This is tidal efficient passage timing for an 'up channel' from the area to the east of Isle of Wight to Dover Harbour.
Why sail this route?
This route and timing optimise a channel tidal anomaly that vastly favours an eastbound passage. It utilises a sequence of three channel tidal gates that enables a moderately capable yacht to make the 90-mile journey, from the eastern side of the Isle of Wight to Dover, carrying a fair tide almost all the way.To achieve this a vessel must depart eastward from The Looe, close south of Selsey Bill, at slack water and then maintain a tide supported mean speed over the ground of no less than 7kn. Should a vessel not be able to hold to this mean speed the tidal sequence will expedite a passage to Sovereign Harbour or at least Brighton which are quick-in-and-out tide wait locations for the next tidal window.
Tidal overview
Today's summary tidal overview for this route as of Thursday, December 5th at 14:17. Tidal planning is essential to optimise this passage. It is essential to be at The Looe at slack water to avail of the best following tide.Looe Slack Water
(HW Dover +0430 to +0515) 
Starts in 08:03:56
(Thu 22:21 to 23:06)
What are the navigational notes?
Beachy Head, 50° 42.589' N, 000° 14.573' E
1½ miles south of Beachy Head Lighthouse, Fl(2) 20s at an elevation 31 metres that is visible from a distance of 8 miles. Stay at least 2 miles off in bad weather but close the head for higher velocity streams.
► Next waypoint: 30.19 miles, course ⇓ 67.77°T (reciprocal ⇑ 247.77°T)
Dungeness, 50° 53.866' N, 000° 58.856' E
1 mile south of Dungeness Lighthouse a conspicuous slender tower, 43 metres high, standing on the point, Fl 10s and visible for 21 miles.
► Next waypoint: 18.34 miles, course ⇓ 45.49°T (reciprocal ⇑ 225.49°T)
Dover, 51° 6.683' N, 001° 19.674' E
This is the head of the western Admiralty Pier extension at the west entrance. It exhibits a light Fl. 7.5s21m20M. During periods of reduced visibility, a high-intensity strobe light is exhibited from the pier head.
What is the best sailing time?
May to September is the traditional UK Sailing season with June-July offering the best weather. The British Isles weather is highly variable, and the amount of bad weather varies quite widely from year to year. This is because they are islands positioned between the Atlantic Ocean and the large landmass of continental Europe. As a result, the entire area lays under an area where five main air masses meet and alternate:- • Tropical Maritime Air Mass - from the Atlantic
- • Polar Maritime Air Mass - from Greenland
- • Arctic Maritime Air Mass
- • Polar Continental Air Mass - from central Europe
- • Tropical Continental Air Mass - from North Africa
Depending on the movements of the jet stream, any and all of these air masses can come in over the isles, creating weather fronts where they meet and bringing with them all types of weather.
The prevailing winds for the British Isles as a whole are from the western quarter which generally blows for two-thirds of the year predominantly from the southwest. Gales from the westward are felt in all seasons, but from November to March, inclusive, they are most frequent and generally last three or four days. Of these, a southwest gale is considered to be the most powerful system. The winter period is largely characterised by wind and rain.
The fine summer weather of the sailing season is typically punctuated by the passage of Atlantic depression that bringing periods of strong wind and rain, and sometimes poor visibility. These gales rarely cause surprises as they are usually forecasted well in advance. Good weather windows of 48 hours are easy to predict but any longer than that there's an increasing chance of change.
Fogs are frequent in all parts of the Channel and are formed both on the English and French coasts. In summer they only obscure the land in the morning and are readily dispersed by heat or a light breeze. But the moist haze, driven in by westerly winds from the sea, tends to linger and is only dispersed by strong winds. In the eastern part of the Channel, it is rare for the land to be completely free from mists. The only exception is when the wind is from the northeast which makes the mist free coastline highly distinctive from a great distance.