Planning an epic voyage - well Solent to Poole....any advice???

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CMJ

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Rather than buzz around the Solent, thought we'd do something different and head to Poole Harbour for a change - maybe this weekend for a few days if weather looks good!

I'd really appreciate any advice on which routes / what to look out for / places to stay etc. Last time I went past the Needles we hit some pretty big rollers and with the new baby on board and SWMBO agreeing for the first time that she'd try 'winter boating' I'm hoping to make it an uneventful journey!! /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

Oh, and we're based in Portsmouth Harbour, boat's a fair size flybridge.

THANKS!
 
When you get to the W end of the Solent keep well in towards Hurst spit and take the North Channel. Its always calmer than going out past the Needles - SWMBO and the littl'un will thank you for it. Then when you are well through, head out to give Christchurch ledge a wide berth. Keep a good watch out for lobster pots all the way. Poole Quay Boat Haven should have plenty of space - lots to do in the town and plenty of restaurants and pubs.
 
Pool is a great place to go for the weekend, its a fairly easy run from Pompy but you still get the feeling of actually going somewhere, which can be a little lacking when buzzing around the solent.

I assume you are comfy up to Yarmouth in the Solent so wont bother with it up to that bit. Only thing extra you want to do is make sure you dont have wind over tide through the Hurst channel (the narrow bit just after Yarmouth/Lymington). Ideal conditions are no wind and the tide going with you as it really flows through there and there is little point punching it if you dont have to. Neutral tide is also a safe bet but especially if there is a strongish wind.

Once past Hurst you have two options - head out to the Needles and to the South of the Shingles sand bank. as you have already dicovered, the sea can kick up here, especially if there has been much south or east in the wind in the past 24 hours or so. Its a straight forward route, head to the Needles cardinal and then plot your course for the Pool channel bouy. Watch out for lobster pots on this route, they cab be numerous and where you find one its likely you will find a dozen more.

Your second option is to head north immediatly after Hurst point on your way our of the solent. The channel here literally hugs the beach and you follow the coast around about 100 yds off the shoreline. It sounds daunting, but there is plenty of water and it will be calmer than the needles channel as there is more protection form the wind and currents. There are three bouys on this route that take you round the sand and once past the last of them, you plot a course South-East to take you back out and round Christchurch ledge. you wont hit it if you go iver, but it gets shallower and there can be a bit more sea there. You dont go as far out as the Needles route either.

Once you have past the southerly most point of the Ledge, you can either aim E-SE and picked up the main bouyed channel (for your first crossing this is my reccomendation) or head E-NE and pick up the small in shore channel that takes you into Pool Harbour.

Once across Pool bay your next obstacle is the entrance to Pool harbour. Its well bouyed and easy enough, just keep an eye on the chain ferry that crosses the entrance. Bit like the one at cowes, a flashing light and vlack marker indicates that the ferry is moveing and which direction its moving in (light and mark always at the front - so to speak). Just give him a safe wide berth and you will be fine.

Once inside the harbour at this time of year the speed limit does not apply so you can go quite a way in on the plane. Your choices to stay are quite varied so I will give you a run down.

Salterns Marina - the first marina you come to and purpose built. It is a long way from the town though, and is bloody expensive but if its a quiet evening on the boat you are after then it might suit. if you have kids qho get bored easily though i might give this a miss and carry on up the harbour. Salterns is located on the north side of the harbour about 1.5 miles form the entrance.

Dolphin Haven - right on the town quay, and you cant get much more central. should have plenty of room this time of year and they have previously done winter rates so it saves a bit too. Right on the quay so loads of options for pubs and restaurants, plus some nice quaint shopping. can be a bit noisy on a weekend night but its not too bad.

Town Quay - not a marina, but the quay just along from Dolphine Havcen. During winter you may have this to yourselves, or you might find three boats rafted along side you if its busy. Cheap, and right in the centre. Quite good fun, but there is no security (think joe public looking over you boat and going 'cor' alot). Have to be prepared to play around with the ropes as the tides come and go.

Cobbs Quay Marina - right up the end of the river under the main Pool bridge (which opens ever hour or two). Access is restriced with a boat of your size as you will have to wait for it to lift in and out. Other than that, a big modern marina with all the facilities but a little isolated like Salterns. At the end of the housing estate, there is not much to do other than the on site yacht club/bar. MDL though, so if you are one of there customers it might be free.

Anchoring - There you go I said it. If you have kids of the right age, a really cool thing to do is drop the hook on the NE side of Brownsea Island. its a sheltered anchorage with good depth in a pool clearly marked on most charts. its very peaceful, and you are permitted to tender ashore and explore Brownsea evn after it has closed for the day at 5.00pm. Its pretty cool having an island to yourself, if you kids like that sort of thing. If no kids, its also great as the bottom give good holding and its a very niced place to wake up. A dingy to the twon quay is doable from there as well if you crave a little nightlife but not the sleeping din to go with it /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Hope that helps, if you have any question please ask.

J
 
Have a good look at the forecasts over the next few days......at the moment it might be fine going on Saturday, but the return on Sunday could well be a little bumpy!
 
All good advice from Jez, only thing i'd add is be aware of the shallow rocks to the south of the entrance channel into Poole Harbour. It's nothing to worry about, just make sure you pick up the channel buoys well out and follow them in.

Have a good one
 
Wow - thanks Jez for all of that info - really appreciated! Only one kiddie at the moment who's just 6 months, so no concerns about bored kids yet! At 6 months he seems mega-chilled, so hope he stays like that when he gets older (and likes cleaning boats!).

I like the sound of Dolphin Haven, so might head there first - although just looked at the weather (Windfinder I usually use) and winds seem to be picking up a bit boo hoo....fingers crossed though.

Also thanks to all others who've offered advice /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
cheers,
Chris.
 
Hi
Don't forget that although the speed limit is lifted in Poole Harbour on the Main Channel during winter months it is still 10 knots through the harbour entrance. I don't think this weekend would be the right time to travel but totally agree on doing it at the right sea state - a nice little run as I would put it.
Dolphin Haven would be a good move with no tide restrictions.
 
Hi Jez and the others have given you good advice.

Here is the entrance, dont just head for the gap in the land /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif the channel seems quite a long way south the first time.

Have a great trip (and dont forget to watch for pots)

D

[image]
Poole.jpg
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Good advice from the others but just one small point that might help a little...

Try to time your passing of Hurst at or near slack water and certainly not at the height of the flood tide. The tide can be wicked as it pours in from Christchuch, round Hurst and into the Solent. The water kicks up at Hurst at the height of the tide and to avoid the worst of it you can stay to the south of the Solent (near the IoW coast) until you can make 90 degree turn to starboard to cross the Solent channel at right angles. You can then pass to the west of any rough water and then on towards Christchurch.

On the return, when passing Hurst (from Christchurch) take a route directly across the channel to the IoW coast before turning east. Again, this will help you avoid any rough water at Hurst.

It is a lovely trip but not sure you will want to do it this weekend given the current forecast. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif
 
I do hope you meant WEST when you are quoting bearings to EAST - otherwise he will never get to POOLE as it is WEST from the Solent!

There is also merit in going closer inshore across Bournemouth/Poole Bay and using the East Looe channel to enter the harbour.

Pretty sure you will not be allowed to moor on the Town Quay itself but in the Haven. The Quay is reserved for bigger boats and as overflow from the Haven in the summer. Both are controlled by the Harbour Commisioners.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Have a good look at the forecasts over the next few days......at the moment it might be fine going on Saturday, but the return on Sunday could well be a little bumpy!

[/ QUOTE ]

I've been keeping a close eye on the weather for this week, unfortunately the w/e looks pretty sh1te. For someone who's not that experienced (and for most who are) I'd be planning on staying close to home. I suspect it will be pretty bumpy out there.
 
Re: Solent to Poole

A Forum Search for "Hurst Narrows" (srp posted on Scuttlebutt last June) provides more info including a pretty chartlet of best track past the Castle with details of early tide sets - most important to avoid wind-over-tide conditions in your craft so remember that going against both wind AND tide may be the preferred option.

Oh, don't be fazed by local spelling, it's Poole with an E.

IF you get there that is - however, you're more likely to end up in Bembridge if you follow Jezz' or Hurricane's directions!
My advice is to trust your own chart and compass - the old ways are always the best.
 
Firt time we did that trip, was in a 21ft boat and a chart and fag packet for navigation. With w decent sized Fly bridge, no problems at all with reasonable weather. North chanel is best out the Solent. Follow the buoys as said, then head out around the Christ Church bank. Cant help with the north chanel into Poole, it's changed since last I was there. Maybe easier to head out, sort of south westish to the Poole fairway mark, then follow the chanel in.

As my Ex said on the RYA course. Stay off the brown bits and on the blue. Then you should be OK. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
Unfortunatly, from experience, your forcasts are crap. Or did you really believe M Farter was submersible.

Well apparently you were right. Luckily we just had the coning tower above water, so could breath. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
Everything Jez posted is perfectly valid apart from his uncharacteristic slip - it would of course be W/SW from the Solent to Poole. E/NE is what you will steer on the return leg homewards.

Can't stress enough to watch out for pots, especially around Hengistbury head - there always seem to be clusters of the blighters. That's why I would recommend that once through Hurst Channel and past Christchurch Ledge you head off-shore as its generally pretty clear of them.

You will find the East Looe Channel very easy to find, - it is well marked and it will save you a couple of sea miles when coming from the Solent - useful if you are racing to catch a scheduled bridge lift.

Even if the weather does deteriorate to stop you coming this weekend hopefully all the info will be helpful if you come later in the season when the trip won't be so lumpy.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Unfortunately E is next to W on the keyboard. We all know what Jez meant!

[/ QUOTE ]
A big assumption on behalf of someone who seeks navigation guidance from an internet forum.

"Oh yes, I ran my boat up on the beach on autopilot because I typed in E instead of W because they are next to each other on the keyboard..."

Sounds good.
 
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