First Trip Out in the Solent

[Gludy]

I have always used the Solent to simply deliver ot collect boats - never to actually go anywhere.

This weekend is the first possible weekend with the boat and so the proper maiden voyage is planned just as a two day jaunt.

Where are the best places to visit?

As i have only been in a boat to Port Solent and to Emsworth, the rest is all unkown to me so I do not think this thread should develop into a row. The CI thread has been a really good way of me getting a feel for that trip. After this weekend the CI trip will be next.

 

[office_sailor]

Anywhere is quite good this time of the year - Cowes will be good and fairly quiet (compared to the summer), Yarmouth is nice, especially this time of year before it gets too busy, and you can get some really good photos of your new pride and joy from the quay, if you're moored close enough. Hamble will be busy with racy boys, but you could go further up to Southampton and Ocean Village. Personally, if it's a shakedown cruise for testing, I'd stick to the mainland, as you don't want to be caught with ferry fares if something goes wrong and you have to leave the boat somewhere over on the Island!

Hope it all goes well and you finally get to enjoy the boat!

 

[jhr]

I'd head west. Yarmouth is particularly worth visiting and this will be a good time of year for you to go there - it can get crowded later in the year and turning up on spec in a biggish boat means that you risk being disappointed.

The Beaulieu River is lovely but I'm biased - I moor there. However I am out of the water at the moment, so you can drop by and help me with the anti-fouling. There's a 75 ft ex MTB moored off Buckler's Hard, so a little boat like yours won't pose any mooring problems /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Also go to Cowes - just so you can say that you've been there and - if there are any big liners or other ships in at the moment (look on the Soton VTS website) go up Southampton Water for a shufty..

 

[stephenh]

deleted

 

[BrendanS]

The Ferry (pub) up from Cowes is a Solent institution, and should be visited at least once. Yarmouth or Lymington both nice, and can take a boat of your size. Newton and Bembridge probably better left until you have more experience of it, as it gets very shallow and not lots of room to manoeuvre, same for Beaulieu

Alum Bay is nice to anchor up at, though depends on wind direction

 

[Aardee]

Do you mean The Folly??

 

[jhr]

[ QUOTE ]
not lots of room to manoeuvre, same for Beaulieu

[/ QUOTE ] I reckon he'd be OK; reasonable room for manoeuvre up at Buckler's Hard, though I wouldn't go any further upriver on a first trip. But I meant to add that the Beaulieu River entrance is best avoided 2 hrs either side of low water, particularly at Springs - there are a couple of shallow bits to trap the unwary. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

 

[rickp]

Its a bit cold to dinghy over to the folly (well, too cold for me /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif. Is the water taxi up there running at this time of year?

Rick

 

[BrendanS]

oops, yes, fingers typing quicker than brain engaging

 

[BrendanS]

at this time of year it won't be very busy, so can probably go straight onto the pontoon that connects to shore? Can't remember how big it is, but probably big enough

 

[jhr]

[ QUOTE ]
probably big enough

[/ QUOTE ] But quite shallow at low water? Can't remember what Gludy's Trader draws.

 

[KevB]

If you are thinking of going to the Folly and want to moore on the Folly pontoons suggest you call the Folly harbour master on 07887725922 to see if you can book a space. Downside is you'll more than likely have people raft up on you and walk over you nice new boat. Shouldn't have a problem getting on the centre pontoons and much quieter as you don't get the water taxi zooming past dropping people off.

 

[TigaWave]

Good to hear the boats all sorted, I'd head for the Master Builders at Bucklers hard, great restaurant in the hotel there or pub food, and the river is at its best this time of year with few visitors.

Hope you have a good trip, and the CI if it's settled then has to Alderney, again great restaurants, and a good pub.

Have a ood one

Neil

 

[Gludy]

She draws 1.8 metres.

This isa lovely discussion that I can just sit back and enjoy ... thansk for all the contributions, some favourites seem to be emerging.


The boat did have a 40 hour runn in to LIBS but one shaft was vibrating - a problem only being cured now as i write - but should be done for weekend, so I do not expect to break down or anything like that.

I have gone for legs - being fitted now as well - so at least I should get a medal for bravery - 32 tons with legs!. However i only ever want to use them when I am experienced and know th3e ground.

 

[jhr]

[ QUOTE ]
great restaurant in the hotel there or pub food

[/ QUOTE ] Do you think so? The Pub's been pretty terrible the last few times I've been there, with awful service and mediocre food, and though I can't afford the restaurant very often, a fellow forumite went there last summer and was not impressed. The Montague Arms in Beaulieu village is better; either walk up the river*, or tides permitting, take the dinghy up (this means going there for lunch this weekend, I think).

All imho.

(*Edit: I meant walk up the riverside path - even Gludy can't walk on water afaik /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif)

 

[Gludy]

"(*Edit: I meant walk up the riverside path - even Gludy can't walk on water afaik ) "

You see jumping to conclusions again!!! /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[Solitaire]

Visit Portsmouth Harbour and go to Gun Wharf Quay, have a trip up the Spinnaker Tower. You will need to enter via the small boat channel which starts at No4 Buoy. Unless you are over 20 meters in which case you will be required to call QHM on Ch 11 and request permission to enter via the main channel.

If you do come over from Emsworth, and you are under 20 metres then cross over to the western side of the entrance. Do not enter on the eastern side.

 

[zeros]

Remember wherever you do go you have got to get back into Emsworth and with that draught you will only have a small window of tide!!

Still you could always spend a night at Northeney (or your boat can) if you miss the tide or are worried about the cill height - many traders do this and many skippers get the taxi back. I did once last year and plan not to do it again!! and I have a small boat!

Good luck with her.

 

[tome]

Agree the master builders not so good these days and would opt for a blast to Cowes or Yarmouth. If Cowes, you could continue up river to the Folly as suggested (call the Folly Launch ch 69 to see if there's a nice berth available) as food and atmosphere excellent - provided you don't mind people dancing on the tables!

Maybe Folly Sat evening then back up to Cowes for harry brekkers at the Octopus Garden top of high street opposite ISC (breakfast rubbish at Folly) and nice blast home, aiming to be at Chi Bar for noon Sunday

Gunwharf good, but not much of a first outing?

 

[powerskipper]

Have a great weekend playing with her.