Shetland 498 in Chichester Harbour?

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chi-girl

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I've just aquired a shetland 498 16ft 6ins in near mint condition and was thinking of using it in the harbour for keeping the children entertained for a few trips around the harbour and over to the east head.

ive had boats on canals for a while but want to trailer this one to the harbour and maybe athe Arun occasionaly.

i have life jackets for us all, all automatic and the boat has a 9.9 johnson and a 5hp yamaha for a spare.
have ropes, fenders and anchor rope and chain and 2 large spade shaped anchors.
do i really need a radio for the harbour?
any advice would be very welcome.
thanks Annie
 
a little hand held VHF would be useful for listening to traffic and any issues.

You need to do a radio course - about 3 hours IIRC.
 
that would be ok to do. will look into it then.
im new to salt water and a little nervous so i will put the boat in at itchenor over the weekend if its not too busy and try out the boat. im a little nervous about the engine size but i'll try it out and see how it works.
 
The engine is adequate...20hp would be great but you will do fine provided you keep away from the entrance at full flood or ebb. The harbour has masses to offer a boat like that with lots of places only you and a small number of others will get to...do it!
 
looks like i picked the right area to choice to use the boat in. my husband passed away recently and the boys thought they wouldnt go boating again so will be very pleased that i can take them when ive had a few trips out on my own to get the hang of it. ive ordered some charts of the harbour for depth etc. they still dont know i bought the boat and i dareed not tell them till i knew i could do it without hubby being there to give me confidence.
thanks for your replies
 
Maybe a depth guage/fishfinder fitted to the boat and a bit of tuition or induction with either another local boat owner or professional instructor
Good luck and enjoy
 
i thought about a depth sounder but dont have power on board. the navigation lights run with ac elec from engine so no battery. when i get a bigger engine i was going to get electrics fitted
 
Itchenor's a good place to launch. Low water's at 11.48 this Saturday (pick up a tide table from the Harbour Master's office) so it might be a bit muddy depending on when you get there! I agree get a hand held VHF in case you get stuck and loads of places to explore in a boat that size. Enjoy!
 
i went to look at itchenor today and it looks really good to launch from. i got the yearly harbour dues and a launching plaque today so will have a go over the weekend if it isnt massively busy
 
chi-girl said:
do i really need a radio for the harbour?
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No, but a £50 radio gets you everyones attention plus quick access to lifeboats/helicopter etc!

I don't think you need a licence to monitor transmissions, and no one would be narked if you needed to use it in an emergency. Just make sure you know how to make a distress call.
 
chi-girl said:
i went to look at itchenor today and it looks really good to launch from. i got the yearly harbour dues and a launching plaque today so will have a go over the weekend if it isnt massively busy
Click to expand...


Be aware that the tide runs quite strongly past Itchenor, especially on the spring ebb.
However neap tides this weekend with HW early morning and early evening.
 
Space on hards is restricted at high water but Low tide at most hards is likely to be a bit muddy even if they are usable at low tide. Itchenor is pretty good from what I remember.
I am more familiar with Dell quay but the channel up there dries at low water. Likely to be less crowded perhaps, although smaller, and you can park at the side of the road.
There is concrete ramp at Bosham Quay I believe but still not usable at low water

Emsworth I do not know but AFAIK not usable at low water. Parking may not be so easy

You will find info on launching sites at http://www.boatlaunch.co.uk/
and also on the Chichester harbour website

Be sure you can guide your boat back onto its trailer even in a cross tide or a bit of wind.

You may need a good long and strong rope to haul the trailer from the water... you don't want to submerge the car!

Make sure you know what the tides are doing. Try to go with the tide rather than against it esp the spring ebb although if you set out to go no where in particular you can spend quite a long time making slow progress against the tide enjoying the scenery and then whizz back again very quickly.

Beware of the dinghy racing fleets on weekends
 
thanks for the advice. a friend told me about all the dinghys at the weekends.
im not bothered where i go as long the boat gets a work out.
will look at tides and see what the best time is for launch
 
I haven't launched from Itchenor for many years, but memory suggests high tide is better for launching as the slip is steeper then.

As suggested above, you will need a long rope especially at lower tides. Try to recover at slack tide if possible and watch your prop when sliding off your trailer.

Stay within the marked channels as the water gets shallow very quickly!
 
thanks so much for the tips. i tried to go today but when i got there the wind was really bad and the launch was very steep and very muddy so i put it back in storage. will look at saturday a few hrs before high tide.
 
Launching Chichester

I'd say launching at Itchenor could be a little tricky if you have a normal 2 wheel drive at low water, the muddy shingle steeps away at low water and at high water as has been said there is little room and not enough slope without dunking your car. the tide runs hard there and you will have to secure the boat while you drive for miles to find somewhere to park the car.

As a suggestion try Emsworth Marina, far less hectic, nice new slip, modest fee parking and loads of people friendly enough to help you launch on a winch to save your car. Launch at anytime then 2 and a half hours either side of high water you can get in and out, boat launched ready to go, no tide rushing by and far less hectic than Itchenor.

Bottom of South Street Emsworth is another area but again parking is a nightmare!!!

hope this helps, ring emsworth marina and i'm sure you'll get a friendly voice on the end of the phone

good luck


Ian
 
chi-girl said:
thanks so much for the tips. i tried to go today but when i got there the wind was really bad and the launch was very steep and very muddy so i put it back in storage. will look at saturday a few hrs before high tide.
Click to expand...

Just had a thought. You can launch inside Chichester Marina. Would cost more and you do need to lock out but is probably easier as there wont be any tide.
 
i have a nieghbour who has offered to help as he also has a boat he leanches at itchenor but i was being stubborn thinking i could do it on my own but i may ask if would like to help in exchange for a pint in the ship pub.
also could ask father in law as he was very pleased when i decided to take up boating again since hubby passed away.
i dont know about other boat owners but this constant wind is getting on my nerves now. ive wanted to launch for a few days now but to wet and windy
 
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