St Alban's ledge advice please

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pull2g

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We are fairly new to cruising and so far have limied our travel to around the Solent and IOW, save for a trip to Poole. We are soon to strike out for Weymouth on a week afloat and seek advice about crossing St Alban's Ledge. The Almanac suggests giving it a fair berth unless you want your decks wet! We have a Sealine S28, is it really that much of an issue?

Any advice greatly appreciated for this passage from Solent to Weymouth, poss via Lulworth.

Thanks in advance
 
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pull2g said:
We are fairly new to cruising and so far have limied our travel to around the Solent and IOW, save for a trip to Poole. We are soon to strike out for Weymouth on a week afloat and seek advice about crossing St Alban's Ledge. The Almanac suggests giving it a fair berth unless you want your decks wet! We have a Sealine S28, is it really that much of an issue?

Any advice greatly appreciated for this passage from Solent to Weymouth, poss via Lulworth.

Thanks in advance
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You can see the race.

Options are - go close in like carlton or go way out to miss it.

Don't forget the firing range just beyond - has a guard boat.
 
pull2g said:
We are fairly new to cruising and so far have limied our travel to around the Solent and IOW, save for a trip to Poole. We are soon to strike out for Weymouth on a week afloat and seek advice about crossing St Alban's Ledge. The Almanac suggests giving it a fair berth unless you want your decks wet! We have a Sealine S28, is it really that much of an issue?

Any advice greatly appreciated for this passage from Solent to Weymouth, poss via Lulworth.

Thanks in advance
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We will be heading down there soon from the Solent,when are you going?
 
I'm based in Poole and regularly pass St Albans en route to Chapman's Pool and Mupe Bay. You can go in as close as 20m off the rocks to get the calmest passage - even at LW you'll still have at least 10m under you but keep a close eye out as the locals regularly put out pots all along that stretch.

Once past St Alban's stay a good half mile off to stay clear of Kimmeridge ledges, and if you have time a stop in Lulworth or Mupe Bay is well worth it.
 
only been through once in an ex r n l i 50 ft life boat----wind over tide---the decks got very very wet----good fun in a life boat though----regards lenten---ps not sure i would have been so happy in a tupperware boat
 
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Thanks everyone. i did not appreciate you could hug the coast so close...Will be checking the range activity online before we go... hope to cast off 24th or 25th May.
 
pull2g said:
We are fairly new to cruising and so far have limied our travel to around the Solent and IOW, save for a trip to Poole. We are soon to strike out for Weymouth on a week afloat and seek advice about crossing St Alban's Ledge. The Almanac suggests giving it a fair berth unless you want your decks wet! We have a Sealine S28, is it really that much of an issue?

Any advice greatly appreciated for this passage from Solent to Weymouth, poss via Lulworth.

Thanks in advance
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You might want to put a waypoint based on the almanac advice where to clear the ledge.. at least in it gets messy you have some idea where to go !
I think it was TCM some years ago who pointed out that most almanac advice assumes you are in a sailing boat- you have a bit more grunt in your engine bay.
Just have a think before hand about the wind and tide- there is little point in arriving at the ledge at the worst possible moment. I have had one horrendous time there, but then looking back, it was stupid to be there in the first place. Every other occasion, you wouldnt even notice the ledge. So, yes, it can be very nasty. If its nasty before you get there, expect it to get worse. If the sea is easy anyway, dont worry.
IMHO, these headland warnings are that- warnings that it can be very grim there, not that it will be.
Hopefully you wont even spill your beer ;)
 
gjgm said:
You might want to put a waypoint based on the almanac advice where to clear the ledge
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Good advice that.

Last year I left the Needles with a waypoint for the tip of Portland, thinking when I saw the St Alb overfalls I'd nip inshore and then get back onto course, but it was foggy, I didnt see them coming and we got a very bouncy ride for a few minutes and infact did a little bit of damage to the boat!
 
[QUOTE=pull2g:
"Will be checking the range activity online before we go..."

Sorry for a raggie input BUT the late editor of YM campaigned until it was admitted that the Range Patrol, who usually lurk in Chapman's Pool, have no authority to send you out for those extra miles. Simply state that you are increasing to max speed to cross the area a.s.a.p.
Have done so many times - at 6 knots!
 
Tom Price said:
pull2g: "Will be checking the range activity online before we go..." Sorry for a raggie input BUT the late editor of YM campaigned until it was admitted that the Range Patrol said:
You mean that any gun practice must stop because you wont take a detour, or you mean you found yourself there by genuine mistake and by that time you might as well continue anyway?
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Click to expand...
 
pull2g said:
We are fairly new to cruising and so far have limied our travel to around the Solent and IOW, save for a trip to Poole. We are soon to strike out for Weymouth on a week afloat and seek advice about crossing St Alban's Ledge. The Almanac suggests giving it a fair berth unless you want your decks wet! We have a Sealine S28, is it really that much of an issue?

Any advice greatly appreciated for this passage from Solent to Weymouth, poss via Lulworth.

Thanks in advance
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if you have seen this allready apologies..but it MIGHT give you ideas.. pt 1 lasts 9mins http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mdrx_M2e9Qo pt2 lasts 8mins. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Stu2F3xPHVA&feature=related
 
Lulworth gunnery ranges

I have NEVER been there by mistake - and nowadays pass through faster than 6 knots! It is our right to hold our course at top speed while the squaddies up on the cliff stop firing and enjoy a ciggie.
 
Tom Price said:
I have NEVER been there by mistake - and nowadays pass through faster than 6 knots! It is our right to hold our course at top speed while the squaddies up on the cliff stop firing and enjoy a ciggie.
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Hmmm, I'm reminded of a saying: "there's no point in being dead right!" :D
 
St Alban's Race

I have always stayed close into the cliffs, plenty of water there and catch it on slack tide - beware of wind over tide as the overfalls really kick-up and make it a bad passage. Good Luck and enjoy the voyage to the West.
 
We went to Weymouth and back many times from the Solent during our time there. We always went very close in to St Albans Head and I mean almost close enough to put your hand out and touch it! IMHO the warnings in the pilot books are a bit overstated. In the kind of weather a mobo is likely to be out in, lets say upto a F5, the overfalls are not going to be dangerous although you may find some serious holes if you just plough through the middle of the race but its just a case of slowing down to displacement speed for a few minutes. IMHO Durlston Head can be just as naughty as St Albans Head so watch out there too. If you plan to go outside the race at either head, you need to go right out as in 2-3 miles, to avoid the overfalls
 
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