Which way round the Isle of Wight?

[richardabeattie]

The Round the Island Race goes anticlockwise. Is there any particular reason for that? Is it that the tidal streams are easier to cope with that way round?

 

[alahol2]

The western Solent, Hurst Narrows and the Needles channel are the major tidal forces in play, so maybe best to get them timed correctly by doing them at the start of the circuit. Back of the Wight and eastern Solent, the tides aren't quite so strong.

 

[rob2]

I believe it is also to provide a windward start line - can you imagine the mayhem of over a thousahd yachts trying to time a start run with spinnaker?

Of course, it will depend on the size of boat as to which tides it picks up due to its sailing speed. I believe this is why the Folkboat and derivatives do so well on handicap as they don't get the whole force of the tide against them as they come up the Solent to the finish line.

Rob.

 

[l'escargot]

The tide also sets west for around 7 out of 11 hours in the Solent.

 

[Biggles Wader]

The Round the Island Race goes anticlockwise. Is there any particular reason for that? Is it that the tidal streams are easier to cope with that way round?

It would be chaos if everyone went whichever way so they all go round in the same direction.

 

[aslabend]

It would be chaos if everyone went whichever way so they all go round in the same direction.

Ooooo, that's going on my "When I rule The World" list......

 

[AIDY]

traditionally it's actually raced round the other way out through bembridge to the nab (when there was a light ship their) then in through the needles.

the j class boats used to race for the 100 Guinea Cup this way round

they still occasionally race this way round during cowes week. think its called the Britannia cup now or something like that.

 

[Twister_Ken]

Whichever way gives you downwind round the back, letting you stick close to the scenery and more interesting to tack in the Solent. And time it so you have slack or favourable tide at Hurst.

 

[Malabar]

The 2-handed boys have just headed off Round the Island towards the East. A superb sight on a sunny morning with a sparkling breeze. Hope they get a great day's sailing. They should carry the ebb down the back of the Wight then the afternoon flood up from the Needles. Which way round really depends on tide times on the day you plan to go.