lustyd
Well-Known Member
If you took the outside route to Poole, they might be distracted enough by being "out to sea" not to notice the time it takes. It's only a couple of hours so you may get away with it.
Dave
A weeks sailing in the Solent
- Thread starter Flying Fish
- Start date
If you took the outside route to Poole, they might be distracted enough by being "out to sea" not to notice the time it takes. It's only a couple of hours so you may get away with it.
Dave
Channel Sailor
Well-Known Member
To add to suggestions already, I would include Ryde. I berth next to the outer wall because it is quieter. For a newcomer who expressed a need for marinas, I would not recommend Newtown Creek for an over night, only for lunch. As for places for lunch, if you a tender then anchor off Seaview as a stop while heading from Chichester into the Solent. Also for lunch could be, the anchorage and buoys at the western end of the first striaght into Beaulieu River, depending on wind then off Calshot Village can be handy for a break for lunch. My favorites for the little and quiet places overnight would be Bosham, Emsworth, Ryde. Not Cowes or Hamble. Portsmouth (anyway you can afford) and Southampton Ocean Village could be good for a day to visit the shops in the city, and plenty of history in Portsmouth.
MissIsle
Well-Known Member
Hi, we cruise out of Fareham with 2 youngsters, 8 & 10, and understand your desire to plan. I always book ahead with the marina's. That way we can ask specifically for a birth most suitable for stopping with kids & all the marina's we have called have been really great at sorting this out for us.
In particular, East Cowes Marina, ask to go into "The Basin" which is away from the standard visitors pontoons, & their shower facilities are excellent. Take Sally's taxi from C pontoon over to Cowes for an early dinner & back to get the kids in bed before the grinder monkey's who run on beer come out to play.
Haslar Marina, again ask for an inside residents birth & they usually oblige. Get the Gosport ferry accross to Gunwharf Keys for some afternoon shopping in the retail outlets then Chiquito's or Franky & Benny's for tea. Again back home before the night-clubbers come out, but make sure you go to The Crew's Mess for breakfast. (don't eat in the bistro just outside Haslar, it is truly appauling!)
Lymington Yacht Haven is another favorite, & again when you call them mention the kids & they are great. A 10 min walk into town, & no shortage of ways to spend money!
In particular, East Cowes Marina, ask to go into "The Basin" which is away from the standard visitors pontoons, & their shower facilities are excellent. Take Sally's taxi from C pontoon over to Cowes for an early dinner & back to get the kids in bed before the grinder monkey's who run on beer come out to play.
Haslar Marina, again ask for an inside residents birth & they usually oblige. Get the Gosport ferry accross to Gunwharf Keys for some afternoon shopping in the retail outlets then Chiquito's or Franky & Benny's for tea. Again back home before the night-clubbers come out, but make sure you go to The Crew's Mess for breakfast. (don't eat in the bistro just outside Haslar, it is truly appauling!)
Lymington Yacht Haven is another favorite, & again when you call them mention the kids & they are great. A 10 min walk into town, & no shortage of ways to spend money!
SailBobSquarePants
Well-Known Member
As a should avoid, I suppose this forum would say "whatever you do, don't replace your Danforth with a Rocna". See relevant threads for details...
Second or third Beuilei River - once there, a long walk through the forest will bring you to the Motor Museum, which is great fun for kids...and adults that like cars. I don't get the comments on navigating the river is hard - I don't think it is, really. Just take it slow, and watch for the channel markers...maybe go in on a rising tide if worried.
Also, if going to Gosport and Haslar Marina, the Navy has their Submarine Museum right next door to Haslar, and again great fun for the kids - even my gf loved it last summer.
If it's very windy and you don't feel like leaving Chi harbor, then Itchenor, Emmsworth, East Head and the rest beckon, as I'm sure you know. If you wanted to do something different you could grab a berth at Sparkes on Hayling Island and then take a taxi to the beachfront amusements - or the golf course. Inn on the Beach is a nice lunchspot on the beach there, with views down to Portsmouth along the coast.
Second or third Beuilei River - once there, a long walk through the forest will bring you to the Motor Museum, which is great fun for kids...and adults that like cars. I don't get the comments on navigating the river is hard - I don't think it is, really. Just take it slow, and watch for the channel markers...maybe go in on a rising tide if worried.
Also, if going to Gosport and Haslar Marina, the Navy has their Submarine Museum right next door to Haslar, and again great fun for the kids - even my gf loved it last summer.
If it's very windy and you don't feel like leaving Chi harbor, then Itchenor, Emmsworth, East Head and the rest beckon, as I'm sure you know. If you wanted to do something different you could grab a berth at Sparkes on Hayling Island and then take a taxi to the beachfront amusements - or the golf course. Inn on the Beach is a nice lunchspot on the beach there, with views down to Portsmouth along the coast.
Flying Fish
New Member
As a should avoid, I suppose this forum would say "whatever you do, don't replace your Danforth with a Rocna". See relevant threads for details...
LOL
To all, thank you.
Between this thread and Angele`s there is a wealth of information that will make a huge difference to our summer holiday, if someone could now organise clear skies, 25 degs and a force 4 I would be even more grateful
And if you see Flying Fish moored up somewhere around the Solent 2nd week of July with the ensign flying (see lots of other threads
) pop over for a glass of wine, o hang on, how many people read this forum 
Angele
Well-Known Member
Between this thread and Angele`s there is a wealth of information that will make a huge difference to our summer holiday, if someone could now organise clear skies, 25 degs and a force 4 I would be even more grateful
I've been performing a sundance for almost a week now - ever since getting back from the Force 7 to Buckler's Hard for the BBQ. So, everything should be settling down nicely.
I wish you fair winds, calm seas, happy kids and a contented SWMBO.
Maybe see you out and about.
richardsn9
Well-Known Member
I hope the trip goes well for you. Have recently sold my Centaur; she was perfect for pottering round the Solent.
Having family cruised on a tight budget in the area, we tended to find places to moor up with loos, showers etc without paying full blown marina prices. If you use your tender you save a lot over the course of a week....
Favourites (most already mentioned) were:
Bucklers Hard, Beaulieu, but stay on the mid river pontoon and use the tender for half the price. Eat at various cafes, not at the pub! Lovely walks
Yarmouth, again mooring on the non walk ashore pontoon mid week is much cheaper. A day rover ticket on the bus gets you all over the island.
Folly Inn, tender trip or water taxi ashore.
If Poole seems too far, why not try Christchurch? The shallow water keeps the fin keelers out, and thus it is much quieter; it is a beautiful spot with a lovely old town. Moorings at the friendly sailing club are very reasonable. It breaks the journey to Poole nicely. If you are unsure about the entry, have a drive to Mudeford and watch the boats coming in and out first. A great family favourite.
There is a website called the Tightwad Sailor that has useful tips!
Having family cruised on a tight budget in the area, we tended to find places to moor up with loos, showers etc without paying full blown marina prices. If you use your tender you save a lot over the course of a week....
Favourites (most already mentioned) were:
Bucklers Hard, Beaulieu, but stay on the mid river pontoon and use the tender for half the price. Eat at various cafes, not at the pub! Lovely walks
Yarmouth, again mooring on the non walk ashore pontoon mid week is much cheaper. A day rover ticket on the bus gets you all over the island.
Folly Inn, tender trip or water taxi ashore.
If Poole seems too far, why not try Christchurch? The shallow water keeps the fin keelers out, and thus it is much quieter; it is a beautiful spot with a lovely old town. Moorings at the friendly sailing club are very reasonable. It breaks the journey to Poole nicely. If you are unsure about the entry, have a drive to Mudeford and watch the boats coming in and out first. A great family favourite.
There is a website called the Tightwad Sailor that has useful tips!
SolentBoat
Well-Known Member
A good shore day is to buy a family day ticket for the IOW buses. There are a number of routes that run open top buses every hour and give you a fantastic view of the Island and stop at fascinating places.
grumpy_o_g
Well-Known Member
If Poole is a bit far then consider Keyhaven - you can tuck up under Hurst Fort or go further up and take the ground. I'd have a look at it at low tide first if you do decide to go all the way up though - it really dries out. Christchurch is another possibility but you've got to get across Christchurch Bay - it can be a little lumpy in a blow or if there's been one recently. I'd recommend a tender for both unless you do manage to get a visitor's berth in Christchurch (I think Rossiter's have a couple). You have the advantage that it's odds on for a nice reach or downwind run home from either though which should restore any frayed nerves.
