Hamble shallows

[Judders]

Is anyone aware of where one might be able to get very close scale charts of the Hamble?

Or even perhaps someone might just be aware of the topography of the areas behind the fairways.

The reason I ask is because I want to get Merit's sails up and go through some drills (anchoring, MOB etc) this weekend, prior to our cruise in a couple of weeks, but my crew is under the thumb and I can't have him for long. It's springs and Merit only draws 2' so I was wondering about the possibility of using the area known as Crableck Lake or perhaps the area to the west of the reach that goes from Crableck up to Swanwick. On the charts I have seen there are only one or two soundings which suggest a couple of hours water would be available, saving 40 minutes each way to the river mouth. Is anyone aware of any lumps, bumps or obstructions? (Other than the bleeding great wreck).

Many thanks.

 

[Searching]

I know it quite well and I do know it changes a lot so I would not risk it.

 

[LadyInBed]

stanfords charts - Chart Pack 24: The Solent and Approaches
Page 1: Planning Chart Page 2: Christchurch Bay (1:29,000) Page 3: The Needles (1:29,000) Page 4: Western Solent (1:29,000) Page 5: Central Solent (1:29,000) Page 6: Southampton Water (1:29,000) Page 7: Eastern Solent (1:29,000) Page 8: Eastern Solent Approaches (1:73,000); waypoint and tidal stream diagrams Page 9: River Hamble (1:7,250) Page 10: River Itchen (1:9,650) WGS 84

 

[burgundyben]

Searching is quite right, Crableck lake changes a bit and is quite lumpy in places.

The area you mention on the bend further up I would think a better option, to be honest this time of year little traffic on the river so just loaf about in the fairway...

You might try the area on the warsash shore just to the north of the pink ferry hut, opposite hamble village, plenty of room in there.

 

[IanR]

Not really advisable, certainly not much space and still a fair bit of traffic.

You are pretty limited for any real space above Warsash, the only place for turns is really on the bend by Mercury but river traffic will not appreciate any confusion neither will the HM

 

[waterboy]

I have taken many dinghys up the Hamble over the years. At high tide you should have plenty of water on the inside of the bend between Mercury and Universal/Crableck Marinas. There is space further up on the north/west side of the trots opposite Mercury. Then there is good space downstream opposite Port Hamble and the Royal Southern YC. Do watch out as after a good 2 - 2.5 hour stand, the tides do run out hard on the ebb and you could find your gear, or even yourself, tangled up on moored craft.

 

[powerskipper]

could you take the boat down to port Hamble or the harbour master pontoon and get him to board there, then you are 5 mins out and plenty of water to play in.

 

[Judders]

[ QUOTE ]
could you take the boat down to port Hamble or the harbour master pontoon and get him to board there, then you are 5 mins out and plenty of water to play in.

[/ QUOTE ]

That's the other option. I might just restrict ourselves to picking up buoys.

That said, if we can float of the berth at Deacon's then there must be other areas of similair depth... maybe I should not have listend to the traditionalists and got a sounder after all.