Not a good day to go out from Chi marina

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

The hamble is not without its problems (the least of these being cost) - while the lock can be a pain, Chichester does have quite a bit going for it. We had a boat there for a bit and my parents kept a boat there for 10 years and the plus points are space, loads of countryside surrounding it, plenty of parking (you never turn up during regatta week and find yourself parking in a field) and a really good yacht club. It's not perfect but no-where is.
 
The hamble is not without its problems (the least of these being cost) - while the lock can be a pain, Chichester does have quite a bit going for it. We had a boat there for a bit and my parents kept a boat there for 10 years and the plus points are space, loads of countryside surrounding it, plenty of parking (you never turn up during regatta week and find yourself parking in a field) and a really good yacht club. It's not perfect but no-where is.

I suppose, coming from Angmering, Ricky could always try Littlehampton (as the actress said to the bishop).

That reminds me that I used to have a friend called Hugh Jones who lived in Little Coxswell.

(You have to say them both out loud and honestly, I am not making this up). :D
 
We are next door in Birdham, although the lock is limited to 3.5 hours either side of the tide, never once had to queue either in or out. This tide limitations can be a little frustrating at times but the surroundings are so nice waiting for the lock in the marina is very pleasant, and after all boating should be a relaxing time so chilling out waiting for the lock is no hardship!!
 
We are next door in Birdham, although the lock is limited to 3.5 hours either side of the tide, never once had to queue either in or out. This tide limitations can be a little frustrating at times but the surroundings are so nice waiting for the lock in the marina is very pleasant, and after all boating should be a relaxing time so chilling out waiting for the lock is no hardship!!

rubbish :) :) :) motor boating is a thrilling adrenalin ride combining power and speed, far from relaxing!! patience is not a virtue when it comes to making the most of blatting around the Solent on a weekend
 
We are next door in Birdham, although the lock is limited to 3.5 hours either side of the tide, never once had to queue either in or out. This tide limitations can be a little frustrating at times but the surroundings are so nice waiting for the lock in the marina is very pleasant, and after all boating should be a relaxing time so chilling out waiting for the lock is no hardship!!
Birdham looks a great marina but what happens if you are late and miss the lock, is there a deep water pontoon and will the marina bring it in for you ?
 
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.

We're even further east than you from Chi. Northney on other side of harbour sans lock is 49 miles, usually 1h10m, and what a lovely place it is. We enjoyed four good seasons there, but we tired of the trundle through the harbour every time. When we changed to the P34 and moved to the 10m+ berthing band we decided to look elsewhere, and given we exited Chi and turned west four times out of five, eventually decided settled on Gosport. Provided we avoid the rush hour the drive is only 15 minutes more, but five minutes to the Solent. We traded the countryside and tranquility for hustle and bustle, but we're enjoying it - there's always something going on and lots to see if the weather doesn't play ball. Plus we avoid the frequently lumpy section of sea from the Forts to Chi. Must admit though that the drive is a bit much just to pop down to the boat for the afternoon...
 
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