Portsmouth

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Howardnp

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Advice please....

I'm down visiting daughter etc this weekend in Southampton and they have a RIB (6m) on the Hamble.

Idea is to visit Portsmouth rather than just razz around the Solent so.... assuming weather OK and that I know about the small boat channel into Portsmouth (although any little tips are always useful)..

Once we get in there is there anywhere to tie up if we want to visit say the historic dockyard, or rather where would you suggest we tie up.

And before anyone suggests it.... no we won't go by car! /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif
 
Best thing is tie up at Gunwarf Quays. The small marina is on the East side of the harbour close to the entrance. You need to enter using the Small Boat Channel and then Radio QHM for permission to cross to the marina.

Very central for the shops and restaurants, and Spinnaker Tower. I guess the historic dockyard is a walk or a short bus/taxi ride away.
 
I agree Gunwharf Quay, but be careful. As you enter along the small boat channel to the port side of the main channel you are not allowed to cross to Gunwharf without first asking for permission from the harbourmaster. I got a rollocking for doing exactly that. Ideally you should pre-book into Gunwharf and give them an eta. Th HM can refuse you permission if you don't apparetly!

When you do cross make sure that you do so at right angles to the channel as well or the nasties will tell you off.

Apparently it's all for our own safety, we might miss the carrier coming through or something /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
 
Easier option may be to go into Haslar Marina, the visitors berths are just behind the green lightship to port just inside the harbour entrance. 5 minute walk to the Gosport ferry and a lot less messing around with pre booking and getting permission to cross. You are a bit nearer to the dock gates when you get off the other side as well.
 
2nd Vote for Haslar.

Gunwharf isn't particularly quiet, and can be rocky if you're not in some sort of large sailing yacht with a huge keel. Main upside to Gunwharf is that you can stagger back on board at 2 am having had a "big night" in Tiger Tiger, if that's your thing.

dv.
 
And dont bother calling Gunwharf on Ch 80 - they only answer about once out of ten calls.

But a great place inside for a few hours - and they do a "come back again free" most of the time, so you effectively get a free stay.
 
I'd recomend going to the Mary Mouse (green light ship at Haslar marina) for lunch - great food and lovley welcome,, had lunch there on Sunday. You can moor up on the inside of it for free then.
Regarding QHM, I understood it that for small craft you no longer have to call them uo in order to cross to Gunwharf.
 
<<Apparently it's all for our own safety, we might miss the carrier coming through or something >>

Not so funny if you have 6,000 tons of ferry, a 20kt cross wind, 3 - 4 knots tide carrying you along, and some idiot in a yot half way up the entrance losing the wind behind the buildings.....

... anyway you have to give the Navy boys half a chance - they do the whole thing by GPS and autopilot. All preprogrammed on the Captains Laptop before they reach Spithead: all they have to do is pass the lines ashore once they are in, and they cant allow for the odd yottie who might get in the way.

Modern warships don't even have a steering wheel - just a computer type joystick which I was told they hardly ever use anyway except for final berthing manouvers.

So if we are in the way, and the warship blows a fuse..... /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 
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