The Solent is now Full

[Pete7]

Well having been very politely turfed out of Lymington in the nicest possible way I can confirm that the Solent is now full for the bank holiday weekend. Beaulieu and Yarmouth also fully booked. Dread to think what it's like in Yarmouth as even the buoys outside look full occupied so inside must be chocka.

Don't forget the powerboats departing Cowes for Torquay on Sunday at 0930 hrs. Might give someone a bit of a surprise if they are out for a gentle cruise.

Pete

 

[ancient mariner]

Why on earth try and go anywhere on a Bank Holiday Weekend??

Similarly... . beggars belief the motorists who cram the roads and then complain that they cannot get to where they are wanting to get to at this time of year.... just as everyone else is trying to do the same - Doh!

Best to stay at home... that is what we locals do in the West Country at this time of year... don't move an inch.

 

[pvb]

Similar situation on the east coast, with Suffolk Yacht Harbour turning people away this week because the 550-berth marina was full.

 

[BlackJacksGaff]

Only two weeks and it'll be empty again. Going to have a day on the mooring and go paddle boarding

 

[Pete7]

Why on earth try and go anywhere on a Bank Holiday Weekend??

Oh you can get away, just need to think of somewhere most folk either won't or can't reach. We are sat in Hurst Castle. Some of the other places to escape are listed on tight wad sailors website;

http://www.troppo.co.uk/tightwad/tightwad.htm

 

[jac]

Well having been very politely turfed out of Lymington in the nicest possible way I can confirm that the Solent is now full for the bank holiday weekend. Beaulieu and Yarmouth also fully booked. Dread to think what it's like in Yarmouth as even the buoys outside look full occupied so inside must be chocka.

Don't forget the powerboats departing Cowes for Torquay on Sunday at 0930 hrs. Might give someone a bit of a surprise if they are out for a gentle cruise.

Pete

I believe that Yarmouth have 3 rallies booked in this weekend, that must take a good chunk of the free mooring before you even get to the pre-booked.

Agree though with the other comments. Not a time to travel!

 

[AngusMcDoon]

Bags of space in the Isle of Man, despite there being some motorbikey thing going on. Still empty visitor's mooring in Port St Mary, even though there are only 3.

Oh not to be at the busy end of the country now a bank holiday is here

 

[doug748]

The good news is that it is going to be sunny and calm so you can anchor where you please, without the usual 6 foot swell and August Bank Holiday horizontal rain.

 

[BelleSerene]

Solent marinas may be full, but the Solent won't. Find a windward shore somewhere to anchor up for the night, and enjoy a morning sail. By lunchtime those marina berths will have been vacated and you can take one.

Alternatively, the Solent being overcrowded and the weather being fair, you could venture afield a little.

Or anchor off the Bramble bank for the weekend and gaze upon the hordes surrounding you.

 

[Georgio]

I can confirm that the Solent is now full

Pete

That's why I'm waiting for the tide to drop so I can jetwash the bottom, tomorrow will be some more gentle maintainence.

Doesn't look like a lot of wind so I'll save my sailing for less crowded and breezy days.

 

[Colvic Watson]

With this weather just how horrendous will Studland be I reckon you'll be able to walk ashore across the anchored boats and at least half of them will be playing loud music. Much as I love Studland I'm glad we're somewhere else this weekend.

 

[MoodySabre]

Surely this is caused by boat owners not telling their Marina that they are away and marinas not knowing there are available spaces. There are not suddenly hundreds more boats.

 

[Robert Wilson]

I have a mooring in front of my house, and my other one in the Loch. £5 a night each, for as long as you like.

I saw two boats in the bay yesterday - quite busy..................

 

[laika]

Looked at the gribs. Saw we wouldn't be getting very far even if we wanted to fight the horde. Volunteered to work monday in exchange for a day in lieu. Or passing through the Looe at least. East Head might be a bit quieter the following sunday night

 

[Arcady]

At the risk of drifting this thread, I am amazed how empty Brittany is this August - apart from St Malo (always busy) and Paimpol (two days after the Fete du Chant Marin). Most other places have berths to spare: Perros Guirec looks positively devoid of visitors right now - and is offering a third night free if you pay for two nights.

August is usually busy in France - I'm not sure why things are so quiet.

If you can extend the bank holiday weekend into something longer, a cross channel hop might hold some attractions??

 

[bitbaltic]

If you can extend the bank holiday weekend into something longer, a cross channel hop might hold some attractions??

Leave the Solent? Shocking suggestion.

Even if it is the obvious solution to the OP's problem......

 

[laika]

Leave the Solent?

Bramblemet currently reporting 2-4knots. Where do you suggest you can get to and back from in 3 days?

 

[Pete7]

Surely this is caused by boat owners not telling their Marina that they are away and marinas not knowing there are available spaces. There are not suddenly hundreds more boats.

It's one huge game of musical chairs , only when the music stops if you are not tied up with water and electric on tap then the world will end because you have to get the anchor out. The real problem is no one really wants to go to places like the Itchen for the weekend.

At the risk of drifting this thread, I am amazed how empty Brittany is this August -

We have just come back from a fortnight in in Devon and thought the same thing, all very quiet with a choice of berths available.

 

[Sandy]

I hope it empties quite soon as I am venturing up to visit in about a fortnight. The place fills me with dread, thankfully I am not the skipper and the boat is much bigger than I usually sail on.

 

[Pete7]

Don't worry, Monday afternoon will see a stream of yachts resembling the retreat from Moscow all heading back to the Hamble, Port Solent and Chi harbour :encouragement: