Camp sites close to boat-parking...

Greenheart

Greenheart

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...I know, this is probably one for the Dinghy Cruising Association. I've tried joining them, didn't get far, so I must try again. But I'm asking here because plenty which applies to dinghies, covers other small cruisers too.

West Sussex, Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Dorset...where can I find a tenting site, close to a harbour (or even a beach) where I can safely leave the boat?

The Isle of Wight would be favourite, and my mate and I won't mind a short hike as far as the campsite. The main issue is where to leave the boat, even my old boat, confident that I won't return to find things missing or damaged.

I suppose it's smart to take the boat's heavy cover. Any advice on hauling out? The trolley's definitely staying at home. :rolleyes:
 
If you're hauling out without the trolley, then you need some inflatable rollers. Force 4 have them; I might have lent you mine except that I've inadvertently sold them with Kindred Spirit.

(They were on KS as supplementary large fenders, not in case I decided to pull three and a half tonnes up the beach!)

Pete
 
Ridge Wharf near Wareham has a campsite at the entrance, and it is a pleasant walk along the river to Wareham? They have moorings, boat storage and a slipway, but are quite restricted by tide.
 
Nodes Point touring tent field overlooks the entrance to Bembridge Harbour. The main site itself is a bit rubbish - static caravans, package holidays etc - but the touring field is a gem and right on the beach. The shower blocks are nice too - even has a full size bath in! You'd have to give them a ring as their website tries to get you to book a package holiday but when we were there last it was about £6 a night in April.
 
These all sound good, thanks.

Pete, I was already on the brink of getting those inflatable rollers...I suppose at a push I could haul the boat above the high-tide mark almost anywhere, and 'rough it'.

josephmoore said:
Nodes Point touring tent field overlooks the entrance to Bembridge Harbour...the touring field is a gem and right on the beach...about £6 a night in April.
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Sounds ideal. Any idea what the score is, with keeping a small boat on the quayside overnight at Bembridge?
 
Have a look at the Camping and Caravanning Club's Boating Group. Very reasonable to join, gives you access to several sites not open to the public. Years ago we went to camps on Thorney Island, superb place, but now they have many more.
 
Not a clue, but there are several sailing and fishing clubs nearby as well as the marinas and commercial yards all nearby so I'm sure someone would have a corner you could leave it in. I can't remember if access at the bottom of the campsite is restricted by a gate or a style. I've certainly seen someone leave a mirror dinghy on the patch of grass behind the old church tower before now.
 
josephmoore said:
I've certainly seen someone leave a mirror dinghy on the patch of grass behind the old church tower before now.
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Thank you sir; a peep at Google maps seems to show the Nodes Point tent area as holding several boats too, and it couldn't be nearer the beach. Much appreciated! :)
 
There is a campsite next to Mercury marina up the Hamble river. There used to be one on the west side of Newtown river and definitely one (scouts) on the east side of the creek leading up to Shalfleet and the New Inn; Cobnor Point near Bosham; Fishery Creek, south east Hayling Island and probably others too.
 
Have a chat to Netley Sailing Club, http://www.netleysc.co.uk/ beautiful location in the corner of a 250 acre country park, see if they can help. There is certainly camping at the back thats often used when they have open events. Launch/recovery is a bit restricted as its difficult/impossible (depends on the tide) to use the slip a couple of hours either side of LW.
 
Fantasie 19 said:
Cobnor Point in Chichester?? Our clubs dinghy section have just had a camping weekend there so I assume so?
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Cobnor I think you will find are pretty selective about what clubs and groups they accept for camping.

I used to go there frequently with the Camping and Caravanning Club boating group in my dinghy sailing days but i know it took quite a lot of effort to get the group accepted.
Unless things have changed all the dinghy storage is Bosham sailing club.

Very nice spot to camp and dinghy sial from it has to be said.

Redcliffe Farm on the river Frome just below Wareham is another excellent spot for camping and dinghy sailing. I went there several times with the C&CC BG although we did not use the commercial camping fields. I doubt if they allow boats to be left there other than while you are camping on the site.

Further afield another site we used used several times with the Boating group was Morawelon campsite at Parrog, nr Newport Pembrokeshire. An area for boats right next to the sandy beach at the entrance to the river Afon Nyfer.

Other paces we went included a pace on the shore of Bala ( at Llangower I guess) Google shows a much more developed campsite and many more boats than I remember though.

A site on Llangors Lake near Brecon

A field overlooking the confluence of the eastern and western Cleddau rivers at Landshipping

A field outside Herbransdon near Milford haven just a short distance from Sandy Haven pill with access to Milford haven itself. I notice there is now a Sandy Haven Camping park.


A gorgeous 2 weeks at Langors, Landshipping and Sandy Haven in that scorching summer of 1976 will always be remembered.


A freezing Easter weekend on the broads near Oby is, on the other hand, best forgotten.
 
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Having followed your recent and past threads and particularly those relating to your Osprey you could try a couple of local places for starters, on the mainland shores.
If your basic navigation from charts is up to scratch Ashlett creek in Southampton Water would be a good place to visit and possibly camp overnight near the Yacht Club there; visiting them officially and signing in at the Ashlett Mill Clubhouse, perhaps also mooring at their jetty' so no trailer needed there. If you drive to Warsash you could park your trailer and car(free)at Warsash after launching/retrieving from the hard there, at all states of tide. This would give you a departure point and a shortish sail over to Calshot/Ashlett or alternatively a very pleasant sail up Southampton Water keeping a good lookout for the high speed ferries and tankers leaving Fawley refinery and the Docks.
Because your mast is a fixed one you won't be able to sail up the Hamble river past the
A27 road bridge which otherwise would have been a lovely sail for both of you.
A word of warning regarding quite strong ebbs and flood tides as soon as you leave Warsash and the Hamble River, but read your tide tables for BST Portsmouth for these times, and get the new charted route in for the Ashlett visit.

If you get to the IOW then Newtown as mentioned is a special place, but again the tide runs strongly at the entrance so care needed.

ianat182
 
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I'm very grateful for all these thoughts and reported experiences.

My immediate plans are on hold because of work and a handful of irritating boat-troubles, but when I'm free and ready to go, I'll photo my adventure and post the pics here, of whichever places I visit.

Thanks again. :)
 
dancrane said:
when I'm free and ready to go, I'll photo my adventure and post the pics here, of whichever places I visit.
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Give us some warning and I'm sure there are various forumites who might decide to head that way for an on-water meetup :)

Would SWMBO approve of tying up the dinghy alongside a yacht to come on board for lunch? Or would she perhaps approve too much, and veto any further expenditure on the lime-green lilo until it can be replaced with something with a loo and a lid? :D

Pete
 
prv said:
Give us some warning and I'm sure there are various forumites who might decide to head that way for an on-water meetup :)

Would SWMBO approve of tying up the dinghy alongside a yacht to come on board for lunch? Or would she perhaps approve too much, and veto any further expenditure on the lime-green lilo until it can be replaced with something with a loo and a lid? :D
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A big yes, to all of those. :) I'll gladly take a chance on SWMBO getting ambitions beyond my pocket.

Once I've sewn-in a reef, sealed my bailers & mended my rudder, I'll quickly turn from being a gas-bag to a grand-tourer. I used to do Bosham to Seaview in the Topper.
 
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