Deep water moorings: Langstone or Chichester (or Portsmouth?)

[sniffyjenkins]

Hello beings

Now that we have progressed to a fin-keeler (Sparkman & Stephens 34, oh yes) we need to find a home for her. We want to stay in the same area that Marschallin was moored (Langstone-ish) but need a deep water mooring. We need safe overnight parking (we are gone for at least 2 nights at a time) and a place to store a hard tender. Choices we are liking that have moorings available now, in order of preference, are:

• Langstone (zone 2 or 3), Portsmouth side
• Emsworth
• Itchenor
• Portsmouth (no idea about this really, just trying to investigate every option)

We love Langstone, because it's wild and woolly and weird and beautiful aaaand very cheap, though they may not have a mooring that can take the boat. Because she's too awesome. I mean, she's too big. And awesome.

Then there's Emsworth, Itchenor, Portsmouth.

I'd like some feedback on experience of mooring at either of those two areas if you have it please. We like Emsworth a lot, but parking overnight looks to be an issue. Is it? And now far is it to get out to moorings in a tender? Looks like a long way. Itchenor, on the other hand, seems to have everything, but it's twice the price of Langstone. Is it worth it? And what's up with Portsmouth moorings?

Thanks for all thoughts and ideas, as usual.

 

[niccapotamus]

there's an earlier thread about budget moorings under 2K in the solent.

join a club. portchester sailing club, or fareham, or the ones up the top of southampton water. royal southern IIRC have hamble river moorings

or in portsmouth there are loads. gosport boat yard. wicor marine etc

get on the river hamble waiting list

get a mooring from one of the hamble private operators

no idea about langstone or chichester

 

[Allergy]

Hello beings

Now that we have progressed to a fin-keeler (Sparkman & Stephens 34, oh yes) we need to find a home for her. We want to stay in the same area that Marschallin was moored (Langstone-ish) but need a deep water mooring. We need safe overnight parking (we are gone for at least 2 nights at a time) and a place to store a hard tender. Choices we are liking that have moorings available now, in order of preference, are:

• Langstone (zone 2 or 3), Portsmouth side
• Emsworth
• Itchenor
• Portsmouth (no idea about this really, just trying to investigate every option)

We love Langstone, because it's wild and woolly and weird and beautiful aaaand very cheap, though they may not have a mooring that can take the boat. Because she's too awesome. I mean, she's too big. And awesome.

Then there's Emsworth, Itchenor, Portsmouth.

I'd like some feedback on experience of mooring at either of those two areas if you have it please. We like Emsworth a lot, but parking overnight looks to be an issue. Is it? And now far is it to get out to moorings in a tender? Looks like a long way. Itchenor, on the other hand, seems to have everything, but it's twice the price of Langstone. Is it worth it? And what's up with Portsmouth moorings?

Thanks for all thoughts and ideas, as usual.

Look at the WICOR website, as it is easy to get to from the M27. Has deep water moorings, ample parking in the large yard, has a tender store and a short trip to the moorings. Prices on the website.

 

[sniffyjenkins]

Thanks both.

I should say we live in Brighton, so don't want to have to drive any further than Portsmouth.

I've already looked at websites, know prices etc., and wanted to get some personal views/experience, because, for example, I was told by a harbour employee that "yes, of course, there's parking in the car park, no problem" only to find out that it's a max stay of a day and no overnighters.

 

[northwind]

Thanks both.

I should say we live in Brighton, so don't want to have to drive any further than Portsmouth.

I've already looked at websites, know prices etc., and wanted to get some personal views/experience, because, for example, I was told by a harbour employee that "yes, of course, there's parking in the car park, no problem" only to find out that it's a max stay of a day and no overnighters.

Sweare Deep could be good for you.. access is easiest via Northney Marina. (You can pay an annual slipway fee which includes car parking / use of the loos etc). just off the A27 so access is good.

 

[Seajet]

Langstone Harbour ;

good access to Solent

safer entrance than Chichester ( but still hairy ) in a big southerly wind

nowhere to go in harbour

security of boats on moorings - and anything - car or tender on Portsmouth side - a serious issue

Emsworth -

lovely but car parking near impossible as is tender storage

Itchenor - also v nice but car parking is a long walk & insecure ( though not heard of problems ) and tender storage non existant AFAIK - could use an inflatable but that's a pain

An option would be a mooring in Sweare Deep - between Northney marina & Emsworth Channel - and keep the tender ashore at Northney Marina slip - tidal access.

You could get a Conservancy mooring and go to Thornham Marine - excellent yard, good rates - in winter.

There's also Hayling Yacht Co who do moorings and full yard facilties - but beware traffic on and off Hayling at peak times is awful - sunny summer Sunday ? Disaster !

Langstone SC has good facilities ashore and tidal access with locked tender pens, on Chichester and Langstone sides but no deep moorings of their own and tender use would be half tide - people do this to moorings in Sweare Deep though - I'm not sure their travel hoist would take your boat's draft.

You'll also need to avoid Chichester bypass coming from Brighton - if not already aware feel free to PM me or look at backroads past Goodwood, one turns off the A27 at Tangmere, 2nd left past Goodwood airfield then via Hunter's Race & Salthill Road joins the old main road through Southbourne & Emsworth.

 

[davidmh]

I have been at wicor for more than 30 years, easy to get to from M27 just a few minutes, Car parking is no problem stay as long as you like, winter storage, acess virtually all tide, mid river pontoons a stones throw from the jetty, cheaper ones a 10 minute dinghy ride down the harbour. Surroundings are great. it 40 mins to the the Solent, and no difficult entrance like Langstone or Chichester.
Regards

David

 

[Seajet]

I'd say the surroundings in Chichester are a lot more attractive than Portsmouth, having tried a deep mooring with Gosport Boatyard - they have an excellent launch service but most of their moorings need it, too far and exposed for normal tenders.

No secure car or any tender parking - and Gosport trafiic can be bad too.

However if you were thinking of a mooring in Langstone presumably you're not too bothered with scenery !

When I looked at Wicor - a long time ago - their rates were pretty steep but chums there and a lot of other people say good things about them lately - I reckon they sound a good option.

If you wanted a club to go along with it, Portchester SC is reasonably near and has a very good friendly reputation.

You'll still need to bypass the Chichester bypass to get there though !

 

[MonniotC]

I agree that parking is a serious issue at Emsworth. You might be able to join Emsworth Sailing Club (not to be confused with Emsworth Slipper Sailing Club). They have a car-park, tender storage and slipway.
I used to be in Sweare Deep, and did the Northney Marina thing. You pay an annual slipway pass, and get use of all facilities - secure parking, showers, loos, etc., but I often wondered about the Emsworth Sailing Club.
As regards avoiding the Chichester bypass - I used to drive straight through the middle of the City. Follow the inner ring-road, and out via the Via Ravenna - straight to the Fishbourne roundabout.
As regards tender storage at Itchenor - they used to do tender storage on chains laid out on the hard near the Harbour Office. I expect that's still the case.

 

[nikc]

• Langstone (zone 2 or 3), Portsmouth side
• Emsworth
• Itchenor
• Portsmouth (no idea about this really, just trying to investigate every option)

We love Langstone, because it's wild and woolly and weird and beautiful aaaand very cheap, though they may not have a mooring that can take the boat. Because she's too awesome. I mean, she's too big. And awesome.

Then there's Emsworth, Itchenor, Portsmouth.

Thorney Channel - very rural and quiet - easy road access.

-either-
south end off Thorney Island Sailing Club where you can leave a dinghy/car if you join

-or-
near the top, maybe into Nutbourne Channel?
Dinghy chains and secure parking in Thorham Marina which is a good place to winter.

exiting Chichester harbour will not be a problem for you in your 'awesome' new boat

 

[Aeolus]

Itchenor allows dinghies to be left on the foreshore tied to chains. Car park is a very short walk away. Main problem likely to be that they may not have any spare moorings for a 34" boat but worth asking the Conservancy. Very beautiful and peaceful place to keep a boat, and you can remain on the mooring all year round.

 

[Seajet]

So it's a different car park at Itchenor to the public one up past the Ship ?

 

[Aeolus]

Nope - that's the car park. All of a 3 minute walk from the foreshore.

 

[Lucky Duck]

Is that a 'pay and display' or is it free?

 

[derekgillard]

I have been at wicor for more than 30 years, easy to get to from M27 just a few minutes, Car parking is no problem stay as long as you like, winter storage, acess virtually all tide, mid river pontoons a stones throw from the jetty, cheaper ones a 10 minute dinghy ride down the harbour. Surroundings are great. it 40 mins to the the Solent, and no difficult entrance like Langstone or Chichester.
Regards

David

s

+1 for Wicor been three 16 years now and it ticks all the boxes, if you want to be in Chichester then the moorings outside Northely are good but not sure how often they become available.

For me Portsmouth harbour gives me access to the Solent in all tides and most winds some ins all the time

Derek

 

[Channel Sailor]

I have a mooring at Itchenor, deep water. Very content with the arrangements. But if you were weekends and very much in the summer only, then the traffic might be a hassle. The water taxi/ferry is really useful. Though it is a long way from the WestPole harbour channel approach I enjoy the sheltered sail in the harbour and the other anchorages within the harbour to visit.

 

[Aeolus]

Is that a 'pay and display' or is it free?

It's pay and display or you can buy a season ticket.

 

[lenten]

little grebe--pay and display---£4 a day---£120 a year---conservancy staff at itchenor are very helpful---if you are leaving your car for a few days---tell them and you won t get a ticket ---pay on return

 

[Lucky Duck]

It's pay and display or you can buy a season ticket.

little grebe--pay and display---£4 a day---£120 a year---conservancy staff at itchenor are very helpful---if you are leaving your car for a few days---tell them and you won t get a ticket ---pay on return

Ta.

We have been using the Chi marina waiting pontoon for pick up/drop off purposes but it was ridiculously congested last weekend (along with a large queue of boats in the approach channel waiting to use the lock as there was no free flow) so was looking at alternative locations.

PS - Chi marina would let me in as the water level was allegedly too low for my draft and Northney were fully booked

 

[bumblefish]

I have just moved my Elizabethan 30 from Brighton to Itchenor, I keep a hard dinghy on the chains and an inflatable in the car and have a season ticket for the car park. Living just north of the Downs outside Brighton the drive can be a pain but there are some short cuts! ;-) I think it is wonderful.