castle Cove and save a few pounds, nice place and sheltered but no facilities.
As Seajet says you can avoid going near Portland altogether by going direct from the St Aldhelms/St Albans then across Lyme Bay but its a long old slog unless you have a much bigger and faster boat than mine.
steveeasy
Well-known member
To start with ive got held up with more work early this week which im really p*****d about as im more in to the trip than the end destination. Forecast is ok as well, that's the way it normally goes for me.
Again yes it makes sense to avoid Weymouth, and Portland. But if the goings slow at any point ill Head in and add a day. Once I get away im in no rush other than would like to make on as much as I can.
Good advice.
Steveeasy
Seajet
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I would have said Lyme Regis and / or Torquay might be options ( not usually very good ones ) but I really don't like the sound of the Lyme Bay oyster farms - I still can't believe it's legal to effectively fence off / make deadly huge chunks of your and my sea !
Then again you haven't missed much - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mawObchMnCE
Then again you haven't missed much - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mawObchMnCE
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steveeasy
Well-known member
Seajet
...
Steveasy,
don't get me wrong, the trip across Lyme Bay on the outside is a ' Must Do ' it's lovely in the right weather.
I like your idea of setting off in the dark - actually I'd be surprised if there isn't a little light - as I'm jealous of you setting off then, as I mentioned it all gets a bit mystic as the sun comes up.
That's when you'll need a jersey or thermals and a flask of soup... I meant to say a flask of hot water and even pot noodles are OK and useful as no-one will be looking - though I wish I had a photo of my ( WWII veteran ) Dad's face when he tried pot noodles for the first time - I learned a few new naughty words that day !
If you have time there are a lot of better convenience meals on Amazon - but between you and me, Pot Noodles will get you by until making port, ketchup* or Encona hot sauce help.
*It's out of fashion now, but whenever in a pub serving food with sachets of sauces I can't resist thinking ' those might come in handy on the boat ' - last time I tried grabbing a handful of sachets - with a meal - I was caught by the waitress, who fixed me with a glare which would have melted Arnies' Terminator.
don't get me wrong, the trip across Lyme Bay on the outside is a ' Must Do ' it's lovely in the right weather.
I like your idea of setting off in the dark - actually I'd be surprised if there isn't a little light - as I'm jealous of you setting off then, as I mentioned it all gets a bit mystic as the sun comes up.
That's when you'll need a jersey or thermals and a flask of soup... I meant to say a flask of hot water and even pot noodles are OK and useful as no-one will be looking - though I wish I had a photo of my ( WWII veteran ) Dad's face when he tried pot noodles for the first time - I learned a few new naughty words that day !
If you have time there are a lot of better convenience meals on Amazon - but between you and me, Pot Noodles will get you by until making port, ketchup* or Encona hot sauce help.
*It's out of fashion now, but whenever in a pub serving food with sachets of sauces I can't resist thinking ' those might come in handy on the boat ' - last time I tried grabbing a handful of sachets - with a meal - I was caught by the waitress, who fixed me with a glare which would have melted Arnies' Terminator.
Sandy
Well-known member
I've been sailing Lyme Bay for five years and never realised it was such a dangerous place!