Refueler
Well-Known Member
Agreed - but I know a number of people who made that decision and did not regret. I just suggested as an option.
Solent advise
- Thread starter David_Goode
- Start date
Agreed - but I know a number of people who made that decision and did not regret. I just suggested as an option.
john_morris_uk
Well-Known Member
Our daughter keeps her boat on a swinging mooring near Hardway in Portsmouth harbour care of Gosport Boatyard. It’s a little over £1200/year for her little boat but comes with a free water taxi at all reasonable times. Good free parking nearby. Then join the queue to be a member of Hardway SC. (We’ve been members for several years and daughter has just joined in her own right.). The club has moorings available occasionally but there’s s waiting list. We’re on a RNSA mooring nearby.
I wouldn’t get too anxious about the harbour entrance. Many boats struggle going against a spring flood or ebb but how often do you need to do this? Stick to the small boat channel (see the harbour website) and nobody will get shirty with you ever.
I wouldn’t get too anxious about the harbour entrance. Many boats struggle going against a spring flood or ebb but how often do you need to do this? Stick to the small boat channel (see the harbour website) and nobody will get shirty with you ever.
alahol2
Well-Known Member
It has already been mentioned but I would strongly advise looking at Portchester Sailing Club. It has everything you mention and the traffic should be better than just about anywhere else.
Portchester SC Web site
Portchester SC Web site
David_Goode
New Member
Thank you all once again, I have a few leads on some clubs to chase that might have a mooring available for a new member. Once I get confirmation I than just need to track down someone to sail the boat from a mooring on the Helford River to the Solent area, I was hoping to do the passage if possible as part of the day skipper practical but failing that I can use the experience as a mile builder. So far I have asked for a quote from halcyonyachts, although looking at there site and some of there recent deliveries I am unsure how interested they would be in moving a little Sadler! Otherwise is it best to start a new thread in the crewing opportunities ?
Refueler
Well-Known Member
While talking to possible club(s) .... you could mention that you are looking for assistance to sail boat from Helford to new location .... many people I am sure would help .. I know if I was back in UK - I'd be on like a shot ...
The only limiter - is that can take longer than planned because of weather / wind changes .... I know a number of boaters who have had to cut short trips such as that due adverse winds ...
ashtead
Well-Known Member
With a new to you boat I might be looking for a safe home /port close to current location and take her home in steps . I’m sure others will suggest ports but ones where you can enter at any tidal state maybe and refuel /reprovision. Clearly how easy all this is rather depends on wind direction but I guess waiting for a nice breeze to blow you like a cork to say Portland from Torquay etc. then if you get holed up you have secure base etc . You might also be motoring home for longer than expected so maybe factor in time to have engine service before departure.
Stemar
Well-Known Member
I had the same travel issues as you, made worse by adding the M25 to get to NW London. However, while the A32 between Fareham and Gosport could be a pain, it's manageable if you pick your time, and I'm not sure it's that much worse than trying to get past Chichester at the wrong time of day.
There are moorings in Portsmouth harbour - including some drying moorings where you could park a fin perfectly safely as the mud's very soft. Hardway SC is a great place, friendly, good facilities and a cheap bar and 20 minutes from the Solent. Don't join for a mooring, though; the waiting list is several years long. Wicor could be a good base, too.
As for crossing the Channel, I'd have no qualms about doing it in a well-sorted Sadler 26. We did it in a Snapdragon 24!
There are moorings in Portsmouth harbour - including some drying moorings where you could park a fin perfectly safely as the mud's very soft. Hardway SC is a great place, friendly, good facilities and a cheap bar and 20 minutes from the Solent. Don't join for a mooring, though; the waiting list is several years long. Wicor could be a good base, too.
As for crossing the Channel, I'd have no qualms about doing it in a well-sorted Sadler 26. We did it in a Snapdragon 24!
Refueler
Well-Known Member
Wayfarers have crossed .. in fact a famous Boat Author used to take Boy Scouts across Channel in a Wayfarer.
I think it interesting that over the years - as 'starter boat' size has generally increased - that cross channel boat size has kept in similar vein. Back in 60 - 70's it was not unusual to see Vivacity .. Alacrity ... Jag 21 ... Snapdragon 21 .... small Hilyards etc. crossing channel.
If OP is intent on a Fin - then very soft mud is called for as suggested or non drying. There are various 'yards' such as Hayling Yacht Co that maintain such in the channel leading to their yard .. with possibility if needed of alongside the outer pontoon in soft mud for short between tide need at HYCo.
With regard to Sadler .... Bilge Keel .. I notice that some automatically say 25ft ... in fact Sadler did produce a Bilge Keel at 26ft as sister to the Fin keel version. I recall a sail test that showed the performance was similar for both.
David_Goode
New Member
Thanks for the advice, I found a mooring on the River Hamble with a SC, its a fore and aft mooring 0.3 below CD near Chinese bridge-I don't know the River but I have been told that the fin with a depth of 1.4 (4"8) should dig in the mud and make a well to settle. I do like the idea its with a club with people to learn from and enjoy racing/cursing but from a layman's perspective it sounded a bit concerning. I will try to head up over the weekend to scout the mooring location, although factoring in it might limit my access times it might be worth just heading down to Portsmouth Harbour as people have suggested.
jac
Well-Known Member
At Springs - height of tide at LW on the Hamble is about 0.6m so you should have 0.9m so about 50cm of keel in the mud. - I've just had a quick look and over the next 14 days out of 28 low tides there are 7 when you wouldn't get out / in atr low water . ( Assuming 1.2m height of tide) - Obviously may be shallower patches on your approach so usual caveats!!!
It is limiting but not much - just be aware of it and get there a couple of hours after LT.
Be aware that tides can run strong there so plan that in. Also need to consider getting out to the mooring. Some clubs ( RAFYC and RSYC have taxis ) - I think the others provide space for your own or club dinghies if you don't have one yet .
David_Goode
New Member
Hi Jac, thanks for the reassurance as I was worried about causing damage to the boat sinking in mud etc, although its a starter boat it seems to be in good condition and would like to keep it that way> SADLER 26
The restriction on LW access seems manageable and I just checked, the SC does have a tender I believe I can use once a member.
It seem all that is left looking at advice is to
1) Confirm mooring/membership
2) Use the enclosed RYA pre purchase sale agreement with seller, get a pre purchase survey done than pay full amount if no issues found
4) Organise insurance
5) Commission someone to sail up to the mooring
almost there!
The restriction on LW access seems manageable and I just checked, the SC does have a tender I believe I can use once a member.
It seem all that is left looking at advice is to
1) Confirm mooring/membership
2) Use the enclosed RYA pre purchase sale agreement with seller, get a pre purchase survey done than pay full amount if no issues found
4) Organise insurance
5) Commission someone to sail up to the mooring
almost there!
Stemar
Well-Known Member
May I suggest:
0) Agree sale with seller, including a pick-up date allowing the time needed to do 1-5 and pay a subject to survey deposit, so he won't sell to someone else
0) Agree sale with seller, including a pick-up date allowing the time needed to do 1-5 and pay a subject to survey deposit, so he won't sell to someone else
