I’m not sure it’s possible to relax in the Solent

[Sea-Fever]

I contemplated going out today and then decided to get a couple of jobs done and went for a walk round Porchester castle instead.

Part of my reasoning was that I don’t massively enjoy sailing in the Western Solent (edit: I mean Eastern Solent) and so, generally, unless we’re actually heading for a destination, I am happy for the boat to stay tied up.

For me it’s hard not to be at Defcon 1 all the time…powerboats up your chuff, little ferries, massive ferries, hovercraft, container ships, FVs, day boats, small boat channel, shallow swashway, the Navy……There’s a lot to think about and that’s without putting a single scrap of sail up.

When I do put a sail out something will change and I’ll be forced on to another point of sail or perhaps have to stick the motor on again…..it’s all a bit much at Portsmouth.

I made an enquiry at Weymouth harbour yesterday…..maybe it’s time for a move.

Anyone else feel slightly harassed at Portsmouth? On the positive side there’s never a dull moment but I find I don’t get enough of a run to do any proper sailing.

 

[ashtead]

You forgot to mention the hazards of jetski surely . It was lovely in Haslar today and great to be back afloat in the sun. At least there’s no bridge to negotiate to exit the marina at Portsmouth.

 

[johnalison]

It's not my area but I have been through a number of times, on the last occasion about six years ago. I agree that it is not relaxing, but it can be tolerable mid-week, though you are seldom going to find indisturbed water. It is best in a bit of a blow when you are less likely to noticed.

 

[Sea-Fever]

You forgot to mention the hazards of jetski surely . It was lovely in Haslar today and great to be back afloat in the sun. At least there’s no bridge to negotiate to exit the marina at Portsmouth.

Ah that is true…..perhaps the water is more blue on the other side of the needles.

 

[Sea-Fever]

It's not my area but I have been through a number of times, on the last occasion about six years ago. I agree that it is not relaxing, but it can be tolerable mid-week, though you are seldom going to find indisturbed water. It is best in a bit of a blow when you are less likely to noticed.

I like your thinking. Maybe I could wait for some fog then there won’t be anything there to worry me. ? ?

 

[ashtead]

Just watch out for FB6 the wild ferry of cowes??

 

[LittleSister]

I'm not sure I agree that it's the Western Solent that's the problem - I've always thought the central area, around Southampton Water, Cowes and Portsmouth was the frantic bit. I suspect you've had a few unpleasant experiences that you're now expecting to encounter again every time you go out, but if you can get past that your fears will likely not be realised.

I sailed in the Solent for several years, and yes, especially on a bank holiday weekend, there would often be a huge number of boats out and about, a significant number of whom seemed to think they were still on the M25, but overall I had a lovely time. It's a varied cruising ground, and has a range of other destinations not too far beyond. One would every now and then come across aggressive maniacs out on the water, but I've no idea where they berth because I usually found people I encountered in harbours, sailing clubs and launching from beaches to be pleasant and laid back.

So I'd encourage you to bite the bullet, get out there and see if it's really as bad as you fear. But if you fancy a change to somewhere else, then why not?

 

[Sea-Fever]

When I said Western Solent…….I meant Eastern Solent……holy smokes what’s going on! Never Eat Shredded Wheat……Never Eat Shredded Wheat.

 

[Praxinoscope]

There are times when I miss sailing in the Solent area, (many years ago we sailed out of Mudeford), but we have the opposite here in mid Cardigan Bay, one can go out for a sail mid-week and not see another boat unless you coun’t the Fishguard Rosslare ferry on the horizon, even at weekends over a days sailing you might see half a dozen boats plus the day trip boats out of New Quay.
But I do miss the numerous little anchorages and places to visit over a days sailing or even a weekend that the Solent offers.

 

[Stemar]

For a number of reasons, I've not been out much for the last five years, though I hope to do a bit of catching up this year, but I think the Solent has advantages. For one thing, there are loads of places to go from marinas in busy towns to quiet anchorages, Poole to Chichester, all within an easy sail. Then there's the fact that you're sheltered if things blow up a bit; yes, there have been a few times I might have taken the bus home, but very few that weren't forecast well in advance. that's why we've kept our boat there for the best part of 20 years.

Sure it can get busy, especially at the weekends, but we never found it a problem. The IoW ferries can be bullies at times, but at least they're predictable bullies, not hard to avoid, same with all the big stuff. Mobos can be an issue with their wake, but the worst mobo I met was off Poole - humungous wake and inconsiderately close, cupboard emptyingly so. The worst offenders for me are the occasional muppets who think that because they're racing (invariably well down the pack), they have right of way over me on starboard.

 

[northwind]

Pick your time of day.. Some of my favourite sails are early in the morning or late afternoon when the sea breeze has come in and every one else is going home.

 

[PhillM]

The Solent is great for day sails and weekends and when time is at a premium. As others have said, plenty to see and do. Even the traffic makes life interesting.

But for a holiday, I much prefer to get out and somewhere else. Perhaps it's the newness of a far off destination or the challenge of actually getting there.

So for me it's all about context.

 

[ashtead]

I must say being a habitual Solent sailor having learnt at Bembridge harbour and sailed from the Medina for many years that the peace of sailing the Devon coasts appeals . Our worry last summer venturing that way was lack of berthing but it all worked fairly well and while venturing into Dartmouth was slightly daunting we were rewarded with some lovely beaches and day anchorages which compared to say Newtown creek or east head at Chi looked almost deserted . If we had more time a berth at Brixham if space permits might be a future option. I have no idea what berthing space is like in Devon though and clearly Salcombe is. A bun fight best avoided but maybe a year at Dartmouth might be a choice for the future but I have little idea where to begin up the Dart at Ross perhaps?

 

[SaltyC]

There are times when I miss sailing in the Solent area, (many years ago we sailed out of Mudeford), but we have the opposite here in mid Cardigan Bay, one can go out for a sail mid-week and not see another boat unless you coun’t the Fishguard Rosslare ferry on the horizon, even at weekends over a days sailing you might see half a dozen boats plus the day trip boats out of New Quay.
But I do miss the numerous little anchorages and places to visit over a days sailing or even a weekend that the Solent offers.

The Solent is interesting but eye wateringly expensive. Mid Cardigan Bay sounds quite busy compared to the NE Irish Sea, Solway and Cumbrian coast - seeing another vessel is a panic to read up on the Colregs! But winter sailing with the mountains of Dunfries and Galloway to the North and the Lake District to the East with a nice white dusting of snow - Brilliant!!

 

[Tomaret]

Portsmouth Harbour mouth needs your full attention but I find there’s plenty of room once in the Solent or back in the Harbour. I enjoy visiting Weymouth - it’s a good three day trip for me - but I think I’d soon tire of being moored there. Poole and the Solent to the east and a day trip across Lyme Bay to the west, having first negotiated the inside passage round the Bill - if you find inner swashway less than relaxing how do you view the route west from Weymouth?

 

[Never Grumble]

Portsmouth Harbour mouth needs your full attention but I find there’s plenty of room once in the Solent or back in the Harbour. I enjoy visiting Weymouth - it’s a good three day trip for me - but I think I’d soon tire of being moored there. Poole and the Solent to the east and a day trip across Lyme Bay to the west, having first negotiated the inside passage round the Bill - if you find inner swashway less than relaxing how do you view the route west from Weymouth?

I like the inner Swashway usually enough water not to worry too much and once you have turned the corner generally the traffic quietens down.

 

[Dutch01527]

In the last three years I had my own boat in Cardiff, a boat share in the Solent and now a new to me boat in Dartmouth. I have to say that all had their advantages but Dartmouth is the one I love and will stick with.

 

[CAPTAIN FANTASTIC]

We sailed in the Solent for over 7 years and we loved it. Lots to do and to see ; it can be a bit demanding trying to avoid those coming out from the river Hamble, many of them oblivious of the surroundings and the rules of the road. Nowadays we are sailing in the Bristol Channel where you can have the whole Bristol channel to yourself and where the tide is always in full control.

 

[Sea-Fever]

Portsmouth Harbour mouth needs your full attention but I find there’s plenty of room once in the Solent or back in the Harbour. I enjoy visiting Weymouth - it’s a good three day trip for me - but I think I’d soon tire of being moored there. Poole and the Solent to the east and a day trip across Lyme Bay to the west, having first negotiated the inside passage round the Bill - if you find inner swashway less than relaxing how do you view the route west from Weymouth?

It certainly demand full attention. I got a sarcastic comment from the harbour helper bods (forget their proper title) last summer as I was 25m out of the small boat channel and had a ferry bearing down on me from the stern which I hadn’t noticed. I’m not complaining about that, they were right in that you need to be fully attentive when squeezing through that little gap.

The swashway is fine but you have to do your maths correctly as in a SW or W the waves tend to build approaching the entrance which you need to account for when considering depth…..not that I have ever hit the deck (come quite close though).

I perhaps need to try different times of day. All will become better when I retire…….if I retire that is.

 

[ashtead]

You also have to be aware that there are some nasty concrete blocks as you trundle along the inner swashway -no problems at high water but can be a bit of a shock if you land on top of one in a swell . The QHM helpers are certainly zealous in performing they duties as you say but at least they do control the jetski and it keeps them from propping up the bar at Hornet SC I guess.