Newtown Creek - Surprised after 15 years

Re: Stay away from Keyhaven

Seriously nice. Don't be put off by the dodgy looking entrance and extensive shallows. If you have the large scale chart and follow it isn't too scary. The anchorage is just to port once you have entered the lake. If you don't fancy it or it is full (there isn't that much room) there is a good anchorage just outside providing that the wind is not blowing strongly from the NE when it is very exposed.

As a member of Keyhaven YC, I offer an invitation to all to visit the bar which does exemplary Ringwood Fortyniner and bacon butties. If you need any further info about the whys and wherefors of Keyhaven PM me.
 
Here are a few ideas for anchoring
I have spent a couple of nights last year in Totland Bay - get close in near the pier and its delightful, once was a bit rolly - the other time was flat calm - neaps are probably best when the tides are less.
Another suprisingly quiet place is in the Solent just west and outside Newtown creek, anchored there last season 3 or 4 nights - barbeque and fire on the beach watching the sun go down - perfect
Just off Hurst Castle is also well sheltered and there are usually a few yachts anchored there for the night - fishing boats out of Keyhaven cut close in the morning on their way out but its a good place to get an early start from if you are going cross channel or west early in the morning
 
Although lunch stops are fine, I have found that overnighters with a 2.01 draft can only be done in very few places that are often already taken. As has been pointed out there is soft mud all over the place which is fine if people are sparse, but if it is crowded you find everyone else turns with the tide, but you don't cause you're stuck in the mud.

I've only enjoyed my stay once on a Moody bash in october. Every other time it has been far too crowded to be comfortable with deeper draft.
 
also there on saturday night in Dabchick, unusually several free bouys but decided it was lazy not to anchor having flaked the chain out, so few boats I was lost for choice, curious though that the two boats anchored next to me had to be towed off the mud by the harbour master as they tried to leave after breakfast: I did have to shift anchorage mid breakfast to avoid similar!
 
Re: Totti Bay anchoring

Use this quite a lot as an overniter. Always quiet and to date we have never had company. Usually plonk myself inshore of the end of pier to the west. Sometimes hear the music from ashore but remember I have a lift keel 1.2m so on Neaps we can almost walk ashore at LW
Looking at the rest of the responses on Newtown almost sorry I mentioned it was quiet as it was sure to be packed out from now on!

Brian
 
Re: Stay away from Keyhaven

Too true!. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif The recommended 'anchorage' behind Hurst Castle is a joke but not funny. No room to swing at all. I refused to pay £5 for dropping my hook and , surprisingly, the 'man with a bag' agreed and went away!.
 
Re: Stay away from Keyhaven

I think everyone who was in Newtown Saturday night is on here...
I slept so well I didn't hear any ribs passing and we were in our favourite spot just near the entrance.
For a few more ideas on anchoring have a look at my website and if you've any to add let me know.
 
Re: Stay away from Keyhaven

With the boat back in the water, I cannot wait to get out and drop anchor, somewhere! We have abigger anchor and a windlass now so it will be even a bigger pleasure

Stephen
 
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