Solent charter itinerary?

C

carlem

New Member
Joined
9 Aug 2006
Messages
5
Visit site
Folks,

I'm looking to take advantage of your expertise and try to put together a reasonable itinerary for an upcoming yacht charter that we have booked.

3 of us are going to be onboard, 1 with zero experience sailing, 1 (me) with a few years messing about on my parents boats in the west of Scotland and the other having considerable offshore racing experience. We have booked a 5 day charter with Sunsail and collect the boat on the Monday morning before returning it at 17:00 the following Friday. So, that gives us 5 days in and around the Solent.

Can anyone advise what might be a good way of spending the time, where to stay overnight (looking at Marinas with as many facilities as possible!), what length passage is achievable on a typical day etc. Any advice would be very much appreciated. Our experienced mate suggested leaving Portsmouth on day 1, heading east and going round the IOW clockwise before heading to Poole. This to me looks like a lot! Is this achievable?

We've never sailed in the south coast before so any suggestions would be very much appreciated.

Cheers
Mike
 
Mike, as with all first visits it sounds like a perfect opp to do the primary "tourist" sights of the Solent ... depending on the week you have booked, I'd suggest heading to Cowes if for no other reason than to name drop it back home, lunching at the Folly and dining in beautiful downtown Cowes ... Newtown Creek for an nights achchorage; up the Beaulieu for for dins, walkabout & overnight at Bucklers Hard; Yarmouth; stick yer neck out the Needles if your crew aren't up to going to Poole; up into Lymington for another night. Home to Port Solent. Yeah?
 
Don't get me wrong, I fancy going as far a field as possible I'm just not sure whay is feasible in a days sailing. Is it possible to hit Poole from Portsmouth in 1 days sailing?

To be honest, we'll be staying clear of dropping the hook over the side. The SWMBO is insisting on marinas only.

There was talk of heading west for 2 days/overnights.

I'm really looking for an idea of what can be reached each day as we're keen to not just stay in the shelter of the IOW.

Mike
 
yer... it's do able but depends on tides and weather. with a prevailing wind in the SW if you were keen it would be better going the other way round west to east (so you dont have to beat round the back of the island)..

I would stick to the solent for the first few day (cowes) get to know the boat and get the newbie to find his/her sea legs. once you start going round the back of the island theres no going back or port of refuge if people dont like it. and there aint much to look at.

If the weathers good how about going to weymouth mid week instead. I dont like poole too over priced unless you anchor in south deep.
 
The Sunsail base to Yarmouth/Lymmington is about a 5 hour sail (wind and tide permitting). From there to Poole is again about 5 hours. There is a lunch stop at Cowes, Hamble or Beaulieu on the Portsmouth/Yarmouth legs, but no stop on the Poole legs.

The "back" of the island (south side) has nothing to offer - not even a decent anchorage.

Poole town is a pretty grotty place and you can't explore much of the harbour in a Sunfast 37 - the draft's too deep.

I'd plan to stay in the Solent, and vist Cowes, Hamble, Beaulieu, Lymington and Yarmouth and have a relaxing time with interesting sailing if there's a reasonable wind, and interesting navigation if you're near springs.
 
How about this? It's what I had intended to do earlier in the year.

Day 1 - Portsmouth - Yarmouth.
Day 2 - Yarmouth - Weymouth
Day 3 - Weymouth - Poole
Day 4 - Poole - Yarmouth or Lymington
Day 5 - Yarmouth or Lymington to Portsmouth

It really depends on what the tides are doing. Day 2 is quite a long one but achievable and you can always cut it short and end up in Poole.

Things to be careful about the passage: tide through the needles. It's strong and wind over tide can be "interesting". Read up on this. If you go direct to Poole rather than Weymouth, watch for Christchurch Ledge. Just stay offshore of this. Going across to Weymouth watch for Albans Ledge & then the Lulworth firing ranges. There's a number you can ring that will give firing times and safe areas.

Places:
Yarmouth = nice friendly harbour with pontoons. Boozers & restaurants close by. There are some walk ashore pontoons but there's a ferry if you don't pay the extra for the walk ashore. Alternatively blow up the dinghy for free.

Poole = Poole Quay is now a VERY expensive marina but right on the town. Further up is Poole Yacht Club. It's a private club but will accept visiting yachtmen from other clubs if members have left a free space. Phone ahead to check if they'd accept a charter boat though. If so, just call VHF ch80 using callsign "Pike" when you get there. Alternatives are achorages in Swanage & Studland Bays. Studland has better holding but Swanage has more boozers. There is also a quite anchorage inside Poole harbour if you want.

Weymouth = has a marina up river passed the bridge & also pontoons in "The Cove" to the left hand side as you go up.

What I actually did was to miss Weymouth and just got as far as Poole. I returned the same route but stopped off at the Folley at Cowes. Loads of berths & marinas at Cowes. i'd intended to go to Lymington on the way back but Yarmouth was easier.

i.e. Home - Yarmouth - Poole - Yarmouth - Cowes - Home

Bear in mind th eone crew who has no experience. How's his stomach?

Other alternatives could be to head east to Chichester Harbour on Day 1. There are a few marinas like Chichester, Sparks or Northney. Alternatively there's a visitor pontoon near Emsworth but you'd need to get the dinghy out to get to the village where there are some lovely restaurants & boozers. I should know, I live there.

If it blows up then other places you can visit in the Solent are Haslar Marina at Gosport, Hamble river (miles of marinas), Beaulieu river (expensive but beautiful at Bucklers Hard),

Get a hold of "The Shell Channel Pilot" by Tom Cunliff which is well worth it.

Have fun.
 
Re: going as far as possible

Depending on the tides you can do Portsmouth Harbour to Weymouth in a (long) daysail. Poole is a doddle. You could even do Cherbourg or St Vaast in less than 24 hours, unless the engine breaks down or you get lost.
More realisically, if the weather's nice and you fancy a bit of seagoing without going offshore, head out of Portsmouth harbour, round Bembridge and via St Catherines, and into Yarmouth or Lymington for the night.
 
I certainly would recommend going eastwards and around the island, we have done this a number of times this season and its always enjoyable and interesting
If you get the tides right and pick up the first of the ebb when you are past Bembridge Ledge you could easily carry the tide past St Albans and well on the way to Weymouth. A few long tacks will get you there ok in a Sunsail 37 which should cruise at 6-7 knots
Weymouth is a great place to visit and a real taste of the west country, for there you can work back downwind (hopefully) in hops, perhaps with stops in Lulworth Cove, Studland Bay and a visit to Poole Marina from there to Yarmouth or Lymington. If the weather forecast looks bad you can get from Weymouth to shelter in the Solent in one tide and when you go round the Island you always have the choice to duck back in to Poole or the Solent

Here is the itinerary I would suggest

Monday Portsmouth to Weymouth - book Marina as you approach Weymouth
Tuesday Weymouth to Studland - anchor, swim, visit the Bank's Arms for beer & dinner, climb the hills to Swanage
Wednesday Studland to Poole - Pre book the Marina on the Quay - dinner at Bay City Views - best Chinese I know
Thursday Poole to Yarmouth/Lymington - choice of Marinas
Friday Yarmouth to Portsmouth
 
Folks,

This is absolutely fantastic stuff. Thank you so much for all of this. Our charter is midweek - Monday to Friday, would you recommend booking the berths a few days in advance or could it be done on route? I'd probably rather have them prebooked for peace of mind but I do tend to be over cautious with these sorts of things.

It's actually a Sun Odyssey 35 that we have, not the Sunfast 37, we can't wait.
 
very few marinas let you pre-book. it's first come first served. Although you can pre book yarmouth pontoons now.

you should be okay mid week.

have a great time where ever you decide to go
 
Agree, absolutely no reason to book midweek in the Solent, even in August, just call them up on ch80 or get the phone number from the almanac when you're an hour away.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Folks,

This is absolutely fantastic stuff. Thank you so much for all of this. Our charter is midweek - Monday to Friday, would you recommend booking the berths a few days in advance or could it be done on route? I'd probably rather have them prebooked for peace of mind but I do tend to be over cautious with these sorts of things.

It's actually a Sun Odyssey 35 that we have, not the Sunfast 37, we can't wait.

[/ QUOTE ]

I would always prebook Poole as its small and gets full, you can always cancel. Most times when I try and book they have a waiting list
 
Folks,

Thank you so much for all your advice and suggestions. We've now come up with what we believe is a sensible and achievable itinerary and I have booked 3 out of the 4 nights berths. Poole is the only one that I've not been able to book as I've been asked to give thema call back the day before we arrive.

This is what we've decided to try and do.

Day 1 - Portsmouth to Lymington, going round IOW clockwise (booked Lymington Marina)

Day 2 - Lymington to Weymouth (booked Weymouth Marina)

Day 3 - Weymouth to Poole, sailing west past Poole before returning to berth in evening (still to book either Cobbs or Salterns)

Day 4 - Poole to Cowes (booked East Cowes Marina)

Day 5 - A day pottering about in the Solent before returning to Portsmouth that evening

I reckon that's us pretty much sorted now so we just need to keep ur fingers crossed for some nice weather!

Thanks again for all your help.

Cheers
Mike
 
Amends?

Poole - suggest you omit Salterns (the most expensive marina on the S Coast, if not in Christendom), and instead try Parkestone YC which has its own marina.

Weymouth - more convenient (not behind swing bridge = restricted openings) to moor alongside pontoons on harbour wall. Showers are a tad more rudimentary, but OK nonetheless.
 
Re: Solent charter itinerary? Don\'t bother with Cobbs Quay!

The last place you want to book is Cobbs Quay marina.

It is well outside Poole itself & the eating facilities are dismal. Best to try Dolphin Marina & enjoy the variety of pubs & eateries in the town. Wives will also enjoy visit to Poole Pottery, which is near Dolphin.
 
Re: Amends?

weymouth - agree not to go in the marina unless the bridge opening times fit in with your passage plan. loads of room on the quay if you dont mind rafting out, and you are where the action is. although last week we were 8 out on the raft. sods law that the guy inside you want to go at silly o'clock though.
 
Re: Amends?

I'd second Ken's suggestion of staying alongside the quay in Weymouth. Much nicer view, and you'll find worse facilities in more expensive marinas.
 
Re: Amends?

Well I've now managed to book a berth in Dolphin Yacht Haven for the 3rd night so that's sorted.

Does anyone know how I would go about finding out about the bridge opening times etc at Weymouth?

Mike
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Other threads that may be of interest

Barton Seagoon
Containers fallen into the Solent
2
Replies
34
Views
2K
wonkywinch
wonkywinch

Share this page

Top