The Trap!

[steveh]

Sailed back from Poole last Friday via the North channel at Hurst and passed through what I suppose is called the Trap. We were very glad it was calm since the tidal stream was formidable ( and flooding). Does anyone have any advise on passing through this bit of water when it is a bit rougher. Should one pass closer to Hurst castle ?. We sail a Jaguar 22, so it would't need much wind to make it exciting!

 

[billmacfarlane]

The advice I would give you Steven is quite simply don't pass through it at all coming from Poole. There is an inshore passage you can use. You pick up a green can buoy then head for the cardinal mark off Hurst Point, coming from Poole. Check it out on your chart. I always use it regardless of weather conditions when heading to/from Poole and in anything above a F4 with wind over tide I would always avoid the bridge.

 

[AndrewB]

In rough weather keep well clear of the Hurst Castle side. The boundary of the Trap can usually be seen on the water. It typically extends out a couple of cables but in some conditions seems to extend almost half way across. Worst time is on the main part of the ebb. The IOW side is generally calmer - but this is altogether a rough place to be in bad weather.

I don't understand Bill's remarks as coming through the North Channel does not avoid the Trap, but he is right about avoiding the Bridge which is even rougher!

 

[duncan]

I am led to believe that the trick is to be close enough to pick stones off the beach..........
However that is probably a bit close for a sail boat under sail given the currents.

 

[l'escargot]

What you in fact passed through was Hurst Channel, The Trap is a shingle spit that extends below the surface from the Hurst Castle side just inside the channel as the water calms and you think you have made it safely in. It lives up to its name and mainly catches those who are heading east and fighting a foul tide, keeping inshore to avoid the strong ebb.
The main rule for the Hurst Channel is pass through at best slack water and at worst with tide going the same way as you. A strong ebb tide with an opposing westerly wind of anything more than a force 4 should be avoided where ever possible as surface and currents become very confused.
To the south of the channel you have the hazards of Warden Ledge and strong tides off Sconce Point followed by Black Rock.
In a smaller yacht I would always favour the North Channel as the prevailing winds are pushing you away from The Shingles. I would then favour either the north or south of Hurst Channel depending on whether my destination would lead me to pass along the IW coast or mainland coast.
If unfamiliar with the Solent I would strongly recommend the book "Solent Hazards" which will reveal many of the pitfalls ready to trap the unwary.

Regards

 

[billmacfarlane]

Sorry folks , got the Trap and the Bridge mixed up.

 

[Twister_Ken]

Does it exist?

Is the Trap constant?

Twice this year I've sailed very close to Hurst Castle when coming back into the Solent against a foul tide. Despite watching the echo sounder like a hawk, I've seen no perceptible shallowing off the Castle or as I alter towards the Hampshire shore, once through. Is the trap still there? Does it come and go? Or is it around the corner, only a worry if heading up towards the Keyhaven entrance?

It seems improbable that a spit could exist there in the fierce tides that sweep through. Even the seaward side of the Hurst beach has had to be reinforced to stop it being eroded.

 

[Guest]

The Trap is where l'escargot indicates.
I was creeping in to the Solent behind a larger yacht which proceeded to ground on the spit. I crept round him thanks to my shallow (3ft) draught). I offered assistance which was declined. I believe he was towed off by the casltle ferry.

 

[Guest]

Yes, although I think its depth changes

I fish off that bit, Ken and there is definitely a shallower area as marked on the chart. You caan see it if you view from Hurst Castle.

As I understand it the problem is not that it gets shallow it is more to do with a counter current that if you are under sail alone will put you on the shingle.

Chris Enstone, Rival Spirit

 

[oldharry]

The trap - so called because sometimes it isnt there - is a place well avoided in any strength of wind. Not only will it catch the unwary with its varying depths, or put them hard on to the shingle, but in certain condtions the water aerates, causing a reduction in the buoyancy of anything floating in it.

No this is not an April 1st tale - it really does happen. I did not know of this until my boat lost perhaps thrid of its freeboard there one unpleasant day, and subsequently i have read accounts of others meeting the same - albeit rare - phenomenon.

Keep out of the trap at all costs if the weather is at all unpleasant.

Incidentally there is an account of a French Corvette being capsized in bad weather on the Bridge, and various other stories of solid water arriving on ships bridges crossing the Bridge in bad conditions - so also a place to avoid when the going gets rough!

 

[Guest]

A green CAN buoy ?? I think not, surely.
Apart from that very silly point which I raise in all good humour, I always take that action and route myself.