Dandelion 105

 I wrestle the riddle, as I walk north, toward St Sampson, in search of an aubergine for supper. It is this: What port can Stargazer reach, by dusk, from a start time dictated by the St Peter Port cill. (Two hours either side of local high water)?

Early, or late, season, when Stargazer usually passed through, the conundrum does not arise. We simply move from an inner harbour finger berth, to an alongside berth, in the outer harbour. Beyond the constraint of the cill. At this (busier) time of year, however, a late arrival is sure to raft on us, if we go 'outside.' Causing a sleepless night, at best. Thwarting our plans for a dawn departure, at worst.

Better to leave from the inner harbour and accept the constraint of the cill. 

Two hours before local high water, the tide in the Little Russel is turning north. And will run hard, through the Alderney Race, to the Cap de La Hague, for the next five hours. Where it then runs west, for six hours. 

This latter factor rules out the option of riding the tide, from St Peter Port to La Hague, before making for Cherbourg, fifteen nautical miles east.(Purple arrows show tide direction, at Stargazer's estimated time of arrival). 

In order to carry a fair tide for that route, Stargazer would need to leave two or three hours earlier. Pushing the last of the south going tide, in the Little Russel. But benefitting from an east going tide, along the shore of the Cotentin peninsula. Where it runs almost as fast as Stargazer can sail.

One solution is to make for our former home port,  Poole. The north going tide would carry us to the top of the Alderney Race. From there, Stargazer could head across the Channel. Where the tide would set her west, for six hours, before bringing her back east, for six hours. By which time we would be making ready to anchor, in Studland Bay. If we have averaged five knots for the crossing. 

Stargazer has not visited Poole, since leaving in 2016. Adding appeal to the idea. Which would also provide variety, to our choice of passage ports, as we proceed up Channel.

I call Kelly, at Cobbs Quay. Always my point of contact, whenever Missee Lee, Goblin or Stargazer needed a favour. To discover that she is now the Marina Manager. She is confident of finding Stargazer a berth.

Credits

Charting screenshots courtesy of Navionics.