I haven't got my new RIB yet so perhaps I am putting the cart before the horse, but one trip I would like to do would be to go between the stacks at the Needles.
Has anyone else done this or is this old hat! I have done it once before, years ago, when coming back on a fishing trip.
Any thoughts? I would also like to land at Scratchells Bay if the weather was settled enough.
It can be done but with care as the remains of the fallen stack are not far underwater! Do it on a high tide and watch one of the fishing boats do it first.
If you want some company and someone to capture it on video, post a date at some point and we'll try to meet up with you.
Edit: BTW there is a very good book, 'Solent Hazards' by Peter Bruce, and a video, 'An Aerial Pilot of the Isle of Wight', if you fancy some winter homework.
I remember when we did it before, the Skipper throttled right back and hugged close to one of the stacks. We were all peering over the side and I think you could see rock down below. It was an eery feeling with all that rock towering either side of us!
I've done it. You have to stay close to the right hand side stack (there is only one gap that you can get through but I can't remember which, I would know if I was there!) but watch out for the big rock very close on your starboard side, you have to hug it. Also, don't throttle down too much otherwise the strong tide (if its flowing) will tend to try and steer you...not good.
As for landing in scratchells, it would need to be dead calm to actually land. I've been there when it was flat but a very slight swell and I had to drop off my friends and then hover as it would have been daft to try and land.
I dont know about between the stacks,but I have been between the needles-high water and you can see the rocks under the water but it is possible-it wasnt my boat but an experience I wont forget.
We have the Manacles off the Lizard. The rock formations underwater are scarey. The sounder can be showing 160 ft, then a "Cathedral spire" of a thing comes up and it'showing 8 ft. It's ok in flat calm seas. I tend to follow the fishing boats in.
I haven't got my new RIB yet so perhaps I am putting the cart before the horse, but one trip I would like to do would be to go between the stacks at the Needles.
Has anyone else done this or is this old hat! I have done it once before, years ago, when coming back on a fishing trip.
Any thoughts? I would also like to land at Scratchells Bay if the weather was settled enough.
Des .
