An English Summer 88

 

The forecasters are signaling a change in the wind direction. The return of the prevailing west or south westerlies.

Stargazer and I, like the berry fed birds of Northney, are rested replete and ready to continue our autumn migration.

The breeze is expected to remain easterly, until Thursday or Friday. But we can begin to beat our way east, to meet the south westerlies. Making shorter passages, where the addition of thirty percent, to the straight line distance, due to the need to tack, still allows us to work within the tidal windows.

Chichester to Brighton is around forty five, straight line, nautical miles ; taking the short cut around Selsey Bill, inside the Owers reef. Brighton to Sovereign Harbour Eastbourne, via Beachy Head, is only twenty odd miles. Tidal rates, except at the headlands, are relatively low, for both these passages. They would slow, but not halt progress, if they were to turn against Stargazer, due to extra distance sailed.

Between Sovereign Harbour and Dover, the sweeping English Channel tides, off Dungeness and up to Dover itself, can be our friend, or our foe. Either greatly accelerating progress (and with it apparent wind, if the breeze were to be forward of the beam); Or, all but halting us, if they turn against us. This is a passage best tackled with the wind on, or aft, of the beam. That is to say from the south through to west. Allowing Stargazer to sail a straight line course, with multiple sail options. Everything from a scrap of jib, for high winds, through to Cruising Chute, for light.

Stargazer plans: to sail on tomorrow's ebb, to catch the turn of the tide off Selsey Bill and to ride it east to Brighton. To pause, to explore Brighton a little, and to update wind predictions. Then to tack round to Sovereign Harbour, timing our arrival to match that of the returning south westerly breeze, allowing us to press on toward Dover.

PS The turn of the tide, off Selsey Bill, is at fifteen thirty, tomorrow. Which means that Stargazer will be on passage until, and in all likelihood beyond, nightfall. Now that the nights are drawing in. The next post is therefore planned for Monday.