Day-sailing and weekenders from Brighton Marina

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BobbyD

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Hi All, I am both new to this site and a new boat owner (at least close to being a boat owner) and wondered if anyone could advise on good day sailing itineraries from Brighton Marina. I am in the process of purchasing a used Beneteau First 211 - it's a step up from dinghy sailing that I used to do and, having just completed my day skipper theory, am looking to make the jump to a larger boat. I am getting the kids (5 & 8) and the wife involved and, if we all like the experience, will look at going bigger sometime in the future. I also plan on completing the Day Skipper theory sometime in the near future once lockdown is over.

In order to build experience, I am looking for good options for day sailing around Brighton to begin with and then move towards overnight anchor mooring or picturesque marina berths (that the wife will enjoy). I am aware that the First 211 isn't the most comfortable for over-night but we are used to camping so it will be a step up from that!

Would appreciate any advice on where to go on a good day, drop anchor so kids can play on paddleboard, fish etc before returning in the evening? If anyone has done further afield for a night or two, would be great to hear some advice on where to go whilst building experience!

Thanks in advance!
 
Closest would be Shoreham which is about an hours sail away west. If you go though the locks into the harbour there are visitors berths. Not at all picturesque but when the tides out the beach in southwick is nice and sandy. Carrying on West you have Littlehampton which is a little more picturesque but time the visit right otherwise the river will spit you out like a bullet.
Don't know of any sheltered anchorage around this way unless you want to head to Chichester which is a fair old jaunt.
 
BobbyD said:
Hi All, I am both new to this site and a new boat owner (at least close to being a boat owner) and wondered if anyone could advise on good day sailing itineraries from Brighton Marina. I am in the process of purchasing a used Beneteau First 211 - it's a step up from dinghy sailing that I used to do and, having just completed my day skipper theory, am looking to make the jump to a larger boat. I am getting the kids (5 & 8) and the wife involved and, if we all like the experience, will look at going bigger sometime in the future. I also plan on completing the Day Skipper theory sometime in the near future once lockdown is over.

In order to build experience, I am looking for good options for day sailing around Brighton to begin with and then move towards overnight anchor mooring or picturesque marina berths (that the wife will enjoy). I am aware that the First 211 isn't the most comfortable for over-night but we are used to camping so it will be a step up from that!

Would appreciate any advice on where to go on a good day, drop anchor so kids can play on paddleboard, fish etc before returning in the evening? If anyone has done further afield for a night or two, would be great to hear some advice on where to go whilst building experience!

Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
Put it on a trailer & take it elsewhere.
 
Welcome to the forums!

Brighton Marina is a great place to visit for a couple of days; lots going on, loads of restaurants and entertainment, great bus service into town, etc. But it's not a place I'd choose as a permanent base. The nearby coast is featureless. The entrance channel can be "challenging" in a smallish boat in some wind conditions. You can easily daysail to Eastbourne or Chichester (both of which have Premier Marinas so you can stay for free). But that's about it. I'm tempted to agree with others that Chichester might be a better base for your needs.
 
You have already stumbled upon an issue that I have found. Ask a question and no one much answers the one you ask. FWIW there isn't much to do near to Brighton by way of sailing. Other than leaving, sailing and coming back. But that's OK, of course, if that's your thing. I once asked a question saying that I wanted a boat without a tiller. Cue a reply about WHY I SHOULD have a boat with a tiller.
 
I used to live just off the A 27 and it was never a pleasant experience trying to get on it.

alao traveller to Chi for work on
occasions. Again depending on the time of day never pleasant.

W.
 
Having berthed and sailed in that area and given up for Chi and now the Hamble, I kinda agree. However, there are a few spots for anchoring for a while or a pleasant enough stop.

Marinas / ports
Newhaven - busy with ferries at times
Littlehampton
Sovereign harbour at Eastbourne, useful lock practice and a fabulous indian
Just possibly, Rye.

Anchorages
Cuckmere Haven
Seaford Bay
Off Eastbourne pier (fireworks and Airshow recommended)
 
Another vote for moving to Chichester or a little further west, the Solent. Lots of places to go, sheltered sailing and overnight stops in marinas or at anchor. You can also find moorings for a lot less than you'll pay in Brighton Marina. If you're east of Brighton, the journey might be a bit much, but we used to come down to Gosport from N London and several club members live in Northampton.

When I retired, I wanted to move closer to the boat, and we considered moving her to Brighton because a couple of our children live there, but decided against it because of the limited options.
 
Well having been berthed in Brighton for most of the past 5 years...it's actually rubbish for day sailing. Newhaven is so close you're there before you've got the sails up. Shoreham is ugly and a faff. Littlehampton is nice but you have to fight the tide for there to be enough water to get in. Eastbourne is a weekender: the dodgy depths at Brighton work against heading east but if you have a lifting keel that would help. I could make a weekender out of chichester or the solent but I can usually rely on at least 5kts: it might be a bit of a schlep for a smaller boat.

"Day sailing" usually consists of heading out towards the wind farm or whichever direction works
 
Thanks all for your replies and suggestions. I had originally considered further west for mooring but trying to find somewhere and move was proving tricky so I've decided to take the simple route this year and leave in Brighton whilst we scope out options for next season. Ideally, we would like to join a club to meet others, get involved and use available moorings but that will not be until next year. For now, we will use Brighton as a base and learn the ropes!

It sounds like Chichester is an option for a long weekend but is it realistic to reach it in a day in a 21ft boat?
 
BobbyD said:
Thanks all for your replies and suggestions. I had originally considered further west for mooring but trying to find somewhere and move was proving tricky so I've decided to take the simple route this year and leave in Brighton whilst we scope out options for next season. Ideally, we would like to join a club to meet others, get involved and use available moorings but that will not be until next year. For now, we will use Brighton as a base and learn the ropes!

It sounds like Chichester is an option for a long weekend but is it realistic to reach it in a day in a 21ft boat?
Click to expand...
Pushing it and chi bar has to be taken into account,coming back is more of a problem if the weather deteroates
 
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