Another Solent vs Poole Harbour thread

[baart]

Hi,

We have been based in Southampton for a few seasons and are thinking of moving to a swinging mooring in Poole Harbour either this spring or next. We live in Bournemouth so travelwise it would be roughly 18 miles vs 68 miles round trip. But what else would we gain and what would we lose?

We mainly sail weekends and on odd weekdays off we are trying to squeeze a quick day sail whether permiting plus longer trips while on hols. Can't say we've fully explored everything Solent has got to offer but also want to venture further west more regularily. At the moment we need about 4h to get to the Needles so there would be some time saving. Unfortunatelly time is still a crucial factor so we are trying to optimize it as best as we can. Lymington would be the best option but for our boat it is around 7.5k anually so not quite what we are willing to spend. The cost of a swinging mooring whether at Lakeyard or Salterns plus winter storage somewhere would be similar to what we pay at Kemps now.

Aprreciate that for a short sail from Poole there isn't very many options other than Yarmouth/ Lymington or anchorages on the way to Weymouth but I have found this season that without booking early enough the only weekend option while in the Solent is either Portsmouth or Yarmouth everywhere else seemed fully booked well in advance. Longer trips west though seem more doable over a longer weekend if starting from Poole. Solent feels crowded at times and we started sailing more in the late afternoon and evening. Most pleasant sails to Portsmouth we had this year where after dusk.

I know those moorings in Poole can be quite exposed if it's blowing from SW so if we were coming back late when the water taxi is not available it would mean a wet trip back in a dinghy. Right now it is not a problem as Itchen is well sheltered.

So can someone share some advise please? We are not in a rush but maybe someone has done a similar move and can comment?

Thanks,
B

 

[grumpy_o_g]

Worth checking your insurance as some exclude Poole Harbour between October and March or similar.

 

[Stemar]

What kind of boat do you have? Poole has lots of places to explore for shallow draft boats, but a 2m draft shrinks a huge area down to not much more than Southampton Water.

 

[ashtead]

I would have thought if wanting a change of scenery in Poole looking at local yacht clubs might be a source of info eg where do they have rallies to the various islands say in harbour . If you don’t mind waiting for a road bridge are there any moorings that side you might like in terms of depth and walk ashore say? I guess it depends on what you sail unless you change to bilge Keeler or southerly etc?

 

[baart]

Our boat is a fin keel with 1.7m draft. That limits our access at some places, in Poole it would even more obviously.

 

[baart]

Went to check Salterns today and I must say customer service and facilities are first class. Nice 20 min drive from home. Very tempting indeed. Why would you say it is not worth moving to Poole? What's the biggest drawback of keeping a boat there?

 

[Tranona]

I have been boating from Poole since 1978 with a variety of moorings ranging from river Frome at Ridge through Cobbs Quay to various swinging moorings in Parkstone Bay and Lilliput to current berth (since 1995) in Poole Yacht Club Haven. You have identified the key issues - the convenience or otherwise of the swinging moorings and where you go in your precious sailing time.

You are right, most of the moorings are on the north side which is a lee shore with a long fetch over mostly shallow water. The best are those, mostly club run are the ones that have launch access and dinghy storage on shore if you want to be independent. Most are modestly priced by south coast standards and there is a good choice of winter storage yards. If you are in for the long haul then it is probably worth joining one of the 2 big clubs as both have marinas and swinging moorings and you get on the waiting list for a berth - one at a modest price and the other super cheap (but inevitably a longer waiting list).

From a sailing point of view (ignoring racing) the great thing about Poole is access to open water for more ambitious cruising either along the coast either way (very tide dependent) or cross channel. For shorter periods, Studland will still be good for a brisk sail out, anchor and sail back and even with 1.7m there are good anchorages in South Deep, off Pottery Pier and Shipstal Point. I often sail down to South Deep and anchor where despite the fact that you can see the ferry terminal (and for me even my house!) you could be in another world. Does not have the choice of 3-4 hour sail to a different marina or anchorage like you have in the Solent, but if you get the tides right, Hurst is less than 4 hours away. The return is often the biggest challenge because of the prevailing wind. Going west is more challenging, but the rewards greater. A lunch time stop in Chapmans Poole for a swim followed by a night in Worbarrow Bay or Lulworth takes some beating.

Cherbourg is easier from Poole than the Solent. Head 180 for 13 hours and you are there. Simplistic but broadly works and in these days of AIS and good forecasts nowhere near the challenge that it was when I first started with a Walker log, compass and an echo sounder.

For me the thought of the A31 each weekend to get to my boat would make me give up sailing. 20 minutes to the yard plus dinghy time brings day sails - or even afternoon firmly on the agenda.

 

[PeterWright]

From my experience, any time tge weather is sailing friendly both locations are vastly overcrowded.

 

[baart]

They would be, true. I am leaning towards Poole also because of immediate access to the open sea. Sometimes just for going out for 2-3 hours, heave to, have lunch, comeback, beam reach preferably. There is a nice place just past the horizon with no people at all To get there from Southampton I need minimum of 5-6h. I think we are 90% convinced. The 10% is mainly about the choice Solent offers. But this move is likely to push us out of our comfort zone and force to plan longer passages. And take more days off to go sailing

 

[Povremeni pomorac]

All I can say is that as a non boat owner, but who was part of a commercial boat share on the Hamble, I got bored with the Solent very rapidly. I think it's why I'm leaning towards Croatia and just chartering. Pottering to Hurst Castle and back became a bit tedious tbh and as to going to Pompey, well, I can drive there in 30-40 mins on a good day. With Poole, you're really just in what I call "The extended Solent". For those who are content with that: good on you.

 

[PhillM]

If you were prepared to travel east, why not look west? If you want to explore the west country, why not start there? Its much cheaper than the Solent and saves that slog across Lyme Bay and of course the tidal gates at St Albans and Portland.

 

[ashtead]

But might be a long drive to say Brixham from Bournemouth compared to keeping the boat in Salterns while on the waiting list for one of those cheap yacht club berths?

 

[Tranona]

If you were prepared to travel east, why not look west? If you want to explore the west country, why not start there? Its much cheaper than the Solent and saves that slog across Lyme Bay and of course the tidal gates at St Albans and Portland.

Problem is that the A35 west is arguably even worse than the A31 east. OK if you do your sailing in bigger chunks such that the journey by road is only a small part but you lose the immediacy of getting to your boat frequently and for short periods.

 

[doug748]

But might be a long drive to say Brixham from Bournemouth compared to keeping the boat in Salterns while on the waiting list for one of those cheap yacht club berths?

Yes, Poole looks a winner. If you miss the Solent it makes a nice weekend trip and you can't beat having a boat on your doorstep.

Living in Bournemouth and owning a boat you can't day sail is not a happy thing.

 

[baart]

I got bored with the Solent very rapidly. I think it's why I'm leaning towards Croatia and just chartering.

Charter is still part of our annual routine, we are off to Croatia in May however charter is just an addition. I need weekly/daily access to the boat and sea

If you were prepared to travel east, why not look west?

I think eventually this may happen although as Tranona said it's a pain to drive there. So Poole does look like a winner for now. Getting to the boat on Friday evening in 20 minutes is difficult to beat at the moment. And people at Salterns have clearly won in the great first impression competition

 

[Povremeni pomorac]

We're going (All being well) to Mali Losinj at the end of May; just for a week to see how SWMBO likes it with just the two of us in a fairly small boat by charter standards. (34ft IIRC)

 

[ryanroberts]

Poole stops being overcrowded even in peak summer as soon as you get past Studland as people rarely seem to go much further. The entrance is total bloody chaos on a hot day in midsummer however.

 

[baart]

We are starting from Dubrovnik on 22nd May so the other end of Croatia.

 

[baart]

as people rarely seem to go much further

That I find difficult to understand as it seems to be the nicest part of the South Coast ?

 

[Moodysailor]

I worked in Poole for many years, and kept a few boats of my own there. Also have done a great deal of sailing in the Solent, although I've never kept a boat there.

For me, the solent is a great place to visit, but I think the charm would rub off if I was there. I loved Poole for all the reasons mentioned above - it has great sailing of it's own in harbour and around the area and is a great setting off point. It is no problem to have a good sail to the folly, a few beers then a good sail back the following day. Or you can sail down to any of the coves, have a spot of lunch and a great meal and be pushed back by a kind tide and wind.

For trips further west, you can break it into pieces by sailing/exploring down to Weymouth, leave the boat there for a few days if you need to go home and work, then do Lyme bay the next weekend. I have done Plymouth to Poole non-stop before and it's an OK, but not great passage in one hit and for me misses the best bits of that coast.