Wednesday 24 August - Brighton to Southampton

Leaving Brighton

The weather forecast had been uncertain over the past few days, and it was only at breakfast time that we could make the final decision to go, into a promised F3/4 with low wave heights, some light rain and negligible tidal streams (less than 0.5 kts throughout). Fuel was full, water 1/4, and engine hours 908.

Brighton on a murky morn

The course was 3 legs: 27m @255 to Looe Channel, 19m @ 288 to Bramble Bank, and 9m by buoyed channel on Southampton Water.
.0915  Cast off. Call marina. Sort ropes and fenders. Emerge into v.choppy entrance ("Was this a mistake?", we wondered, but pressed on)
.0930  Still quite lumpy, but not as bad, Carry on. AOK. Noticed that the port engine was running at 95deg for a while, before popping back to its more normal 90. Wind F4, sea moderate. 2700 revs=, 15sog.  Bilges.

Stereo trawlers

.1000  On course abeam Worthing. Brighter now. Fewer slams. Sea moderate. AOK.
.1030  Sunshine. Wind abated to F3, to judge from flags on the numerous fishing pots (at least they had flags, which were easy to see through the salt and spray). Abeam Littlehampton. 15.5 kn sog.
.1100 Now great conditions (in the Lee of Selsey Bill). Sunny, sea flat, AOK. 15.2 sog. 4.5 nm to Looe.
.1115  Looe buoys. Alter course to Bramble 18nm@288. Sunbathing and veg prep weather. AOK. sea slight.

Solent sailing

. 1145  Abeam Dean Elbow. AOK.  The great ride continues at 15.5 sog.
.1215   At Browndown buoy. AOK. Frequent course changes around yachts.
.1245  At Hook, having "chickened out" of using North Channel round Bramble (not sure of charts). AOK. Still a smooth ride.




Ryde IOW from the sea

 .1305  Weston Shelf. Slow to 6kn speed limit (didn't know about this, tut tut)
.1305  Tying up on Southampton Town Quay Marina ("Echo 1"), having requested an easy-access berth. Marina staff meet us and help with lines. Engines 912, fuel 1/2, 5/8. Beautiful sunny day.

Our newest neighbours, Red Funnel

Marina is spanking new, and facilities are 5-star. 20 yds from IOW ferries, and right at the stop for the free bus to town. Fees £3 per m = £27.60 pn, all inc. (Wi-fi is from "Spark", at £12 per week). Just the venue for a shopping day out, at £8 per short stay. There is even a hose-pipe, although the sign says it is not to be used for potable water, Quite a sensible way to get round a silly regulation which no other country worries about.
Wash down boat, lunch, emails, etc, and an outing at "West Quay". Another holiday-ette begins....