Strong tide off Portishead

graham

graham

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Sailed up yesterday in glorious sunshine. Damo came down to the pontoon to lend me a hand after I made a complete cock up of getting into the berth /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif (Only thing damaged was pride.)

Also got to meet "Seedog" who sailed back to Cardiff with me this morning. Pleasure to have you aboard See dog. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
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and went stright past me, with my burgee up.

I waved twice... no reaction /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

To busy gassing to his mate /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
 
So what state of the tide was that then? Is that near mid tide? Any idea what speed it runs at there? Looks like it could be four or five knots.
 
It was half tide on the flood. I could barely hold station on it with motor on full throttle so about 5 knots of tide.

What type of boat are you thinking of getting?
 
Yes, on our mooring getting ready to go out. You went up and down the marina before going out.

Catch up next time /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

It was a stunning day, we had a little trip to Clevedon and back.
 
That is what I love about the Bristol channel. If, for instance, I'm sailing from Cardiff to Portishead I do all of my passage planning, set all the waypoints, trim the sails, look for the best place to pick-up the gusts and get there as fast as the boat can. If I motored to between the Holms at the right state of tide and fell asleep I would probably get there about the same time! /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
Allan
 
5 Knots. Wind with it though, or fairly light eh?

Regarding the boat, I've spent a lot of time bouncing around in Ribs, so fancy something a bit more comfortable as I get older. The missis and I really fancy the older boats with wooden interiors. One in particular we liked (only looked on the web) was a Cobra 750/850. To be honest I think we have a hell of a lot to learn before committing, and will certainly wait until we have done our week's day skipper course and talked to as many people as possible before we buy.

We really want to take our time and learn properly.

[Sorry, was replying to Graham]
 
Welcome to the forum and the Bristol Channel

I agree with Damo, Long keel is for me. For what its worth over the season try and sail in as many different types as boats as you can. This may well help you make the right choice.
Give me a call after your day skipper course, and I will give you a sail in a Heavy displacement, long keel cutter.
 
Much appreciated, I will try and do that. My experience to date is a 44ft Ketch in a Force 7 between Italy and Greece and sailing (mainly underneath) a laser on Margam reservoir.

This is making me think though, Graham mentions just about holding his own when motoring against the current at Portishead. Is this generally the case? I mean, I'm used to Ribs. I'm clearly expecting to have a lot less power, and I really want to sail as opposed to motoring, but is it normal in the BC not to be able to make headway when motoring? What size engine is 'normal'? Most of the boats we have 'looked at' have been in the 8-18HP range for around 26-28 ft.
 
I was only stemming the tide near the buoy to take the picture.No matter how big your engine its pretty much a waste of time trying to go against that much tide in a small cruising yacht.

You soon learn to plan to use the tide as much as possible.Going the other way would have had Banjo doing about 10 or 11 knots over the ground /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Generally the further up the Channel you go the stronger the tide allthough there are tide races around Islands and headlands further west .

The first and last hour of tide are usually much weaker than the rest of the tide so its sometimes a plan to leave an hour before the tide turns push into the last of the foul tide then when it changes you have the full benefit of a complete tide going your way.

ts all down to carefull timing and not trying to go too far in one hop.

Neap tides produce greatly reduced tidal rates compared with springs. Its quite possible to sail from Cardiff to Watchet with the tide against you all the way and arrive at HW on neaps. On springs you set off into the flood tide then proceed painfully slowly untill the tide turns and you then have to get a move on so as to make the latest time the gates are open.Much easier from Barry as you are going across the tide then.
 
Yes, I'm beginning to realise that working with the tide is the way to go, working against it much harder. I just assumed that there would be times when you just had to go against it, for quickly deteriorating weather or whatever.

We usually dive in North Pembs, Ramsey Sound being a favourite. I've watched the yachts go through there over the years, and seen very few try it against the tide.

Slight shift in emphasis for us I think. We'd normally look for a (very short) slack to dive. Difference, I think, is 7m is a huge tide in Ramsey. I should imagine that's a very neapy neap up this end.
 
Yes, I used to dive Swansea bay, big eddy there, and there's loads of back eddies in Pembs, though probably on a smaller scale. We have dived the West coast of Scotland, near the Corryvreckan. I've seen it from a distance, but never fancied getting closer in a small rib!
 
yes there is there is a big eddy from st govans to linney head the tide tunrs 2hours early there a great help when you want to make swansea in same tide
 
Graham, a really big thank you for my first ever BC sail which I really enjoyed. Great sailing and great company what more could I have asked for.

I knew of the tidal strength by reputation but it was something else to actually experience and I realise that I have a lot to learn about the channel. What did surprise me was the amount of floating debris. I was at sand bay last week where there was a lot of trees and timber on the shore and there is a lot more out in the channel. I have never seen as much timber in the water anywhere else.
 
I have walked much of the coastline from Swansea to Cardiff and you are right - the amount of 'stuff' that gets washed up is enormous. Now, don't get me wrong, I've picked up loads of floating bouys, fenders, ropes and other useful things, but the plastic and especially the wood, some of it huge tree trunks is staggering. I don't see anything like as much off the beaches of Pembs. It must be because the channel is so enclosed?
 
Seems it's not just timber to worry about. Points West has reported a second world war german mine (10 feet long) washing up at Burnham.
 
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