Solent on a bank holiday – are we mad?

[Adjag]

We’ve only been based in the Solent (Hamble) since last August and have enjoyed some great cruises in the autumn and so far this year. I’m trying to work out options for the May bank holiday weekend – do the “nice” places (like Newtown, Beaulieu, Bembridge, Chichester) simple get full up?
Do you experienced Solent sailors have any recommendations for places where we’re not rafted 6 deep or hanging 4 boats of one mooring buoy? We draw 1.7m by the way

 

[AIDY]

it all depends on the weather....... a decent weekend places like Yarmouth can be packed.... either book ahead or turn up by mid late lunch time.

 

[lustyd]

it all depends on the weather....... a decent weekend places like Yarmouth can be packed.... either book ahead or turn up by mid late lunch time.

Better to turn up at 3pm. Too early and it'll be full from the previous night. Then you have the lunchtime crowd, then a quiet period and finally everyone turns up at teatime between 5-6 because it's habbit from work to stop at that time Occasionally turning up late works well in the Solent too. I've never not got in anywhere in the Solent, but then I am only little

 

[Talulah]

it all depends on the weather....... a decent weekend places like Yarmouth can be packed.... either book ahead or turn up by mid late lunch time.

I agree. Most places if you haven't turned up by early afternoon with no booking you're not going to get in.
The anchorages can be packed as well. Sailing to your chosen destination becomes a nightmare due to the myriad of races.

My advice would be to book somewhere. Arrive early. Be prepared to eat on board.

(Personally I hate Bank Holidays in the Solent. It is not relaxing at all.
We are escaping cross Channel. The extra day makes all the difference. Next weekend it's St Vaast/Cherbourg. If the weather is seriously nice we may go to Guernsey instead.)

 

[ChrisE]

If you are wanting a marina then book ahead, especially if you are coming into the W Solent as Lymington and Yarmouth will be rammed, as will the marina on The Beaulieu.

If you are happy at anchor and the wind allows it Hurst Road is usually not too bad plus the anchorage in the first reach of The Beaulieu. Newton will be a zoo although there's always room outside.

Best of luck.

 

[Angele]

Do you experienced Solent sailors have any recommendations for places where we’re not rafted 6 deep or hanging 4 boats of one mooring buoy?

France :encouragement:

 

[Sandy]

France :encouragement:

+1

 

[mainsail1]

I have found that Chichester Marina usually has space over a Bank Holiday weekend because a lot of their berth holders have sailed elsewhere for the weekend. Nice sail up Chichester Harbour to the Marina which is not far from Dell Quay. Dredged channel into the lock at the marina entrance.

 

[dunedin]

Yes

 

[aslabend]

I have found that Chichester Marina usually has space over a Bank Holiday weekend because a lot of their berth holders have sailed elsewhere for the weekend. Nice sail up Chichester Harbour to the Marina which is not far from Dell Quay. Dredged channel into the lock at the marina entrance.

Shhhhhhh! Don't tell everyone

 

[Yacht Yogi]

It may not be pretty but there ought to be plenty of space at Port Hamble and HYS because both the JOG and RORC race fleets will have gone off to France for the weekend. So take a picnic somewhere scenic during the day and head into the marina for the evenings.

 

[Adjag]

Great, and very fast, advice everyone - thank you. I like the idea of escaping it all in France but will probably settle for chichester and heed your advice about timing.

 

[l'escargot]

Well I've just booked my berths for that weekend today. Yarmouth still had bookable spaces yesterday too.

 

[jac]

Club Rally in Bembridge for us. Hoping I finish my must do list over the weekend as we launch on Monday!

 

[Daedelus]

Well I've just booked my berths for that weekend today. Yarmouth still had bookable spaces yesterday too.

I've gone off Yarmouth - if you book and the weather is vile (ie F8+) you lose your deposit at Yarmouth, other places eg Bembridge and Bucklers Hard understand that there are times when even in the Solent you may not be able to make it and just hope to see you next time.

Bucklers Hard have a mid river pontoon and this now has power and water available (Good Grief in mid river) and also a water taxi (which I'm sure they'll learn how to drive soon). It may be a bit too like a marina for some but I still remember flattening the batteries with the heater one wickedly cold Easter.

 

[l'escargot]

I've gone off Yarmouth - if you book and the weather is vile (ie F8+) you lose your deposit at Yarmouth, other places eg Bembridge and Bucklers Hard understand that there are times when even in the Solent you may not be able to make it and just hope to see you next time.

Bucklers Hard have a mid river pontoon and this now has power and water available (Good Grief in mid river) and also a water taxi (which I'm sure they'll learn how to drive soon). It may be a bit too like a marina for some but I still remember flattening the batteries with the heater one wickedly cold Easter.

it was somewhere else I booked, if I want to go to Yarmouth I can drive there

 

[AIDY]

it was somewhere else I booked, if I want to go to Yarmouth I can drive there

Harold hayles is a good bet for yarmuff if you book and cant make it they wont charge.

 

[Adjag]

Based on your advice we headed to Chichester and spent 2 nights there , including getting up to Emsworth (picture attached - the pontoon dries to about 2.5m) just before high water for tea in the sailing club (with me nervously looking at my watch and hoping the Moon wouldn't lose its grip on the water) . Anyway great advice to go there - as we re-entered the Solent yesterday the were suddenly so many boats about!

 

[stranded]

I've gone off Yarmouth - if you book and the weather is vile (ie F8+) you lose your deposit at Yarmouth, other places eg Bembridge and Bucklers Hard understand that there are times when even in the Solent you may not be able to make it and just hope to see you next time.

Have never really agreed with this reasoning. If you book you are doing so in order that you get that berth instead of someone else. It does not seem unreasonable for there to be a price for that comfort, if for no other reason than to deter those who might book 'just in case', thereby potentially depriving others of the facility.

 

[chubby]

Totland bay was a lovely quiet sheltered anchorage shared with 8 other boats on sat night, just outside the Solent but felt miles away with views across to the Isle of Purbeck, does anyone anchor in a westerly in Sandown bay, should in theory be sheltered? or does the channel swell get in?