Best places on the Solent.

[doug748]

I will be visiting the Solent, all being well this spring. I know Lymington, Yarmouth, Cowes and the Hamble so may give them a swerve. Apart from that I quite fancy Bembridge, any other "must do" suggestions? I may be there for four or five days, longer if the weather is poor. 4 ton keelboat with 5ft 6in draught.

Thanks.

 

[Bru]

We really enjoyed a couple of days at Bucklers Hard.

(We were on the mid-river pontoon which I believe is no more and it wasn't expensive by Solent standards)

The Master Builder was fine, despite the negative reports one often reads, the museum is excellent and we'd definitely revisit if we get back down that way

 

[capnsensible]

Any of the Gosport marinas give an opportunity to visit a number of nautical themed attractions locally.

 

[Tranona]

Newtown River is a must, but perhaps not at weekends. If you are brave and don't mind a dinghy ride then Keyhaven is perhaps the least known and therefore best place for a lunch stop on springs. Bit tricky getting right up to the quay with a fin keel, but good spot to anchor about half mile down. The Gun is the pub. I often anchor overnight just outside the entrance behind Hurst castle, particularly if leaving to go west. Bucklers Hard and the river are very atmospheric, but expensive and crowded.

 

[Sea-Fever]

If you venture up to the Eastern Isle of Wight I would recommend Bembridge but also a stop in Priory bay if you don’t get the tides quite right.

 

[burgundyben]

Keyhaven if you like a quiet spot.

 

[ashtead]

If heading to Bembridge would suggest booking on line in advance. You might venture down the medina to island harbour if bored of Cowes . Ocean village if fancy some shopping in Soton and suchlike?

 

[Kukri]

“Don’t tell him, Pike!”

 

[PhillM]

Not quite the Solent but it’s worth the detour to experience Chichester Harbour. Lots to see and do, depending on taste.

 

[Bajansailor]

The Tightwad Sailor might be useful for reference?
The tightwad sailor

 

[Tomaret]

Take a look at the “Solent Sailing” videos on YouTube for pub lunches on the right tides.

 

[Elessar]

I will be visiting the Solent, all being well this spring. I know Lymington, Yarmouth, Cowes and the Hamble so may give them a swerve. Apart from that I quite fancy Bembridge, any other "must do" suggestions? I may be there for four or five days, longer if the weather is poor. 4 ton keelboat with 5ft 6in draught.

Thanks.

So much variety. You may love the isolation of of key haven or you may be bored stiff. You may love the £120 surf and turf in the Hut or that may consider that to be a month’s mooring fees. You may love the hustle of Gunwharf quay or just want to put in ear plugs.
You need to give a better steer or this thread will be all data and no information.

 

[LadyInBed]

Overcrowded and expensive but ok if you're mob handed and share the cost!

 

[DJE]

Off the beaten track, Marchwood Yacht Club or Wicormarine.

 

[Blueboatman]

Take a nice rowing or sailing tender with you and the Solent and it’s estuarine upper reaches opens up a lot.
(Blatting along in a flubber with outboard droning for all and sundry to hear between the trees , winding up the shallower is a bit less engaging of course )
But, seriously , there are still some fabulous anchoring spots and then dinghy in and up and around.. time to get the charts out for a looksee!

 

[Stemar]

Overcrowded and expensive but ok if you're mob handed and share the cost!

Or if you put in a bit of work, when you'll find some lovely spots that cost nowt or next to nowt, but if you are mob handed, they probably aren't the best places to go.

 

[sfellows]

Lower Reach of the Beaulieu River. By Gin's Farm. £10 to anchor there (as opposed to £30 just a few hundred yards further on.) I think a buoy is £10 too!

 

[LadyInBed]

He's a keelboat with 5ft 6in draught, so that rules out nearly all my free/cheap places that I use.

 

[Elessar]

Why are you assuming he wants cheap or free?
Hair shirts aren’t compulsory if your boat has sails.

 

[LadyInBed]

Why are you assuming he wants cheap or free?

I'm not, it's just my perspective.