Free overnight moorings in the Solent area for upcoming trip?

[thecommander]

Hi there,

Planning a bit of cruising weekend and was wondering if there are any free (or at least very cheap) overnight moorings/pontoons in the Solent area? The plan is to go from Southampton towards Cowes (for fuel) then west towards Newtown Creek (possible 1st overnight location) then onwards to Yarmouth or Lymington (not sure which one is better?) AND if the weather holds onwards to Christchurch for the 2nd overnight. If the weather doesn't hold probably Yarmouth or Lymington for the 2nd overnight. Bit of a precursor to our planned run to Bournemouth for the airshow.

I don't have a problem paying for a marina but we don't particularly need marina facilities, nor access to land so finding somewhere free or very cheap would be ideal. On another note and apart from being slightly unethical what's to stop one arriving at a marina outside office hours, taking a visitor pontoon then leaving before the office re-opens? Surely this happens all the time?

One final note, which is the best marina to easily and quickly take on supplies? East Cowes is a bit of a walk to the Co-Op and can't think of any others which are near a large shop??

Thanks

 

[[2068]]

On another note and apart from being slightly unethical what's to stop one arriving at a marina outside office hours, taking a visitor pontoon then leaving before the office re-opens? Surely this happens all the time?

It probably does happen, but you are lining yourself up with Captain Jack Sparrow if you do.
Bear in mind that many marinas have cameras that will be recording your subterfuge.
Unlocking the diesel pump and helping yourself to a few spare litres would be the next logical step.

 

[rafiki_]

It probably does happen, but you are lining yourself up with Captain Jack Sparrow if you do.
Bear in mind that many marinas have cameras that will be recording your subterfuge.
Unlocking the diesel pump and helping yourself to a few spare litres would be the next logical step.

 

[thecommander]

It probably does happen, but you are lining yourself up with Captain Jack Sparrow if you do.
Bear in mind that many marinas have cameras that will be recording your subterfuge.
Unlocking the diesel pump and helping yourself to a few spare litres would be the next logical step.

Good point. I would never condone doing such a thing. I ask purely out of interest.

 

[Firefly625]

If you are that tight just anchor..

 

[lisilou]

Re supplies...why not just stock up before you head off? It's just a weekend you say? Then, if you run out before the second night, pop to the local stores at either Yarmouth or Lymington, which ever one you opt for.
Free or cheap berths in the Solent?... don't think they exist tbh.
L

 

[thecommander]

If you are that tight just anchor!

We're so tight we've been anchoring overnight for past 4 weekends and it makes me nauseous thinking about spending another night on the hook

Think we're going to have to man up and stay in a proper marina next weekend. Anywhere around Yarmouth or Lymington decent?

 

[[2068]]

Pick up a buoy in Newtown Creek?

 

[lisilou]

Yeh..Yarmouth Harbour. It's lovely but book in advance and pay in advance..no refund if you don't turn up. Lymington YH is nice too or Berthon a bit up from there and closer to the town. All expensive.
L

 

[Tranona]

We're so tight we've been anchoring overnight for past 4 weekends and it makes me nauseous thinking about spending another night on the hook

Think we're going to have to man up and stay in a proper marina next weekend. Anywhere around Yarmouth or Lymington decent?

Yes, Yarmouth and Lymington. Not much choice in the former except type and therefore price of berth. More choice in Lymington, two marinas and town quay.

If you are going to cruise regularly in the area, probably a good idea to buy a pilot book or one of the many publications that describe all the potential anchorages, harbours and marinas in the Solent.

 

[thecommander]

Pick up a buoy in Newtown Creek?

I take it that's about £8 per metre?

 

[thecommander]

Yeh..Yarmouth Harbour. It's lovely but book in advance and pay in advance..no refund if you don't turn up. Lymington YH is nice too or Berthon a bit up from there and closer to the town. All expensive.
L

That sounds like a good idea! What sort of cost per metre at Yarmouth?

 

[[2068]]

I take it that's about £8 per metre?

Something like £15 ish for a 10m boat for an overnight stop.

.

 

[lisilou]

From memory, Newtowns £8.50 for a short stay and £16 upto 11m overnight.
L

 

[thecommander]

Thanks. That all seems very reasonable.

 

[lisilou]

That sounds like a good idea! What sort of cost per metre at Yarmouth?

Lol...you've really done your H/W haven't you. Have a look here: http://www.visitmyharbour.com/harbours/solent/ a really useful site and if you find yourself using it often as I do, it's worth paying the one off membership fee of £25.
L

 

[superheat6k]

The isolated pontoon in Yarmouth is about 1/2 the walk ashore price but no power or water available. Runs along parallel with the sea wall to stbd as you enter. When the HM calls over ask him for the isolated pontoon.

Town Quay in Lymington is also quite cheap, with lots of extra space on the fore and aft mooring buoys.

 

[tom52]

My experience of summer weekends in the Solent is that it is very much a sellers market for moorings. I would forget the idea that you can pick and choose. Generally you are grateful to find anywhere that will take you and charge you through the nose to raft up !

 

[southseaian]

You could anchor free in Newtown Creek. The National Trust warden will ask for an anchoring fee but in fact they can not charge for anchoring. If pressed they will explain that the anchoring fee is actually a voluntary contribution to the Trust.
The buoys belong to the national Trust who have every right to charge for their use.
There are plenty of empty moorings in Portsmouth harbour. Pick one up which looks in good order and might be suitable for your size of boat. If the owner comes back move on.
Marinas video their moorings and and have policies of pursuing people who stay without paying. (Pursuing in legal terms not in gunboats!)
There are many places to anchor free of charge in the Solent area. Study the wind forecasts and be prepared for the wash of large ships. Get some decent ground tackle and off you go.

 

[Talulah]

On a side note: I was at Lymington Town Quay Saturday night. They've just introduced a weekend surcharge.
Someone is clearly sitting down and thinking where else can we increase fees.