Moving from Bilge to Keel (Solent)

SiteSurfer

SiteSurfer

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Currently bobbing around in an 800mm draught triple keeler, planning to move imminently to something a bit deeper draughted.
We are looking towards 1.5m to 1.9m at the moment with the models that have been given the seal of approval by the family.

Aside from the (bleedingly obvious) taking a restock of charts and tide heights from current practice - taking a bit more care about checking depths etc, there doesn't seem to be too many places that I've been currently that are off limits.

A few that I have checked which may prove tricky are Ryde, some parts of Chi Harbour that dry, Wooton Creek and being a bit more selective in Newtown River, upper reaches of the Beulieu (which we do like) would need a bit more care and attention too, going into Bembridge a bit later and leaving a bit later (ie: with more tide under us) - otherwise It's just business as normal I think.

Is that a fair attitude to take? Certainly it seems that the advantages far outweigh the negatives - speed of passage, comfort when stopped, ability to go upwind not sideways etc.
 
The inner Swashway at LW springs is also probably out. Still plenty of expensive marinas for you, we paid £35 in Brixham last week, drying out up the Dart was £20.

Pete
 
we sold a boat with 1.5m keel and are looking at something deeper.

We saw no real issues and whilst you may be slightly restricted in some of the locations as you state, you do have greater ability to sail there ( less leeway for example) and may of the shallow bits ( IMHO) are best explored by dinghy anyway so I would agree - more advantages than disadvantages.
 
Pete7 said:
The inner Swashway at LW springs is also probably out. Still plenty of expensive marinas for you.

Pete
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It's going to be a bit of a culture shock arriving at a Marina/Harbour and not being directed to the inner side at the far end where it's very shallow...
 
Or having to book months ahead to get into Yarmouth :D If it's full we just amble across to Hurst and slip in at low water +1, past all the fins rolling around at anchor in the Solent wash.

Pete
 
Site surfer, I've done exactly what your proposing this season. Sold my 800mm draft bilge keel and bought a 1500mm fin keel. Not really any problems to speak of, I'm berthed on a drying pontoon at fareham so used to making sure I've got the tides right, only thing that's caught me out so far is Ryde. Plenty of water to get in but the mud builds up around the wall. The difference between the charged depth of the channel and the wall is about 300mm
 
The only contribution I can offer on this subject is to mention that I went from lift/bilge keel in Chichester harbour to fin keel in Portsmouth harbour.

Performance was similar but the sailing characteristics and feel of the fin keel was preferable.

The downside was moving from a 'C3' half tide mooring at just over GBP 200 a year to a deep water pontoon at just over GBP 2700 a year.

But the deep water berth also increased our use of our boat and was a great place to relax in the evenings with a drink in hand. You pays your money, etc. Mooring elsewhere in the Solent was no problem either but I never liked using the swashway at LWS anyway.
 
I agree on the mooring, I used to be based in Chi Harbour and moved to Portsmouth to gain more access via a deep water midriver pontoon - its changed our usage patterns completely.
 
SiteSurfer said:
I agree on the mooring, I used to be based in Chi Harbour and moved to Portsmouth to gain more access via a deep water midriver pontoon - its changed our usage patterns completely.
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The expression you have just used to describe your mooring means we were moored at the same yard. Thoroughly enjoyed the place and our years of parking there. We were on pontoon J and I never saw less than about 4metres of water there, even at LWS.

We’ll probably be back when I return to the U.K.
 
It's looking like we are approaching a 1.9 meter keel, that should keep me on my toes.
Having perused the charts again, I think I'm worrying needlessly - just need to get the tides right and all will be fine (I hope!)
 
Bit of an update, we are have decided what we want and are in the process of finalising the details, went for a 1.6m keel in the end - which seems like a reasonable compromise for what we wanted to do. It's been a fascinating month or so hunting for boats.
 
langstonelayabout said:
The expression you have just used to describe your mooring means we were moored at the same yard. Thoroughly enjoyed the place and our years of parking there. We were on pontoon J and I never saw less than about 4metres of water there, even at LWS.

We’ll probably be back when I return to the U.K.
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Actually I was there and then we moved upstream 50 yards :)
 
As you may have discovered, the folklore surrounding bilge keels is slowly sliding into the mists of time. When I started sailing on the east coast I was consumed with shallow draft and ability to take the ground - all redundant thinking now I've sailed a fin for over 20 years, and over the same terrain. Press on I say and enjoy your new freedom!

A decent reliable depth sounder is a much valued friend on my yacht - the instrument I most frequently consult.

PWG
 
Took the plunge today. We are about to own a fin keeled boat for the first time and hugely bigger than what we have. Quite exciting.
 
Just to be different! After 15 years sailing a 1.8m fin keel on the East Coast (where creeks are soft mud and sand banks as hard as concrete) I moved to Chichester Harbour and soon decided to change for a lift keel Beneteau 311.
Now I don't have to queue up to pay high marina visitor fees, can dry out for a scrub/anode change at Itchenor or East Head and casually explore the upper reaches of Solent and further afield creeks.
Seven years ago the ability to sail up the beach was a Godsend in the Scillies; and this year Alderney was rammed when we arrived, no room even to swing safely at anchor, so drove up the beach where the walk to the pub is shorter and the Alderney scend had no impact.
I guess its horses for courses!
 
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