"Donal" wrote ...

"Scott Vernon" wrote in message
...
I found some current charts for some areas, they give slack, max
ebb,
and max flow. this I understand.
For other areas I find only the H & L tide chart. I want to make
max
use of the tide (ebb). Say H is at 0800 and L is at 1400. is it
simply
a matter of shoving off at 0800 and 'ride the out going tide till
1400?
TIA

Peter has given an excellent answer!(even if he got my name wrong).

I would only add one thing. You need to use "slack water" as your
reference, instead of HW, or LW.


That's what I was asking, as I only have a HT- LT schedule for the one
area.


Geographical features can have a major impact on the tides. For
example, at
Portsmouth the current changes direction 2 hours before HW (or LW)
because
the proximity of the Isle of Wight. The Island produces a
"circular" effect
which completely changes the normal flow.

It is also worth knowing that the current will be much smaller in
shallow
water. If the current is with you, then you should get into the
deep water.
If it is against you, then you should get into shallow water.

Good point!



Furthermore, you may be able to benefit from back eddies. A good
tidal
stream atlas for your local area should show where the back eddies
are.

I may not be going anyway , if these damn hurricanes don't stop.

Scotty