Solent to Weymouth

[Solitaire]

I've just checked out your boat. You have a boat that is 23 ft overall with an 8ft beam. It is powered by a 4 cylinder petrol engine of not much power with a semi dispalcment hull. I would suggest that it was principally designed for use on rivers and therefore sea conditions and weather will be a consideration. Particularly as you say, you are inexpereinced. If you are thinking of doing the trip in anything over a F4 and the wind is S/W with the tide running out of the Solent - don't do it!
Plan your trip very carefully and seek advice and check the tides very carefully on the way back. I don't want to frighten you but I'd not do this trip alone at this stage.

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[Col]

When are you thinking of going, as I'm due a trip that way soon to meet Duncan and the Poole boys. Could follow me that far if you like.

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.arweb.co.uk/argallery/colspics> Cols Picture Album</A>

 

[BarryH]

Ooh, don't follow him.He blams along at 28.93 knots. I know I've experienced the inexperienced trying to keep up with him in the dark, freezing cold,over loaded, over equiped mayhem of a solent chop! Not much fun. Can still taste the face fulls of briney!

In all seriousness.If you want to do it, I'm sur a couple of Poole based boats could run over and provide escort back. Won't cost much.....say a bottle or two of rum.

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[Solitaire]

All this talk of trips to Weymouth is giveing me major withdrawal symptons/forums/images/icons/frown.gif. All I can do is look at my boat with a hole in the stern and no engine. The hatch is off and all the instruments are gone so I can't even sit on her in the boatyard. All this fine weather and I have to be suffering a blown engine.
World has just brightend up - just had a phone call to ask if I want to be afloat tomorrow - I'm off to pack /forums/images/icons/smile.gif and whats more its on a Squadron 55 so cold beer, ice and I can do the washing at the same time! Brownie points points from SHMBO then. Right, now I'll take the dog out and go via the pub. Feeling so much better/forums/images/icons/smile.gif/forums/images/icons/smile.gif

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[Dave_Knowles]

Once again thanks for all your input and the offers showing me the way. I havn't set a date yet but it won't be for a few weeks yet. I will keep you posted if.

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

Dave

Dave Knowles
Southampton - UK

http://www.MyCleopatra.co.uk

 

[Col]

Err, Yep, I remember that one. Still he did have an expert on board, even if you were a bit white!! Didn't hear anyone on the VHF asking me to slow down though.

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.arweb.co.uk/argallery/colspics> Cols Picture Album</A>

 

[duncan]

while you are depressed........last Sprint I now that reengined to diesel had the petrol taken out last May and is yet to get going again.
Seriously, look forward to your getting out amongst it again Dave.

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[duncan]

'course not - you already new the food was on the table in 10 minutes and the beer was getting warm!

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[Solitaire]

Cheers Duncan - just what I needed/forums/images/icons/wink.gif I've want the boat back on the water by 1st August - we shall see! What were th eproblems with the other Sprint? Anyway, my mate with his Squadron has just called to say he'll pick me up at HM's pontoon in the Hamble in about an hour and then its off west - probaly for a nightcap etc in Yarmouth and then back tomorrow sometime. Just packing the dry bag now/forums/images/icons/smile.gif
Still its not the same as being on your own boat and I can't wait/forums/images/icons/smile.gifagain! See you soon I hope.

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[BarryH]

Thats 'cos the VHF didn't work and the thing fell off its mountings. By the time we were level with newton I'd had enough.......and that coming from Me!! I think I would have been happier with 45 degrees steve.

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[BarryH]

Well the way my broker is going I'll still have the boat come the end of the season. So now still planning our august break around still having the boat. From next weekend I'll be down every weekend, most of them long ones, till the 2nd week in August. From then on, I'll be down there till the end of august. If, work doesn't get in the way. Which if I've planned it properly shouldn't, no read that as won't.

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[Jerbro]

All good advice. I agree with suggestion to go with instructor if possible. Also, buy an Almanac - this will help you plan. Also remember the Lulworth Ranges - being intercepted by the range vessels can be daunting if your not expecting it. Should be OK in August as they stop firing then.

<hr width=100% size=1>Jerbro
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Click here for <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.btinternet.com/~jerbro> My ex-boat pics</A>

 

[BrendanS]

Dave, I've been based out of Lymington for several years now, and invariably pop out to the Needles for a look at the end of any Solent based day/evening/weekend, and go out and back for any out of Solent trips.

If the wind is a strong South or South Westerly, the southern Needles channel can get rough, but is quite manageable at displacement speeds in most conditions where you are likely to be at sea.. If heading along the coast however, in almost any conditions the North Channel is going to be a better and more comfortable option. Once past Hurst Castle, you can go very close to the beach - I've seen people water skiing with both boat and skier about 5 feet from the beach. It shelves very very quickly.

Even in strong winds the area can be very sheltered. I've had cabin fever early season and been out in a F7 when the Lymington/Yarmouth ferries have been crabbing nearly sideways out of Lymington, yet the trip out to the Needles has been a flat calm, though a bit bracing early in year with cold wind.

Even coming back in nasty conditions from a forum meet in Studland Bay a few weekends ago in lightning storm at night (south easterly, and taking waves on starboard quarter), as I came into sight of Hurst Castle and Needles, the water went from horrible nasty sharp waves all the way across Poole Bay to mirror calm for a mile before the entrance to Solent. Absolutely wonderful blasting along in the dark watching storm and lightning strikes, on totally smooth water, just where people think it's going to be roughest.

You don't normally get caught out in bad conditions exiting or entering the Solent. It's quite predictable. It's not to do with weather conditions, it's wind and tide. If there is any wind above F3 blowing West'ish or East'ish, just make sure you go through on slack tide (high or low). It's wind over tide that makes it uncomfortable. Even then, it may not last that long, a few hundred metres and it can all be over.

As for going beyone Needles to Weymouth, on your first trip, if wind is from Northerly type directions, don't worry too much unless windy. If wind is from Southerly type directions, and above F3, give it a miss till another time when you've built up confidence and know what you and the boat are happy in. Often nothing wrong with SE, or SW F3, but sometimes it can get lumpy.

All IMHO of course

If you want some assistance, I'll happily escort you through, and onto Poole or Weymouth or wherever.. I'm out most weekends. If you want to go out and see what it's like, spot the landmarks etc, I'll quite happily take you out for a spin on my boat and show you around Needles Channel, North Channel, over to Poole etc. so you know what to expect when you try it yourself

Brendan

<hr width=100% size=1>Err, let me know if Depsol enters the forum, I'll go and hide

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

Sorry, didnt realise

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