They started us down the Solent towards Hurst against the tide for the first hour and half so we kept into the Island side hoping to pick up the first of the back eddy before the tide turned and this seemed to pay off as we were up with Longue Pierre and Imperator who had go out in the  main channel as we approached Hurst.  Tacked across the back of the Island once round Bridge but did not feel that good and much better boat speed when we tacked back to the West.  Rest of the crossing pretty straight forward as we tacked on the tide to make sure we picked up the most from lee bowing and honed right into the finish.