First trip to the IOW

[Laundryman]

I have been sailing for only 18 months and my boat is now in Portsmouth Harbour.This weekend, weather permitting i plan to make my first trip to the IOW. I am thinking Cowes, the Folly Inn. Moor overnight either the Folly, east or west Cowes Marina. Okay, I'm not that experienced though i have sailed the boat round from Walton on the Naze to Portsmouth on my own. It took 5 days with overnight stops in Ramsgate,Dover,Eastbourne and Newhaven. Will i be challenged by the sail to Cowes, the entrance, up the medina to the folly? Is there anything i should beware of? I am a little concerned regarding the chain ferry. My fin keel draws 1.5m. Is depth a problem up to the Folly? I have all the books but they are on the boat! Have you a better idea for a first destination. Wife has to enjoy the trip or it might be my last! thanks

 

[Daedelus]

You shouldn't have any trouble with any of it.

Coming out of Portsmouth do remember to leave the posts to port, (it's written on them for those who haven't sussed it yet), keep to the boat channel. Mind Sunsail if they're racing, watch for the big stuff, but it uses clearly defined channels going into Southampton.

Entering Cowes mind Red Jet as it turns round ready to go out before mooring and it is busy, but not a problem. I personally don't like West Cowes, can be a little swell but a lot of noise. East Cowes is preferable (to my mind) just remember that about 2 hours from LW the current runs faster than the rest of the river just as you go into the Pontoons.

Just don't go too close to the chain ferry is all, otherwise no problem there. Watch for his light to start flashing to show he's on the move but easiest just to watch when he stops loading cars.

Folly is easiest, very long pontoon, gets shallow but plenty for 1.5m keel. Get to pub early as how you can have to queue for over an hour just to order food beats me, came quite quickly thereafter. Or, eat on boat and just have a few drinks at the pub is probably best of all worlds.

Don't panic, don't fret, enjoy.

 

[Evadne]

Is there anything i should beware of? I am a little concerned regarding the chain ferry. My fin keel draws 1.5m. Is depth a problem up to the Folly? I have all the books but they are on the boat! Have you a better idea for a first destination. Wife has to enjoy the trip or it might be my last! thanks

There is nothing to worry about. It's neaps anyway, but you'll find water all the way up and on both sides of the pontoon.

As a sail, you'll find it short, possibly disappointing. Consider Lymington if you want a longer sail.

Cowes itself is very busy on a Saturday, but take it steady, keep a sharp eye out at the marina exits and over your shoulder, for the ferries and you'll be fine. After the chain ferry there is a pleasant motor past the gasworks and through the countryside. The Folly gets quite busy, so the later you arrive the further out you'll have to raft.
Same with the food at the pub: it's a a great atmosphere, but after 8pm there can be an hour long queue.

 

[Sans Bateau]

"I have been sailing for only 18 months" "I'm not that experienced though i have sailed the boat round from Walton on the Naze to Portsmouth on my own. thanks"

Sounds like you will have more experience than many in the Solent most weekends! Keep a good look out for the numpties!!

With your experience the only real advice you need on the I.O.W is don't expect everywhere to take credit cards outside of Cowes, half day closing still exists on Weds in many shops, yes the I.O.W is in a time warp!! Enjoy!

 

[Sans Bateau]

....and someone should tell the OP to avoid Cowes Yacht Haven, go into Shepards Warf for cowes.

 

[VicS]

I cannot think of anything much easier than a trip from Portsmouth to the Folly.

Compared with 5days single handed from W on t' Naze its a piece of cake.

Times of HW this coming weekend though means an early start if you want to carry the tide from Portsmouth to Cowes. Consider going East to Chichester perhaps.

I guess you already know the rules about the "small boat channel" and the "inner swashway" It's all the the QHM website if you dont!
Good look out required all the time. Watch for the Gosport ferry (and the IOW ferries if you are not using the inner swashway) and idiots coming out of Haslar.

Be sure you know about the restricted areas around big stuff coming out of Southampton (see the ABP website)

Don't go through the moorings in the entrance to the Medina. You are required to stick to the channel.

Chain ferry is always an anxious point. Don't cross in front if its on the move, go behind. Never had the slightest problem though.

Folly will be busy on a fine August weekend, both from the mooring point of view and the pub. Good advice above to order food early but how they cope with the numbers never ceases to amaze me!

East Cowes marina and then walk and chain ferry into West Cowes is an option if you want to avoid the crowds at the Folly. Folly not a place to be missed though ... there's a reason for its popularity.

Have a good weekend.

 

[Evadne]

Times of HW this coming weekend though means an early start if you want to carry the tide from Portsmouth to Cowes. Consider going East to Chichester perhaps.

You're right, of course, although the forecast combined with a wife of nervous disposition would suggest going west on Saturday and east on Sunday. Coming out of Chichester harbour into a W5-6 might put her off a bit.

 

[SK700]

Check the tidal flow at the entrance, should be fine at neaps but can catch you out if you are expecting less by the shore.

 

[Laundryman]

Excellent responses. Just what i was looking for ,Thankyou.
As for the comments re experience. Be assured that the sail from Walton on the Naze to Portsmouth was adrenalin fuelled. That has now gone but has taken some of the confidence with it! Thanks Alan

 

[Twister_Ken]

There is a time difference in the IOW.

On arrival, set your watch back 20 years.

 

[Twister_Ken]

One more thing. There's often a local strengthening and shifting of wind as you get closer to Cowes - the result of wind funneling down the Medina Valley. No problem if you're expecting it.

 

[l'escargot]

...don't expect everywhere to take credit cards outside of Cowes, half day closing still exists on Weds in many shops, yes the I.O.W is in a time warp!! Enjoy!

It's a long time since you've been to the IW! They even accept euros on the buses now.

 

[islandsailor]

Sounds like you will have more experience than many in the Solent most weekends! Keep a good look out for the numpties!!

With your experience the only real advice you need on the I.O.W is don't expect everywhere to take credit cards outside of Cowes, half day closing still exists on Weds in many shops, yes the I.O.W is in a time warp!! Enjoy!

What rubbish! I can't think of one shop that has half day closing on Wednesday on the whole of the Island and Credit cards are as widely accepted here as anywhere else.

Far from being a timewarp we are a vibrant Island with a lot going for us.

 

[photodog]

A WATERY DEATH AWAITS YOU!!!!


Take the Ferry... its the only way you can be sure of getting back in one piece....


















Ps; dont sweat it... peace of piss. the weather is gonna be great... point the sharp end were everyone esle is going and you will be fine... Solents just one big lake aint it.

 

[l'escargot]

...I am thinking Cowes, the Folly Inn. Moor overnight either the Folly, east or west Cowes Marina...

I wouldn't bother with the Folly on a Saturday night (although saying that we will probably be on the pontoon this Saturday to catch the tide, but definitely eating on board) - all a bit touristy and conveyor belt food and drink. I would be more inclined to recommend East Cowes marina and a meal in the Lifeboat if it is just the 2 of you. SWMBO would probably be more impressed with the facilities as well.

 

[BlueSkyNick]

If you read all the note in the Almanac about car ferries, redjets, chain ferries, moorings, leisure boaters etc you could be forgiven for giving it a miss. As others have said, its not difficult just busy, so apply common sense and after 10 minutes you will be by the powerstation where things quieten down again.

You could consider going up to Island Harbour marina overnight, which is quiet and you can walk to the Folly from there (take a torch for the return trip)

 

[RobBrown]

I agree with Nick's advice. We like Island Harbour as a family, but just note it is locked so access is approx HW +/_ 31/2 for your draft but there is a waiting pontoon just outside if reqd.

more info here:

http://www.island-harbour.co.uk/harbour_entry.asp

I believe original owning co is currently in administration, but marina was still operating essentially as usual when we were up there last month.