Gosport harbour

[Franknstein]

Hi all

Just to introduce myself, I'm new to these forums. My family and I have been living in England (london) for 3 years now, and are originally from South Africa.

I've enjoyed many years of boating in South Africa, only in fresh water however. Had many boats over the years, and am quite capable with them, and launching etc.

But, taking to the sea will be a new experience for me. I've just bought a boat (16.6ft Glastron Carlson, with 115hp Mariner outboard 2T). She's in pretty good nick for the age, and was thinking of getting the family out this summer.

My thoughts were to explore firstly the area around Gosport harbour, Fareham lake, and the open Sea south of the harbour. I have many questions though before I embark on this adventure, and could do with a few tips, pointers and suggestions to keep me from getting into any trouble with other boaters, and/or harbour staff/authorities.

So, here are a few questions I hope someone could help me answer:

1. Should I buy a marine radio? I was thinking one of those £50 jobbies on ebay, in case of emergency or something.

2. My plan is to launch at lifeboat lane, next to Gosport & Fareham inshore rescue service on the south bank. Would this be a suitable location for me to launch with a 320d bmw estate car?

3. From that launch site, I assume that there is no speed limit in these open waters?

4. If I want to enter the Gosport harbour area, to access Fareham lake, would I need to radio in and ask permission? How do I know exactly where I need to be to adhere to the following: All yachts and vessels with engines must use the small boat channel to enter the marina with the speed limit restricted to 10 knots. - Is there a sign or some bouys?

5. I take it the speed limit in fareham lake is still 10 knots?

6. would I need any sort of boat license to be pottering around fareham lake, and the more northern areas around Cams Hall golf course?

7. How shallow is this area at low tide? Would it not be a good idea to be there in low tide or would it be suitable

Hope someone can assist, I'm really excited to get back in the water after 3 years on land.

Perhaps one of you guys may be in and around the area, I could meet up for a bit of assistance? PLanning on going somewhere between 2-10 June.

Some pics:

 

[RobWales]

Regarding the VHF suggest a fixed and a hand held back up!

Locality....no help sorry.

Lovely looking boat very clean with a lump of an engine, you're going to need the kill switch lanyard at all times with that, take it easy when going out to sea its going to fly!

Enjoy.

 

[Tranona]

Welcome to the forum

For suggestions on safety equipment look on the RNLI website under the Safety tab www.rnli.org.uk

If you have a radio, you will need a licence for the boat (free from OFCOM) and a short range certificate for yourself see www.rya.org for details on how to get a certificate. No other "licence" required, although there are certificated training schemes from the RYA you might consider.

You will find there are speed restrictions in most harbours. For the area you are looking at you can get up to date information from the Queens Harbourmaster who is responsible for controls in Portsmouth Harbour. The harbour is a busy place with many big ship movements in addition to leisure boating so restrictions such as the use of the small ships channels are enforced.

Be aware that the harbour is tidal which can constrain where and when you can boat safely, and may place restrictions on times you can launch, so you need to get a large scale chart and tide tables - available from any of the many chandlers around the harbour. Don't know the details of your planned launch site - you need to contact whoever is responsible for it.

Worth going round the area by road and getting local information before you do it for real.

 

[Bav34]

Welcome to The Forums

A few quick observations.

First of all it's Portsmouth Harbour not Gosport. Really not being picky but it's good to know where you actually are

A VHF is essential as are flares, life jackets and so on. Some people think that a mobile phone is a good substitute but the Coastguard can't locate you using that and other boats in your vicinity don't know you're in trouble. You need a licence to use one.

You don't need to ask permission to enter the harbour ... just keep WELL over to port ... perhaps hang around and follow others if in doubt.

There is a 10 knot speed limit within the harbour and (I think) within 500 metres of the shore. Someone will correct me if I am wrong on that.

No license required but it would be sensible to consider an RYA course

Fareham Lake dries.

Others will be along to fill in my gaps.

Enjoy

 

[henryf]

If you enter Portsmouth (using the small boat channel) you will undoubtedly want to cross over to Gunwharf Quays at some point. You need to ask permission from QHM to do this and cross from the Ballast Pile over to the Gunwharf Entrance. Check they can accommodate you first on Ch 80 before asking permission to cross over.

As has already been said you will need to sort yourself out with a few bits of equipment prior to venturing out to sea.

All the best and enjoy you boating in the Solent.

Henry

 

[l'escargot]

...There is a 10 knot speed limit within the harbour and (I think) within 500 metres of the shore. Someone will correct me if I am wrong on that...

1000 yards from the shore and remember Portsmouth Dockyard covers almost half the Solent between lines roughly from Eastney to Bembridge and Lee on Solent to East Cowes as well as the harbour itself.

These are good places to start:
http://www.qhm.mod.uk/portsmouth/leisure/
http://www.qhm.mod.uk/portsmouth/regulations/speed-limits
http://www.qhm.mod.uk/portsmouth/regulations/safety-points

 

[Bav34]

1000 yards from the shore and remember Portsmouth Dockyard covers almost half the Solent between lines roughly from Eastney to Bembridge and Lee on Solent to East Cowes as well as the harbour itself.

Ta. Doesn't really affect me in a yacht

 

[Franknstein]

Wow! So many reply's already, thanks so much for taking the time.

A lot to take in, a bit overwhelming at first, but I guess its a case of 'once there it all falls into place' or at least, I hope so!

Looking at the google satellite map, it all seems very busy, with lots of ships, yachts and buildings surrounding. I will be sure to be very alert!

I've attached a map which I just photoshopped quickly... of the portsmouth harbour zone (red area) , and where I presumed I can go over 10knots (yellow area including intersecting yellow over red zone). However, I am not sure if this is correct, maybe I can only go over 10knots in the non-intersecting areas?

I'll go for the day course on the radio then, however, if I buy the radio and use it just to listen and ICOE on the first time out, would this be legal?

Also, once in the fareham lake area, above all those shipping channels, can I pretty much go in any direction? Had thoughts of just pottering around, and exploring really.

What if I want to go to the Gunwharf Quays, I see there some pubs and shops and whatnot there with a mooring zone - would I pre-arrange to pay to moor there, or could I just moor there and pay someone?

Sorry for all the questions, but life was a lot easier in South African dams... you really just did as you please!



EDIT: Also, thinking about it, how would I determine when I'm 1000yards off-shore? Should I buy some sort of marine GPS/chartplotter for this - or would this be over-kill... I really have spent way too much already on various bits and pieces and still haven't even been in the water yet! So dont want to buy one quite yet if not necessary... If its a must, then could someone recommend a half-decent entry level unit thats not expensive? Would be good if it supplied me with depth information too...

 

[Bav34]

Just another observation ... sadly a bit negative.

The useable part of Portsmouth Harbour is actually quite small.

Split into four parts you have the entrance up to the north end of the Naval Dockyard.

DEFINATELY not a play area. Constant traffic, commercial , Naval and private. Apart from the Portsmouth-Gosport ferry just about every bit of traffic is inbound or outbound.

North west of that is a very limited area where you'll either be amongst boat moorings, the new Arming Facility or over very shallow mud banks.

The harbour then splits into a narrow winding channel up to Port Solent or a slightly straighter route up to Fareham ... where there is hardly room to swing a cat.. It's certainly not a play area in a powerboat.

Sorry to put a dampner on your plans but even at just 10 knots I reckon that you could reach the extremities in less than an hour (?) with very little room for zooming around.

No water skiing, no jet skiing ... basically a lovely place to cruise around slowly and to get used to the boat but get onto Google Earth to see just how small it really is.

Sorry

On a brighter note The Solent is a fantastic place ... if you get rid of all the other boats

Final thought ... there is a one mile exclusion zone for powerboats around any yacht to cut down on wash.

Honestly

 

[Franknstein]

Yeah, I see its quite small, not too concerned - dont mind just pottering about in the harbour area, and sightseeing a bit, but when I get out the harbour into the open sea then only do I plan on opening her up a little.

Bav, when you say there is a 1 mile exclusion zone, you are saying that anywhere in the open sea, within a 1mile radius of any yacht its a 10knot limit?

 

[rib]

i think you,d like poole harbour more have a look

 

[gjgm]

Yep, was thinking it wouldnt by my choice, Portsmouth.
Have a look at Chichester Harbour.Yes, speed limit that is fiercely enforced unless you want some heavy fines, but very beautiful, beaches, pubs..you cant zoom about, but you can have a wonderful time pottering in safe waters.
There is a website,something like wheretolaunch-that lists all UK slipways. They vary from brilliant (and expensive)to almost impossible and very tidal, so make sure you know what you are doing.
As mentioned though, with tides, all these harbour mouths get some serious flows through them and can have some very lumpy conditions for a small boat. Add in all the flybridges chucking up 5 ft wake, and you might find it a bit daunting.
Southampton Water has all the big cargo and cruise ships and ferries, but despite that it is a protected strip of water (from winds) so is somewhere to whiz your boat about. Free slipway at Hythe Village Marina.
South coast is VERY busy- you really need a VHF (handheld, new for £100), and with all those boats you do need to have an understanding of tides and collregs. You hear an aweful lot of MAYDAYS for small speedboats in trouble.
Not sure if you are used to this, but if you want to tie your boat up anywhere, expect to pay, as all pontoons,marinas etc etc are private company owned.
Plenty of people about to help you I am sure.

 

[SpottyDog5]

Suggest you come down, do a Powerboat 2 course, then decide where to play in the Solent or nearby harbours/rivers.
Much safer for you and your family, and you will enjoy it all the more...

 

[colingr]

Bav, when you say there is a 1 mile exclusion zone, you are saying that anywhere in the open sea, within a 1mile radius of any yacht its a 10knot limit?

Ignore that Bav. What he really means is that if you approach to within 1 mile of a yacht you should adjust your speed to that which maximises wake so that they have the fun of playing.

Realistically, to avoid angst, if you are passing a boat with flappy things it is polite to avoid too much wash, especially if they are playing on the foredeck tugging strings etc. He needs the irony icon

Totally agree with the PB2 course, you'll get much more out of your boat afterwards.

 

[Tranona]

i think you,d like poole harbour more have a look

Thankfully, Poole Harbour has a well enforced speed limit except in parts of the upper regions where there is a designated waterski area. OK once outside the harbour but can be unpleasant in a small fast boat.

TBH the OPs choice of boat is less than ideal for regular family use in our congested coastal waters. Constraints of where to launch, areas where the speed can be used safely and places one can actually go to where it is possible to land.

 

[Bav34]

Ignore that Bav. What he really means is that if you approach to within 1 mile of a yacht you should adjust your speed to that which maximises wake so that they have the fun of playing.

Realistically, to avoid angst, if you are passing a boat with flappy things it is polite to avoid too much wash, especially if they are playing on the foredeck tugging strings etc. He needs the irony icon

.

Sorry Frank ... forgot you're a newbie here ... you'll soon get used to the forum 'humour' . In principle we have WAFI's and DAFI's ... wind assisted f idiots and diesel assisted f idiots.

And I did add a smiley after my post.

We all love each other really which is why you have at least two raggies here trying to help you out.

 

[rib]

frnknstien;i think you hinted that money may be a bit short.have a good look at poole,real easy pretty area round the back with a lovely river which is safe and has camp site,from there you can gain experiance and push out more into the harbour and explore islands wooded headlands fast areas etc,the big town of poole is not far,loads of other boats around when weather good a radio flares and chart will see for you to begin with plus the normal life jackets anchor,sandy beaches wild life all good for keeping kids happy and pubs and mainas if you want them,oh and seahorses deer shell beaches,i quiet like it there

 

[rib]

in fact i started my sailing life there with my four yun kids in a boat just like yours,camping and launching is easy(you said you can do that)your main task will be chosing a sunny hot nice weekend in which to play

 

[rib]

oh and haveind sailed around the long way all around the uk by yacht and rib 6 or more times i still think its one of the best places for boating for a young family in the uk

 

[rib]

unless you can tow it to falmouth then your in paradise