Littlehampton

[tico]

Anyone based here?
I learnt to sail here 40 years ago and plan to revisit this weekend. I bet all the old haunts
Have changed.
The Arun yacht club is still there,but what about the little.ferry that used
To cross the river to the bait shed on the town side.
What about the 'wild mouse' ride on top of Butlins?

 

[SolentPhill]

Yep, all changed AYC is still there
No ferry
Wild mouse not sure never been there,
Its still as bad as ever
Still as rough as hell
Stilla pig to go against a 6 knt outgoing tide
And they are recording the latest Ross kemp in Afghanistan there on Saturday.

 

[3Sheets]

Anyone based here?
I learnt to sail here 40 years ago and plan to revisit this weekend. I bet all the old haunts
Have changed.
The Arun yacht club is still there,but what about the little.ferry that used
To cross the river to the bait shed on the town side.
What about the 'wild mouse' ride on top of Butlins?

You will find the West bank side unchanged, but the East Bank side has been redeveloped including a new Harbour Masters office.

The Ferry service stopped many years ago, the Mouse ride probably 25 years ago, but Billy Smarts amusement park is still there.

The Cross channel ferry service has stopped too

Don't forget the entrance can be tricky for the unwary (see attachment)View attachment 16480

 

[carlton]

...Don't forget the entrance can be tricky for the unwary (see attachment)...

Although that was (suspected) steering failure.

 

[SolentPhill]

Although that was (suspected) steering failure.

Was ok when I went past it, just before it ran aground next day was in Poole then back to shoreham, so they fixed it quick.

The entrance is a washing machine but if you can handle a boat here you can handle one anywhere.

 

[carlton]

In that case, p'raps it was helmsman failure...

 

[[2068]]

There is what looks to be a marina suitable for a mobo - "Littlehampton Marina". Would that be more sheltered than outside the harbour office?

 

[tico]

Thanks to all
Is it still possible to drive through what was a small industrial estateon the West bank past AYC and towards the golf course and dunes?

We used to have to wave a facsimile of an AYC badge to get past the (un)smiling gateman.

Yes, I remember the huge tidal range and the flow in the channel. Learnt to tack quickly there before I moved to mobos.

At the time there was no marina just a string of old WWII pontoons to moor against. Just a lattice of wood over a 6' drop .... H&S would have a fit now!

 

[SolentPhill]

There is what looks to be a marina suitable for a mobo - "Littlehampton Marina". Would that be more sheltered than outside the harbour office?

Yes but there is a bridge you have to go under so if your of the sail club then it's a no, if you have them noisy gas things your be fine, my berth is free at mo if you want it. Only this week though, all being well mine is getting wet on Thursday.

No difference between harbour moorings and AYC , but AYC won't raft you.

 

[SolentPhill]

Thanks to all
Is it still possible to drive through what was a small industrial estateon the West bank past AYC and towards the golf course and dunes?

We used to have to wave a facsimile of an AYC badge to get past the (un)smiling gateman.

Yes, I remember the huge tidal range and the flow in the channel. Learnt to tack quickly there before I moved to mobos.

At the time there was no marina just a string of old WWII pontoons to moor against. Just a lattice of wood over a 6' drop .... H&S would have a fit now!

Yes it is,
no gateman now it's pay and display.
pontoons still there, just now they call it a Marina

 

[channel]

Has anyone visited recently - I am considering a cruise around the South Coast this summer and Littlehampton catches my eye as somewhere worth visiting.

I see mention of redevelopment work planned and commercial shipping leaving the harbour. I guess this means things are a little basic for visiting yachts just now?

 

[SolentPhill]

Has anyone visited recently - I am considering a cruise around the South Coast this summer and Littlehampton catches my eye as somewhere worth visiting.

I see mention of redevelopment work planned and commercial shipping leaving the harbour. I guess this means things are a little basic for visiting yachts just now?

Its nothing special, there is now a river taxi and its still a nasty river. The main town is a bit of a dump however if you want a quiet time and its weekend you can get space at the Arun Yacht Club they do good cheap food and its friendly. dont miss it out its worth poping in.

The re development has been going on for sometime and nothing decided, I think its a paper exercise as what they plan is massive. I know there are plans to put sheet piles in this winter which has upset those who moor up nearby.

 

[channel]

Thanks Phil, are fuel and water available? I see mention of a fuel berth at the marina but I guess yachts can't get past the bridge to take onboard?

Do you stay afloat on the visitors pontoon?

 

[SolentPhill]

Thanks Phil, are fuel and water available? I see mention of a fuel berth at the marina but I guess yachts can't get past the bridge to take onboard?

Do you stay afloat on the visitors pontoon?

What vessel are you?

The marina has a few visitors that dont dry out, if your staying at AYC it dries on some moorings and the harbour board all stay afloat. Fuel is at the Marina but you have to go under the bridge,