john_morris_uk
Well-known member
Our posts just crossed. Perhaps it was you who came alongside us last week.
The future of Solent sailing
- Thread starter Homer J
- Start date
Wansworth
Well-known member
Standard practice
Channel Sailor
Active member
In the uk rafting up on a swinging mooring I vaguely recall was quite normal practice many years ago. As was mooring against tidal harbour walls e.g. Poole Town Quay with fender boards. Then along came bigger marinas and more boats. But at first it was just along side pontoons with larger numbers of yachts rafted up, five deep I recall in some places. So maybe folk who have only been sailing 10-15 years and less well travelled may be surprised by rafting up on swinging moorings. Personally (if you do not want shore connection) I think for a shortish stop then it is better than rafting up alongside a pontoon, much easier to get tied up and to get away.
Last year I used the visitors Trots in Lymington, which I think in my cruising area is quite unusual for visitors. Possibly the Hamble has visitors Trots and I recall years ago Dartmouth may have had some.
Uk south coast places I recall has rafting on swinging: Salcombe (or used to be so), Itchenor (Normal practice but only on 5 or 6 buoys), I have seen it in Beaulieu river and of course the common one being Braye. There probably are others.
Last year I used the visitors Trots in Lymington, which I think in my cruising area is quite unusual for visitors. Possibly the Hamble has visitors Trots and I recall years ago Dartmouth may have had some.
Uk south coast places I recall has rafting on swinging: Salcombe (or used to be so), Itchenor (Normal practice but only on 5 or 6 buoys), I have seen it in Beaulieu river and of course the common one being Braye. There probably are others.
Praxinoscope
Well-known member
I haven’t sailed in the Solent area (we had a swing mooring in Mudeford) since the late 80’s, but remember even then seeing that the volume of boats was going to outweigh the available moorings, I remember several times when Yarmouth was full and we couldn’t get in.
We regularly used to raft up both against the harbour wall and trots in Lymington, but often sailed West dropped the hook in Swanage, Lulworth etc.
We regularly used to raft up both against the harbour wall and trots in Lymington, but often sailed West dropped the hook in Swanage, Lulworth etc.
doris
Well-known member
ZBM2
New member
We love Yarmouth, they have first class and very patent berthing staff and a clean and well kept harbour and facilities. They do their best to fit in those who turn up on spec, indeed we've never been turned away. They are also absolutely open about their charging and cancellation policies so if you don't like them you can go elsewhere, more room for those who can (a) afford it, (b) read and understand their policies and (c) cope with a bit of wind in what is after all not exactly open sea.
Bobc
Well-known member
Salcombe raft you up on mooring buoys and then charge you £40 for the privilege
Stemar
Well-known member
That sounds like a very good reason for not going there. Is that a flat rate or £X per metre?
blush2
Active member
Recently rafted three on a buoy in the Yealm. Didn't want to go on the pontoon because we thought we had engine problems and picking up the buoy was the better option. All the buoys at Ditsum take up to three boats and have been full all this summer.
We've also rafted at anchor in Newtown Creek.
We've also rafted at anchor in Newtown Creek.
James_Calvert
Well-known member
st599
Well-known member
Club rallies with boats rafted on the largest boats anchor are the more worrying one.
Although skippering in the Med, we had to do the party circle too. That was a nightmare to get right.
James_Calvert
Well-known member
See my post above.
It's been very busy in Salcombe during the peak season. People raft off the town for convenience and for the beaches. There's a sheltered visitor's pontoon upstream and some quieter anchorages.
Biggles Wader
Well-known member
I have not sailed in the Solent for donkeys years but it sounds gastly. Thanks for the heads up to avoid it!
johnalison
Well-known member
Even as an occasional visitor, it really isn't that bad. The trick is to visit places such as Yarmouth mid-week, when the prices are fairly normal, and/or be prepared to go for less convenient spots that aren't walk-ashore or powered. Even Cowes Week can be fun if you are sensible about where you put yourself. My way of staying sane is to imagine that you are abroad and all the madness around is due to foreigners (same in Salcombe).
prv
Well-known member
Most Solent sailors are averse to anchoring except in Osborne Bay for lunch, so if you‘re not looking to walk ashore to a pub and can read a chart, there are always options ?
Pete
Pete
Channel Sailor
Active member
"Most Solent sailors are averse to anchoring except in Osborne Bay for lunch, so if you‘re not looking to walk ashore to a pub and can read a chart, there are always options" - Well, except: Priory Bay, Seagrove Bay, Yes Osbourne Bay and a couple sometimes in deep water off Kings Creek, Thorness Bay, Hamsted Point, Colwell Bay (for the Hut of course), Totland Bay, Occassionally a couple in Alum Bay, Even Freshwater Bay if the weather is just right, a week ago I saw three in Whitecliff Bay, occasionally if the swell and weather is right then Sandown Bay by the pier, East of Hurst Point, Beaulieu river was popular until they restricted it to just one area, Off Hill head, Stokes Bay, a couple of spots in Chichester Harbour are extremely popular. Plus a couple more that I'll keep secret for myself.
"I have not sailed in the Solent for donkeys years but it sounds gastly." I would say not gastly at all, just different to what some cruising folk might require from south coast sailing. I like it it variety, often changing courses and apparent wind, good racing and short distances between ports. But at peak weekends, sure it is busy. Try sailing weekdays, definitely in the evenings and off season it is lovely.
"I have not sailed in the Solent for donkeys years but it sounds gastly." I would say not gastly at all, just different to what some cruising folk might require from south coast sailing. I like it it variety, often changing courses and apparent wind, good racing and short distances between ports. But at peak weekends, sure it is busy. Try sailing weekdays, definitely in the evenings and off season it is lovely.
DoubleEnder
Well-known member
We were in Yarmouth on Friday. Lovely helpful Harbour Master crew in little boats, excellent showers and loos, nice staff in the building, they sell toothpaste etc and have a water cooler to fill your bottles. And I like the town.
Lymington hmm for the first time we went on a finger at the town quay in front of literally hundreds of people, Saturday afternoon. No security, just a sign saying Restricted Access. All afternoon and evening the area was absolutely jammed, as was most of the town. A bit unpleasant really. The loos and showers are not a patch on Yarmouth, quite basic. We had a very good dinner at Fishermans Rest though. The weird thing was walking back to the quay from dinner- the town had gone completely utterly 100% silent. From crowded frenzy to a quite creepy absence of all people. So we had a quiet night in the town quay eventually. But next time in Lym I will try one of the marinas or go to Dan Bran. It felt a bit like being an animal in the zoo
prv
Well-known member
Ian_Rob
Well-known member
Yes but the berthing staff were first class and very patient 10 years ago and the whole place infinitely more exciting than the bland Marina it has now become. It strikes me that the Yarmouth Harbour Commissioners who facilitated this change knew the price of everything but the value of nothing.
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Boathook
Well-known member
I went to Yarmouth last mid week for the first time in quite a few years. Called them up and berthing staff guided us to our berth alongside another boat. The wind was blowing us off so the dory was used to keep us in place whilst lines put on. All nicely done and no fuss. Whilst busy, it wasn't crowded as I remember it.
Out of the three pubs the kings head was shut. Quite a few reasons given but the consistent one in pubs at present is lack of staff.
Out of the three pubs the kings head was shut. Quite a few reasons given but the consistent one in pubs at present is lack of staff.