Solent Myths and facts

[dylanwinter]

I am now editing the Solent films


I am told that there are 3,000 yachts on the Hamble - more than the total number in Scotland - is this true?

I am also told that there are over 10,000 yachts in the solent area. Does anyone know where this "fact" comes from?

What is the definition of the solent area? Is there a definition?

I was told that the solent itself is 12 miles long and three miles wide - is that an acceptable generalisation

what do people mean when they say The solent - is Chichester Harbour and Poole Harbour part of the Solent area

Is southampton water part of it?

Also where are the fastest tides - and what speed do they run at?

D

 

[RichardTaylor]

The length is substantially more at around 20 miles - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solent

IMO the Solent is roughly the area of sea bounded by taking northerly lines from the Needles at the western end and Bembridge at the eastern end to the UK mainland.

Edit: at the western end I would say it is Hurst Point

 

[macd]

http://www.solentpedia.info/

It has it at 30 miles by 0.75 to 4miles.

There's an audit of recreational use here: http://www.solentforum.org/forum/sub_groups/Recreation_Group/

 

[dylanwinter]

http://www.solentpedia.info/

It has it at 30 miles by 0.75 to 4miles.

There's an audit of recreational use here: http://www.solentforum.org/forum/sub_groups/Recreation_Group/

Jolly good

that report says 20,000 berths

50,000 RYA members and affliates via club membership (if I am reading it correctly)

blimey

D

 

[stevepick]

Back of an envelope calculation gives appx 3400 marina berths and the crown estate says 5500 moorings ( not all leisure boat moorings ) in Scotland. So around 6-7000 leisure boats in Scotland. No wonder it seems empty.

 

[dylanwinter]

Back of an envelope calculation gives appx 3400 marina berths and the crown estate says 5500 moorings ( not all leisure boat moorings ) in Scotland. So around 6-7000 leisure boats in Scotland. No wonder it seems empty.

thanks for that

does your envelope include all the swinging and mid channel pontoons on the Hamble do you think?

 

[stevepick]

Sorry Dylan, my sums are just for Scotland , in reference to your comment about there being more boats on the Hamble than in the whole of Scotland.

 

[EdWingfield]

For definitions etc. why not call the Port or Coastguard and use theirs?

They'll probably volunteer additional info you hadn't yet thought to ask

 

[lw395]

Don't older charts have the Solent starting at the Brambles?
East of there is Spithead.

 

[dylanwinter]

Sorry Dylan, my sums are just for Scotland , in reference to your comment about there being more boats on the Hamble than in the whole of Scotland.

you are quite correct - I misread your post

 

[dylanwinter]

Don't older charts have the Solent starting at the Brambles?
East of there is Spithead.

good point... does that still hold sway do you think?

 

[lw395]

good point... does that still hold sway do you think?

I don't think so, you never hear it mentioned.
Spitbank excepted, synonymous with the fort.

Solent = Hurst to Nab now, or possibly anything north of 'Vectis, the land of Bad Things'.

 

[boatsRus]

Officially, there are 3261 moorings on the Hamble (including marina berths). If you assume that most of these are full, then add the number of boats which seem to be almost permanently ashore in the various marinas, then add all the RIBs in dry stacks, I think you will get very close to the total number of leisure boats in Scotland.

 

[l'escargot]

Spithead is an area within the Solent rather than a separate area, just like Spitbank, Ryde Middle, the Motherbank etc. Strictly speaking the Eastern boundary of the Solent is at the forts (No Mans and Horse Sands) although it is generally accepted as extending out more towards the Nab for administrative purposes.

 

[Greenheart]

Good point...does that still hold sway do you think?

Surely Sway is the other end, down near Lymington?

 

[prv]

what do people mean when they say The solent - is Chichester Harbour and Poole Harbour part of the Solent area

I would say that Chichester is, but Poole isn't.

The former is probably controversial - and from a geographical point of view I'd agree that the Solent probably ends roughly where the submarine barrier runs. But from a sailing, human, social point of view, I think Chichester is included.

Is southampton water part of it?

Again, depends on context. Ariam is berthed on the Itchen at the top of Southampton Water, but I might still say we keep a boat "on the Solent". However, I also occasionally bemoan the fact that it takes an hour to reach the Solent, which doesn't make any sense if Southampton Water is part of it.

Also where are the fastest tides - and what speed do they run at?

Through Hurst Narrows, I guess - can't think of anywhere faster. Five knots?

Pete

 

[alant]

The length is substantially more at around 20 miles - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solent

IMO the Solent is roughly the area of sea bounded by taking northerly lines from the Needles at the western end and Bembridge at the eastern end to the UK mainland.

Edit: at the western end I would say it is Hurst Point

The East boundary, is the Nab Tower, or used to be when I got a Boat master Licence.

Fastest tide is just off the RYS, just west of Cowes entrance.

 

[alant]

Surely Sway is the other end, down near Lymington?

 

[Aardee]

I wonder whether the Coastguard Press Office would be able to help?

 

[dylanwinter]

I wonder whether the Coastguard Press Office would be able to help?

I think they have better things to do than answer queries from amateur film makers

D

PS - I am watching the answers here with interest

the solent is obviously different things to different people