Yarmouth/Lymington to Weymouth

[marchhare]

First time passage between these locations. Have done some homework but being unfamiliar with St Albens Head am looking to go outside and not venture on the reported inshore passage. Any of you experienced folks like to give any pointers?, suggested waypoints to avoid the horrors?

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[steve_cronin]

This is much trod territory for many people on this forum I suspect!

Black Rock off Yarmouth is your first point of note if you have a really deep draught but since you're likely to be setting off at or near high water it isn't generally a problem. Your choice around the Shingles is between the North Channel, close to the shingle bank to the west of Hurst castle or using the Needles Channel itself. If I were going to Weymouth, because of needing to keep south of the following two features (not really "Hazards") I would in most weather conditions use the Needles Channel.

The "Race" of St Albans (St Adhelms) head is much over-rated IMO and the so called "inshore passage" only of use in really nasty conditions and even then only at certain states of the tide. Keep well south (about three miles say) and avoid the Lulworth Ranges by obtaining information from the Coastguard beforehand. You will be advised by the Range Safety vessel to keep south of the "Atomic Bouy" and then you can make your way safely into Weymouth. Moving on west via a "real" race, around Portland requires much more planning.

Others will no doubt have other advice but on a well found boat in reasonable conditions the above is about all you need to watch out for. Oh! and don't hit any of the high speed ferries out of Poole!

Steve Cronin

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[alant]

"I would in most weather conditions use the Needles Channel".
Suggest you 1st check your pilot - Needles Channel should not be considered in a F6+.


<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Twister_Ken]

St albans race is OK in moderate winds against tide and stronger winds with tide as long as you've got the tide under you. Just close the hatches, clip on and enjoy the ride, you'll be through in only a few minutes anyway.

In any case you wouldn't want to do it against the tide, too slow, too boring.

DISCLAIMER - don't sue me if it goes pear shaped.

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

 

[Aries]

Aries is a 25ft, deep fin, and goes that way quite regularly - off again on 31st August for a rally at Weymouth.
It depends on the weather. If it is blowing, go down the outside the Hurst and then aim to St Albans from the N Channel buoy. Otherwise it is quite an easy ride through the Needles. Depending on the wind direction, keep towards the Needles side the Channel, past Bridge and the Fairway buoys. If you judge the tide right, ie it is going with you, you can easily use the inshore route at St Albans. On a calm day I tried going through the race. It was just a bumpy 100 yards - just like entering Portsmouth at high water. Once you are past St Albans there is hardly any tide to worry about, so this time of the year, trail the mackrel lines and catch your dinner.
You will see Portland appear on the horizon first. Aim north of the highest bit and just enjoy the coastline as you pass it (Hopefully there will not be any gunery going on for a few weeks yet, so you will not have to go way out).
The Nothe and Weymouth do not become distinct until you are a couple of miles out.

As you come up to the entrance to Weymouth, keep a watch out for power boats (both tripper boats and the big white whales) as they approach it quite fast and often with a big wash quite close in.

Enjoy the trip - it is one of the most interesting ones along the south coast. I remember the first time we did it on our own.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[jimi]

If you use the inside route going west, watch out for the shoal area past St Alban's Head bt Chapman's Pool, it sort of sneaks up on you! St Alban's race in full flow on a spring tide can be quite daunting.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Evadne]

I would concur with all of the above, St Albans can be nasty, even in a flat calm (if you lose your engine) but I've not found it life-threatening up to F5 and it is quite short. Don't rely on the wavy lines on the chart to tell you where the race is, it is to the east of the ledge on the flood and a little to the west on the ebb. On our boat we refer to the Mythical Inshore passage. It's never there when I look for it. If the weather is reasonable, stay inshore for the view. For a really spectacular view, start inshore off Old Harry and follow the coast. If it's tomorrow you're going, then you'll likely be motoring. Sunday looks promising, though.

Similarly it's always a bit rough at the southern end of the Needles channel, for a hundred yards or so. If you take the northern channel, look over your shoulder as you leave because finding it on your way back is not as easy as finding the Needles, unless you rely on gps. Weymouth is often a stealth port as well, if you see it at 2 miles off then you're doing well.

Have a nice trip.



<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[steve_cronin]

Jump down a blokes throat just to egrandicise yourself wouldn't you?

"...most..." would, IMO, exclude crossing the Bridge in really nasty conditions but you cannot expect (and indeed I don't suppose the originator expected it) a reply on a forum to be as comprehensive as an entry in a pilot - which incidentally, for that particular area of the planet I havn't used in many a year since I know it's many moods and vices very well. (There is an anchor of mine and a couple of yachting hats somewhere at the bottom of the North Channel).

I HAVE actually used the Needles in >F6B on many trips. Does that make me a bad seaman in your book? If it does then perhaps I should have made other arrangements but when you arrive 20hours or so out of St Peter Port in a rising southerly it is far better to stay in deep water than try to enter by the north channel with it's very feint light and crawl along the Hurst spit in the dark (But the pilot books don't tell you things like that. Such decisions are made on the back of experience.

Your admonishment (and especially its Vitriol) ia noted - but disregarded.

Steve Cronin

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[tome]

I'd agree with what you say in terms of experienced sailors- I've been through quite a few times in SW F6+. Wouldn't do it on an early flood when everything gets a bit wild.

However, I think you're being a little sensitive to wise correction here. The North passage would indeed be more comfortable for a novice in these conditions, and clearly this is his first trip.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[steve_cronin]

Disagree on the "sensitive" bit. It is all too often that people try to score in a schoolroom fashion on these forums.

As to "The North passage would indeed be more comfortable for a novice in these conditions, and clearly this is his first trip. " There is little to fear from the Needles channel and it is more likely to get him to windward for the long slog to Weymouth. Furthermore it will keep him away from all those lobster pots off Christchurch/ Hengistbury Head AND get him into the main west going stream earlier.

Steve Cronin

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Twister_Ken]

Although I know and love the North Channel, am I the only one who finds skimming along with all that shingle a stone's throw away a slightly spooky experience?

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

 

[BrendanS]

Re: Mythical Inshore Passage

Last year I went for a walk along the coast up to St Albans head and spent several hours sitting on the bench next to the volunteer coastguard station.

It was amazing how clear the race is from up there, and how far out it stretches, and how well defined it is.

The inside passage was very clear, though only one motorboat coming from Weymouth made use of it. The sailing boats all without exception took a line which meant they spent the longest time in the rough patch.

Well worth a hike up there (or drive up to the coastguard lookout) to have a look sometime. It makes a huge difference in visualising what's going on when back at water level in a boat

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[marchhare]

Re: Mythical Inshore Passage

Thanks to all of you for the useful comments and information, hoping to go Monday.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Chris_Rayner]

Close to the shingle

Having sailed out of Chichester Harbour for years, I'm quite happy, the western edge of the channel in the entrance is very steep to and you can tack within a boat length of the beach, closer if you're daring. Now the eastern edge, that's a different matter. Never gone on the Winner, but I've bumped it a couple of times. >8-0

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[alant]

Are you just being sensitive or is it PMT?
Remember the 3 deaths in about 1997/98 at the Needles due to a yacht pitchpoling in breaking seas - the official enquiry verdict " too much testosterone" - & your "There is little to fear from the Needles channel" confirms that your earlier boasting about passages thru' in >F6 may indicate a similar tendancy towards foolhardiness. The Yarmouth Lifeboat Cox stated at the enquiry that this was an area even they avoided in >F6/7 conditions & I personally would take his advice.

My post was intended entirely for the "First time passage between these locations" guy!! Nothing to do with points scoring. Just thought that he might like to read the advice given in MacMillan/Reed's about this area & work out his own capability. "Needles Channel 10-2-16" et al
- "Even in a SW force 4 against the ebb will raise breaking seas near the Bridge and SW Shingles buoys".

Just think it fair to warn the guy in advance!!! Once past NE Shingles Buoy, in a strong Spring Ebb, you are committed & might find it impossible to avoid these 'breaking seas'. Really an experience a first time guy might just want to avoid.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[steve_cronin]

You are just bent on personal abuse and selective quotations my friend. It just isn't worth the time making exchanges with such.

Steve Cronin

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[marchhare]

Post passage update
Did the trip, out through the Needles channel to the Fairway bouy, outside St Aldhems, although most appeared to go inside. No real problems except got fed up with the rolling, approx F4 N/E to E.
Coming back was a different matter, wind same direction F4/5, could not get out of the marina to take full advantage of the tide and ran out at St Aldhems, again ouside and quite bumpy. Nearly got caught out being swept back into the race, course 070, log 6 knots, track 033, speed over the ground 1.2!! Won't make that mistake again in hurry, nervous few minutes breaking out to a less distressing situation. (Was quite a fascinating sight, the race and the flat whirlpools on the eastern up tide side)
9 hours to Poole and lumpy round the Pervil Ledges.
Back into the Solent by the Northern passage, no bother.

Thanks to everyone who took the trouble to reply, thought it only fair to give the update.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Twister_Ken]

You can only lose your virginity once!

Should have mentioned not to go into Weymouth Marina if you want out at a certain time, because the bridge will probably screw you. Much better to raft on the wall.

If caught out by the tide, in those conditions, consider sitting it out in Lulworth or Chapman's Pool.

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