The opposite of a fair tide: a current setting against the course. Small craft punching a foul tide around a headland can lose most or all of their speed over the ground, and wind against it may raise steep seas. Passage plans often accept a short foul tide early to gain a long fair one later, or anchor and wait for the turn.
We'd be punching a foul tide off the point for three hours, better to anchor and go at the turn.
Also heard as
- foul stream
- adverse tide
- head tide
Related terms
Fair tide
A tidal current flowing in the same direction a vessel wants to go, adding to its speed over the ground.
Wind against tide
Wind blowing opposite to a tidal current, which builds short, steep and sometimes breaking seas.
Tidal gate
A headland, strait or bar that can only be passed comfortably at certain states of tide, fixing the timing of a passage.
Turn of the tide
The moment the tide changes from rising to falling or the current from flood to ebb, or the reverse.