Advice needed on where to take my boat

[redfreddie]

Hi everyone,

I've had my boat down on a coastal marina for a year and love it, however as its a 21ft sports cuddy the wind plays a big part in my boating life for all the wrong reasons It is quite often to windy to actually go out and enjoy it with the kids so my question is this: Would I be better off taking my boat out of the marina and keeping it on the inland waterways ? I live on the Sussex/Surrey borders near East Grinstead and wondered where I could go ? The other questions being are there speed restrictions everywhere? and is there anywhere with no restrictions where i can take my boat and have some fun as well as do some waterskiing ?

Thanks for any help, if theres just speed restrictions everywhere I guess I'll leave it where it is and just enjoy the times i get out to sea when the wind is low,
Cheers,
Redfreddie

 

[rafiki_]

I trailed my cuddy to Newhaven. There was easy launching using a tractor, and quite sheltered use because of the long harbour arm. Nice anchoring off Seaford too. Just keep clear of the odd ferry.

 

[PCUK]

The Medway takes some beating for unrestricted sheltered water. Apart from the dirty grey water there are various creeks offering very safe overnight anchoring and plenty of space for zipping about in the main river. Plus the upper non-tidal Medway is very picturesque. Good choice of marinas at various price levels.

 

[gjgm]

Quite where were you based on the coast? You should manage on the Solent in 21ft, but you might need to watch the wind and tides a bit more than you have been, perhaps, as a fair flow of water moves through the Solent, with some parts getting more choppy than others.
Alternatively, you might consider if the type,rather than size, is the right boat. Some USA sports boats are better in our waters than others,or maybe even a rib?
If you base around Chichester, you always have the (slow) harbour to potter about in, if its rough at sea. There again Southampton water is pretty calm in all weathers and no speed limit.

 

[jfm]

Quite where were you based on the coast? You should manage on the Solent in 21ft, but you might need to watch the wind and tides a bit more than you have been, perhaps, as a fair flow of water moves through the Solent, with some parts getting more choppy than others.
Alternatively, you might consider if the type,rather than size, is the right boat. Some USA sports boats are better in our waters than others,or maybe even a rib?
If you base around Chichester, you always have the (slow) harbour to potter about in, if its rough at sea. There again Southampton water is pretty calm in all weathers and no speed limit.

Yup I would say the same. Base the boat in one of the three reasonably big bits of sheltered water at/near the solent, ie Southampton/Hamble/Itchen, or Portsmouth, or Chichester. Fairly easy commute from Surrey/Sussex border

Or put it in somewhere like the La Napoule dry stack in SofF, as Gatwick is also an easy commute and the weather/conditions are wonderful

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

The trouble with Postsmouth harbour and Chichester harbour is that they are both speed restricted and once you get outside, you are in relatively unprotected waters. Southampton Water is about the only well protected piece of water in the Solent with no speed limit. Yes it may get a bit choppy at times with a SW wind against an ebb tide but it's never as spiky as you get out beyond Calshot. I don't know where you are moored now but one of the dry stacks on the Itchen would be a fairly cheap place to moor and yet give you access to Southampton Water in 10-15 mins run

 

[Nick_H]

If i'm not mistaken there's also a waterski area at the very top of Southampton water, probably tidal but will be flat most the time.

 

[colingr]

Sure is, very limited by tide and gets overcrowded with jet skis nowadays sadly.

Not a bad place for playing though on a quiet midweek day.

 

[gjgm]

Missed the waterskiing bit... there is a patch of water between Cowes and Newton Creek that is passable. Sorry, need to make a note of quite where next time I pass it
Langstone also has waterskiing, but you need to be a member of the club.
But I would reiterate that a bit of attention to wind over tide will probably alleviate alot of the nasties you have had. OK, it will still mean some days you are restricted, but it might mean you dont inadvertently find yourself getting nervous. Also, keep a good look out for the larger/faster powerboats, especially the flybridges;they can really kick up a wash in they pass closely- but you dont need to be mid channel off Calshot in 21ft

 

[colingr]

- but you dont need to be mid channel off Calshot in 21ft

May I qualify that with a caution to make sure you have enough tide to cut the corner. Gets mighty shallow there at times

In my experience cutting the corner there at the wrong time can plonk you in some very unpleasant rough stuff.

Mind you it's always choppy round that corner in my experience. And busy.

Waterskiing wise I think the only "permitted areas" are at the top of the Test, Off Lee-on-Solent and I think East of Osbourne bay.

There used to be an area between Calshot and Fawley but I think that's been taken away.

 

[oldgit]

Apart from the dirty grey water........ere.... "Nutrient rich Brown " if you dont mind....