Poole Harbour Entrance

[neil1967]

Hoping to visit poole for the first time this coming Easter weekend, in my Offshore 8m yacht. Any recommendations/advice for the entrance, where I understand the tides can run fast? It will be springs, and I anticipate getting to the entrance about 2 hours before low tide - is this likely to be a problem? I can make 5-6 kts under motor, so I wouldn't want to push a seriously foul tide for too long. Any thoughts much appreciated.

Neil

 

[Tranona]

Yes, a little too early! On Springs you are likely to find up to 4 knots against you through the Haven. If the wind has any south in it you will also experience quite steep waves and just inside the haven overfalls. Can all get a bit exciting as you have to give way to the chain ferry and if the weather is good you are likely to meet plenty of yachts doing the smart thing and leaving on the last of the ebb!

Smart money if you are coming from the Solent is to time your arrival at the Haven at slack low water or just before to get maximum benefit entering the harbour. You can either head for Old Harry and come up the main channel or go inshore through North Haven. First time is probably better to do the main channel then if you arrive too early you can drop your hook in Studland and wait the tide.

Enjoy!

 

[AlanRD]

XC Weather is forecasting light W or S winds for Friday, Saturday and Sunday, so going in from the Swash Channel or the East Looe should not be a problem.

If you could arrive two and a half hours before low water the tide should not be too strong against you but any later and it might be worth waiting in Studland for the flood. You would then have more water if going to Pottery Pier or South Deep.

It can get interesting over a Bank Holiday with the sheer number of boats rushing through the Haven to catch the 16.30, 17.30 and 18.30 bridge lifts if the weather is warm and sunny, but with common sense and by using your engine you should be OK.

 

[Boat44]

Only been once so can't really comment on the entrance, but would recommend that you do not stay on the quay.

Expensive, the town isn't much crack and the quay area is very very noisy.

Out around the island etc is very nice with some lovely places to drop the hook. I'm sure others on here will give very good intel..

Forcast looks good for the weekend, have fun.

 

[tross]

If you need to come in against the tide, come through the East Looe Channel and hug the " Hotel" side of the channel. You can get really close to the edge of the channel ( and I mean REALLY CLOSE) and miss most of the tide - I could do it in a 17 footer with a 4 HP out board. The chain ferry ramp which is the most disconcerting, but doesn't extend that far out - less than your nerves and has a ver sharp drop off.

 

[Channel Sailor]

Not a very good time to pick to enter the harbour. If in a hurry, you have a sturdy yacht there, as long as the wind is not S or SE F5 or above, and you can make 5 kts, then you will get in, but it will take a while. If a big spring then watch out because the tide can be more 4 kts at that tide or just after. Be aware, in good weather on bank holiday late afternoon's, the traffic and wash in the entrance is not for the faint hearted. As long as the wind is not SE though E to N, then suggest snesibloe thing to do is to anchor in Studland Bay for few hours instead. In fact why bother entering Poole at all, Studland is a wonderful anchorage and you should be able to get well in to South Beach with your yacht, even at springs if careful. If you do choose enter Poole H, pick the time to suit ht of tide, and if weather permits, then suggest anchor in deeper (not very) water in the channel just south of Brownsea. Forget Town Quay, and if you can afford it, take care of the tide running through the Town Quay Marina.

 

[stevebrassett]

You might want to look at

http://www.phc.co.uk/ms_chainferry.html

Basically, all vessells under 50m must give way to the chain ferry. Not that I would want to take it on in a fight!

 

[DJE]

Have a look at a tidal curve for Poole; it's very strange. Basically it stays high for about 8 hours then rushes out for 2 hours and back in for 2 hours. So arriving 2 hours before low water springs means that you will be going uphill through the entrance. Having said that I've done it lots of times in a 29ft boat that motors at 5 to 6 knots; it will just take a while to get through the narrowest bit which of course is where the traffic will be at its worst. Also expect it to be rough in the entrance in any weather due to wash and strong streams; I've been caught out more than once with my sprayhood down and taken water down the main hatch! Once inside the streams will be much weaker. My advice for Poole is get in the entance, turn left, and get the anchor out. Look out for the seabed cables in South Deep and look out for very shallow water in Blood Alley just South of Browsea.

 

[neil1967]

Thanks for all the advice. I have a berth booked at the Quay Marina (not the quay it'self) - although it's more expensive - and probably more noisy - than anchoring in the harbour, this is our first trip outside the Solent and we want to keep it simple - besides, marina's are easier when the dog wants a pee! As we want to get a fair tide through the Needles, and the wind is looking like a SW, we will leave Yarmouth promptly and anchor at Studland if we get to Poole too early. Once again, thanks for the advice - much appreciated.

Neil

 

[Tranona]

Quay marina is on the Quay - you can't actually moor on the Quay itself. Be prepared for noise till the early hours. Somewhere us locals avoid on a holiday weekend - or any time the weather is good except Tuesday evening which is Bike posing time!

If you want a quiet night then try Poole Yacht Club just past the ferry terminal. Excellent facilities, similar price to Quay, 10 minute walk over the bridge to the quay and pubs etc. Adjacent beach and open area for dog walking if you clear up.

 

[DJE]

Getting the tide right going out of the Solent is more important than getting it right at Poole entrance. Try to leave early enough to carry a fair tide past Hengistbury Head; after that the streams are very weak in Poole bay.

In a SW wind you'll have a more comfortable trip by going across the North end of the Shingles bank (or around North Head bouy if you're nervous) than by going down the Needles channel. Have a good trip.