Solent to Weymouth

[Dave_Knowles]

Hi,

I am reasonably new to boating but would like in the future to take a trip from the Solent to Weymouth. Maybe over a few days. Leaving the Solent I understand can be a problem. I have completed most of a days skipper course (work overseas forced me to kiss the final few lessons) so I have a basic knowledge although my practical knowledge is small. The boat is a Cleopatra 700 and we would like to find suitable places to stay on the way.


<hr width=100% size=1>Take care.

Dave

Dave Knowles
Southampton - UK

http://www.MyCleopatra.co.uk

 

[Guest]

Only a few problem en route.....on exiting the Solent, assuming you're going out through the Needles, you can get a bit of a chop, especially in a wind over tide situation, so probably best to choose slack water, then the overfalls at St Albans head, but you'll probably be far enough off not to worry too much about them.
Enjoy


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[BarryH]

Leaving or entering the solent I always use the North channel. Bit unnerving the first time as your no more than 50 yards off the beach, but plenty deep water. From there the first realistic stop would be christchurch. Bit of a tricky entrance though if you've not done it before. From there theres Poole. Dead easy unless theres any east in the wind. After that it'll be bay hoping all the way to weymouth. From poole first bay will be studland, then swanage. Then round the headland you've got kimmeridge, chapmans pool and a host of others I can't remember. Lulworth Cove is a nice anchorage, unless theres a southerly. The fish reastraunt, well pub, do good food.

You could doit in a day all the way there easily if you wanted. Thers some nice places to explore if you've got the time.

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[tcm]

Hi. Your post sounds very cautious. You need to plan for tides, watch for suitable weather and so on. But much better might be to take an instructor person along, perhaps? Or at least someone who has dunnit before? That way you can do it while he watches all is well, and visit (perhaps only just drive in/out) far more marinas along the way too, and be confident next time?

One can't really give comprehensive "hints" on solent to weymouth as sometimes it is easy peasy just drive over, other times it is quite dangerous and you need to be able have alternative plans, one of which might tbe to leave boat and come back for it next weekend.

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[duncan]

I suspect that yo would not run outside the influence of St Albans - it is a fair few miles and the scenery along the coastline is too good to miss!
Assuming you can run at around 15 knots -
Come out of Solent and stick tight to Hurst as you come round on to a Westerly heading.
Keep clear of Hengisbury Head by at least 2 miles; ie go straight across Poole Bay. If W to SW winds go on a flooding tide if anywhere near springs.
Around 2 hours overall will see you tied up in Poole at either Dolphin Haven or Cobbs Quay if you want to overnight at a marina (book first) or you can stay at Studland ,Swanage or around Brownsea in Poole Harbour at anchor.
If there is any strength to a SW , especially on Springs, you must be carefull of the overfalls on the ebbb heading West - first at Old Harry (a good indicator of whats to come as it shouldn't be too bad even straight through the worst!) then Peveril Ledge of Swanage (best gone outside and stay outside for Durlston /Anvil.
Accross to St Albans and keep tight in to the headland here - 25 metres, where there is an inshore passage out of the overfalls.
Chapmans pool is round the headland and a nice spot for lunch, half an hour on to Lulworth Cove (has pubs and things and is suitable for overnighting) - keeping clear of Kimmeridge Ledge which come out over a mile and are just under the surface all the way. Weymouth a further half an hour or so from Lulworth.
Enjoy

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[tcm]

Re: Lulworth

Ooeer duncan. It might be fine for salty types like you to judge when to stay in lulworth cove and when (if much S in wind) since the holding is poor it would be a bit dodgy. Or very dodgy, like when boats get capsized.

I think he should take a mate or instructor somewhere first. Or indeed, you, since you are well-known to be xtra helpful rewiring newbies' boats and shepherding them about etc etc.

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[duncan]

Re: Lulworth

point taken
I find it difficult however to see how anyone can answer any question here without making some realistic assumptions such as -
anyone heading out on the water should consider the effect of the wind, tides and weather in general including forecasts; that there craft is suitable for the trip; fuel planning; er starting to sound like a passage plan isn't it!
Equally I couldn't agree more that it' s probably a 'good idea' for anyone planning a new trip to do it in company - certainly the way I streched my (still limited) horizions!


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[Solitaire]

I've sent you a PM

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[duncan]

now the rest of us feel left out! /forums/images/icons/smile.gif

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[tcm]

Re: yeah! tellus all

there seem over-use of PM's! So unless v private, puttit on the forum. Note: boring details of a subject need not be private. Also, neither is an offer to help.



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[Solitaire]

Re: If you must!

I simply asked for some personal contact data so I could send him a complete waypoint reference from the Solent to Weymouth (the one I used when I was lead helm for the Pathfinder trips to Weymouth) together with some advice re refulling bearing in mind the lack of petrol in Weymouth. Also as he is relatively local to me help him with passage planning.
All feel better now/forums/images/icons/wink.gif

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[Deleted User YDKXO]

This trip is a pleasant 3hrs @ 20knots. The conditions you must avoid is anything from SE to SW over F4 but particularly SW. Bashing into a head sea for 50 miles is no fun. So a forecast less than F4 with North in it is good. A NE 2-3 would be perfect.
Also try to get wind over tide rather than wind against tide even if that means pushing the tide. Ideally you want to be passing through the Needles Channel and past Durlston/St Albans Heads at slack water but dont worry too much 'coz if the wind is less than F4, these dont present a problem
The coastline between Poole and Weymouth is superb. Its nice to shape your course close to the shore for the views. If Lulworth is over crowded try Worbarrow Bay or Chapmans Pool for lunchtime anchoring
When you get to Weymouth, dont bother going through to the marina. Its much more fun to raft up in the harbour. There's even leccy and water on the quay. Worth filling up at the fuel pontoon as usually cheapest on S Coast

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[duncan]

Re: If you must!

/forums/images/icons/smile.gif

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[Solitaire]

"Worth filling up at the fuel pontoon as usually cheapest on S Coast"
For diesel yes, but he runs on petrol and there is no "on water petrol" - local bylaws do not allow it - in Weymouth. You have to go up to the marina and trek all the way to a local petrol station. I know I've done it!


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[Renegade_Master]

In light of tcms point, if you want the name of a local instuctor let me know.

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.suncoastmarine.co.uk>Sun Coast Sea School & Charter</A>

 

[Dave_Knowles]

Thank you all for your input which I am sure will be of great use in planning my trip. I am still a little concerned with the exit from the Solent as I seem to get so many conflicting reports as to which is the best way and what to watch out for.



<hr width=100% size=1>Take care.

Dave

Dave Knowles
Southampton - UK

http://www.MyCleopatra.co.uk

 

[tcm]

hm. well, hence the instructor idea. There some big red green markers to the south side towards the needles, or a channel to the north side. But in the middle there is the shingles bank upon which you will smash your boat up and die horribly SO i reckon get a mate to go wiv you.

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[Dave_Knowles]

I was really refering to changeable weather conditions which seem to catch out many.

<hr width=100% size=1>Take care.

Dave

Dave Knowles
Southampton - UK

http://www.MyCleopatra.co.uk

 

[tcm]

were you? You mentioned "what to look out for" not weather conditions. Big floating obstructions in the water might catch you out but weather conditions shouldn't really. It would be wise to take an instructor, imho, rather than hope that we can advise what weather/clouds to look out for that catch out "others" - it could easily be you that they will "catch out".

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[hlb]

Easy peasy way is to go the inside route, it feels less dounting too. and you cant miss the buoys from the Soly end. Nice cruise passed Bournmouth, then into Poole. Round to Weymouth the next day. Taking in the sights. Only in good weather in your boat as others have said. But theres nothing to difficult as long as you follow the chart.

<hr width=100% size=1> <font color=blue>No one can force me to come here.<font color=red> I'm a volunteer!!.<font color=blue>

Haydn