Strait of Gibraltar: East to West

[nigelmercier]

I've just read an interesting article on SailNet Strait of Gibraltar Strategies which says: "Good reference books are the RCC Pilotage Foundation Guide, Atlantic Spain and Portugal which has the most information on navigating the Strait ..."

I had previously bought the North Africa pilot, thinking this would be the best information for our trip, and now I don't have time to get a copy of the above.

If anyone has the RCC Pilotage Foundation Guide, Atlantic Spain and Portugal I'd be most grateful for a copy of the relevant pages, I will buy a copy on my return from the trip.

Please contact me via my boat web site: Dolcetto

 

[RobbieW]

email sent via website

 

[nigelmercier]

If anyone has the RCC Pilotage Foundation Guide, Atlantic Spain and Portugal I'd be most grateful for a copy of the relevant pages, I will buy a copy on my return from the trip.

Please contact me via my boat web site: Dolcetto

[Update] The problem I have is that the information I have in my Pilot Book conflicts with the info in the Straits Sailing Handbook. If you compare these documents, you can see that the nett flow is often in a different direction!

 

[tri39]

If you download PawPaw's (Michael Briant) "Strait Sailing" PDF guide for a nominal sum (unless you already have this), it contains the info you seek.
What exactly do you mean by "nett flow"?
I understand the Atlantic is constantly replenishing the evaporating Med, but there are still west going tides at the surface.

 

[capnsensible]

Hiya.

I have found Colin Thomas's strategy for passing through the Straits generally spot on. The tide and current flow are based on information provided by the Admiralty Hydrographic Office.

Do take note of the wind generated 'drift current' that does affect the surface water flow and causes some to comment that the tides are wrong when its the wind! This can be found at the foot of the interpolation page, 56.

Weather information is broadcast 2 hourly, alternating between Tarifa Traffic, channel 10 and Tangier, channel 69. Even hour utc +15.

Very useful as it gives the true wind at those places. A West 6 at the Gib end will often be a 3 or 4 at the other end. If its blowing a bit west, I just motor through to Tarifa, gets the job done. Took me 3 hours a couple of weeks ago.

Personally, I use the 'go at ten oclock' theory. I have never missed Barbatte or Cabo Spartel by midnight! Sooner or later you will get the tide. I will be using this tactic next tuesday!

Have a nice trip, do pm if you have any questions.

 

[nigelmercier]

I have found Colin Thomas's strategy for passing through the Straits generally spot on.

Unfortunately I only have a copy of the tidal flows, as above, none of the text.

 

[capnsensible]

Gimme a call, next time you are in Gib!

Happy to help.