Time for a circumnavigation

Having previously planned weekends in the Solent based around neaps (ST October 2021) and springs (ST May 2022), this article is based on a trip roughly mid-way between springs and neaps.

The idea is that someone with a berth up the River Hamble arrives at their home berth on Friday afternoon, and needs to be back there by Sunday afternoon. With relatively minor variations it should also work for those with berths anywhere within the Solent area.

Time for a change?

While the previous weekends have aimed to exploit the opportunities provided by reduced (neaps), and enhanced (springs) ranges in tidal height, this weekend is all about the timing of the change in direction of the tidal streams.

The timings of high and low water at springs and neaps are always the same within about an hour, and change predictably each day between springs and neaps – so what follows should work for dates midway between springs and neaps, or a few days either side.

The tidal range in terms of height and rate are more modest than at springs and this