2021 Round GB Day 1. Hamble to Seaford.

Introduction

Posts on this trip may be written in real time or retrospectively so the tense will change, many will be cleaned up and additional pictures added when I get back and / or when stuck in harbour for a while.

If I am in one place for an extended period I may go back and update previous posts, add photos etc but the main proof reading, addition of photos and slide shows is normally done when I get home and have access to my main computer with its big screen, and some will wait until winter when there is little or no sailing to be enjoyed.

Charts are variously screen shots from:

• SeaPro 3000 my general navigation program run on a laptop, connected to the boat systems but also with a u-blox76 GPS.
• Garmin ActiveCaptain on an iPad which shares charts, tracks etc. with the Garmin plotter.
• Admiralty or Antares charts displayed via the MemoryMap application on PC or iPad.
• Marinetraffic.com.

Distances are in nautical miles (about 15% longer than statute miles) and usually "GPS" miles over the ground, distance through the water could be more or less depending on tides.

Day 1, Hamble to Seaford.

I was away at 03:30, on Thursday 15th April, leaving Deacon's Marina & Boatyard on the last of the flood which is the easiest and safest time to get out of a narrow berth which as other times has a strong current trying to knock you into other boats. It also gives a long favourable tide from the eastern Solent eastwards,

With the forecast wind the plan was to go North of the Rampion Wind farm so I went though the narrow Looe channel just off of Selsey Bill, that proved to be unfortunate as after a very pleasant albeit cold sail on a reach most of the way there, the wind freshened and I went through close hauled and into a very nasty sea caused by 15 - 19 knots of wind against 2 knots of tide in shallow water (5 metres at LAT (Lowest Astronomical Tide)) about 6 metres when I got there a day off of a spring tide.

Then the wind headed me again and it was clear I would not get north of the Rampion wind farm without tacking so I went to plan "B" and went south in the hope that the wind would revert. 

Approaching the Rampion Wind Farm, thoughtfully placed on the
direct line from Selsey Bill to Beachy Head - there will be
many more  to negotiate going up the east coast.

The "Cunning Plan" failed and once past the wind farm the wind veered further and it was a struggle to get to Seaford, just along the coast from Newhaven and about 7 miles NW of Beachy Head. But at least I did it all under sail once I was clear of the Hamble and Southampton Water.

Evidence that my cunning plan failed, not for the last time I suspect.

Seaford Anchorage, only useful in offshore winds
or unusually calm conditions,

67.9 nautical miles over the ground in 14 hours. Winds mainly c 12 knots but occasionally c 19 knots.

Click here for Day 2. Seaford to Rye.