Damo
regular
Reged: 22/02/2005
Posts: 2838
Loc: k keeper,Portishead
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Re: Tidal streams - Computation of rates.....
15/05/2008 23:58
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Same thing with tidal height curves - I used to do it religiously for anchorages, crossing bars etc, and felt very pleased to know the depth to a decimal. Trouble is it is nearly always "wrong". For example tonight at 2100 the depth outside the lock was predicted to be 6.0m, falling. It was actually 4.5m, so a yacht may not have made it in time for the last lock (1.5m max on the cill)
Now I tend to use twelfths and leave a good margin, even though the Avonmouth curve is quite asymmetric. The streams here are also high, and directions and rates vary a lot over short distances, so it is pointless trying to do accurate calcs IMO. I work on a rough calc for spring or neap rates for passage planning, and directions to compass points.
On saying that, I think it is good to know the theory and be able to "do it by the book", but you need to know when it is appropriate to use - and that is something that learning by rote won't help with.
-------------------- Never be at a loose end with the Yosemite bowline
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