On our way!!

[sprocker]

So after keeping a close eye on the weather forecast this week, we have decided it is 'Good to go'.

The plan is to leave Mercury tomorrow, top up the tank on the way down the Hamble, and cruise around to Portland for an overnight stop.

Then Sunday will see us off around Portland Bill at slack water, and take the long route around Lyme Bay to Torquay.

Very excited and more than a little nervous.

[lewlew100]

That sounds grat - enjoy. Geoff.

[shibbs]

Hope you have a great journey. Enjoy!
Weather looks lovely for Sunday!!

[Ianfs]

Weather forecast is for cloud with sun and some rain, souwesteriles gusting to F4. Lest hope they don't happen! It was chucking it up today. My advice, keeping the screen covers/front camping covers attached.

After Dover HW you'll see the tidal flow change direction, we are normally an hour or two behind them for direction change. It'll give you a bit of a push.

I wish you and your good lady well.

[sprocker]

Sat in Portland Marina overnight. The first leg fine, quite choppy around the Needles, followed by large swell between Anvil Point and St Albans Head, but once past there we were back on the plane and a steady run into Portland. Tomorrow will see us around Portland Bill at slack water, then across Lyme Bay to Torquay. Very impressed with how she handled the conditions today, my confidence in her has grown enormously.

[Ianfs]

Good luck with your passage planning, I've read the book several times this morning and looked at the tidal flow charts for Portland and am very confused. According to Reeds, it says Timing is vital to catch 'slackish' water in the inshore passage and to enjoy fair tide thereafter. The windows are HW Portland +4 to HW-6 , anything else you're going against the stream. However the tidal stream chartlets suggest that HW Portland +1 the race is slight, but as said previously you are going against the flow. Very confused.

I'm sure you've got it all worked out, take care and I am so glad you are enjoying your new boat.

[TorbayRob]

So how did you get on? Are you tucked up in Torquay yet?

[sprocker]

All tucked up in Torquay Rob! Fridge will be stocked with beer from next weekend.....

Left Portland Marina after a call to Portland NCI, The they said sea state was OK so we went for it. Followed up with a radio check once out of the harbour, the NCI guys and gals really do a good job!

We rounded Portland Bill taking the inshore passage exactly on high tide as planned.........And it was a breeze. Good amount of swell, and the race was very visible, but nothing scary.

A decent amount of swell after Portland Bill for approx 1/2 mile, and then we were up on the plane all the way into Torquay.
1 hour 45 mins across Lyme Bay, cruising at 3000RPM gave us 22knots, and a very comfortable ride.

A brilliant trip, and one that has given me untold confidence in our new boat.

Also I have a very sunburnt head & face. It seems that factor 25 is not enough in Devon!

The season starts here !!!!

[TorbayRob]

Awesome - well done!

I know the coast between here and Weymouth very well, but all from the Land only past Exmouth as that's as far as we've ventured in the Fletchers! Looking forward to going further now.

[lewlew100]

Well done, it sounds like you had a great trip. Living in virtually landlocked Lincolnshire I am a bit jealous of you lot that live closer to the lovely south/southwest coast. Please do not let anyone suggest selling up and moving - we would love to, but we would struggle to buy a beach hut in the Torbay area. Have agreat season. Geoff.