Which way at Hurst Castle

[Peter J]

Hello,

I have to make a trip from Poole to Hamble so therefore have to go past Hurst Castle. Having read some threads on here I see it can be tricky in certain conditions - can anyone tell me what those conditions are, please?

Is it better to stick to the mainland side or the island side?

Peter.

[Richard B]

It will get a bit interesting there on wind over tide at full flood or full ebb, at all other times it's a pussycat on a well found RIB. Yachts can have problems as when the tide's at full speed they can easily find themselves going backwards. You will usually be able to see what the conditions are like from a distance, so no big deal really. We go close to the mainland side on this video.

[Mark Halliday]

Peter

It can be a bit lumpy up the Needles Channel with wind against tide. Some of the worst will be around the Needles Fairway/Bridge Bouys. Stay well clear of the Shingles bank on the way up. You can get some nasty breaking waves over them.
If you get there in a SW F5 plus when the ebb is in full swing it may be better to take the North Channel along the mainland side.
Hurst Narrows can have a nasty short sharp chop at peak flow, but it only lasts a couple of hundred yards, and should not be a problem.

Pick your time and you will wonder what all the fuss is about.

{Edit} Sorry Richard, you got there first.