The needles

[flaming]

I've noticed a fair few people talking about the round the island race. So my question is, is anyone else considering taking the shortcut inside the wreck? Looking at Wight hazards it seems to be fairly possible given moderate weather.

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[StugeronSteve]

Re: Given moderate weather.....

.... and a good liferaft. Only to be tried by those that know exactly where it is.

<hr width=100% size=1>Semper Bufo

 

[jhr]

Ask Bob Fisher (Grauniad Sailing Correspondent) about this. He knows exactly where the Varvassi is. And the size of hole that it makes /forums/images/icons/smile.gif.

<hr width=100% size=1>Je suis Marxiste - tendance Groucho

 

[Twister_Ken]

The problem is...

...that if you are going inside at the same time as a few other silly buggers, some of you are going to get squeezed out and left with nowhere to hide. Having seen two boats sink on it, in cluding a French Admirals Cupper, I'd say go past on the outside (coastguard lookout visible overtop of the lighthouse, I seem to recall). Sinking a boat can ruin your whole race.

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.writeforweb.com/twister1>Let's Twist Again</A>

 

[GeorgeP]

Vervassi

I followed some other boats a couple of years ago, thinking they knew where they were going. We all went right over the bl**dy thing. I watched as the depth gauge plumetted from 4 metres to 1.5, and I saw three of the lumps in the water.

I think I'll be going wide this year...

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[Talbot]

Re: Vervassi

<<as the depth gauge plumetted from 4 metres to 1.5>> Still plenty of room then /forums/images/icons/smile.gif

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[AIDY]

No it will be too busy to play chicken at the needles

From past experience the safe rule of thumb for rounding the needles and avoiding goose rock and varvassi is to keep the top of the needles light below the level of the top of the white cliff.

watch the cross tide that goes north at Bridge if you are as far over as the shingles before rounding the needles.

The usual health warning apply if you intend to try it.


<hr width=100% size=1>/forums/images/icons/wink.gif <font color=blue> Regards Andy </font color=blue>

 

[bob_tyler]

When you get to the other end of the Island ask him about Bembridge Ledge - he has personal knowledge!

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[jhr]

He does seem to have built up an intimate knowledge of underwater Solent hazards!

To be fair, you don't win races if you don't take risks, but it's an irresistable story, almost as good as the photos of Rear Admiral Sir Sandy Woodward stuck on the putty in his sailing boat (on the Bramble Bank, I think), following his triumphant return from the Falklands.


<hr width=100% size=1>Je suis Marxiste - tendance Groucho

 

[petery]

You won\'t be in the water for long..

.. as they have quite a few craft - including last year a lifeboat - standing by to watch the fun!

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[Peppermint]

Re: You only take the inner route

if your sailing someone elses boat and they want you to win with it. It helps if you've got a bit of room around you too.

A common mistake is to make the decision too early, like on the Thursday before the start, and to ignore the conditions that prevail at the Needles. Quite often there's little or no advantage to be gained by being brave.

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[StephenSails]

Re: The problem is...

"Sinking a boat can ruin your whole race. "

Really?

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<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.yachtinguniverse.com>http://www.yachtinguniverse.com</A>

 

[qsiv]

Re: The problem is...

If there is space amongst the boats - be sure you have identified Goose rock - and aim to be uncomfortably close to Goose (20 yards or even less), otherwise ensure grass on headland visible over the lighthouse.

Going round the outside adds a few hundred yards - which is about the same as the difference between 'right' spot on the startline, and the outside end ...

Talking of the Squadron line - I love the radar picture in the current YW showing the Cowes starts - never, ever have I seen so many targets in such a small space!

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[Gezzer]

Re: You won\'t be in the water for long..

Your right they did, the RNLI had a RIB positioned at the start of the wreck forcing boats go go around him, did'nt stop one Sunsail boat from going around the RIB, cutting back in and making heavy contact, the resounding clang was audible to us about 50 mtrs off, as were the roars of laughter from the RIB.

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[boatless]

If you are contemplating it, and have time and flat water/weather this week, go and have a look at it. I've been inside three times (admittedly once with a 0.8M wing keel). If you're seriously racing it's worth it, as Qsiv says. If it's busy or you might have trouble with no wind or getting water, bail out in plenty of time.

Hit it once, this time not as skipper. Owner wanted to go round inside, but short of grabbing the wheel from him, couldn't get him to close in enough. Fortunately it was the flat bottom of the keel that touched as we went down with a wave. Just 'donk'. Told you so...

<hr width=100% size=1>my opinion is complete rubbish, probably.

 

[flaming]

Cheers for the insite guys. Suspect we'll probably give it a go given the correct conditions, especially if the RNLI are going to mark it again. Sure the other boats won't be a problem, we'll be miles in front by that stage!


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[qsiv]

The difficult call is actually going outside - the 'safe' transity takes a LONG way round (in racing terms), and it is very easy to be suckered in, closer and closer. If there really is a RIB on point duty, I'd go inside as long as there is not too many boats for the windstrength, and you know for sure where the Goose is.

Almost an equal sucker punch is collecting the strong tide that flows along the southern face of the shingles (almost 1 knot extra for free). The problem is that the Southern side of the shingles is very steep to, and the tide runs hard across to the north - the turbulence is likely have the echosounder telling fibs - or giving up. Unlike the Varvassi, the tide will pin you to the bank ... and the depths go from safely navigable to graunching in the space of a few metres N/S !!

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[Nick_Pam]

Hmmmm

And there he was, standing on the top of it!!!!!!!!

Nick<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by Nick_Pam on 21/06/2004 14:52 (server time).</FONT></P>

 

[KevB]

Madness - and some consider going "inside" worthwhile?? Thank you, I am now wise to where a wreck is.

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[jimi]

Bluidy 'ell .. I always give it a good 400 yds .. but I do'nt race, however it does beg the question as to why they do'nt just get rid of the boiler?

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