OVERVIEW
This is a tidal efficiency that utilises a back eddy along the northwest coast of the Isle Of Wight that enables a vessel to pass through the western Solent, exit The Needles and enter into the English Channel streams when all the tides are favourable. Careful pilotage is essential when hugging the coast of northwest Wight so as to make the best of the back-eddy. It is therefore critical to familiarise oneself with the northwest coast as set out in The Solent and Isle of Wight Coastal Overview alongside a detailed set of charts and the waypoints provided are suitable for your vessel.


KEY TIDAL GATES


The following are the key tidal gates for the passage. The route suggests a passage from Cowes Harbour , as best described in the Folly Inn entry the efficiency may be utilised from surrounding locations. Hence, addition tidal gates are provided to assist a passage from other parts of The Solent and or Portsmouth.

• • Calshot Spit Back Eddy along the mainland HW Dover -3:40


• • Cowes Back Eddy along northwest Wight HW Dover -2:40


• • Eastern Solent Tide sets west in Stokes Bay/Off Wooton HW Dover -1:40


• • Western Solent Tide sets west in Hurst Narrows HW Dover -0:40


• • Anvil Point Tide sets west at HW Dover

The English Channel turns adverse, eastward, at HW Dover +6 which provides a fair tide window of 9 hours for this journey of a little under 50 miles as plotted. Should the tide turn before arriving at Weymouth the adverse tides that will be experienced in Weymouth Bay are less severe than those that would be encountered further out in the channel.



Another useful tidal efficiencies for continuing further westward from Weymouth Bay, as far as Start Point, is possible by optimising the timing detailed in Rounding Portland Bill by the 'Inner Passage' .


ALBAN'S HEAD RACE
Care should be taken when rounding Saint Alban’s Head as Saint Alban’s Ledge, with depths of 8.5 to 16 metres, extends up to 2.5 miles southwest of the headland. Lit buoys associated with this range are moored in the vicinity of the ledge. The unevenness of the ground generally precipitates a race that can be hazardous for leisure craft and particularly so during Springs with blustery wind-over-tide conditions. The race extends about one mile offshore and is sometimes found more westerly and sometimes more easterly depending on whether the wind and tide are with or against each other.

As this passage is with the west-going stream and the prevailing winds are southwesterly it is most likely that the race will be running. If the wind-against-tide is Beaufort F5 or more it is best to pass south around the race and take the extra miles. Neap tides are always better than springs of course.

The suggested waypoint is set close to St. Alban's Head and inside the race that, on the west-going tide, will be to the southwest of the head. The indicated waypoint is only for positioning as this is all eyeball navigation depending upon the position of the race. Rough water will most likely to have been experienced on the run from Anvil Point to St. Alban's Head but close inshore it is much better, not completely calm, but very much better. As St. Alban's Head is approached the race will clear seen and well-defined flat sea area is up to at least 75 metres wide from the head. The head is very steep too and has deep water close in, so go in as close in as it feels comfortable.

Precautions should be made well before Anvil Point in case you do drop down into the race. It can produce large standing waves which rather suddenly rear up in front of the vessel when crossing the ledge. By the time you have seen them, with the tide running beneath you, it is too late to turn back you just have to push on through. Hence it is best to have everything squared away below decks before Anvil Point, all hatches closed and all crew are in heavy weather gear with lifejackets and harnesses clipped on.

The engine should be running, on standby or for motor sailing, but maintain a sharp lookout. One of the primary hazards of the area are its numerous lobster pot buoys can be moored up to a ½ mile of the shore in the vicinity of Saint Alban’s Head during the sailing season. They are sometimes sub-surface because they are dragged under by the current so it might be prudent not to have the prop turning in this area.

If you get caught in the overfalls, don't panic, the best option is just let the tide carry you through. The standing waves will stall the boat and shake all the wind out of the sails and it is not much better under power so steering is difficult. The currents will deliver the vessel out the other side very quickly.

If you have further concerns St. Alban's Head NCI Lookout Station is situated on the headland overlooking the race and they should be able to advise. Call +44 1929 439220 to contact the lookout during opening hours or leave a voicemail if it is not answered. Calls are usually actioned the next working day. The lookout itself is not equipped with e-mail facilities but enquiries to the Station can be made to e: st.albans.head@nci.org.uk which is checked frequently but is not monitored 24/7.



LULWORTH GUNNERY RANGE
A firing range area resides between Saint Alban’s Head and Lulworth Cove extending 12 miles seaward. When the range is in use three range safety boats, VHF Ch. 08 and 16, patrol the edges of the danger area. Red flags and red flashing lights are displayed above the coast guard station on St. Alban’s Head and on Bindon Hill, with its distinctive white chalk scar, in the west side of Worbarrow Bay. Other inland range boundary red flags may be seen from time to time but these can be ignored by those at sea.


The Lulworth Gunnery Range schedule may be obtained in advance from the 'Lulworth Range Walks and Tyneham Village' opening times website or by phone from the range safety officer P: +44 1929 404701 or +44 1929 404712. A recording of range operating times is given out on P: +44 1929 404819. Fortunately, the range is closed most weekends and during the main school summer holiday periods.


In the event of any uncertainty Portland Coastguard, VHF Channel 8, will be delighted to advise. The range safety boats may also be contacted by VHF and the range safety officer by phone as above. Technically yachts may pass through the firing area and some do so enduring considerable pressure from the safety boats. But this is not recommended as it is inconsiderate and disrupts the firing schedule. All that it means is a few extra miles are added to the journey.

LISTED WAYPOINTS
The complete course is 46.45 miles from the waypoint 'Cowes Harbour Entrance' to 'Weymouth Harbour' tending in a west south westerly direction (reciprocal east north easterly).

What is the best sailing time?

May to September is the traditional UK Sailing season with June-July offering the best weather. The British Isles weather is highly variable, and the amount of bad weather varies quite widely from year to year. This is because they are islands positioned between the Atlantic Ocean and the large landmass of continental Europe. As a result, the entire area lays under an area where five main air masses meet and alternate:

• • Tropical Maritime Air Mass - from the Atlantic


• • Polar Maritime Air Mass - from Greenland


• • Arctic Maritime Air Mass


• • Polar Continental Air Mass - from central Europe


• • Tropical Continental Air Mass - from North Africa

Depending on the movements of the jet stream, any and all of these air masses can come in over the isles, creating weather fronts where they meet and bringing with them all types of weather.

The prevailing winds for the British Isles as a whole are from the western quarter which generally blows for two-thirds of the year predominantly from the southwest. Gales from the westward are felt in all seasons, but from November to March, inclusive, they are most frequent and generally last three or four days. Of these, a southwest gale is considered to be the most powerful system. The winter period is largely characterised by wind and rain.

The fine summer weather of the sailing season is typically punctuated by the passage of Atlantic depression that bringing periods of strong wind and rain, and sometimes poor visibility. These gales rarely cause surprises as they are usually forecasted well in advance. Good weather windows of 48 hours are easy to predict but any longer than that there's an increasing chance of change.

Fogs are frequent in all parts of the Channel and are formed both on the English and French coasts. In summer they only obscure the land in the morning and are readily dispersed by heat or a light breeze. But the moist haze, driven in by westerly winds from the sea, tends to linger and is only dispersed by strong winds. In the eastern part of the Channel, it is rare for the land to be completely free from mists. The only exception is when the wind is from the northeast which makes the mist free coastline highly distinctive from a great distance.

With thanks to:

eOceanic