Tidal Rates Chart - Falmouth

[Tim Good]

I just got the Channel Almanac and although they include the tidal curves shouldn't there be a computation of tidal rates graph also for Dover in order to calculate precise rates based on tidal diamonds on the charts?

Might be loosing the plot here but any advice appreciated.

Cheers

Tim

 

[Skysail]

If the chart is not there, PM me and I can email one. Remember that greater precision in rates does not necessarily result in greater accuracy.....

Keith

 

[jdc]

Brest is best

Not sure I understand exactly what you are after, but for tides around Falmouth, where I sail mostly, this is what I do:

1. To determine the rates on an hourly basis I use the channel stream atlas but use time of HW Falmouth offset by 6 hrs from that of Dover (eg Dover +3 = Falmouth -3).

2. To determine the peak rate I use Brest coefficients. These have the advantage of being printed in the almanack. Brest is also rather closer to Falmouth than is Dover, not that that necessarily means much.

I've not found that the tidal diamonds give any superior precision to the stream atlas since they are far apart and thus ususally fail to show any eddies or counter currents. For instance the tides between the Lizard and Black head can be upto 1 1/2 hours adrift from what you'd expect; close in to the east side of the Lizard the tide turns SSW while the main current off the Lizard is still running E. This can be useful if going W early on the tide, but if running east in a westerly blow can build up big seas just at the point you would expect to come into smoother water having some shelter from the Lizard.

 

[chart5011]

The best inshore Tidal Stream info is in a small booklet by Mike Fennessy 'Tidal Stream Atlas of the South Cornwall Coast'. This covers Penzance to Plymouth and shows back eddies etc.
The UKHO also produce one, NP254 Falmouth to Teignmouth, which although much better than the almanac is not as detailed as the Fennessy.

Mike Fennessy also produced a South Devon TSA but this is currently out of print.

For an explanation of how to use Tidal Stream Atlases and Tidal Diamonds have a look at www.cockpitcards.co.uk

 

[graham42]

i always use Totaltide2.
it gives me precision wherever i am, +/- 5 minutes
saves buying the yearly tide tables. if they are free i pick one up.

 

[jon]

Unfortunately it seems the S Cornwall one is out of print.

 

[chart5011]

Got it the wrong way round. TSA South Devon is available, TSA South Cornwall out of print currently.

 

[opengate]

south cornwall tidal straem atlas

Does anyone know where to get a copy of this, they seem to be rare as hens teeth

 

[Georgy Girl]

Try here

http://www.seachest.co.uk/acatalog/a239.html?44

Bought both copies here last year, well worth the money

 

[LadyInBed]

shouldn't there be a computation of tidal rates graph also for Dover in order to calculate precise rates based on tidal diamonds on the charts?

No!
Tidal rates are taken from tidal diamonds on the charts w.r.t the Standard Port High / Low Water for the area.
AFAIK that info has never been in an Almanac, the nearest you get is as per the attached thumbnail.

Might be loosing the plot here

Yes

 

[VicS]

No!
the nearest you get is as per the attached thumbnail.

There are some larger scale tidal stream charts accessible from this page http://www.visitmyharbour.com/harbours/channel-west/channel-west/charts.asp?cattype=5

A set for Falmouth to Teignmouth and a set for Falmouth to Padstow

 

[TommyG]

Try here

http://www.seachest.co.uk/acatalog/a239.html?44

Bought both copies here last year, well worth the money

Hello - would anyone know where to get hold of the South Cornwall atlas?
I've had a good search for it, and found the Devon guide, but no joy on Cornwall.
Anyone willing to part with a copy please?

 

[LadyInBed]

This might give you a clue
http://montymariner.co.uk/tide-stream-charts/western-approach/

 

[TommyG]

This might give you a clue
http://montymariner.co.uk/tide-stream-charts/western-approach/

Thanks - good overview - I'm really looking for a bit of inshore eddy spotting, hence after a close-up of the headlands. If anyone could help, I'd be very grateful.