Cruising - Solent Weekend
Clive Loughlin plans a mid-tide weekend circumnavigation of the Isle of Wight
Time for a circumnavigation
H
aving previously planned weekends in the Solent based around neaps (ST October 2021) and springs (ST May 2022), this article is based on a trip roughly mid-way between springs and neaps. The idea is that someone with a berth up the River Hamble arrives at their home berth on Friday afternoon, and needs to be back there by Sunday afternoon. With relatively minor variations it should also work for those with berths anywhere within the Solent area.
Time for a change?
While the previous weekends have aimed to exploit the opportunities provided by reduced (neaps), and enhanced (springs) ranges in tidal height, this weekend is all about the timing of the change in direction of the tidal streams. The timings of high and low water at springs and neaps are always the same within about an hour, and change predictably each day between springs and neaps – so what follows should work for dates midway between springs and
24
JULY 2022 Sailing Today with Yachts & Yachting
neaps, or a few days either side. The tidal range in terms of height and rate are more modest than at springs and this gives us a bit of tolerance regarding contrary tidal streams and windagainst-tide conditions. I leave it to you to do the necessary passage planning, pilotage and secondary port tidal height calculations for your specific adventure.
Planning
As always my starting point for passage planning is to make multiple copies of the Solent Tidal Stream pages from the almanac and then
ABOVE
Getting the tide right as you round the Needles is key to an enjoyable circumnavigation
fill in the times (I prefer to use BST) so I have an hour-by-hour snapshot of what is flowing where for the whole of the weekend. This particular passage plan starts on Friday 1 July 2022. This happens to be only one day after springs, but the plan should work for any weekend that starts a few days after springs, and with everything getting later by about 30-40 minutes each day, some of the tidal-gate timings get even more user-friendly than on this particular occasion.
Circumnavigation
The main aim for this weekend is to circumnavigate the Isle of Wight in an anti-clockwise direction, and assumes that the wind is from the prevailing south west. The southern half of the island has no harbours and precious little shelter, but it does provide spectacular views and the opportunity to venture slightly off the beaten track on a route less travelled. The passage plan is all about what is flowing where and when, and the aim is to sail the southern half from the Needles, past St Catherine’s Point and on to Bembridge Ledge with the tidal stream helping us on our way.
