Not a good day to go out from Chi marina

[ricky_s]

The queue for the lock was a couple of hours. When the lock eventually went to freeflow everyone tried to get out at the same time and also people tried to get in which caused a few issues. Got out in the end though.

Anyone else get stuck?

 

[[2068]]

Ouch, I can imagine that would be very frustrating.
No such problems down here at Sparkes, so long as you can dodge the mud banks

 

[volvopaul]

So no traffic light system as per port Solent? Come in on a red at ps and you get a red card from the dock master, chi should be more organised. We nearly went there for the weekend, perhaps we had a lucky escape.

 

[ricky_s]

Ouch, I can imagine that would be very frustrating.
No such problems down here at Sparkes, so long as you can dodge the mud banks

It did change our plans. We had hoped to anchor at East Head for the the afternoon but because of the lack of time we just went out of the marina and anchored just anchored out of the channel over by the trees

 

[ricky_s]

So no traffic light system as per port Solent? Come in on a red at ps and you get a red card from the dock master, chi should be more organised. We nearly went there for the weekend, perhaps we had a lucky escape.

It works exactly the same as Port Solent but when the announced freeflow everyone set off but the lot queuing outside get priority.

 

[Elessar]

The queue for the lock was a couple of hours. When the lock eventually went to freeflow everyone tried to get out at the same time and also people tried to get in which caused a few issues. Got out in the end though.

Anyone else get stuck?

The reason why wouldn't consider that marina.

Off work check
Wife off work check
Weather ok check

Cant get out of marina.

Stick that, whatever the upsides.

 

[benjenbav]

Pros and cons. We had nine happy years there in great surroundings and with some super neighbours before deciding that the timings of getting in and out were just too much of a headache.

 

[FalconSteve]

Sympathies to you, that must have been so frustrating, we visited chichester marina for the first time in July and we thought it was lovely, I think queuing for hours to get in/out might have taken the joy away slightly. Glad to hear you sounding so pragmatic though, no boat rage then!

 

[burgundyben]

The reason why wouldn't consider that marina.

Off work check
Wife off work check
Weather ok check

Cant get out of marina.

Stick that, whatever the upsides.

Yes, exactly, somewhat undermines the point of paying for a walk ashore marina berth.

Saw you in Cowes.

 

[AdeOlly]

The reason why wouldn't consider that marina.

Off work check
Wife off work check
Weather ok check

Cant get out of marina.

Stick that, whatever the upsides.

+1 with you on that. Lovely tough Chi is, that lock would have me reaching for the torpedos.
We were at Eastbourne for a couple of years. They have two large locks there and use them intelligently, but even so at busy times it was a PITA. I can only imagine the chaos yesterday at Chi and also Port Solent.

 

[ricky_s]

+1 with you on that. Lovely tough Chi is, that lock would have me reaching for the torpedos.
We were at Eastbourne for a couple of years. They have two large locks there and use them intelligently, but even so at busy times it was a PITA. I can only imagine the chaos yesterday at Chi and also Port Solent.

From Chi I could hear they were having the same problems in Port Solent on the radio. That said, most of the time we don't actually experience any problems I think it was mainly down to not having enough water to get out until lunchtime and so everyone had the same idea of when to leave.

 

[oceanfroggie]

Marinas or harbours without unrestricted 24hr access is a total NO-NO for us.

Been there done that, never again. No lock, bridge, sill nor bar obstructed marina will interest us for a permenant base.

 

[CharlieAlpha]

Marinas or harbours without unrestricted 24hr access is a total NO-NO for us.

Been there done that, never again. No lock, bridge, sill nor bar obstructed marina will interest us for a permenant base.

oh I don't know, a £1k pa cheaper to others in the area might interest some - me for one.

 

[prv]

Marinas or harbours without unrestricted 24hr access is a total NO-NO for us.

Been there done that, never again. No lock, bridge, sill nor bar obstructed marina will interest us for a permenant base.

At springs we have two or three hours per tide when we can't get in or out (no sill as such, but our keel is stuck in the mud!). This is not ideal, but I'm willing to live with it. If we had the same time restriction but caused by the actions of other people (lock queues etc) it would drive me absolutely batty. I guess I've long since accepted that sailing is subject to wind and tide, but crowds of human beings annoy me

Pete

 

[kcrane]

Marinas or harbours without unrestricted 24hr access is a total NO-NO for us.

Been there done that, never again. No lock, bridge, sill nor bar obstructed marina will interest us for a permenant base.

I have some sympathy for that view, though Sutton actually works OK. There is a lock, but freeflow lasts a few hours either side of high water. If you do need to lock in and out the guys are responsive at all hours and the lock itself is quite large. I've not had to wait more than 10 mins this year.

Also you get an upside - there is no current in the marina and it is very sheltered, so making berthing relaxed (even though it is quite tight in places). There is zero water noise at night too.

 

[oceanfroggie]

I suppose, "time" out on the water is a precious commodity so I don't want to think about it or bother about it when cruising. Anything that delays freedom to get out or force an early return is a time killer, especially at weekend trips if one has to return within a limited time window, which often truncates a weekend early.

 

[alt]

I suppose, "time" out on the water is a precious commodity so I don't want to think about it or bother about it when cruising. Anything that delays freedom to get out or force an early return is a time killer, especially at weekend trips if one has to return within a limited time window, which often truncates a weekend early.

I guess it's something we take for granted in the inland waterways here. 'Get up and go' whenever you want. When I had the boat at Galway Harbour over the years a real nuisance was the gates were only open 2 hours before high water (yes, you heard me correct!) - It's a commercial port with a small marina attached (for the UK guys). Often meant heading off to the pub until 3am and then returning to the waiting pontoon to bring the boat in

 

[Firefly625]

+1 with you on that. Lovely tough Chi is, that lock would have me reaching for the torpedos.
We were at Eastbourne for a couple of years. They have two large locks there and use them intelligently, but even so at busy times it was a PITA. I can only imagine the chaos yesterday at Chi and also Port Solent.

locks not for us, spent 18mths at Hythe, and once we had to wait 1 hr to get out... that was the nail in the coffin.

Last year we visited friends at Chi, \ Sunday morning got up and wandered over to settle up and chap in front doing the same asked for a lock out queue number, thought that sounded a good idea, so we did the same and got number 17, took 1hr to get out which was around 11am, by the time we exited they were giving out lock out numbers into the 80's....a sunny sunday for some would start around 3pm which is when free flow commenced. life is just too short!

1 k saving.... the expense a boat is becomes insignificant if you cant use the thing...

 

[ricky_s]

locks not for us, spent 18mths at Hythe, and once we had to wait 1 hr to get out... that was the nail in the coffin.

Last year we visited friends at Chi, \ Sunday morning got up and wandered over to settle up and chap in front doing the same asked for a lock out queue number, thought that sounded a good idea, so we did the same and got number 17, took 1hr to get out which was around 11am, by the time we exited they were giving out lock out numbers into the 80's....a sunny sunday for some would start around 3pm which is when free flow commenced. life is just too short!

1 k saving.... the expense a boat is becomes insignificant if you cant use the thing...

For me its not the lock I don't like (though it does test my patience sometimes) but the long run out to sea which is the real pain! Fighting your way through lots of kids sailing badly is not fun!

I still haven't found a better marina so far though, especially as I live 25 miles to the east of it and don't really fancy travelling much more than that.

 

[Firefly625]

For me its not the lock I don't like (though it does test my patience sometimes) but the long run out to sea which is the real pain! Fighting your way through lots of kids sailing badly is not fun!

I still haven't found a better marina so far though, especially as I live 25 miles to the east of it and don't really fancy travelling much more than that.

Once you are on the m27, Hamble comes along within 15mins from a27.