Weymouth to Studland Bay

Hi everyone,

Last Sunday we motored the short distance from Portland Harbour to Weymouth.  We spent three very pleasant days there.  We then sailed east to Studland Bay on a very grey day with a great sailing breeze.  

Shoreside view of Old Harry

Here's the story...

Before taking Zen Again around to Weymouth we walked there on the South West Coastal Path.  Along the way we looked around Sandsfoot Castle which was built by Henry VIII.  It protected the Bay prior to the construction of the harbour wall in Victorian times.

Sandsfoot Castle overlooking Portland Harbour

We had a brief walk around Weymouth and decided it was definitely worth a few days visit.

Weymouth Harbour

Waterside Pub Lunch

Weymouth Beach

View from Weymouth's Lifting Bridge

On Sunday we motored around to Weymouth and were berthed alongside on the north side.  These berths are downstream of the lifting bridge, above which is the marina.  The marina is interesting in that it has 'angle parking' with finger jetties at 45 degrees to the channels.  I guess that indicates the channels are tight!

Zen Again in Weymouth

We spent the next two days exploring the town.  So many pubs, so little time!  Our favourite was The Red Lion which had fantastic live music and a nice friendly atmosphere.  It doesn't have river views but the atmosphere, beer selection and fantastic pies made up for it.

On our final evening we were chillin' aboard when a strangely familiar boat came in.  As they closed I realised it was Sara II.  We met John and Chris in Indonesia in 2013 and they were one of our sponsors to join the OCC.  When we arrived in the UK we 'borrowed' their mooring in Keyhaven for a fortnight.  We've seen then a few times since but it was great to catch up with them.

Sara II Arriving

Thursday morning dawned misty and breezy.  Yachts are normally only allowed three nights in Weymouth so we decided to make sail.  We headed out, hoisted the still double-reefed main and double-furled yankee and set Kazi the WindPilot to work.

Here are the track and graphs...

Zen Again Track

Zen Again Graphs

The track shows us reaching to the outer edge of St Alban's Ledge to avoid the race, broad reaching and then gybing NNE.  The speed plot shows the tidal assistance we got across the bay, and the adverse tide for the short distance north to Studland Bay.

Heading East

Along the way we passed several anchored cruise liners, including Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria.  Most of the south coast big ship anchorages are occupied by cruise liners.  They'd normally be roaming the world but are now at rest.

Anchored cruise liner in the murk

Kazi the WindPilot on watch

We briefly ducked in to Swanage Bay but didn't like the way the seas were refracting around Peveril Point.  We continued to Studland Bay.

Approaching Handfast Point and Old Harry

Friday was a nicer day and we dinghied ashore and walked around the bay to Handfast Point and Old Harry.  Great views.  Along the way there are WW2 gun emplacements and bunkers.  The bunkers were used to protect important folks viewing tests of new weapons in the lead-up to D-Day.

View from WW2 bunker above Studland Bay

Trust all's well where you are!