Poole Harbour Anchoring.

[jhr]

Well, we don't mind having to dinghy for some distance. We have a fast (25 horsepower) dinghy. We anchor out for the sake of peace and quiet, so those spots and the drying mud sound great. Thanks for the tips.

Is it not possible to anchor beyond the ferry pier near the Wareham Channel? I was surprised to see big ship moorings (big yellow buoys) quite far up there. If big ships can go there, couldn't a yacht like ours anchor there somewhere?

I think the sequence goes something like this:

Turning basin for ro-ro ferries
Big ship moorings
Oyster beds
Wareham Channel

Whether it's possible to drop the hook somewhere between these various areas, I'm not sure. I have a feeling that your only option in that part of the Harbour is the Poole Yacht Club marina, which should be OK for you except at the lowest of LWS.

 

[prv]

Problem with anchoring is access to the shore is usually not very good unless you are after mud and wilderness!

If I'm singlehanded and anchoring out of the way, I don't want to go ashore. What am I going to do, go sit in a pub on my own?

Pete

 

[LadyInBed]

Is it not possible to anchor beyond the ferry pier near the Wareham Channel? I was surprised to see big ship moorings (big yellow buoys) quite far up there. If big ships can go there, couldn't a yacht like ours anchor there somewhere?

Up past Lake Pier and just past the moorings at around 50 42.78N 02 01.68W
or just past the yellow buoys (they belong to the Military) at around 50 42.59/.57N 02 02.29/.47W just out of the channel.
Or sooner on Port side of channel before moorings around 50 42.32N 02 00.93W.
As far as I know there are not many restrictions on anchoring, the obvious one is in the Ferry turning area, but nothing above there if you are just clear of the channel and moorings.

 

[Tranona]

Unfortunately you are too big to get into Poole Yacht Club. Formally 38ft is the maximum.

The Dorset Lake area that Ladyinbed suggests is fine, but not a lot ashore there.

Best bet is creep up the Wych on north side of Brownsea and drop your hook in the relatively deep water off Pottery pier. Nice sticky mud so you won't move, but can be a bit bumpy in strong SW winds. Only 10 minutes or less from the town quay if you have a fast tender. Those of us with Avon Redcrests and little oars have different criteria for what makes a good anchorage!