Poole in July

[exfinnsailor]

We have friends moving down to Bournmouth in April and plan on paying a visit. Poole looks nice but which bit do we need to be at.

We have a dog who enjoys a walk on grass.
We tend to cook on board so shops near by would be good.
Not to noisy.
Buses.

10m Beneteau with lift keel so we need 1m to float

Oh .. Anyone got a berth they are not using in July

 

[Tranona]

None of the regular (free) anchorages have good access to shops. With shallow draft you can use all the regular ones such as Shipstal, South Deep or Pottery Pier, which do have access to dog walking, but no access to "civilisation". You can also get up to Wareham with that draft and if you can get on the Quay you have good shops and dog walking. However, no good in relation to Bournemouth - hour or more by car.

Best overnight is Poole Yacht Club, which is ten minutes walk from town and has access to park and beach. Note, however, that dogs not allowed on most beaches in the summer. Haven on Pool quay has good access to shops, pubs, public transport etc and reasonable walk to park, but noisy and crowded.

July is a Zoo wherever you go on land, but usually plenty of freedom on the water.

 

[colhel]

Wareham river? Redcliffe yacht club and Ridge Wharf have visitor moorings, shops, campsites and fields close by.

 

[DJE]

Christchurch if you're brave. But probably pretty near the mark at 1m draft.

 

[glashen]

You could always catch the train from Wareham. Alternatively you should be able to get into Christchurch, Christchurch Sailing club as a pontoon with a few visitor spaces and access by bus to Bournemouth is easy from there. Poole Yacht Haven on Poole Quay is the simple option but Wareham or Christchurch might be more convivial. Probably best to try to reserve a mooring prior to arrival if it is a July weekend.

 

[glashen]

Christchurch if you're brave. But probably pretty near the mark at 1m draft.

A metre draught shouldn't be too much, the big problems start above that. Assuming you go in on High Water.

 

[exfinnsailor]

Thanks for the tips .. Will have a look at the Sailing Club ..

 

[Boathook]

Christchurch if you're brave. But probably pretty near the mark at 1m draft.

Fine with 1m.
Almanacs used to say seek local knowledge before entry. Local knowledge was to keep in between the red and green floating things. A good option is to follow a local boat in and see where they run aground !! It's also easier to work out the channel as it turns, sometimes it is not very clear.

 

[DJE]

Fine with 1m.
Almanacs used to say seek local knowledge before entry. Local knowledge was to keep in between the red and green floating things. A good option is to follow a local boat in and see where they run aground !! It's also easier to work out the channel as it turns, sometimes it is not very clear.

How would I get on with 1.2m draft? Used to go there a lot when I sailed a Wayfarer!

 

[Boathook]

How would I get on with 1.2m draft? Used to go there a lot when I sailed a Wayfarer!

On high water with a 'calm' entrance you should be ok. 1.2m is around 4ft and quite a few motorboats require this I seem to remember (I haven't been out for nearly 3 months!).

I'm not the best to ask though as I only require 2' 6" to float.

 

[grumpy_o_g]

You'll be absolutely fine for 4' of water in Christchurch as long as you know where that 4' is! It would be worth making sure that your mooring/berth has 4' of water before going as many don't, though most have 3' or they're considered part-drying. At this time of year what buoys there are aren't moved very often so, especially given high winds recently I would be very cautious on the way in and wouldn't try it with any kind of sea running. You'll need to be right at the top of HW as well unless it's Springs, when you may get an hour or so either side. If you are anywhere near the area it's worth going done to Mudeford Quay at LW Springs and having a look as you can see most of the channel. The tricky bit is usually knowing when and where to turn to start the run along side the quay wall. There's other low spots further up river but you're in calm water by then and you can just take your time and use the last of the rising tide - remember the first HW of the two is always the highest. The current can be up to 5 knots or so on the ebb at the entrance by the way so you may struggle if you want to come in on the ebb. For the summer season the river is fully buoyed. They're usually pretty accurate. Christchurch Sailing Club is very friendly and has some tips and contact details for visitors here. Rossiter's have some visitors moorings as well.

 

[glashen]

remember the first HW of the two is always the highest.

I think that is technically true but may be misleading, certainly the Christchurch Sailing Club tide times CSC tides take at an arbitrary time for first high water on Neaps since there are not actually two HWs but more of a stand between the times
and the water rises slightly after the stated first HW time. It is true as far as Springs are concerned.

Christchurch Boat shop do a tidal book with graphs which could be useful and seems pretty accurate Tide Tables (They do have the 2012 version available)

 

[grumpy_o_g]

I think that is technically true but may be misleading, certainly the Christchurch Sailing Club tide times CSC tides take at an arbitrary time for first high water on Neaps since there are not actually two HWs but more of a stand between the times
and the water rises slightly after the stated first HW time. It is true as far as Springs are concerned.

Christchurch Boat shop do a tidal book with graphs which could be useful and seems pretty accurate Tide Tables (They do have the 2012 version available)

Fair comment - the second "HW" isn't always preceded by a reverse of the flow and sometimes just slows or halts the ebb for a short while. At others it is a genune double HW water though. Easytide, Belfield or electronic charts such as Navionics are the best way to see what's going on I find.

 

[VicMallows]

How would I get on with 1.2m draft? Used to go there a lot when I sailed a Wayfarer!

No problem at all - as long as you are happy to take the ground over the tide.

Vic

 

[colhel]

I wanted to go into Christchurch last season but was put off due to reading pilot books and turning chicken. I hope to be braver this season. I draw .9m, is it as easy as following the bouys? Are they easy to follow?

 

[VicMallows]

but was put off due to reading pilot books and turning chicken.

That's why it is such a nice place . Entrance is very well buoyed these days. (took me over 20 years to pluck up courage for same reason).

Vic

 

[dodgey rascal]

High water 1.2m should be fine - I've never seen less than this on sonar...that I can remember There is a 1/2 hr difference from the entrance to the yacht club and you really do need to keep in the marked channel !! Dont follow the ferries to & from the priory as they dont draw much water at all !!!

 

[Yacht Yogi]

Parkstone Bay

Back to the original OP question about Poole. I have used successfully Parkstone Bay Marina with a shallow draft yacht. You would be on a mooring but the Marina runs a water taxi that doesn't involve much waiting at all and they have a stock of dinghys that you can use back and forth. A short walk to shops and parks. I found them very friendly and helpful. Usual Marina prices of course. It's also right next to Parkstone Yacht Club who you might also try for a visitor's berth but they seem to be full most of the time.

 

[GrahamD]

Parkstone Yacht Club marina is not often full in the summer months during the week. If there is a keel boat event or a booked rally on a weekend then sometimes it is not possible to get a berth, but it always worth a phone call or a VHF call on Channel 37 (M) to check availability. Good facilities and a good clubhouse, with ready access to a large dog walking area, although, like Poole Yacht club marina, it is a few hundred yards to the food shops.

 

[alahol2]

With shallow draft you can use all the regular ones such as Shipstal, South Deep or Pottery Pier, which do have access to dog walking, but no access to "civilisation".

Brownsea Island (Pottery pier) has a notice forbidding dogs if I remember rightly. I have seen dogs on the beach but never inland.