Anchoring a fin keeler in Poole Harbour to visit Brownsea

[Robin]

One more question, guys.

If anchoring my (2.1m draft) boat in South Deep, is there a best place to do it?

It looks like the channel is long. Starting at the east end, there is a deep(ish) channel running ENE-WSW. Then it turns NW-SE (pointing at Furzey island) and narrows, but it looks like a side channel off to port (heading in from the harbour entrance) might be deep enough. That is directly off the tip of Goathorn Point.

Going back to the main channel, there are a few cables where anchoring is not permitted (as mentioned by Seajet earlier), but after that (in a NE-SW direction) it looks ok. And then finally there is a reach running NW-SE and bending slowly round the west of Green Island.

Any views?

Off Goathorn point where the channel doglegs around the corner is good and there are some little 'channels' that go in towards the land where there used to be a mooring buoy IIRC. Best to avoid wind over tide conditions as it can geta bit like 'dancing round the maypole' when boats then start to wander around their anchors. Follow the channel around more to the west and there are several more spots close to the edge of the channel that are OK (we had 1.8m). the local National Trust Trust ranger used to be a bit officious if you dared go ashore and walk on his hallowed ground but he may have moved on by now or been shot, we just ignored him and walked on by.. ALL of these spots are very popular in the season so earlier is best to beat the crowds and have the most choice. The holding is good and it is very sheltered and peaceful other than if you get a strong wind over tide waltz going and riding over the rode. However looking at Google Earth to remind me of the layout I would still prefer to anchor off the SW corner of Brownsea, at the junction of South Deep and the western/southern side channel at least for the duration of time for a tour ashore. If you time it to go ashore between the two High waters, the depths will be better and the currents less too. BTW if you like cockles (I love them) huge ones can be found in the sand/mud round here and Poole cockles are the best!