UK South Coast marinas

[agnoff]

I'm an American powerboater who will be cruising the South Coast from Dover to Poole and Isle of Wight this August aboard a 20 meter Motor Yacht after crossing from Belgium.
Would appreciate any info on suitable Marinas and interesting Ports of Call in the region. Vessel draws 1.5 meters and I don't look forward to sitting on the bottom at low tide. Any suggestions are welcome. Chuck

 

[tcm]

Re: Howdy

in general, prevailing winds are southwesterly, so choose you moments.

in my opinion the best area is towards the end of your proscribed route. Good spots include Yarmouth on the Isle of wight, Cowes on the isle of wight, and on the mainland are Bealieu River, and Lymington. All have easily enough depth for 1.5 metres.

 

[Geoffs]

Agree with TCM, but Poole shouldn't be missed. Second largest natural harbour in the world, after Sydney. Ecellent visitors marina, Dolphin Yacht Haven, right in the middle of Poole town. Good base to vist local area, as well, Purbeck Hills, Corfe Castle etc.

 

[andyball]

Chichester Harbour's lovely..... http://www.conservancy.co.uk/ although you may need to take a mooring : not sure if the marinas can take 20m.

Worth a visit even if not stopping,imo.

 

[Guest]

Re: Howdy

Getting a 20m boat into Yarmouth? Are you joking? A bad day in Yarmouth, and you can't get a tender there... Pick up a visitors buoy out front, and take the ferry or tender in, though.

 

[tcm]

Re: 20metres

I've seen at least that size in there? saw 20m princess there. The old trudgey rubbish in there already seems that size or bigger. Would be keener on going in than trying to hang off the buoys outside. Give it a go, I would.

 

[Guest]

Re: 20metres

Best be confident of your boat handling, then (or well insured)! Yes, there is a bit of big stuff in there, and that's one of the reasons it's so tight. Any sunny weekend, and if you're not in by 11 am, you're not getting in... If you've got a decent tender, then I'd park out the front. OK, you lose the pose appeal, but at least you get in. Such a shame it gets so full of bloody boats, it's a lovely little harbour.

 

[tcm]

Re: 20metre boat handling

boat handling of 20metres in harbours sounds dead hard, but for anyone from the 25-50 footers, dare I say - it's easy peasy! Honest!

1. The boat hardly moves in the water, except where you want it to go. Probly to do with a bit more windage and loads more weight

2. Everyone gets out of the way

3 Anyone will help, cos they thinks its more difficult, not less.

4. Relatively, smashing something is much cheaper than on a smaller boat.

 

[hlb]

Far better IMHO to try to make your landfall further West and perhaps to have a short visit to the Solent and then Poole. The Solent would be a lovely place but there are far, far, to many boats for comfort and all the nice harbours are a bit on the small side for comfort with a 20metre. If posible head West to Weymouth then Dartmouth area, where there are loads of deap water marinas, anchorages and best scenery.
In any event get a pilot book of the areas you intend as there full of usefull info on nice places ect.

No one can force me to come here-----------
----- I'm a Volunteer!!!

Haydn

 

[jfm]

Re: URL

Hi Agnoff.
There are loads of marinas, several in Portsmouth, Chichester, Cowes, Southampton Water, Beaulieu, Lymington. I mean, several in most of those places.

But 20m is quite big for UK, so take cellphone and call ahead to reserve a place in Summer. Most will, with credit card

Go to www.portfocus.com, then click UK, then click "marinas in Hampshire" or "Isle of Wight". This will give you an aerial photo of most marinas and the phone number

 

[Guest]

OK, bags I get first go on the Leopard.

I could have a go at getting it up the river to Christchurch, maybe even Keyhaven. Or try Priddy's trick and do it in the dark at 30kts (only without the Soltron, obviously)...

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

Re: Howdy

I think max length on buoys out front is about 45' and, anyway, is awful lumpy place to park. Should be no problem getting into the harbour on weekdays and before 14.00 on saturday even for a 60 footer

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

IMHO, the UK coast from Ramsgate to Littlehampton is not worth visiting unless you have to (cue vitriol from inmates at Brighton). Why not stay on the French side and visit Fecamp, Honfleur (reccomended) and Deauville before crossing to the Solent which is the first area going west definitely worth visiting

 

[coliholic]

Nice URL jfm. v useful nm

nm

 

[jfm]

Re: Nice URL jfm. v useful nm

Yup it's a great site. Some of these sites amazes me, I mean what good info you can get for free on the ol' www

 

[hlb]

So there it is. You've got it now. Englands not really worth visiting. All us lot are trying to escape to the Med. But when no time to escape there Are going to France, chanel Isles or any other bloody place that will have us!! All of course with the exception of Devon and Cornwall which are lovely but a bit of a long way from Belgium. Is there nothing nice'ish over there ?? Whats up with Holand.

No one can force me to come here-----------
----- I'm a Volunteer!!!

Haydn

 

[dickh]

Why not try the East Coast? Pop across to Ramsgate and then across to the Medway, Thames or further to the Blackwater, Orwell, Stour, Deben and Ore. Much cheaper than the South Coast and you don't get charged for anchoring!

 

[tcm]

Re: except...

only one marina in south of france, antibes, and link is old. Save a lot of juice , tho.

 

[Guest]

Hi Chuck,
My personal opinion is that the coastline from Dover to the Solent is a little bit sparse on Marina's that can handle a 20 mtr yacht. Eastbourne and Brighton being the exceptions along the way. To be honest with you, I would cruise past that area and head directly towards the Solent, Poole, Weymouth and also the West Country Ports of Torbay, Dartmouth, Salcombe, Plymouth, Fowey and Falmouth. The west country is truly superb and well worth the journey and effort to get there. Not all these ports have Marina's, but all offer delightful, sheltered moorings in the rivers that with care will not leave you dried out!!
If you are not familiar with this area at all, a good Almanac is essential. If you would like informatiom on charts for the area, send me a PM and I will tell you what to look for. ( I'm an Admiralty charts man myself, but others on this site might differ!)
Enjoy your stay in the UK.
Peter.

PS. Comments on boat handling elsewhere are accurate, tides and winds, in the solent especially, can be very tricky. Marina's in the UK are not known for their generous space.