Off To The South Coast...

[Kristal]

...briefly.

Crystal has been so appallingly neglected recently that I'm taking her away to the South Coast where no-one I know will recognise her. I never want to see Sea Reach again as long as I live, but that can't be helped.

However, I've only ever sailed in the Solent once and hated it, and seeing as I intend to visit Cowes, I need my wits about me. Can anyone recommend Solent overnight-stops or yacht clubs which are kind to well-bred but tatty classics and their adoring, impoverished, whippersnapping owners? I will pack my blazer, but I can't see any of the "Royals" admitting us...

We won't go any further than Weymouth, I shouldn't think, as we have to be back early in October to take up our winter berth and finish the revarnishing. So all recommendations gladly received...

Anyone else with nice cruising plans for the Summer?

/<

 

[Scarboroughsloop]

Might be a little out of your way - and not really Solent, but try Wicormarine at the top of Portsmouth harbour.

http://www.wicormarine.co.uk/

 

[capt_courageous]

Bembridge harbour is nice. Brading Yacht Club is very friendly. Try Cowes Corinthian Club - not the Royal - they sometimes have a mooring available. West Cowes marina is busy and bumpy. Lymington Town Club -again not the Royal - nice and next to Yachthaven marina. The Solent is nice except at weekends. Enjoy.

 

[Santana379]

Hi Crystal

Absolutely loved Weymouth when we took Nancy Blackett there three years ago, and of course Poole where we've been in both Nancy and Ragna R. Other places I've enjoyed are Lymington (we were in a marina but would try to get a berth at the Town Quay next time; it looks great), Bucklers Hard (if you can afford it - stunning), and Yarmouth.

Hated most of the places on the way round (Brighton, Eastbourne etc.) though am fond of Dover and love Ramsgate. I suspect Littlehampton is worth a visit.

Presumably you'll do the pilgrimage up the Medina to the Folly?

My local at Southampton Uni was the Jolly Sailor at Bursledon, but the pub's been "updated" and the Hamble is particularly full.

Have a great trip.

Francis Fletcher

 

[BrendanS]

Have a look here as well. One of the forumites put this together, and is a great guide to the best anchoring spots in the Solent

http://www.troppo.co.uk/tightwad/tightwad.htm

 

[NLOM1]

Hi Crystal

Give us an eta in weymouth for sept, ( away all august), and we'll guide you around the local hosteries etc...
ps nothing royal about weymouth...very chilled!

 

[BrendanS]

Especially not the RDYC, who are most welcoming and helpful, and certainly no blazer required

 

[DRW]

Pretty boat, good lines, damn fine yacht - asset to any Royal pontoon. Berth where you like. Bug**r the blazer - this is supposed to be summer.

There are lots of good places in the Solent, the trouble is really at weekends.

When do you need to be at Cowes, and what draft are you?

Fareham Sailing and Motor Boat Club can be really freindly with a mast gantry and work pontoon you could lie on at all tides, and with workshop if needed, very reasonable rates and doubtless available to genuine visitors. Bar open Thurs + Fri nights and them over the weekend. (You might need this at some point on the cruise?) £1.50 per pint of guest real ale. Good thing here is plenty of empty moorings at the weekend, bar is still active though.

Hillhead club is good and and freindly and open every night, but you need to be able to stand on your keel against a wall there, very tidal. Right opposite Cowes though. £1.60 per pint of guest real ale.

The marinas are on the internet with their prices. Your size boat - Gosport marina is £2.00 per metre per day this summer, including electricity, but has the bars of Gunwharf a £1.60 ride away - but these bars are pricey. Also via the ferry are all the Portsmouth dockyard boats Victory, Mary Rose ans Warrior. Brighton marina is £2.00 per metre per day inc elec. Loads of expensive bars on site. Brighton has a big Safeway on site, Gosport Superstores are handy.

Newport Creek was I think a tenner to anchor per night last year. (Less if you go in late at night and leave early in the morning. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif)

Lillehapmton has a selection of pubs and eateries, Dinky Doos behind the harbourmasters for breakfast with the working boatmen for about £4.00, berhing on the harbour masters pontoon is £8.00 per day, beer is around £3.00 a pint, but the weatherspoons was doing specials at £1.00 - last week was San Miguel. Interesting port.

Newhaven - well it stops the boat from moving about too much when you are there. Good breakfast at the cafe near the lifeboathouse, oposite the coastguards.

Trouble with the Solent is there are so many places to go and tie the boat up.Let us know when you are coming, anything I can do let me know.

David

 

[Kristal]

And for my next question...

Thanks for all these, they have been printed and placed in the passage plan folder.

The other thing I'd like advice on is the actual getting there, and how long it will take. It's the longest passage plan I've ever done, and I want to make the best possible time within reasonable endurance limits. There is also the possibility that I will be alone for much of it, which of course affects the calculations a little.

I think I could probably manage London to Ramsgate in one fell swoop. Then I get a bit lost for a good stopover until Brighton, from whence it appears I could easily manage to hop to Portsmouth. I have about nine or ten days on this occasion, then I would leave Crystal somewhere - it's looking like Weymouth at the moment - and come back down for either a weeks playing about and visiting (preferred) or the return journey. I'd like to be back by mid-October, when Crystal has a nice rest and will become a houseboat once more.

So, any suggestions for the trip round? It looks like Folkestone to Eastbourne is a bit of a trek, but the rest ought to be manageable.

Oh, and I'll have some ETA's within a few days, for those who would like to catch up for a pint. Local knowledge will be amply rewarded with beer.

Cheers!

/<

 

[Kristal]

Re: And for my next question...

Bleh, forgot Littlehampton, do want to pop in if only for a Hillyard pilgrimage (because... erm... I nearly bought one once...).

 

[Santana379]

Re: And for my next question...

Hi /<

London to Ramsgate is pretty long - bear in mind the tide will turn against you. The Medway/Swale (Queenborough) is the normal stopover. Dover is a good stop, but is only a very short distance beyond Ramsgate. Good fried breakfast and a good Indian near Dover marina. Timing for Dungeness is very important - its a tidal gate and you'll take forever if you try to stem the flow there. You've got Eastbourne and Brighton as well thereafter. Suggest you plan ports and timings almost entirely so as to use the tides. Keep the plan fexible!

Francis Fletcher

 

[Kristal]

Re: And for my next question...

Yes, and the tide times aren't too helpful for daylight on the days we're planning to sail, so once again we will stop at Queenborough. I wonder whether or not Queenborough to Dover is realistic - I am chart-buying tomorrow, so I shall do some poring. Ta very much!

 

[kds]

"Newport Creek was I think a tenner to anchor per night last year. (Less if you go in late at night and leave early in the morning)"

Seems a bit churlish.
I would be more impressed if you refused to pay the yuppie prices before leaving a marina !
Ken

 

[DRW]

[ QUOTE ]

Seems a bit churlish.


[/ QUOTE ]

Not really when you arrive at 22:00 and leave around 04:00. I and a tenner for a mud creek is a yuppie price to me, happy to pay it but not wait til the chap turns up around 6 hours after I want to leave.

As for marinas.... I refuse to pay every time... I vote with my feet and don't go in them in the first place.