"Move over & start your engine"

Really ... honestly?! So - the wind is totally reliable and will move your craft in a preditable manner with constant speed .... so everyone else can judge where you're going 2 be to keep clear.
The byelaws don't state you have to go in barepoles .... just that you are underpower ...

I did'nt say just on it's own but in conjunction with the tide in this instance.
 
I did'nt say just on it's own but in conjunction with the tide in this instance.
So you're gonna drift in ....

Gawd give me strength!!

Quite honestly ... just what is the problem with going through the entrance under power as required to do under the byelaws?
 
Then you should FIX YOUR DODGY INSTALLATION! ;)

It was'nt a dodgy installation just a fault that manifested itself at the critical moment.It could happen to anyone,even you unless you are God?:)

If you cannot lower it and start it on your approach then you should PLAN your approach better - go hoveto earlier and get the engine down and running ....

Nothing in the byelaws to say you shouldn't get the engine running earlier is there?

No but the bylaws would seem to prohibit sailing while going through with no engine at all is alright,is'nt that a bit balmy?
 
I have read this thread with interest having sailed in the Solent for twenty years, many of those based in Gosport marinas, before moving the boat and then us to quieter waters:)

I cannot see what all the fuss is about. The byelaws state that the engine should be running and in the entrance it makes a good deal of sense as you can often lose wind once you are by the old Dolphin wardroom.

The Harbour guys can be a bit officious at times but they don't have an easy job at weekends, I don't consider them to be jobsworth...

kristifercolumnbus the harbour falls under the remit of QHM you either follow QHM rules or don't go into the waters controlled by QHM.
 
I have read this thread with interest having sailed in the Solent for twenty years, many of those based in Gosport marinas, before moving the boat and then us to quieter waters:)

I cannot see what all the fuss is about. The byelaws state that the engine should be running and in the entrance it makes a good deal of sense as you can often lose wind once you are by the old Dolphin wardroom.

The Harbour guys can be a bit officious at times but they don't have an easy job at weekends, I don't consider them to be jobsworth...

kristifercolumnbus the harbour falls under the remit of QHM you either follow QHM rules or don't go into the waters controlled by QHM.

Not a problem but it is amazing how many dummy's there are about;)
 
OK play nicely

The key was "speed through the water"

Which if you are going with the tide could be nill, because you aren not going through the water you are moving with it....you would however have speed over the ground, but that doesn't give you steerage

snooks will it make you feel better if I admit to having gone through that entrance backwards before now?(if there are people around then I start my engine) lol
 
It is worth remembering that there is a very stout pile/tide gauge to avoid in the harbour entrance, a few back-eddies and the wind shadow of HMS Dolphin. When the entrance is busy, the antics of boats without motors can have knock-on effects to other boats. It's a sensible rule in general, particularly at busy times, which is when the patrol are out.
When entering, the ends of the swashways and channel are not great places to be fiddling about try to start an outboard or even an inboard when short handed. I generally like the motor to be running in good time myself, even though it may not be put in gear. Dozens of times I've thought I won't need the motor at all, but ended up using it because the situation changes so quickly as a few boats come out of Haslar etc.
On the other hand I also race on keelboats here, so have sailed in pushing the boundaries of the small boat channel many many times. Most of the keelboats are locals who understand exactly what the ferries etc are doing, so problems are few, but every year someone manages to upset commercial craft, which can only cause pressure for more rules.
At the end of the day, if you carry a motor, this is the situation you carry it for!
 
I said - your speed through the water, not over ground, so if you are dead in the water, yes you will still be moving over the ground with the tide, BUT you will be stationary as far as getting in the way of other boats who are moving through the water.

snooks will it make you feel better if I admit to having gone through that entrance backwards before now?(if there are people around then I start my engine) lol

Now I have a picture in my head of a yacht pirouetting whilst drifting into the harbour with an outboard precariously perched on a wonky bracket, in front of the RNs finest attempting to leave Portsmouth in the defence of Queen and Country.
 
kristifercolumnbus the harbour falls under the remit of QHM you either follow QHM rules or don't go into the waters controlled by QHM.

Well said.

I'm baffled as to why people make such a song and dance about these ordinary and, usually, perfectly reasonable, restrictions on their freedom to do as they d**n well please and devil take the hindmost. Really, life is too short to make it so complicated. Talk about sweating the small stuff.......
 
Victory Class

Mmm, funny though, that the Victory class - many sailed by those who have (or had) gold rings on their sleeves - manage to get into and out the Harbour relying only on sails.


There are not many retired (and no serving afaik) Navy people in the Victory Class currently. FWIW they are outnumbered by both Dentists and Lawyers. Victories will occassionally be spotted with a Yamaha Malta bolted to the side, rowing or paddling furiously. They have a launch which is sometimes used to tow boats in and out. They also generally aren't shy of accepting a tow, so if you see one cluttering up the entrance as you motor in, feel free to offer!
 
Mind you it is equally amazing just how arrogant some people can appear to be.

I personally wouldn't call it arrogance but something else.

Surely it is about keeping your options open. It is a bit like being required to keep a radar watch in fog (If fitted) you just know it makes sense. I also like the engine to run long enough to replace charge in the start battery so will turn it on early rather than continue to run sitting on a mooring.

Dave.
 
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