Greenheart
Well-Known Member
Is there a clear route through the canals which technically make Portsea Island, an island? How big a boat can navigate through? Do all those road & rail bridges restrict passage to anything bigger than a kayak?
Langstone to Portsmouth, without going to sea?
- Thread starter Greenheart
- Start date
lustyd
Well-Known Member
Pretty sure it is technically an island but a kayak is the safe limit.
Georgio
Well-Known Member
I know a few folks that have sailed around Portsea island but I think they had to drop the mast to get under the railway bridge.
SeaStu1
Well-Known Member
Dirty filthy place it is too, even the wildlife avoids it. As said previously a kayak would though be the best craft to try here, although on HWS it is doubtful you would get underneath the railway bridge until the tide drops a bit. Also its not the tide drains from here quickly so you can't hang about.
VicS
Well-Known Member
Several low bridges I think you will find....resembling culverts under the A3 / London road roundabout
Use Google Maps and Street view to take a look at it
Use Google Maps and Street view to take a look at it
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Greenheart
Well-Known Member
Using Google Earth I found this photo of the railway bridge, from the motorway:
View attachment 30484
...and that doesn't even look near high tide...meanwhile, doubtless by the time the water's dropped, there's too little left in the channel, for navigation...
srp
Well-Known Member
A sailing club I used to belong to used Portsea Island to do a "Round the Island' race every year, mostly in Toppers, Comets and Lasers. Navigating the railway bridge involved getting out and tipping the boat on its' side, then walking it through holding the mast.
lw395
Well-Known Member
It's actually the London Rd bridge is more difficult.
And the channel from there to the M275 bridge is wiggly and un marked.
But it is do-able.
Round Hayling is a better day out.
And the channel from there to the M275 bridge is wiggly and un marked.
But it is do-able.
Round Hayling is a better day out.
Fantasie 19
Well-Known Member
Yup... and also the Eastern Road bridge....
On a big tide there's only about a foot or two of clearance under the Hilsea bridge from memory...
I always wanted to windsurf round the island but fell foul of the rules/regulations in Portsmouth Harbour so never bothered..
I'd go with the suggestion re Round Hayling - in your Osprey that'd be a nice day out... you'd just need to get wet for the Hayling Bridge... or just stop and start there (from either side)
VicMallows
Well-Known Member
Did it in an inflatable + o/b about 30 years ago. Yes, it's shallow, strong tides, and had to duck under the bridges. Of course the motorway didn't exist then.
The real pity is that masted yachts cannot get from Chichester to Langstone because of the road bridge. (It should never have been allowed .... what was wrong with the causeway?
). At least the old railway bridge had an opening section. (And yes, in silly days I have traversed the causeway on foot).
The real pity is that masted yachts cannot get from Chichester to Langstone because of the road bridge. (It should never have been allowed .... what was wrong with the causeway?
). At least the old railway bridge had an opening section. (And yes, in silly days I have traversed the causeway on foot).
Seajet
...
I once met a chap in a Sailfish 18 who'd got from Chichester, under Langstone bridge, round these canals and into Portsmouth, all without touching the open sea.
Mind I wouldn't hold him up as an example to follow, the keel had fallen out en route; I met him in Yarmouth, setting off for Cornwall complete with wife & 2 young children - when I tried a Dad's Army ' I say, do you think that's wise ? ' he became very agitated indeed, more in need of a straight than a life jacket, a bit tough on his family if it all went tits up though.
I had no VHF then and a lot less experience but should have done something to alert the CG, tried shadowing them across Poole Bay in a calm but he didn't like that either and I felt I was doing more harm than good, last saw them motoring West...
Mind I wouldn't hold him up as an example to follow, the keel had fallen out en route; I met him in Yarmouth, setting off for Cornwall complete with wife & 2 young children - when I tried a Dad's Army ' I say, do you think that's wise ? ' he became very agitated indeed, more in need of a straight than a life jacket, a bit tough on his family if it all went tits up though.
I had no VHF then and a lot less experience but should have done something to alert the CG, tried shadowing them across Poole Bay in a calm but he didn't like that either and I felt I was doing more harm than good, last saw them motoring West...
Giblets
Well-Known Member
The real pity is that masted yachts cannot get from Chichester to Langstone because of the road bridge. (It should never have been allowed .... what was wrong with the causeway?
Rumour has it that a few years ago a group of 4x4 green laners tried to drive over the causeway not knowing that it had been cut near the Hayling shore. They only stopped when the first one fell off the end!!!
jamie N
Well-Known Member
1Did it in an inflatable + o/b about 30 years ago. Yes, it's shallow, strong tides, and had to duck under the bridges. Of course the motorway didn't exist then.
The real pity is that masted yachts cannot get from Chichester to Langstone because of the road bridge. (It should never have been allowed .... what was wrong with the causeway?
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Marakei
Well-Known Member
I take from all this that a small boat with the mast down can go under Langstone Bridge, which I'd wondered about. Would be interesting to give it a go.
Greenheart
Well-Known Member
Watch this, quite a nice little vid that brings back memories and makes me want to return to Chichester:
Seajet
...
Dan,
a fun video thanks; a Mirror with fairleads is interesting, what with the anchor & boom tent she looks well set up; I've met a few cruising dinghies doing the ' round Hayling ', I remember one very competent lady in an immaculate cruising Gull who must have been well into her 80's.
Merry Girl,
as I think you know, Langstone SC has access to Langstone and Chichester Harbours, with moorings in each.
The hoist is on the Langstone side, so the Chichester boats go either round Hayling or under the bridge ( mast down, in a perfect world ! ) - I've known twin keel boats well over 30' go under the bridge, though it's always something to take seriously as the tide by the bridge is strong, and an engine failure just then could spoil one's day - I always have the anchor at the ready.
There are red and green marks at the sides of the channel under the bridge, but they are a bit faint; for anyone not used to it I'd say binoculars are near essential, and bear in mind it will probably be into sun so take one's time to get a good idea before getting close to the bridge, where the current will take over and some speed on top of that is required for rudder authority.
The channel is central, and 3 spans wide; but if finding oneself a span or so either side and being swept through, go with it rather than getting sideways, the only difference is a little less depth; air draught does count too, I wouldn't fancy trying it with a radar arch up.
Funnily enough taking dinghies under the bridge - on their sides usually, mast rigged, as if I've ever done such a thing - is discouraged, as there are power cables etc under the bridge and blacking out Hayling Island is somehow regarded a Bad Thing.
The earlier wooden bridge had a gap and turntable, as did the rail bridge a few hundred yards to the West, to allow barges for the nearby mill and traffic for Langstone / Chichester to pass; here's an old postcard photo of a sailing barge going through the rail bridge.
The Chichester side of Langstone village is probably one of the best kept secrets of Chichester Harbour, a shame in a way as it has Northney Marina, 2 nice old pubs and LSC, a nature reserve and a lovely walk all along the shore to Emsworth, going through Warblington Cemetery where Sir Peter Blake lies, it's customary to put a coin on his grave.
Then again the last thing I'd want is it turning into another East Head !
In case there's any doubt, the West ( or New ) Cut channel is the straight one going left to right an inch or so up in the picture, it's actually very well marked with P & S perches with topmarks, very obvious when one is there at sea level.
One can go alongside the Ship Inn at top left of the pic about an hour either side of HW, there's also the Royal Oak at top centre of pic but one has to walk there from the same public Langstone Quay by the Ship Inn.
a fun video thanks; a Mirror with fairleads is interesting, what with the anchor & boom tent she looks well set up; I've met a few cruising dinghies doing the ' round Hayling ', I remember one very competent lady in an immaculate cruising Gull who must have been well into her 80's.
Merry Girl,
as I think you know, Langstone SC has access to Langstone and Chichester Harbours, with moorings in each.
The hoist is on the Langstone side, so the Chichester boats go either round Hayling or under the bridge ( mast down, in a perfect world ! ) - I've known twin keel boats well over 30' go under the bridge, though it's always something to take seriously as the tide by the bridge is strong, and an engine failure just then could spoil one's day - I always have the anchor at the ready.
There are red and green marks at the sides of the channel under the bridge, but they are a bit faint; for anyone not used to it I'd say binoculars are near essential, and bear in mind it will probably be into sun so take one's time to get a good idea before getting close to the bridge, where the current will take over and some speed on top of that is required for rudder authority.
The channel is central, and 3 spans wide; but if finding oneself a span or so either side and being swept through, go with it rather than getting sideways, the only difference is a little less depth; air draught does count too, I wouldn't fancy trying it with a radar arch up.
Funnily enough taking dinghies under the bridge - on their sides usually, mast rigged, as if I've ever done such a thing - is discouraged, as there are power cables etc under the bridge and blacking out Hayling Island is somehow regarded a Bad Thing.
The earlier wooden bridge had a gap and turntable, as did the rail bridge a few hundred yards to the West, to allow barges for the nearby mill and traffic for Langstone / Chichester to pass; here's an old postcard photo of a sailing barge going through the rail bridge.
The Chichester side of Langstone village is probably one of the best kept secrets of Chichester Harbour, a shame in a way as it has Northney Marina, 2 nice old pubs and LSC, a nature reserve and a lovely walk all along the shore to Emsworth, going through Warblington Cemetery where Sir Peter Blake lies, it's customary to put a coin on his grave.
Then again the last thing I'd want is it turning into another East Head !
In case there's any doubt, the West ( or New ) Cut channel is the straight one going left to right an inch or so up in the picture, it's actually very well marked with P & S perches with topmarks, very obvious when one is there at sea level.
One can go alongside the Ship Inn at top left of the pic about an hour either side of HW, there's also the Royal Oak at top centre of pic but one has to walk there from the same public Langstone Quay by the Ship Inn.
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Marakei
Well-Known Member
Thanks Andy, that's useful to know, especially about the power cables. I do not wish to be fried. Thanks also to Dan for the vid. I like gaffers.
I did the Emsworth-Langstone walk which you mention last week. It was very pleasant and I'm sure would be even more pleasant without granite skies and a biting wind.
I did the Emsworth-Langstone walk which you mention last week. It was very pleasant and I'm sure would be even more pleasant without granite skies and a biting wind.
Seajet
...
Merry Girl,
v little chance of getting fried, I suspect more a case of ' those who can't sail, make up rules ' !
have added an aerial pic, the wreck of the barge ( actually called ' Langstone ' ) off the mill is now difficult to see from ground level but shows up well from the air.
That and the causeway have degraded markedly in the 40 odd years I've been sailing there, though in the case of the causeway had managed 4,000 years before; my blood boils when I see bait diggers with spades on there.
Andy
v little chance of getting fried, I suspect more a case of ' those who can't sail, make up rules ' !
have added an aerial pic, the wreck of the barge ( actually called ' Langstone ' ) off the mill is now difficult to see from ground level but shows up well from the air.
That and the causeway have degraded markedly in the 40 odd years I've been sailing there, though in the case of the causeway had managed 4,000 years before; my blood boils when I see bait diggers with spades on there.
Andy
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N/A
Can be done L/stone to P/mouth through Portscreek...needs.... a boat under about 18',max about 5' airdraft...the occupant ducks!!,a neapish tide,and timing....go under the Eastern Road and railway bridges on the flood....hang about in the pool on the west side of the rlwy br...then..when able..catch the ebb under Hilsea roundabout and thence into P/mouth Harbour...the tides meet at about the rlwy br pool.Would suggest a land recce first if you are not local...not much fun stuck up there for 10 or so hours....on the very soft mud.
Elessar
Well-Known Member
I read somewhere that it used to be possible to go London-Portsmouth by boat without going to sea - to get the wages to the sailors without risk form the French.
So Thames, Wey, Arun, it's how you get from the arun to chichester I'm not sure of. Then its chichester canal, and then the route this thread is about.
Anyone fill in the gap?