NEXT BIG ADVENTURE - WELL FOR US!!

[ACW]

Moring all. My last post was regarding our first weekend with the boat - surprisingly it all went pretty well. Wife and children all had a great time. Launching (at Itchenor was fine - and even recovery went well) no loss of temper - no damage - lots of fun - everyone enjoyed it and looking forward to next trip. So I sit here this morning feeling very relieved with a family who feel the investment was worthwhile. This weekend we camped near the Witterings and launched at Itchenor. Seems to me the only downside for day trips is that a. It is a long flog out of Chichester to the Solent and b. There is a long trip to other ports. We have a week of camping (ashore) and day trips on the boat planned for Aug. From my sail days I recall that there is more to see and do for the family on the West of the Solent and hence this post. Does anyone know of a camp site (on the West side) close to a slip that can be used at all states of the tide without a 4WD. I fancy taking the family to explore Beaulieu, Hamble, Lymingtom etc and across the Solent (we have an auxiliary) and feel it would be a bit of flog from Itchenor in our boat. Views from all but particularly those with experience of trailer sailing in this area valued. Seems we have the bug and I can understand why buying second hand was sensible and that many move up in terms of boat within 2 - 3 years.

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[jon_bailey]

Pleased to hear that it all went well and we have another convert is our midst.

Assume you know of

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.boatlaunch.co.uk>http://www.boatlaunch.co.uk</A>

You may like to consider the following slips in the area you are considering:

1) Bucklers Hard: Narrow and slippy, 3/4 tide difficult to get to and not recommended for car.

2) Lymington by sailing clubs: Nice slip, 3/4 of tide, steepish (good and bad), local mooring in marinas.

3) Calchot Spit: Recently relaid, full tide, wide and good access but no local mooring (even for loading/unloading)

4) Hythe: Good but only 3/4 of tide.

5) Christchurch (Pontins): Horrible slip and busy so can be a pain, nice place though. Need to get tides right i.e. +- 2hrs high tide.

Not sure how local camping is to any of these but must be fairly close.

Apart from these have you considered IOW or Poole (Rockley Park) where there is camping on site.



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[jhr]

There's a good website <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/>here</A> which looks a bit like the camping equivalent of Boatlaunch.

I can't really recommend any sites on the coast (except West Wittering!) but I know of a couple of nice sites in the New Forest, which are within striking distance of the coast, particularly for Lymington and Beaulieu:

- Forestry Commission site at Fritham
- Sandy Balls (no, really!) near Fordingbridge.

Sandy Balls is all singing and dancing, with swimming pool and other attractions if the weather turns bad, but priced accordingly and very popular - it can get full at weekends. Fritham is much more basic, but a lovely setting.

Incidentally, Buckler's Hard slipway is OK, imho, but <2 hrs either side of LW best avoided, especially at Springs. It's also expensive (£10 per day) but the Beaulieu River is beautiful - though I'm moored there, so possibly a little biased - and a good base for outings to Cowes, Yarmouth, Newtown, Lymington, Hamble etc.

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[ACW]

Thank you to you both - URL's now logged and plans to be made this evening! Slight follow on from this - am looking for the best waterproof charts for small boats - any suggestions?

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[Solitaire]

Imray or Stamfords are the best charts for small power boats. Also you may like to consider using Mercury Marina for your week long stay in The Solent. You can launch your boat from the slipway there and then leave it in the marina. There is a camp site right next door to the marina. This will give you a good base to expalore both East and West Solent with no trouble. Also you can refule with petrol either on the water at Port Hamble fuel berth or a quick trip with cans up to Tesco which is about 8 min drive from Mercury.

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[jon_bailey]

Did not think about Mercury and well worth considering particularly as you can leave your boat at Mercury. I also accept JHR's better knowledge of Bucklers Hard; it is the one slip I have never used because it is a bit out of the way and always looked narrow.

The Admiralty Leaisue Folio SC5600 is also worth considering. See:

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.admiraltyleisure.co.uk/prodservs/charts/sc_folios_sc5600.asp>http://www.admiraltyleisure.co.uk/prodservs/charts/sc_folios_sc5600.asp</A>

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[Solitaire]

Jon - Admiralty folio is fine up to a point. Firstly although it comes in a plastic folder the charts are still paper. Secondly, I find that at the speeds we travel, you are soon off the chart! Great for yachties who take hours to get anywhere, but for power boats I prefer the bigger scale area of the Solent or IOW etc - in IMRAY or Stamfords. All IMHO of course./forums/images/icons/wink.gif

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[ACW]

Thank you to everyone for your very helpful responses. Have booked us into the campsite next to Mercury and also, having costed the options, one launch and recovery plus a berth alongside for the week at Mercury is best value and less hassle. Also, ordered Stanfords Chart packs - all in all looking forward to summer - by the way - anyone know where it is!!! happy boating to you all.

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[jhr]

If you find out where the summer is, perhaps you could let me know? /forums/images/icons/laugh.gif

I hadn't thought of Mercury but, in spite of my words above, it's an excellent choice for what you want - I hadn't realised that there were camping facilities so close by.

Have a great time!

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