Best direction to approach Cowes --East or West

lw395 said:
That's putting it mildly. Bembridge is only accessible for decent sized boats at HW, when the tide will be taking you to Cowes anyway.
You might chuck the hook in Priory Bay for a meal and a snooze of course.
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Priory Bay ? Bilge Keels OK .. otherwise stay offshore ...

This is my boat in Priory :



Watched plenty boats anchor off in deeper water and I have to say - not my idea of fun ... if weather turns.
 
Refueler said:
Priory Bay ? Bilge Keels OK .. otherwise stay offshore ...

This is my boat in Priory :



Watched plenty boats anchor off in deeper water and I have to say - not my idea of fun ... if weather turns.
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If the weather turns to an E wind, onwards to Cowes...
I've anchored deeper boats than that off of Priory, there's space between the beach and where the ships park up.
Wouldn't have fancied it today TBH., but normally it's OK.
 
Sunrise local is 06:00 = 04:00 UTC, and you have over 16hrs of midsummer daylight. The moon comes up about an hour earlier (but is only partial) . However, you probably do not need to leave that early to catch the eastbound tide at Hurst.

The needles channel can be choppy, and with a reasonable SW it can be an idea to drop main on approach as you can be rolling downwind here. There is an option to take the North Channel if the weather gets up, thus avoiding the Needles chop.
 
If coming through Hurst with the tide and wind behind it can get rolly with main slapping around so do consider a spot of motor sailing and running on the headsail as a less stressful entry to lake Solent as per post26. If you take the route past Ryde just be aware of Ryde sands on way down but most likely you will be facing into wind on that route so unless planning to enjoy a night out in Gosport I would always go via Hurst if you have no worries in an early start to meet the tidal gate. We are Haslar based so enter and exit both routes but personally I much prefer the needles approach with option of an evening at yacht haven in lym looking out across the Solent if time permits.
 
Good idea, its a nice place to pop into.

As scotty123 says, Dan Bran Pontoon isn;t expensive, has electric and water, showers ashore.

Berthon is expensive, showers are the poshest you'll find, its closest to town.

Lymington Yacht haven - dunno, don't use it.
 
burgundyben said:
Good idea, its a nice place to pop into.

As scotty123 says, Dan Bran Pontoon isn;t expensive, has electric and water, showers ashore.

Berthon is expensive, showers are the poshest you'll find, its closest to town.

Lymington Yacht haven - dunno, don't use it.
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I thnk you'll also find that the town quay is receiving it's makeover this winter ( at least that was the plan last I checked) so also a viable option with more comfort than previously
 
Town quay might be ok mid week but generally avoid due to crush etc however as saiddans is cheaper and often space even though it has rally types but doesn’t have the views of yacht haven if you are able to get a berth at end looking out over Solent. If shopping /eating in town we choose berthon as it’s better berthing at berthon as berths are larger so might suit if single handing although the showers at yacht haven have been brought up to match berthon plus you get a free newspaper at yacht haven at weekends with a voucher. In summary in the summer lym is a far better experience than Yarmouth . Only thing I’d avoid is eating at that tat pub on front in lym town due to poor food but many better choices compared to Yarmouth and sure many might like the ambience of the ship in lym on a Saturday night.
 
Daydream Believer,

if a first time visit to Lymington it would be worth the extra beer tokens to go into Berthon marina, sheltered, great facilities and a short pleasant walk into town, which is a very nice interesting place.

The Indian restaurant on the right going up the hill used to be excellent, maybe more recent customers can comment.

There's a chandlery near the town quay if required.

- Ths is not as daft as first sounds - the Wetherspoons again on the right at the top of the hill is a nice place - doesn't look like any other Whetherspoons I've seen, big smoked windows - excellent value breakfasts.

Then one can trundle to Cowes mostly taking the northern shallower side where ships won't bother you then crossing to the southern side at about Beaulieu entrance.

In case of info the seabed along that side of the mainland is very consistent, it's easy to navigate by depthsounder so popular for Yotmaster training & exams.

Beware if a big ship comes in or out via Calshot there's a ' moving exclusion zone ' 1000 yards ahead, big fines if one enters this - there's usually a pilot boat ahead of such ships, it's easy to nip to the ' wrong ' side of a shipping buoy to be out of their way.

VHF 12 for Southampton VTS.

Chimet.co.uk gives real time weather conditions at Bramble Bank mid Solent / Southampton Water / Chichester Entrance / Camber Buoy inside Chichester Harbour.
 
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The Indian at the bottom of the hill on the right has been iffy for some time now. The Rivaaz is much better, it's about a ten minute walk up the hill, you will probably need to book at weekends.
 
I guessed there would be a contentious debate about what way to go to get to Cowes, but notabout what indian cafe in lymington - especially when I cannot stand the stuff. Now if you can direct me to a proper chippy with some decent Haddock, a pickled onion & mushy peas, following my trip from France, that might help.
 
Daydream believer said:
I guessed there would be a contentious debate about what way to go to get to Cowes, but notabout what indian cafe in lymington - especially when I cannot stand the stuff. Now if you can direct me to a proper chippy with some decent Haddock, a pickled onion & mushy peas, following my trip from France, that might help.
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Oh well, why ever didn;t you ask! Lymington, head up to the High Street, on the right hand side, just 50 or 100 yard along, very nice chippy. Says Fish and Chips on the front in big letters.

Yarmouth, head up the High Street between the chandery and the grocers in the square, Blue Crab on the left.

Cowes, out of the Yacht Haven, pub opposite is the Anchor, beer good, food dreadful, turn left, see Sainsburys, see Sails cafe, very nice, another 50 yards, look across, see Corries Cabin Chippy.
 
burgundyben said:
Oh well, why ever didn;t you ask! Lymington, head up to the High Street, on the right hand side, just 50 or 100 yard along, very nice chippy. Says Fish and Chips on the front in big letters.

Yarmouth, head up the High Street between the chandery and the grocers in the square, Blue Crab on the left.

Cowes, out of the Yacht Haven, pub opposite is the Anchor, beer good, food dreadful, turn left, see Sainsburys, see Sails cafe, very nice, another 50 yards, look across, see Corries Cabin Chippy.
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Sort of stuff that every pilot book should have (y)
 
And Corries is a legendary waypoint for Solent sailors; when my Dad was recovering from a nasty gall bladder op' he was forbidden any remotely fatty foods - the SAS couldn't have stopped him going to Corries, it's a sit in or takeaway.

For breakfast there's a good traditional cafe on the right, about halfway to the Squadron ( which is always worth a walk for the view and the 40 brass cannon ).
 
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