Birdham Pool

[davel]

Planning a trip to Chichester at the weekend. On previous occasions I've stayed at Chichester Marina. This time I'm contemplating Birdham Pool.
Access looks like it might be more restricted than Chichester and I don't recall seeing the channel as I've passed by. Is it easy to spot?
Any advice of comments would be welcomed.

 

[Ruffles]

It's 3 years since we've been there but since noone else has replied...

I seem to remember that there are small posts on the Port side and you keep a boat's width away from them. Ring them up to check?

BTW when we were there you moored up between posts bow to the wall. Which is a bit confusing if you are expecting a bog standard marina.

Mind you hasn't it been taken over by Chichester marina? So it may have changed. Pity if it has - it was like stepping back in time. They had a boat launching trolley that allegedly was build for landing craft for D-day!

Rob.

 

[StephenSails]

Peters took it over and ruined it. Not the same place as it used to be.

 

[gymp]

Surely the posts are green ie left to starboard on entry?
If I'm mistaken, please tell me. I have to deliver a boat there on Friday and sure as hell don't wish to provide entertainent for the patrons of Chichester Marina.

 

[Ruffles]

We looked up the place in an old coffee table book on the Solent. It has a picture of the lock with the lock keeper fishing.

When we were there the lock keeper was fishing from his hut in the same place /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Fantastic. Sorry to hear it has changed.

Rob.

 

[davel]

Just called Birdham Pool for a bit more info.
They confirmed that the channel markers are Starboard Hand (ie Green) and warned that the channel is very winding and narrow. Advised to keep within 10 feet of the posts. Access for my boat (I draw 1.8 mtr) is about 2 hours either side of high water.

 

[Magic_Sailor]

I have been in recently - I'd have these comments

It's not like other Marinas

Entry is east to spot (SHM marked Birdham with tide guage just before Chich Marina). Stay close to SHM and don't necessarily expect to get onto the waiting pontoon - I did and went aground - v little water. Better to pick up a buoy (there are lots) and wait for the right height of tide.

Check your Almanac for entry times and give the lock keeper a ring to check his advice - it's not that difficult really.

Wait outside lock - he will see you - it'll improve boat handling skill.

Lock keeper always seems to help - but make sure they give you a berth with enough water in it and one that's wide enough - they don't seem to think about that too much - some areas of the Marina are quite shallow.

Mooring is stern/bow to pontoons in between posts - take your time. Don't tie up too tight - there is some tide in the marina.

Toilet facilities are excellent.

Setting is excellent

Magic

 

[powerskipper]

Re: Bird ham Pool

I taught out of there a year or so ago, the lock is tight too, was on a 45ft PB and not much room .try to go in stern first as there were little or no fingers when I was there, you will need to rope up all 4 corners, Lovely setting. and very quite. I was up there this morning, posts are easily visible from channel think it green post before chichester marina turn.

 

[davel]

Thanks to all for the info.
I'll give it a go this weekend.

 

[Barry777]

I have a berth in Birdham, having moved from the Fairline "car park" next door in Chichester. It's a very quiet and peaceful small marina and the lock staff (Ian and Roger) are very helpful indeed. The lock only takes one boat at a time so there is no bumping and scraping that you often get when sharing a lock, such as Chichester or port solent. If you arrive at the top of the tide and it's close to Springs then you may get a bit of freeflow, otherwise you will need to use the lock as normal. the entrance is very easy if you follow the starboard hand green marks - a couple of metres off, and it is very rare for there to be any kind of a queue to enter the lock.

visitors are quite rare but made extremely welcome. As previous posts have suggested you should tie up stern too the pontoon in order to get ashore easily. also it's only a short walk 92 mins) through to Chichester Yacht Club where you will get a very good meal and an excellent pint of beer!

Hope this helps

Barry

 

[davel]

Thanks Barry, more good info.
I think I'll be ready for my pint after the walk to the yacht club though !! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Will_M]

Think that walk to CYC was ment to have been typed as (2 mins) as it really is that close.

StephenSails, what on earth are you on about?

 

[Barry777]

Yes....just noticed my error. Chichester Yacht Club is only 2 minutes from Birdham Pool. If it was 92 you would need several pints to recover!!

Barry

 

[davel]

No Problem. I'd figured that.
Been to CYC before on a few occassions and found it to be a great place to eat, drink, relax and watch a fabulous sunset.

 

[deejames]

Have kept my boat in Birdham Pool for thre past 15 years. Lovely place - no restaurant, bar, facilities are fairly basic, but it retains the quiet and quaint atmosphere of a working boatyard. Was bought by B.A.Peters a couple of years ago and although the prices have risen a bit, I don't agree that there has been too much adverse change.
It was used by the R.N. during the war ('39-'45) and much of the equipment is still the same - albeit slightly more rusty than 60 years ago. Approach is strightforward, - see previous posts - but don't be tempted to "straighten-out" the dogs-legs in the channel - the deep bit really IS that bendy. You should be fine anytime between 2 hours either side of HW. Lock is open 3 hours plus/minus HW. Occasionally there's a short "freeflow" but be careful - when the tides are rising towards springs, the water rushes INTO the marina just before HW at a high rate and you would need to be doing about 10 kts to maintain any sort of streerage. PM me if you need any more info.