Written by Tom Morris – Mozzy Sails
As one of only four RYA coastal Centres of Excellence, Hayling Island Sailing Club is one of the leading sailing clubs in the UK and an internationally renowned championship venue.
The club itself is located on Sandy (Black) Point, the very southeast corner of Hayling, a barrier Island sat between Langstone and Chichester Harbours. Situated at the entrance to Chichester Harbour racing can take place within the sheltered water of the harbour and while that option is available in the NoR this venue guide will focus on the more traditional championship course outside in either Bracklesham Bay to the east or Hayling Bay to the west.
Tide
Let’s start where we have most certainty! Despite Canute’s best efforts in 1028AD the tides have continued to poor in and out of Chichester Harbour and the Eastern Solent with reassuring predictability.
The tidal situation for the Anniversary Regatta is the preferred scenario for all championships with neap tides producing slower currents and allowing the morning high to ebb away carrying the fleet out to the course areas and returning them on the flood after a pleasant day’s yachting. The slower flood tide is also a much more friendly vehicle for navigating the famous Chichester Bar should the breeze build.
Out on the course areas and with our first start at midday on Friday and Saturday the easterly flowing current will have established itself and continuing in that direction until two hours before the evening high. So, unless there are some extreme postponements we should not have any changes in flow direction to watch for.
On Sunday, with the morning high at 0945 and potentially an earlier start at 1100 it is possible that we will be racing in some westerly going current for the first race, but expect that to change between just after midday.
On both courses expect the tidal flow to increase as you move out of the bays. On neap tides this means going from a barely perceptible 0.1 knots deep within the bays where protected from the main Solent flow to a lay line destroying 0.5 knots further out.
Which way pays?
- Southerly: On both courses as you progress up the course expect more cross current, providing a very small lift on port further up the course. Be wary of getting to the port lay line too soon as it’s easy to be swept above and find yourself reaching in.
- Downwind if the course is square then port gybe will be longer one and the port gate up tide.
- Gentle southerlies do turn into stiff southwesterlies in a sea breeze and then the very suitable tidal shift mentioned above is very much outweighed by the persistent righty (tip: check Chimet for temperature dip to confirm the sea breeze).
- Southwestly: If it’s a prevailing gradient SW wind then expect some turbulence off the Isle of Wight and significant shifts from clouds. Keeping an eye on favourable shifts will likely outweigh any tidal gains during neaps.
- If it is a south-westerly sea breeze, then expect it to progress to WSW and if in doubt work your way right. ((tip: check Chimet for temperature dip to confirm the sea breeze).
- Westerly: Mosty typically the sea breeze won’t track quite as far as west so you are usually dealing with a gradient wind. In this direction you will be beating against the tide, so getting some relief by heading right and inshore is a good percentage move. The exception to this is if you have low clouds with are oscillating the breeze, in which case follow your compass numbers.
- If it is getting windy then at low tide the right-hand side of the course can be significantly flatter giving a decent speed edge where the winner banks filter out solent chop usually leaving the SE swell that wraps around the Isle of Wight.
- North-westerly: Pretty rare wind direction and you’re really affected by the land. At neap tides I don’t see any situation where a tidal gain could outweigh the shifts so keep your eye on the compass numbers.
- Northerly: Oh dear, this isn’t what we’ve come to Hayling for! Toward the top of the course, it will be shifty, as the wind rolls over the buildings. There isn’t really any significant topography to order the chaos so just keep your head up.
- In this scenario on possible feature will be the cross current at the start further offshore leading to build up of boats at the committee boat end.
- North easterly: Cold. My only pro tip here is after leaving the bar to carry your beer right around the club where there is nice sunny sheltered seating on the southern side.
- East to South East: Seemingly becoming more common. A very nice direction where swell and wind chop align for some of the venue’s best conditions. The wind is usually rock-solid stable with very little in the way of clouds. Possibly a small gain by going right into what will now be a favourable flow. Be fast.
Find out more about the RS 30th Anniversary Regatta which is taking place on 17-19th May 2024 at Hayling Island Sailing Club.
Huge thanks to Tom for creating this venue guide, he’s a champion RS800 sailor with an analytical mind. Check out his YouTube channel Mozzy Sails for more tips!
Share this!
