Recommended route to Poole from Solent

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During our first summer boating we have only ventured East as far as Brighton and West as far as Lymington. the rest of the time we spent discovering all of the local ports.
We are based in Chichester.

I plan to visit Poole as soon as some good weather comes back. Any advice on things to avoid, most comfortable route etc would be appreciated.

Thanks

D
 
Once past Yarmouth/Lymington, there are two ways out past Hurst. Don't go straight ahead, flippin great gravel bank!. Generally the most comfortable way in and out of Solent there, is turn North West by the Castle, and head for the buoy. This is called the North Channel. . You can go in really close to the beach there by the way, as it shelves very steeply, and is one of the few places you can plane at speed within feet of the shore. The other route out is past the Needles lighthouse, though in most wind and sea conditions, this will be rougher.

From North Head buoy, you can pretty much head straight for Poole, with only the Christchurch Ledge to look out for. This easily visible on charts, and usually pots out there, so head out side it to be safe.

Two routes into Poole itself. There is a main channel, also clear on charts, and another which lies along the shore line to the East. If conditions marginal, go in through the main channel.
 
The shore route has been changed this last year or so. It does not follow the old chanel. I tried to follow old chanel last year. but there was nothing there, only shallow water, till found the bouys again in proper chanel.
 
Only marginally, they've changed a bit, but the route is still there.

There's a notices to mariners on the Poole Harbour site from the spring about it.
 
Found them

Here are current positions. They mention possibly moving them in the Autumn, but no notices to that effect yet

East Looe
East Looe 1 Starboard hand flashing green 5 secs 50º 41.087 N 1º 55.822 W.
East Looe 2 Port hand flashing red 4 secs 50º 41’068N 1º 55’827W
East Looe 3 Starboard hand flashing green 3 secs 50º 41’ 108N 1º 56’ 163W
East Looe 4 Port hand flashing red 2 secs 50º 41’ 088N 1º 56’ 166W



Full details of all changes in buoyage in the channels here

http://www.phc.co.uk/ntm_03_06.pdf
http://www.phc.co.uk/ntm_02_06.pdf
 
Brendan has pretty much covered it - use the North Channel buoy (Starboard lateral) as your mark when you come out past Hurst Castle. You can pass very close to the beach there. It is also a much calmer route through, the main channel can be as rough as old boots with breaking waves and the route near the beach is benign in comparison.

As it's your first time, from North Head I would tend to head for Poole No 1 bar buoy using the special mark called Lambeth as your central way-point - it's marked on the chart. From there it's direct to No 1 bar which will take you in through the main channel.

There is a long sand bank that protects the entrance to Poole harbour coming from the East - Looe Sands - so don't be tempted to take a short cut into the main swash way - you'll run aground if you get the tide wrong. Yes, there is the East Looe channel which runs along the beach, but as others have said if its marginal don't use it. You'll see the problem, there will be breaking waves!!

Lobster pots are a hazard in Christchurch Bay off Hengisbury Head so you must keep a good look out. And there a good few around Bournemouth as well.

Check tidal flow - it will make a fair difference to your ride particularly going back through Hurst.

If it cuts up rough, then keep close in shore, but there is a nasty spit /training bank that comes out from Hengisbury Head.

I used to do the run regularly, it took 2 hours from the upper reaches of the Hamble to Cobb's Quay which is at the far end of Poole Harbour. This was in the summer months when the 10 knot speed restriction was in place. At this time of the year, there is no speed restriction (come in to effect 1st April) until you get up to Stakes cardinal mark just before you enter the town quay area. It was about an hour from Hamble Point South Cardinal to the chain ferry at Poole.

But as with any passage plan - check the chart yourself! Draw your route on the chart and choose your own way points. Good luck.
 
as you pass Hurst Castle turn onto 270M, beware the pots an avoid wind over tide conditions as you pass over Christchurch Ledge and slow down as you approach Poole Harbour!

whilst all the above is important if approaching at low water away from LW +- 1 hr will give a good 2m of water over the Hook Sands. In fact the only really dangerous route is to start off heading wide to the main Swash Channel then cut the corner - the shallowest point is currently about 15m N of the third green (starbord) channel buoy.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Hook Sands.

[/ QUOTE ]

Silly me, meant Hook Sands not Looe Sands. I was thinking of 2 things at once when I typed that!! /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif
 
1 Depart on East Row for 0 miles 0 miles (0 km)
2 Turn right onto East Walls for 0.1 miles 0 miles (0 km)
3 Turn right onto East Street for 0 miles 0.1 miles (0.2 km)
4 Turn left onto Saint John's Street for 0.1 miles 0.2 miles (0.3 km)
5 Turn right onto Basin Road/Market Avenue for 0.3 miles 0.3 miles (0.5 km)
6 Turn right onto A286 for 0.4 miles 0.6 miles (0.9 km)
7 At the roundabout, take the third exit onto A27 for 0.8 miles 1 miles (1.6 km)
8 At the roundabout, take the first exit onto A27 for 12.9 miles 1.8 miles (2.8 km)
9 Continue straight ahead onto M27 for 28.2 miles 14.6 miles (23.5 km)
10 Continue straight ahead onto A31 for 12.9 miles 42.8 miles (68.9 km)
11 At the roundabout, take the second exit onto A31 for 1 miles 55.7 miles (89.7 km)
12 At the roundabout, take the second exit onto A31 for 0.6 miles 56.7 miles (91.2 km)
13 At the roundabout, take the first exit onto A31 for 0.4 miles 57.2 miles (92.1 km)
14 At the roundabout, take the second exit onto A31 for 1.6 miles 57.7 miles (92.8 km)
15 At the roundabout, take the second exit onto A31 for 1.9 miles 59.2 miles (95.3 km)
16 At the roundabout, take the third exit onto A31 for 2.1 miles 61.1 miles (98.3 km)
17 At the roundabout, take the first exit onto A341 for 0.1 miles 63.2 miles (101.7 km)
18 At the roundabout, take the second exit onto A341 Oakley Hill for 0.6 miles 63.3 miles (101.9 km)
19 Continue straight ahead onto A349 Gravel Hill for 0.9 miles 63.9 miles (102.8 km)
20 At the roundabout, take the second exit onto A349 for 1 miles 64.8 miles (104.2 km)
21 At the roundabout, take the third exit onto A349 for 0.4 miles 65.8 miles (105.8 km)
22 Turn right onto Slip Road for 0 miles 66.2 miles (106.5 km)
23 Turn right onto A349 Cabot Lane for 0.4 miles 66.2 miles (106.6 km)
24 Turn left onto A349 Broadstone Way for 0.9 miles 66.7 miles (107.3 km)
25 At the roundabout, take the first exit onto A350 for 1.2 miles 67.5 miles (108.7 km)
26 At the roundabout, take the fourth exit onto A350 for 0.2 miles 68.7 miles (110.6 km)
27 Arrive at Poole 68.9 miles (110.9 km)
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[ QUOTE ]
Not a smartarse question but genuine interest - Chichester to Poole surely south about round IOW would be an option?

[/ QUOTE ]

Yea - but just think of all the pubs you will be missing on the way and the overfall at St Cats can sometimes be a bit rough.

I've always taken the easy option after Hurst and gone out through the Needles Channel - even in rough weather. I once sailed my Hurricane over the Shingles bank in an RTI race (she has kick up rudders and boards so not a big problem) - you dont want to go there - it is hard stuff but the main channel is very well marked.
 
Sure it's an option, if you want to spend out on more fuel,and this time of year a much more uncomfortable passage, for me this option is only any good in the middle of summer on one of those windless hot sunny days,stopping at freshwater bay for lunch on board taking in the view of the needles and passing ships and boats,glass of wine or two,a little afternoon nap laying in the sunshine,waking up about 4.30 pm and ambiling across into poole in time for a pint..........sorry drifted off there, in short no, not in December
 
Thanks Brendan,

Was almost not brave enought to post the question as its such a short trip. Glad I did now.

I took a look at the chart, hadn't noticed the east channel before.

Is this the route? I dont know what the boxed in section represents, I guess numerous obstructions or underwater shore defences?

[image]
1.jpg
[/image]
 
No need to hug the shoeline like that, unless you want to look at the topless women on the beaches...... /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 
Thanks Solitaire,

I had a bit of a play out to the Needles and into Christchurch bay in the summner. I noticed how close you get to Hurst as you come around the point from the bay, I also noticed how much rougher it got as you leave the Solent out by the Needles, which I suspected is typical for there.

Cheers

D
 
No, you don't need to hug the coast all the way around like that. If you plot on to a chart, the 2 starboard, and 2 port buoys I have provided co-ordinates to above, the route will be clear.
 
I was just trying to look up the chart key in its help files to see what they mean by the grey boxed in areas.

I came across this.

[ QUOTE ]
Electronic charts, displayed by PC-PLANNER MAX, are believed to be accurate and reliable, but they are not intended to be a substitute for the official charts, which should remain your main reference for all matters related to safe navigation.

For this reason we would like to remind you that you are required to carry on board and use the officially published and approved nautical charts.

[/ QUOTE ]

I think they have a cheek charging £150 for a chart if they are not prepared to call it real!

I do carry paper charts but you can't zoom into the detail with paper.
 
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