Advice for first-time family visitors to Poole

[Babylon]

We're planning on a first time visit as a family with a young child, for about three nights mid-week, and would welcome some advice re berthing, anchoring/buoying and the sights.

I reckon two nights berthed somewhere not too hectic (wash, noise, road-traffic) but with good access (walking, busses or taxi) to any town attractions and/or the bus terminal for a day-trip beyond.

Then maybe a night at anchor or on a buoy before heading on.

Thanks

Babs

PS Re sights, beaches and trains, especially steam ones, are good for the little'un.

 

[Blue5]

Try This

http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?t=241665

 

[Robin]

We're planning on a first time visit as a family with a young child, for about three nights mid-week, and would welcome some advice re berthing, anchoring/buoying and the sights.

I reckon two nights berthed somewhere not too hectic (wash, noise, road-traffic) but with good access (walking, busses or taxi) to any town attractions and/or the bus terminal for a day-trip beyond.

Then maybe a night at anchor or on a buoy before heading on.

Thanks

Babs

PS Re sights, beaches and trains, especially steam ones, are good for the little'un.

Anchoring then Studland is the place but needs winds from SW-NW, nice beach and lovely walks. Otherwise anchor off Brownsea Island like at pottery Pier or in the west of the harbour between Goathorn Point and Shipstal.

For walk ashore, use the PHC 'Dolphin' marina at the quay or one of the YC marinas. Poole YC is nearer town, Parkstone YC is my club and very friendly with good food and beer, even has 'family' shower rooms and laundry facilities. All the YCs have to charge harbour dues which is a bummer because you are not charged for anchoring, but we are all cheaper than the Dolphin marina. See here http://www.parkstoneyachtclub.com/pagehavencharges.html

 

[DJE]

I reckon two nights berthed somewhere not too hectic (wash, noise, road-traffic) but with good access (walking, busses or taxi) to any town attractions and/or the bus terminal for a day-trip beyond.

One vital bit of information missing for Poole. What's your draught? If you can get up to Redcliffe Yacht Club midweek then you'll probably get a berth on their pontoon. Quiet berth and riverside walk into Wareham for ice cream and exploring the old city walls. Also buses to all parts. Our kids used to love it there, almost as much as Shipstal Point which is equally shallow!

 

[Babylon]

Otherwise anchor off Brownsea Island like at pottery Pier or in the west of the harbour between Goathorn Point and Shipstal.

For walk ashore, use the PHC 'Dolphin' marina at the quay or one of the YC marinas. Poole YC is nearer town, Parkstone YC is my club and very friendly with good food and beer, even has 'family' shower rooms and laundry facilities[/URL]

Thanks Robin. The only time I've been into Poole myself was overnight on a club rally when we were guests of your club, very nice place and most friendly I can report! I was wondering for this trip about the PHC Dolphin marina for easily family walkashore and access to town. If we anchor, this time it'll more likely be in Poole Harbour area rather than Studland.

One vital bit of information missing for Poole. What's your draught? If you can get up to Redcliffe Yacht Club midweek then you'll probably get a berth on their pontoon. Quiet berth and riverside walk into Wareham for ice cream and exploring the old city walls. Also buses to all parts. Our kids used to love it there, almost as much as Shipstal Point which is equally shallow!

I should have said: we draw 1.35m with a long keel. I don't know if we can get up there (the charts on on the boat but I'll check the Almanac chartlet at home tonight), but what you describe is exactly right for my family. Thanks for the lead.

 

[RichardTaylor]

A really daft thing to which I am putting my hand up [embarrassed], the almanac shows low water times for Poole. First time I went in there was supposedly on a spring flood, however 4kts of ebb past the Sandbanks ferry and with a flat out speed of 4.6kts, it was not funny. Still I wont make that mistake again.

 

[LadyInBed]

Poole Tides

First time I went in there was supposedly on a spring flood, however 4kts of ebb past the Sandbanks ferry and with a flat out speed of 4.6kts, it was not funny. Still I wont make that mistake again.

Collected this off the forum some time back:
The big ebb runs from 3 to 0.5 hr before LW at the entrance
The big flood runs from 0.5 to 3.5 hrs after LW.
The smaller ebb and flood are about half the rate of the big ones so not such a problem.
The small ebb runs from 4.5 to 5.5 hrs after LW
The small flood runs from 4.5 to 3.5 hrs before LW
Slack slots are:
5 and 3 hrs before LW,
at LW, and
4 hrs after LW.
Note times are the for Poole entrance (UKHO admiralty free tides give times http://www.ukho.gov.uk/).
Most publications refer to Poole Quay or Bridge where LW is 0.5 hr later than the entrance.

 

[Tranona]

Thanks Robin. The only time I've been into Poole myself was overnight on a club rally when we were guests of your club, very nice place and most friendly I can report! I was wondering for this trip about the PHC Dolphin marina for easily family walkashore and access to town. If we anchor, this time it'll more likely be in Poole Harbour area rather than Studland.

I should have said: we draw 1.35m with a long keel. I don't know if we can get up there (the charts on on the boat but I'll check the Almanac chartlet at home tonight), but what you describe is exactly right for my family. Thanks for the lead.

I expect you will become intimate with the mud at some point going up the Wareham Channel or in the river - make sure you go on a rising tide! Definitely worth the effort as the Frome is one of the most delightful rivers. On a good spring you should be able to make Wareham Quay - and the water from Redcliff on is usually chrystal clear.

For overnight Poole Yacht Cliub is probably better for a family as it is only 10 minutes walk from the quay. Facilities and sea view are comparable with Parkstone, but immediate industrial surroundings not so charming. Hamworthy beach (accessed from the side gate) is excellent for exercising small children and dogs.

Best anchorage, as already advised is Shipstal Point. Plenty of water when you get there but Upper Wych rather shallow and ill defined edges, but no problem gently motoring on a rising tide.

Enjoy your visit.