whitecliffe bay

lisilou

lisilou

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Okay, started the boating thing for the first time latish last year and spent most of our time familiarising ourselves on tiny jaunts just building confidence and reminding ourselves that it's 'mooring' and not 'parking'! This done, we are loving every minute and are getting the courage up to be a little more adventurous with a trip to Whitecliffe Bay (to most of you this may well sound a bit soft but for us its a tad scary!!). So...having plotted our course and read a few books, is there anything we should know/be aware of or definitely NOT do?? Also, is one anchor ok if we go ashore in tender for a bit?

thankyou muchly
lisilou:)
 
The main thing to do is to check the depth wherever you are anchored, look it up on the tide tables, and check out that you will have enough depth left when you come back (unlike I did recently).

Also, don't cut the corner around Bembridge Ledge. If you follow the buoys: Bembridge Ledge, West Princess, then turn into the bay from West Princess, that gives you the right approach angle. It seems a long way out, but is better than actually finding Bembridge Ledge itself.

Expect to find ships using the Nab Channel, but at least you know that's where they're most likely to be.

dv.
 
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Thanks DV. Thats the course I plotted so thanks to your advice,I shall stick rigidly to it. Much appreciated coz u never know what lurks beneath :D.
 
wot he said ... and yes - you can anchor and go in ... just make sure the anchor is set and the tide/current isn't going to change whilst you're not aboard (it'll probably be ok - but best to make sure eh?)
 
fireball said:
wot he said ... and yes - you can anchor and go in ... just make sure the anchor is set and the tide/current isn't going to change whilst you're not aboard (it'll probably be ok - but best to make sure eh?)
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:eek:See, that's what Im nervous about so...think I might just anchor both ends :)
 
lisilou said:
:eek:See, that's what Im nervous about so...think I might just anchor both ends :)
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Not always a good idea, unless you know what you are doing!
(think about a boat that ended up stern-to or side-on to the waves and what could happen :eek:)

(I've never needed more than one anchor, but that's because I don't anchor in very poor weather. Letting out enough chain/line (at least 3x depth if chain or 5x depth if chain and rope), checking it's set properly, and being onboard when the tide/wind changes solves 99% of all anchoring problems. Another option is to lay out the second anchor using the tender so that both anchors form a "V" from the front).
 
FlowerPower said:
Not always a good idea, unless you know what you are doing!
(think about a boat that ended up stern-to or side-on to the waves and what could happen :eek:)

(I've never needed more than one anchor, but that's because I don't anchor in very poor weather. Letting out enough chain/line (at least 3x depth if chain or 5x depth if chain and rope), checking it's set properly, and being onboard when the tide/wind changes solves 99% of all anchoring problems. Another option is to lay out the second anchor using the tender so that both anchors form a "V" from the front).
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Slightly embarrassed to admit I never even considered a downside to that :o. It will definitely be a fine weather trip with the very strong possibility of the 'V' approach.
Cheers for that :)
 
Seriously - don't do the hassle with a second anchor. It's not a great issue as long as your anchor is set properly and you have sufficient chain out - oh and it's not blowing a F8 like last night.
When at anchor - our engine is ready to start at the push of a button (no flipping on electrics, turn on the diesel etc etc) ... and it stays that way even if we go ashore - so if we did start to drag then it is no great hassle to get under power.

Have a look at when you're intending to anchor and see what the current change is. Looking at the overview you've got about a 5-6 hour window of current in one direction (this wasn't right in the bay - so may be a little different in there) before it switches round and goes the other way. Currents in the bay will be quite low too ... further out it is NE ~2kt to SW ~2kt ...
 
As has already been said keep clear of the Bembridge ledge but you have that covered.

Watch out for lobster pot bouys on the way in.

Don't anchor too neer the cliff there is a cable there that I managed to hook once....

Opposite the beach hut is fine and it is a great place to take the tender in to as they do food, ice creams and drinks.

Hope you enjoy your trip, it is definately worth while you will find crystal clear water (assuming you don't go too soon after a storm) with a sandy bottom where your anchor should hold very well.

Take some pictures and let us all know how it went.

P.S.
The sun goes down early behind the cliffs.....
 
Don't anchor too neer the cliff there is a cable there that I managed to hook once....
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I'm glad to see that I'm not alone in doing this.

The first time I caught a wopper. It must have been 80mm + in diameter, and was a bit of a bugger to free from the anchor.

On the second occasion I collected two at once, but these were more like 40mm diameter, and much easier to free off.

Last Saturday at Whitecliff was wonderful. The was one other mobo, one raggie, apart from two beautiful sounding V8 sportsboats, who seemed hell bent on killing a swimmer or two with their wakeboards.
 
Questor said:
I'm glad to see that I'm not alone in doing this.

The first time I caught a wopper. It must have been 80mm + in diameter, and was a bit of a bugger to free from the anchor.
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Yep got the big one, very heavy to remove had to use docking line and inginuity - sometimes very hard to find.....!
 
fireball said:
Seriously - don't do the hassle with a second anchor. It's not a great issue as long as your anchor is set properly and you have sufficient chain out - oh and it's not blowing a F8 like last night.
When at anchor - our engine is ready to start at the push of a button (no flipping on electrics, turn on the diesel etc etc) ... and it stays that way even if we go ashore - so if we did start to drag then it is no great hassle to get under power.

Have a look at when you're intending to anchor and see what the current change is. Looking at the overview you've got about a 5-6 hour window of current in one direction (this wasn't right in the bay - so may be a little different in there) before it switches round and goes the other way. Currents in the bay will be quite low too ... further out it is NE ~2kt to SW ~2kt ...
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Brilliant. This, Fireball, is why I keep this forum to hand...invaluable.
Thanks a mil :)
 
lisilou said:
hi gj,
hamble river.
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You are familiar with Priory Bay just west of Bembridge? Thats a great spot, but dont be fooled by the ribs right up on the beach. At low tide you need to be 750 metres offshore to have much water under you, so watch the tides and park with enough water under you ! Obviously when the water is in you can go right up to the beach, but it runs out pretty quick when the plug is pulled ;)
You need to be a bit off the coast of IOW for the last mile or so approaching Whitecliff, and its not unusual for diving to be going on. I usually do anchor over towards the cliffs as that usually gives you some shelter from the wind. Watch the wind and tide as quite a swell can get building from the west as you turn round the eastern end of the island, but otherwise there isnt anything to worry about.
Personally, I prefer Priory Bay, but round the corner makes a change.
 
gjgm said:
You are familiar with Priory Bay just west of Bembridge? Thats a great spot, but dont be fooled by the ribs right up on the beach. At low tide you need to be 750 metres offshore to have much water under you, so watch the tides and park with enough water under you ! Obviously when the water is in you can go right up to the beach, but it runs out pretty quick when the plug is pulled ;)
You need to be a bit off the coast of IOW for the last mile or so approaching Whitecliff, and its not unusual for diving to be going on. I usually do anchor over towards the cliffs as that usually gives you some shelter from the wind. Watch the wind and tide as quite a swell can get building from the west as you turn round the eastern end of the island, but otherwise there isnt anything to worry about.
Personally, I prefer Priory Bay, but round the corner makes a change.
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Not at all familiar with priory bay but am now and shall be adding it to the list of 'to do's' :).
And thanks for allowing me to pick your brains...we need all advice we can get. :)
 
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