Solent sailors

DPH said:
Last Saturday night, shorts and T-shirt weather. Band playing back of the anchor. Lots of sweaty people in a confined space jumping up and down, very hot and sticky. The Solent sailors will be at the front dancing in their new Henri Lloyd gear.
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Any true Solent sailor wouldn't be seen dead in the Anchor, it's like the dancing on the tables in the Folly - they leave it to the charter yachts and the mobos...:p
 
Nicholas123 said:
It seems like an insult used by people who want to prove themselves superior it seems to me.It is just a generalization.
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I don't think it has anything to do with trying to prove themselves superior, but a lot of nonsense is spouted about sailing matters by people who only ever sail in the solent, and quite rightly they are called to account when they do so.

Not that I am saying there is anything wrong with limiting yourself to the solent but it does rather undermine ones comments when one chunters on about passages they have never attempted and have no intention of attempting, or ways of sailing they will rareky encounter on their "passage" to Cowes.

It's a bit like the people in a boatyard who try to tell you how to fix something they have never had to fix themselves.
 
epervier said:
Yes I know, in all my years on the Solent I think I've only ever seen it displayed twice.

what's so disappointing, is they still expect motor boats to give way.
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I've seen more dolphins than motoring cones in the solent. But it doesn't matter! They are irrelevant.

As for the "motor gives way to sail" brigade, it's only the ignorant ones. They are in the minority, but like the selfish mobos with big wakes when you're just getting out of the dinghy/up the mast/on a dead run or whatever they are the ones you remember.
 
Bobc said:
When we come through the Needles, we're "back in the river" and it seems to go from calm to chaos in 5 minutes. I also hate this business of "having to decide where you're going this weekend" on a Thursday and booking the mooring and restaurant in advance. WTF is that all about?. For me, that whole "pre-planning" bit, the idiots who don't know their colregs or keep a lookout, and the whole argy-bargy of it all, makes the Solent a a place for me not to want to stay when sailing.
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Seems I have become a Solent sailor... I live near my boat and can sail frequently when not working, other commitments means I am required in my home port every 2-3 days.

Cross channel hops are a possibility that I have not started on yet. Often single handed or inexperienced crew plus I have only just managed to get hands on Boats VHF licence (long story).

TBH Lake Solent is for me at the moment, it suites quite nicely. The boat I have provides some good sailing in the waters available, if I moved elsewhere I would change boats to different conditions.

Down sides
1) It is busy.
2) The Ugly preplanning means weekend sailing in summer are only day sails...(I only missout on a handfull of nights cause of this).
3) Certain places are best avoided at busy periods: Mouth Hamble river, off Yarmouth, off Cowes, off Portsmouth.
4) High proportion of idiots

Apart from that plus sides (excluding busy weekends):
1) Copious bars/ restaurants available in a days sail (Except No 2 above).
2) Slightly off season its no different to anywhere else high season.
3) Often some interesting sight seeing, different boats regattas etc.
4) Some interesting currents and wind patterns to play with,
5) Easy start point to many other places (when I ever get the time),
6) I can sail all year round.

Each to there own.
 
flaming said:
Weird. I rather like the Anchor.
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You're not getting a yearning for a Quba jacket too are you? :) It was a better pub 15/ 20 years ago, in fact I had my wedding reception in there when they first opened up the stable bar at the back and it was my "local" then. Got a bit family/grockle orientated in recent years - seems to be first stop for the charterers etc. as they leave the marina. Used to be good in the winter with the big open fire and chimney fires at regular intervals for a bit of excitement.
 
Comrade Red said:
I don't think it has anything to do with trying to prove themselves superior, but a lot of nonsense is spouted about sailing matters by people who only ever sail in the solent, and quite rightly they are called to account when they do so.

Not that I am saying there is anything wrong with limiting yourself to the solent but it does rather undermine ones comments when one chunters on about passages they have never attempted and have no intention of attempting, or ways of sailing they will rareky encounter on their "passage" to Cowes.

It's a bit like the people in a boatyard who try to tell you how to fix something they have never had to fix themselves.
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My My you don't like anyone criticizing your boasting do you :D
 
Nicholas123 said:
My My you don't like anyone criticizing your boasting do you :D
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LOL - Gentlemen, we have an example of the "Solent Sailor" - full of knowledge and comments about stuff he actually knows jack sh£t about - I bring you (applause, drum rolls) Nicholas123 - happy to comment about solo passage making and cross channel, but scared after a short 9 mile hop. Then when someone calls him to account he gets all narky.

Oh bless you Nicholas, your timing could not be better.
 
Comrade Red said:
LOL - Gentlemen, we have an example of the "Solent Sailor" - full of knowledge and comments about stuff he actually knows jack sh£t about - I bring you (applause, drum rolls) Nicholas123 - happy to comment about solo passage making and cross channel, but scared after a short 9 mile hop. Then when someone calls him to account he gets all narky.

Oh bless you Nicholas, your timing could not be better.
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What an absolutely reprehensible post (one which says a great deal about you and nothing at all about the person to whom you refer) - I shouldn't think you're very welcome in the Solent or anywhere else if that's how you talk to and about people.
 
What's an ' actual ' Solent Sailor then, something opposed to a Virtual one sailing a boat remotely by computer from somewhere like Alaska ?!

The Solent has quite demanding bits, eg the tides off Cowes & Hurst and the conditions between the forts on a bad day, and Chichester entrance - while not strictly in the Solent - would make anyone cringe above F6 but I suspect the wide range of destinations leaves other people jealous ! :)
 
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Daydream believer said:
Somehow i knew my original post would stir up argument

Why is it that some forumites sink to abuse so rapidly?

Perhaps it is because they are the "solent sailors" i was asking about
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At the end of the day, a Solent sailor is probably not much different from an east coast sailor or one from anywhere else. Most weekend sailors sail in familiar local waters most of the time with occasional forays further afield.

Probably the main difference is that a Solent sailor will have experience of more destinations as there are more within range than most other places and they will have more experience of pilotage and dealing with commercial shipping in close proximity.
 
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