The Needles Race.

[Biggles]

I was down at the Needles today from about 1500 hrs to 1600 hrs. Initially the sea was pretty calm with gentle rollers to play east of the The Bridge Cardinal. From about 1530 hrs a nice set of rough water with some interesting waves about 50 meters in depth but running out in a line from the Needles to the Bridge cardinal turned up.

Is this a common occurrence and if so what conditions bring it about ?

[UKPOWERBOAT]

Originally Posted by Biggles

interesting waves about 50 meters in depth

I bet they were interesting

[Biggles]

Okay a series of waves extending approx 50 meters.

[Nos4r2]

I thought that was your rib I passed on the m27 going the other way...

[thorper]

Originally Posted by Biggles

Is this a common occurrence and if so what conditions bring it about ?

Yep we've often seen it like that - totally calm on the north side then suddenly some decent waves, with the line being roughly an extension out from the lighthouse.

Great for ramping your boat off though:

http://www.badviz.com/Galleries/Stin...ings/index.htm

[Biggles]

Thorper,

Thats what we were doing. Saw a Racing RIB dashing around in the waves so decided to join the fun. On reflection seems this has something to do with the seldom talked about double high tide in the Western Solent.

I will post some pics when my mates give them to me.

[Biggles]

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

I thought that was your rib I passed on the m27 going the other way...

On the M27 between the M3 and junction 9 ?. I was lucky with regards the traffic. My side was moving freely whilst the opposite sides had jams on both the outer and inner journey.

[Alan]

Originally Posted by Biggles

Is this a common occurrence and if so what conditions bring it about ?

Yes.
Tidal flow and/or interaction of tidal flow and wind.

[Nos4r2]

Originally Posted by Biggles

On the M27 between the M3 and junction 9 ?. I was lucky with regards the traffic. My side was moving freely whilst the opposite sides had jams on both the outer and inner journey.

Yep, I'd just left Havant.
Funnily enough, I was lucky with the traffic too- I was driving an artic heading the other way and must have just missed it in both directions.

[Biggles]

Matt,

Haven't those big trucks got big air horns. Should have given us a fanfare.