Best Solent anchorage for a first overnight on the hook?

VicMallows said:
.....assuming you are happy to dry out (it's Springs). Not perhaps what the OP wants on this occasion. Also the harbour master is likely to turn up these days and demand £5 for absolutely nothing.
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Coming off springs by Friday so wouldn't dry close to the channel. They have started charging "harbour dues" the last couple of years but if it's shelter you want it's there.
 
lustyd said:
Well there's a dangerous and incorrect post if ever I saw one. Buy some charts and check again and you'll find massive no anchor. Zones in the Solent. For instance, nowhere near Portsmouth are you allowed to anchor even away from the shipping.
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OK, then let me amend that post - outside of shipping channels and no anchor zones. The latter comprise maybe 0.5% of the total area of the Solent, and not anchoring in a no-anchor zone woukd seem to be fairly obvious.

To the OP - don't be discouraged by a few sourpusses on here. You really can anchor almost anywhere in the Solent, even near Portsmouth, which I have done! Just - duh! - avoid the shipping channels and no-anchor zones, and tuck in to get some shelter! It's not hard, as the Solent is actually a (salty) lake!
 
Newtown is a good place for first time anchoring and it should be quiet there this time of year and a Friday. 4 times max depth (include water level to bow roller) of water is a good rule of thumb for anchoring and if in doupt let more chain out.
 
You wont go too far wrong in Newtown Creek. It is generally sheltered, not very deep (less chain required) and waking up at sunrise in the morning is a delight (assuming its sunny!)

Best bet is to turn left after the entrance and mooch up Clamerkin Lake as far as you can, according to draft. You will get to a "No anchoring beyond this point" sign, but its too shallow past there anyway.

Another place that should be on the list is inside Hurst Spit but you want to be sure of the weather conditions before committing for the night.
 
Newtown gets my vote for first time. Good shelter, delightful surroundings and should not have too many boats in on a Friday at end of season. Spent a couple of nights there last week for the first time for many years. Reminded how delightful it is.
 
I would agree Newtown, if tides are good for that direction.

The other place I have seen moorings that i have been tempted to look at is right at the top of Southampton water, opposite container terminal...

Not certain on legality on that one though there are boats moored there.

If you are thinking about Eastney Hard you could always go and pick up an empty buoy further up. Might not be at anchor but it would be my prefared choice of anchorage in Chitchester.

After a night on a buoy then go for Anchour?
 
If you go to Newtown on Springs be careful where you anchor you can easily ground at low tide. If the wind is in the East number 1 for me would be Alum Bay. If the wind is from the west then Hurst, both are really easy for a firs timer there is nothing tricky about the navigation and there is plenty of swinging room and no tidal restrictions.
 
If the wind conditions permit I suggest an "open-bay" type anchorage (e.g Osborne Bay) rather than a creek or tidal estuary such as East Head or Newtown as a first-time destination. This brings less pressure in terms of swinging room and other yachts anchoring on top of you. Add Priory Bay (Off Seaview) to your list of possibles. You might role around a bit but at least it will enable you to generate confidence in your gear. Also easier to veer more cable without embarrassing neighbours should the wind get up.
 
Sgeir said:
The OP was seeking advice or recommendations, so my comment was not about having another online anchor scrap, but solely in response the OP's choice beween a 7.5kg Bruce type with 10m of chain and 50m of warp, or a 10kg CQR type with about 30m of chain.

If these were my choices I would prefer the latter. What would yours be?
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You're right, of the two I'd go with the CQR. It was more the comment that it's a fine anchor despite what people on here say that I was talking about, but I should have known better than to talk about anchors!!
 
Dockhead said:
OK, then let me amend that post - outside of shipping channels and no anchor zones. The latter comprise maybe 0.5% of the total area of the Solent, and not anchoring in a no-anchor zone woukd seem to be fairly obvious.

To the OP - don't be discouraged by a few sourpusses on here. You really can anchor almost anywhere in the Solent, even near Portsmouth, which I have done! Just - duh! - avoid the shipping channels and no-anchor zones, and tuck in to get some shelter! It's not hard, as the Solent is actually a (salty) lake!
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I'm not being a sourpuss, just pointing out that it's important to check the charts first. Using Portsmouth as an example, you're not allowed to anchor anywhere west of the sub barrier (or a few hundred yards east of it). This no anchor zone extends all the way over to the isle of Wight and to Haslar. There are also many underwater cables etc to avoid, so advising someone unfamiliar with anchoring that they can just drop it anywhere in the Solent is daft.
You're right that there are many places to anchor, but that needs to be caveated to say that a chart must be checked first.
 
onesea said:
I would agree Newtown, if tides are good for that direction.

The other place I have seen moorings that i have been tempted to look at is right at the top of Southampton water, opposite container terminal...

Not certain on legality on that one though there are boats moored there.

If you are thinking about Eastney Hard you could always go and pick up an empty buoy further up. Might not be at anchor but it would be my prefared choice of anchorage in Chitchester.

After a night on a buoy then go for Anchour?
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This is another benefit of Newtown, too. If unhappy at anchor for whatever reason, (not dug in? wind change during the night?) there is still the option of picking up a mooring assuming there is one available.
 
mainsail1 said:
The bottom end of the Beaulieu river is not a good idea due to seabed power cables. In fact the chart shows that anchoring is prohibited until you go up as far as the two white visitor buoys.
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The dangers of posting a quick response :) Yes, I meant the anchoring area in the lower stretch of the river.

If you can dry out (and I know the OP doesn't want to) it's also possible to anchor above Bailey's Hard, where the moorings - and the water, at low tide - run out. Very sheltered, but works best with a catamaran.
 
Malabar said:
If the wind conditions permit I suggest an "open-bay" type anchorage (e.g Osborne Bay) rather than a creek or tidal estuary such as East Head or Newtown as a first-time destination. This brings less pressure in terms of swinging room and other yachts anchoring on top of you. Add Priory Bay (Off Seaview) to your list of possibles. You might role around a bit but at least it will enable you to generate confidence in your gear. Also easier to veer more cable without embarrassing neighbours should the wind get up.
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Hmm - might roll around a bit = uncomfortable in my book ... Priory bay is like that as is Osborne Bay - as you get quite a number of big ships going past.

Also - for first time anchorage it's nice to have the shelter of land around you - even if the wind does pick up from the wrong direction there is little or no fetch ...
for that reason I would back either Newtown or Pilsey for being good spots - East Head is ok - but holding can be dubious if you get the wrong spot and it does get rather busy ...

Our first overnight anchorage was in Poole harbour - round the back of the islands - quiet, little change in depth, plenty of space and nice gooey mud to dig the anchor in ...
 
Re the Medina, I have seen a chart that shows an area south of the Folly on the east side of the channel up to Island harbour that, apparently, is not under the control of Newport and remains Crown land. I make no claims about the accuracy of said chart but might be worth investigating.
 
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Thanks again all, some great ideas here.

I have three things left on my "to learn / do" list for this season.

1) Pick up a moorning

2) Learn to anchor - only ever tried once (unsuccessfully)

3) Sleep overnight on one of the above - mainly to see what modifications I need to make in the main cabin / accomodation during this winter's planned refit.

I'm going to get my almanic out and check the tides for Friday but it looks to be down to Beaulieu - try to anchor just past the visitor moorings, then perhaps pick one up if not confident for overnight or Newtown Creek (same plan).

Beaulieu has the advantage that I have been there before so know my way in and so that will keep the stress levels lower.

I'll let you know what we do and how we get on - thanks again :)
 
PhillM said:
Thanks again all, some great ideas here.

I have three things left on my "to learn / do" list for this season.

1) Pick up a moorning

2) Learn to anchor - only ever tried once (unsuccessfully)

3) Sleep overnight on one of the above - mainly to see what modifications I need to make in the main cabin / accomodation during this winter's planned refit.

I'm going to get my almanic out and check the tides for Friday but it looks to be down to Beaulieu - try to anchor just past the visitor moorings, then perhaps pick one up if not confident for overnight or Newtown Creek (same plan).

Beaulieu has the advantage that I have been there before so know my way in and so that will keep the stress levels lower.

I'll let you know what we do and how we get on - thanks again :)
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If thinking Beaulie I would go and pay for a mooring first if you have not spent a night on one before anchoring. Why? Why not plus I might be the only one who enjoys a beer at Bucklers Hard... Also peace of mind leaving boat at anchor to go for beer on first anchoring is a brave step...

Do not rely on picking up visitors mooring at Newtown, nice when they are available but.......... if avaiable pay your money go for a beer at Shalfleet but remember creek to pub dries at low water (I learned this my first visit :o).

Do not panic about any of above:

1) Approach slow use boat hook to catch rope not buoy, if no rope look for rope with buoy :rolleyes: attach boat to buoy (and not by propeller :eek:) you have succeed :D.
2) Stop boat pointing toward wind/ current (the same direction as the other boats) throw anchor over (check chart first, also check other end of warp attached to boat), boat stops you are anchored! If it does not work first time try again.
3) Fit cabin heater forget winter refits just keep sailing, fix it as it brakes or fit it as you need it. Saves a fortune in junk you would not use...

People make so much fuss about somethings....
 
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If you want to pick up a buoy before trying at anchor and a slightly more "open water" experience than Beaulieu or Newtown, there are always the buoys off Cowes or Yarmouth - also a bit more secure if you want to go ashore and with the added benefit of water taxis.
 
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