Solent advise

[David_Goode]

Hi all,

I was hoping for some advise regarding sailing clubs/moorings in the Solent area?

My background is I am new to sailing, l live in Farnham and last year joined a sailing club on Hayling island, I started with some dingy sailing and than moved on to do competent crew and now just about to do day skipper. I am looking at buying a Sadler 26 as it seems a good starter boat, I was hoping to find a Bilge (twin) keel so I could use my club moorings in Chichester harbour with the ambition to build experience/confidence and enjoy exploring the local area. My long term ambition would be to do a channel crossing , although I am in no real rush as there seems plenty to keep me and the wife occupied around the UK coast and learning how/being involved in a few races sounds fun as well.
I have recently been contacted by someone selling a Sadler 26 fin keel (1.42m draft) which as made me question the path I was taking. On the commute from Farnham to Hayling I noticed traffic can be a pain, also with the dry moorings the constraints that places regarding tide times etc- I am in my late 30's so still working full time and was hoping to maximise the time I have at the weekend on the water. If I go ahead with the sale the advise I hope someone could help me with are;

1) I will need to find a mooring in the Solent area to accommodate the draft which has good access. I imagine for first year I will have to go with a marina so cost is to be expected, any particular recommendations?
2) I would really like to join a sailing club to meet people to learn from and cruise/race with, any recommendations with one that has moorings as well so I can commit long term to the club?
3) The boat is currently located near Falmouth, the idea of paying for a person to sail it up to the Solent with and act as an instructor is appealing, any recommendations or a good website to use to find someone?

David

 

[Tranona]

Welcome

You will find traffic issues anywhere along the coast but from Farnham probably easier Southampton or Portsmouth. A club that always gets good mentions here is Marchwood but I am sure others will be along soon with other suggestions.

The 26 fin keel is a big jump up from the 25 in terms of refinement and a deep water mooring gives you more flexibility. It does of course need a cradle when out of the water.

Good idea, if the boat is in ready to go condition, to sail it up with an experienced crew. You might try here halcyonyachts.com The owner posts here and might be able to give advice.

 

[Refueler]

I kept boats in that locale for years and I have to say that for overall - the Bilge Keeler wins out easily. It gives far more possibilities of Clubs / Moorings and works out significantly cheaper annual fees.

Problem with Clubs ..... many in that area as it being a popular boating area - they have restrictions based on whether applicant is local or distant. Its worth contacting various and ask about this.

Traffic on / off Hayling !! For many years my boat was in Hayling Yacht Co - and I had a Holiday Home near the seafront on Hayling ... traffic is the price you pay for such a location.

But there are alternatives based on Mainland .. negating that narrow road onto Hayling. Dell Quay ..... Tudor .... as eaxmples ... or move along to Fareham ... etc. There are many clubs in the area .... and all exit to Solent ....

I would suggest put together a list of all clubs / moorings in the area ... contact those that look placed best for you ... while deciding on the boat.

Final : Marina's in that area are expensive - but of course you then have facilities .....

 

[Refueler]

Points to consider :

1. Tidal range if you choose drying mooring with Blige Keel.
2. Need for dinghy and out to deep water 'fin keel' mooring.
3. Servicing of boat gear - older boats can mean more need to access and service / repair gear
4. Time to run and exit to Solent - many deep and drying moorings have significant distance to exit to Solent
5. Generally the nearer to entrance of harbour, afloat 24/7 - the costs of the mooring are substantially higher - AND often no mooring available as all taken up.
6. Road access to Club / chosen location.

There are many other points of course - but thought it worth mentioning those that influenced my choice when I was Solent based.

 

[Boathook]

Points to consider :

1. Tidal range if you choose drying mooring with Blige Keel.
2. Need for dinghy and out to deep water 'fin keel' mooring.
3. Servicing of boat gear - older boats can mean more need to access and service / repair gear
4. Time to run and exit to Solent - many deep and drying moorings have significant distance to exit to Solent
5. Generally the nearer to entrance of harbour, afloat 24/7 - the costs of the mooring are substantially higher - AND often no mooring available as all taken up.
6. Road access to Club / chosen location.

There are many other points of course - but thought it worth mentioning those that influenced my choice when I was Solent based.

I would add -
7. Car parking. For some areas it is a real pain.

 

[PeterV]

Warsash sailing club has club moorings and I believe that for a 26’ boat there’s some free at the moment. Worth asking. They‘re fore and aft moorings on the Hamble.

 

[jac]

At that size, worth trying local HM's - the pressure point is more for moorings in the 10m-12m size .At that size, even the Hamble wait list is only 3-5 years so some of the yards / commercial operators may be able to fit you in straight away.

Wherever you moor along there, Traffic will be a challenge, especially for weekends. i would think long and hard before taking a mooring in Lymington / Beaulieu due to New Forest holiday so for practical purposes you're looking at Marchwood, River Itchen, River Hamble, Portsmouth, Langstone or the deep water moorings in Chichester. My own preference would be Portsmouth or Hamble as easy access to the solent and traffic is only Meh rather than ******.

 

[lustyd]

Having been through the same sort of thing (living Reading, boat Solent) I suffered at Emsworth for several years with tidal planning. If you genuinely want to maximise use of the boat then you cannot be beholden to the tides with a sill or drying mooring. It's fine for locals but when you have a 1-2 hour drive to get home after tidying the boat and getting your stuff in the car it cuts the fun somewhat, and that's even ignoring having to leave an overnight berth at 3am to get back for high water.
If there's any way you can afford it get something with all tide access. With the commute a marina is even better because you can top up with water and have a full battery, and burn far less time transferring people and kit to the boat.

Alternatively, given the size of the boat this may be your one opportunity to explore more of the south west coast. A season in Falmouth and visiting the scillies, then move to Dartmouth/Plymouth to explore before moving up to Weymouth or Solent. All shorter hops back up the coast, and although you'd sail a bit less the sailing would be more varied over a few years.

Edit to add - I would ALWAYS swap a bit of extra driving for a reduction in boat faff. I moved from Port Solent to Gosport a couple of years ago and that added 20-30 minutes of the dullest driving you could imagine. On the flip side, I removed an hour of the dullest boating (each way) from every trip and can now nip out for a couple of hours.

 

[ashtead]

Welcome to the perpetual issue for sailing in the Solent area namely a long run down channel,traffic issues to reach location or costs. We travel down A3 as you might join south of Guildford . Main issue with boat in Gosport is the drive from Fareham down due to poor drivers,roads,excess of lights etc however you miss the motor down the harbour as right at mouth. So you might there look at Hardway sailing or Wicormarine if not wanting one of 3 Gosport marinas, also Gosport boatyard moorings.
If you stick to chi harbour itchenor looks nice plus birdham marina or chi marina with a yacht club nearby . Marina divide into 3 types, all states of tide ,sill and lock. Chi and birdham have locks and tidal, port Solent also locks and easier by car but I suspect more price. When we started out we went to Wicormarine as cheaper and afloat all states and near Fareham. Downside is motor down channel but advantage no Gosport drivers going to kfc etc.
Clear lots of moorings in hamble but the drive past Tesco etc tricky plus much higher costs of marina.
As another idea you could look at places in Poole harbour for clubs etc particularly for bilge keels but mindful long drive. In terms of a club if you are looking to do rallies then an owners association might be an idea of course eg westerly,Bavaria etc and a source of info on your boat model. Also remember if on a mooring the row out plus challenges of mooring between piles in river might be a challenge. I guess to keep costs low a cheap mooring on a buoy in chi harbour might be an option if no clubs there. Marina there to look at would be say Sparkes or such like if birdham or chi don’t appeal. I guess you might find a yacht where you can take over the sellers mooring for at least a season.

 

[jlavery]

The above posts sum it up I think. Gosport is a good option, apart from the traffic. A friend keeps a larger yacht on a mooring there.

The fin keel boat will sail much better - and in my opinion won't restrict you much in the Solent, apart from counting out drying moorings.

Regarding delivery, if you decide to buy - I may be able to help. I'm a Commercial Yachtmaster and Cruising Instructor. DM me if you want more info.

 

[David_Goode]

Hi all,

Thanks for the fast and in depth response, trying to pull all the information together and my impression is

1) Buying a fin keel would provide a better sailing experience but obviously comes with the draw backs well established which I will have to accept, if anything embrace the change and move to a club in an area that might be an easier commute.
2) It seems recommended areas for my commute from Farnham are in preference Hamble than Portsmouth.
3) Within those areas my preference would be for a club to integrate into the sailing community more so I will draw up and list and contact some especially if they have open moorings for a 26ft already.
4) Failing finding a club with open moorings join a marina as due to the size of the boat it will cost but allow me to get out on the water fast and give me time to find somewhere the following year.

David

 

[Praxinoscope]

Have a look at Christchurch / Mudeford, very suitable for a bilge keeler, Christchurch Sailing Club is a very active club with great premises, or there is Mudeford Sailing Club which is more dinghy orientated.
Haven’t sailed from there for about 40 years but I’m sure it is worth a look.
Only disadvantages are the restricted access outside of the river channel in the harbour, the infamous Christchurch bar which shifts during the season and The Run (harbour entrance) which has to timed correctly if you don’t want to travel backwards under full power.

 

[Sticky Fingers]

Hi all,

Thanks for the fast and in depth response, trying to pull all the information together and my impression is

1) Buying a fin keel would provide a better sailing experience but obviously comes with the draw backs well established which I will have to accept, if anything embrace the change and move to a club in an area that might be an easier commute.
2) It seems recommended areas for my commute from Farnham are in preference Hamble than Portsmouth.
3) Within those areas my preference would be for a club to integrate into the sailing community more so I will draw up and list and contact some especially if they have open moorings for a 26ft already.
4) Failing finding a club with open moorings join a marina as due to the size of the boat it will cost but allow me to get out on the water fast and give me time to find somewhere the following year.

David

Not quite the Solent but you could also look at Chichester. Reasonable road access from Farnham. Huge variety of sailing within the (very beautiful) harbour. Moorings available plus several marinas. Clubs. Training. Marine trades. Racing. And if you do want to visit the Solent then it's an easy sail.

 

[Refueler]

Not quite the Solent but you could also look at Chichester. Reasonable road access from Farnham. Huge variety of sailing within the (very beautiful) harbour. Moorings available plus several marinas. Clubs. Training. Marine trades. Racing. And if you do want to visit the Solent then it's an easy sail.

mmmmm go back to his starter post ... "I am looking at buying a Sadler 26 as it seems a good starter boat, I was hoping to find a Bilge (twin) keel so I could use my club moorings in Chichester harbour with the ambition to build "

So he already is in Chichester .....

I have some reservations about Portsmouth based .... the transit of Portsmouth entrance can be a bit nervy at times and QHM is not exactly appreciative of yottie fauz pas !

But lets look at the hbrs and possibilities.

Chichester - at extreme east of Solent but has large harbour that can provide reasonable days sailing / boating for the not so large boat. Its a little further to get to the usual Solent venues but isn't sailing about the 'journey' ? Has some interesting out of way spots ... and lots of mooring possibilities. Depending on choice - you may end up on a narrow road to get to club / marina...
Take note of the tidal current getting in / out of harbour. Many deep water as well as drying moorings. But IMHO - to get best of Chichester - bilge keel gives you wider possibilities.

Langstone - Larger harbour - in fact large enough that WW2 Mulberrys were collected here ... many clubs and a number of Marina's. Literally dead north of Bembridge. Very strong tidal current at entrance. Sand spits extend out significantly further than Chichesters etc. But Langstone would be a serious consideration ... as you have main road access to clubs / marinas to the west ... and Hayling road for the west. A number of BBQ meets on beaches - as do Chichester. Many deep water as well as drying moorings. But IMHO - to get best of Langstone - bilge keel gives you wider possibilities.

Portsmouth - busy military and commercial harbour with narrow entrance - again with strong tidal current. Many clubs and business based moorings / marinas - with long run as example from Fareham. Near 1/2way along Solent - quick dash to Ryde as example ...
Can be interesting getting in / out !

Southampton - Just over 1/2way west in Solent ... extremely busy yottie / ship channel / rivers. Dead opposite Cowes ... Has some out of way clubs and moorings, but mainly like Portsmouth - expensive Marina's.

Beaulieu River - quiet but busy ... not the easiest for road access once you get of the motorway. Limited shore stuff such as shops etc. Beautiful to visit !

Lymington - mmmm Marinas basically taken over - lovely old town - but means beating back eastward for many of Solents destinations ... plus not cheap to moor.

I note that no-one mentions IoW possibility ..... I think it well worth looking at Bembridge and Ryde .... OK - it means a Ferry trip over ... but I don't think should be discounted. Cowes ... well if you like the hussle and bussle of worlds busiest yottie hole !!

Having spent so many years as a child on fathers boats - then my own as well as crewing many others in Solent ... I have to say my suggestion is to look at Langstone ..... well worth contacting Harbour Master (on Hayling) ....

 

[doug748]

If you decide a fin keel is the way to go, for economy and club facilities, I'd be seriously looking at Portchester YC. Less congested than the Hamble and a chance of actually being able to sail off the mooring. The club racing looks ok, in a mixed fleet and the drive is fairly handy . Parking should be ok as well.
Drawback is that the access pontoon is only usable HW + - 2h, though it is deep water out to the Solent.

.

 

[jlavery]

As a Chichester Harbour resident, I'd count it out for you. You'd be better off putting the boat further west, as you're commuting in anyway.

In our 26' South Coast One Design, the schlep across Hayling Bay to get to the Solent was a pain.

 

[Sticky Fingers]

mmmmm go back to his starter post ... "I am looking at buying a Sadler 26 as it seems a good starter boat, I was hoping to find a Bilge (twin) keel so I could use my club moorings in Chichester harbour with the ambition to build "

So he already is in Chichester .....
...

Doh! Must go to Specsavers

 

[Refueler]

Doh! Must go to Specsavers

No worries matey !!

 

[wombat88]

I have a friend who keeps a Sadler 25 bilge keel at Wicor which seems an excellent place to keep a boat and not that expensive. Convenient for the motorway too.

 

[jac]

I note that no-one mentions IoW possibility ..... I think it well worth looking at Bembridge and Ryde .... OK - it means a Ferry trip over ... but I don't think should be discounted. Cowes ... well if you like the hussle and bussle of worlds busiest yottie hole !!
..

The only problem with that is the extra time. Assuming one is driving down then you're looking at a 45 minute - 1 hour car ferry trip - add in say 30 minutes queueing and loading plus another short drive at the other end and your 90 minute Friday evening drive has suddenly doubled in length.

IOW would work if you made a small number of longer trips but if one is hoping to day sail or have the occasional single night on board it takes a huge extra chunk out of the time available.