jac
Well-Known Member
I guess that's the difference. Rather hard to get away from anything in the Solent on a sunny Saturday in August.
Strange attitude of yacht club to potential new members
- Thread starter Jaguar 25
- Start date
I guess that's the difference. Rather hard to get away from anything in the Solent on a sunny Saturday in August.
Jaguar 25
Well-Known Member
Thanks, boat leaves Liverpool tomorrow and gets to Thornham on thursday (assuming all goes well). Should be in the water for March/April. It will be interesting to discover a new area with lots of drying areas and only 4 metre tides compared to Liverpool's 8, 9 or 10 whereby we can pretty well go anywhere on the Mersey without grounding! I won't be sorry to not needing to get in via a lock with 3 metre tidal flow going past. Although I do note a chart warning related to getting back into Chichester harbour against the ebb with wind over tide, sounds interesting!
onesea
Well-Known Member
Jaguar
As some one who made the same move you will soon be seeing the Solent as a duck pond, the only places to watch are Chitchester bar (as you have said) I have never played in any weather but apparently it can get naughty. The North channel is fun to beat out of but the run in is not as good as the Mersey with a Good SW blowing
I would recommend this as the only book required any edition second hand, worth 20 quid IMHO. I know it gets a slanging on here but lets you know the history of the places the boats etc...
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Solent-Cruising-Companion-Wiley-Nautical/dp/0470988282/ref=pd_sxp_f_pt
And a couple Imray Charts a tidal stream thing is handy (they might not be 6 knots but they still make a difference) is all you need.
Jaguar 25
Well-Known Member
onesea
Well-Known Member
I guess its out of print at the moment
but keep an eye out you do see it chandeliers or second hand book shops from time to time...
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Seajet
...
Jaguar 25,
in normal conditions Chichester Bar is a pussycat and you'll wonder what the fuss was all about !
However, in a Southerly F6 or anything more, especially against the ebb, watch out !
If not used to big surf, I'd suggest if such conditions spring up - usually by Sods' Law on the Sunday return trip - go into somewhere like one of the marinas or if too pricey a mooring with Gosport Boatyard and their very helpful launch to and from ashore in Portsmouth, and leave the boat for a week.
I once met a singlehander American chap with a sleek 30' boat in Braye Harbour, Alderney; on chatting and learning we were from Chichester, he exclaimed " That's the roughest place I've ever been, don't people get killed there ?! "
He'd just been across the Atlantic ! Obviously got his timing and conditions wrong when he visited Chichester, but the answer to his question is yes, people do die there but only very rarely.
The shallows extend a long way South of Hayling foreshore - especially just East of Langstone Harbour entrance - so need keeping an eye on but nothing especially drastic.
Do beware of the submarine barrier from Southsea - just East of Portsmouth - out to Horse Sand Fort.
The huge house-sized concrete blocks, usually just underwater except right by Southsea beach, are atrociously badly marked by just the occasional yellow pole, and pretty indistinct on paper & electronic charts too, considering a fair few craft have been wrecked by them !
There are 3 ways through this barrier;
Between Horse Sand & No Man's Land forts, which is the big ship channel - listen to VHF 11 for shipping movements in & out of Portsmouth, and / or channel 12 for Southampton VTS which is like a marine version of Air Traffic Control for the whole area.
In bad weather the largest nastiest waves are between the forts, but nothing a good boat can't handle.
The Dolphin Passage is usually the most favoured one from Chichester, a course of 270 magnetic should get you close; the ' Dolphin ' itself consists of 3 big round pillars with a small platform ( with red can and light ) on top - from any distance it looks like an inverted dark grey ' U ' - the gap is just North of this, between the Dolphin structure and a pole about 100 yards to the North towards the beach.
Watch out for lobster pots kindly distributed on this busy direct ' bee line ' for yachts ! A lot of them have small dark blue plastic bottles as buoys...
Also, if heading West from the Dolphin one is very soon into the main shipping channel in & out of Portsmouth, so well worth listening to QHM - Queens' Harbour Master - on VHF 11, and not loitering !
The channel is very obviously marked by buoys, and is surprisingly narrow so easy to cross into the shallows the other, Western side - look for the Hamilton Bank on the chart, there is the Swashway across it but until used to the area probably best to keep outside Spit Sand Fort.
The submarine barrier ( opinions differ as to whether it was actually to keep submarines out, or submarine as in submerged ) is the only real ' Gotcha ' hazard lurking in the Solent, the others like the Brambles Bank, Hampstead & Bembridge Ledges, are all pretty clear on the chart.
There is another gap in the barrier close in by the beach, marked by red & green poles; but it is out of the way for most boats going past East or West.
Have fun, it's a great area and you'll be spoilt for choice ! Personally I'd recommend Cowes as a good start, accessible at all states of the tide and a great atmosphere, I'd suggest going into East Cowes Marina ( best for a quiet, ship-wash and hooray free sleep, excellent facilities ) then the short walk and free ferry ride to the much more sophisticated West Cowes, and a walk along the front to the Royal Yacht Squadron array of cannon, then back to the Union Inn near the water at the entrance.
in normal conditions Chichester Bar is a pussycat and you'll wonder what the fuss was all about !
However, in a Southerly F6 or anything more, especially against the ebb, watch out !
If not used to big surf, I'd suggest if such conditions spring up - usually by Sods' Law on the Sunday return trip - go into somewhere like one of the marinas or if too pricey a mooring with Gosport Boatyard and their very helpful launch to and from ashore in Portsmouth, and leave the boat for a week.
I once met a singlehander American chap with a sleek 30' boat in Braye Harbour, Alderney; on chatting and learning we were from Chichester, he exclaimed " That's the roughest place I've ever been, don't people get killed there ?! "
He'd just been across the Atlantic ! Obviously got his timing and conditions wrong when he visited Chichester, but the answer to his question is yes, people do die there but only very rarely.
The shallows extend a long way South of Hayling foreshore - especially just East of Langstone Harbour entrance - so need keeping an eye on but nothing especially drastic.
Do beware of the submarine barrier from Southsea - just East of Portsmouth - out to Horse Sand Fort.
The huge house-sized concrete blocks, usually just underwater except right by Southsea beach, are atrociously badly marked by just the occasional yellow pole, and pretty indistinct on paper & electronic charts too, considering a fair few craft have been wrecked by them !
There are 3 ways through this barrier;
Between Horse Sand & No Man's Land forts, which is the big ship channel - listen to VHF 11 for shipping movements in & out of Portsmouth, and / or channel 12 for Southampton VTS which is like a marine version of Air Traffic Control for the whole area.
In bad weather the largest nastiest waves are between the forts, but nothing a good boat can't handle.
The Dolphin Passage is usually the most favoured one from Chichester, a course of 270 magnetic should get you close; the ' Dolphin ' itself consists of 3 big round pillars with a small platform ( with red can and light ) on top - from any distance it looks like an inverted dark grey ' U ' - the gap is just North of this, between the Dolphin structure and a pole about 100 yards to the North towards the beach.
Watch out for lobster pots kindly distributed on this busy direct ' bee line ' for yachts ! A lot of them have small dark blue plastic bottles as buoys...
Also, if heading West from the Dolphin one is very soon into the main shipping channel in & out of Portsmouth, so well worth listening to QHM - Queens' Harbour Master - on VHF 11, and not loitering !
The channel is very obviously marked by buoys, and is surprisingly narrow so easy to cross into the shallows the other, Western side - look for the Hamilton Bank on the chart, there is the Swashway across it but until used to the area probably best to keep outside Spit Sand Fort.
The submarine barrier ( opinions differ as to whether it was actually to keep submarines out, or submarine as in submerged ) is the only real ' Gotcha ' hazard lurking in the Solent, the others like the Brambles Bank, Hampstead & Bembridge Ledges, are all pretty clear on the chart.
There is another gap in the barrier close in by the beach, marked by red & green poles; but it is out of the way for most boats going past East or West.
Have fun, it's a great area and you'll be spoilt for choice ! Personally I'd recommend Cowes as a good start, accessible at all states of the tide and a great atmosphere, I'd suggest going into East Cowes Marina ( best for a quiet, ship-wash and hooray free sleep, excellent facilities ) then the short walk and free ferry ride to the much more sophisticated West Cowes, and a walk along the front to the Royal Yacht Squadron array of cannon, then back to the Union Inn near the water at the entrance.
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VicMallows
Well-Known Member
As always, Seajets instructions are spot-on. However I'm sure you will find plenty to keep you interested within Chi Hbr while you find your bearings. In 30years I have only had one 'exciting' time over Chi Bar ....and that was one of the very few times my Sadler29 has ever surfed!
Solent Hazards and its companion Wight Hazards are superb books but are really only concerned with VERY close inshore detail. They are certainly not 'pilots' or 'cruising guides' in the normally accepted sense. There are numerous large chandleries in the area where you can browse a huge variety of Solent guides before choosing the one that best suits you. (As always, there are plenty of people 'trying their luck' on Amazon - usually with out-of-date editions).
I will be coming ashore at Thornham early next year and will keep an eye out for you.
Solent Hazards and its companion Wight Hazards are superb books but are really only concerned with VERY close inshore detail. They are certainly not 'pilots' or 'cruising guides' in the normally accepted sense. There are numerous large chandleries in the area where you can browse a huge variety of Solent guides before choosing the one that best suits you. (As always, there are plenty of people 'trying their luck' on Amazon - usually with out-of-date editions).
I will be coming ashore at Thornham early next year and will keep an eye out for you.
Seajet
...
VicMallows,
thanks, very kind of you to say that.
I agree unless one is in a handy club, Thornham is brilliant as a winter boatyard.
Andy
thanks, very kind of you to say that.
I agree unless one is in a handy club, Thornham is brilliant as a winter boatyard.
Andy
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Jaguar 25
Well-Known Member
Thanks for that Vic. Kittiwake has her name on the spray dodgers and sail cover but we won't refit these until March. Otherwise it is just a white hull and white/grey deck. I would be nice to have a chat.
Jaguar 25
Well-Known Member
Jaguar 25
Well-Known Member
Thanks for the detailed advice Seajet. This will take a bit of digesting when we get the relevant charts. You advice will definitely be included in the pilotage notes that I keep.
By the way, we have eaten in the Ship Inn near to LSC a couple of times. A really pleasant pub. Presume that this is one of the two that you referred to .......... unless there are better places.
Concerto
Well-Known Member
Any one want to buy a cheaper copy should look here.
http://www.abebooks.co.uk/servlet/SearchResults?sts=t&tn=The+Solent+Cruising+Companion
Jaguar was offered first choice by PM and bought the cheapest copy (no longer listed).
Tidewaiter2
Well-Known Member
Vic M, do you think between us, we should invite Jaguar 25 to whatever ECA winter events he can fit in over the winter when he's down?
Just to show not all Solent clubs are Nobby- welllll, they let me in!
Just to show not all Solent clubs are Nobby- welllll, they let me in!
Seajet
...
For £600 you could afford to bounce on all the shallows in the Solent and get towed off !
Yes the Ship Inn was one of the two I referred to, the Royal Oak around the corner being a touch less commercial.
Emsworth a few miles East has a huge range of pubs and restauarants, including the lovely - but small and expensive, requires booking at peak times - Blubell Inn, and in the other direction just inland the best fish n' chip place on this planet !
There are several ' posh ' restauarants, inc the place towards the old harbour ( I forget the name as being half Scottish I've never been in there ! ) where RN officers take their girlfriends, no prices on the menu...
Yes the Ship Inn was one of the two I referred to, the Royal Oak around the corner being a touch less commercial.
Emsworth a few miles East has a huge range of pubs and restauarants, including the lovely - but small and expensive, requires booking at peak times - Blubell Inn, and in the other direction just inland the best fish n' chip place on this planet !
There are several ' posh ' restauarants, inc the place towards the old harbour ( I forget the name as being half Scottish I've never been in there ! ) where RN officers take their girlfriends, no prices on the menu...
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Tidewaiter2
Well-Known Member
For £600 you could afford to bounce on all the shallows in the Solent and get towed off !
Yes the Ship Inn was one of the two I referred to, the Royal Oak around the corner being a touch less commercial.
Emsworth a few miles East has a huge range of pubs and restauarants, including the lovely - but small and expensive, requires booking at peak times - Blubell Inn, and in the other direction just inland the best fish n' chip place on this planet !
There are several ' posh ' restauarants, inc the place towards the old harbour ( I forget the name as being half Scottish I've never been in there ! ) where RN officers take their girlfriends, no prices on the menu...
D'you mean Fat Olives and No32(or something like that), both places terra incognito to SWMBO and I.
The Italian up by Mother Kellys F&C, past the fire station is good, and Boaters over in Thornham marina serves good basic Sunday lunches and other grub.
Birdseye
Well-Known Member
Exactly. We have had people join with that sort of motivation and then move on a year or two later. We dont want and dont need members like that. We are a social club not a storage space business so we want people who will join in longer term.
If you want a commercial storage space arrangement try a marina or boatyard
Tintin
Well-Known Member
Which club in Falmouth area is this?
Daydream believer
Well-Known Member
In our club - & I am sure like others- tasks are not always weeks in advance except laying up etc which are governed by the time of season one does the activity. It is obvious you do as little as possible. We have members who say they cannot turn up but when it involves something to do with their boat they always seem to be able to turn up - odd isn't it
Where do OAPs come into it??/ true some OAPs are active but I do not believe that they are in the majority. It may be that they are the ones who do the work because their age means they have the time so may appear to be the majority but are not at all so.
"get dragged in for a drink but do not return willingly". this suggests that you are pretty antisocial anyway & clearly a club is not for you
JumbleDuck
Well-Known Member
Aw, and just when this thread was getting all civilised. It really isn't up for you to dictate how other clubs see themselves.
As a matter of interest, why do you think it odd that some members of your club can't turn up at times dictated by the committee but can turn up at times they arrange themselves?
JumbleDuck
Well-Known Member
That's fine. Some people, however, might prefer a club which exists to provide cheap facilities on a co-operative basis without much social scene and that sort of club is fine too, isn't it?
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