Secondary Ports

[aquaplane]

We are going to Falmouth to do the Dazed Kipper Practical. In preparation I'm swatting tides and stuff that I don't normally take much notice of other than when we can get through tidal gates and when its with us or against us.

I decided to do a secondary ports calc in retrospect for Loch Aline on 2nd August, when we dried out to antifoul.

I couldn't find the info that I need to use the curves and graphs in the RYA exercise books. I have tide tables and the CCC K to A book.

Would Reeds help? If I shell out for a Reeds what is the advantage of going for the loose leaf one vs the book? I don't fancy going electronic just yet but may eventually.

Sticking Chiron on the beach 2 hours after local high water and floating off again about 8 hours later worked but I don't think that will cut the mustard for the Exam.

[claymore]

When are you going, Bob?
If it fits in you can borrow my Reeds

[aquaplane]

I'm thinking more long term, what to equip the boat with for next year. I suppose the tidal curves and constants are ermmmm constant, I will just need annual tide tables once I have an almanac?

To practice secondary ports I can do one of the exercises in Erica's bumpf from the theory course last year. Or even my bumpf from years ago, I still have the question papers and almanac excerpts.

I'm not taking anything on the course, I'm assuming the boat will be equipped.
Each student taking their own gear seems a bit much to me.

Thanks for the offer though, much appreciated.

[claymore]

Well, you are correct in thinking that an old set of secondary port data and tidal curves will do - just using a current set of tide tables is a much cheaper way of doing it.
We had a loose leaf version of reeds a few years ago - it disintegrated!

[mm5aho]

Secondary ports was perhaps my weakest part of my RYA yachtmaster, as I'd misinterpreted what was required.
I wasn't specifically asked to do secondary ports, rather to plan a passage to Portrush (from Rhu) with Portpatrick as a "bolthole". (This was set before the test, I was to bring it along with me, and I consulted no-one about this)
I though this was a crazy bolthole (too shallow, too far out of the way etc), so did a full plan with several other "boltholes" that made more sense to me. But the inclusion of Port Patrick was to test the aspect of secondary ports, being shallow - and therefore you need to know when entry is possible- and also that its primary table is Liverpool.
If I'd done a course with someone to prepare me for the test, I might have been told to expect this, and told why it was being asked. Missing the significance, and therefore the chance to prove I knew it, cost me a re-sit. I don't blame the examiner, he was really fair.

[ParaHandy]

I can lend a Reeds without feeling guilty at using Fleetwood Public Library's copy .....

[lady_stormrider]

That's very kind of you - it may be able to supplement ours from 1977....