Visiting Cowes or the Folly this weekend

I prefer the yacht haven, loads more room. Facilities are on the ground floor and easy to access. Make sure you know whether the tide is ebbing or flooding then radio Ch80 and specifically ask for a berth into the tide. Do not try to berth downtide. When you leave check it again and be careful if you are going to exit the marina with the tide, it can catch you as you turn across it to exit the marina
 
Weather doesn't look brilliant for Sat/Sun, Wind is West on Sat moving to SW and S on Sunday. Not desperately strong tho', - at the moment. Probably showery rather than steady rain.

Why not ask E Cowes for an outside berth? It's out of season and if you explain your situation they should be helpful if not too busy.

If you go for Shepherds or indeed any marina in the river watch for very strong current at the entrance between all the pontoons at about 2 hours before LW, a ferry glide in may suddenly need a lot more power just to get past the outer pontoon entrance. Outside and inside the marina is a lot less but at the entrance it can whistle thro'. Not difficult but useful to know.
 
Daedelus said:
Weather doesn't look brilliant for Sat/Sun, Wind is West on Sat moving to SW and S on Sunday. Not desperately strong tho', - at the moment. Probably showery rather than steady rain.

Why not ask E Cowes for an outside berth? It's out of season and if you explain your situation they should be helpful if not too busy.

If you go for Shepherds or indeed any marina in the river watch for very strong current at the entrance between all the pontoons at about 2 hours before LW, a ferry glide in may suddenly need a lot more power just to get past the outer pontoon entrance. Outside and inside the marina is a lot less but at the entrance it can whistle thro'. Not difficult but useful to know.
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Point taken, hence my desire to arrive around slack water. Happy with the forecast as it stands, unless the depression alters course a bit. Better than staying at home!
Re my son's disability, he can manage climbing over guard rails etc, just needs more guidance about what to hold onto or stand on, and gets a bit phased if one leg hooks under a wire etc....combine that with his social skills issues and it can get a little stressful (manageable, but often we have a higher profile than just blending with marina scenery :))
And I always contact the marina to discuss our berth. Everytime (so far) marina staff have been amazingly helpful....so that is Lymington (Yacht Haven), Gunwharf Quay, East Cowes, and Ryde. Not many but we are more normally anchoring or drying out.
 
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Ideally either Shepherds or Yacht Haven to avoid the chain ferry nowadays which is a shame as the facilities at East Cowes are good . Island Habour is peaceful and that much closer to Newport if your draught permits. Personally we always head for Shepherds but try to avoid being on outer side of pontoon ( the staff might move you in anyway if its goindg to e breezy as there can be some wave induced bounce on the outside depending on wind direction (ie into harbour) . Traditionally Shepherds has been safer as charter vessesls tend towoards Yacht Haven and easier access to the Anchor tavern etc.
Ferry noise can be an issue in summer but not really at this time of year. They are generally very helpful at Shepherds if you have particular requirements eg elderly crew or dogs with limited access. havent been to Folly for some years but best avoided I suspect as service and the quality has been suspect for quite a few years.
In Cowes if chips from the Cabin dont attract then the eatery next store going up the hill is good but do book. if weather is poor there is a car hire place which might enable a quick trip around island. You have missed the bus festival which was last weekend when a day pass for all buses looked good value BTW.
 
Shame if the Folly has changed (Andy left)? But my favourite times were up the river, mid river pontoon and dinghy across. Fun times!
 
Folly is a Greene King managed house and has been for quite awhile.
Jut bear in mind there’s lots of seating capacity for diners, and average size kitchens. Can be a very long wait for pub grub when it’s busy. (Based on personal experience ��)
 
Newboy6458 said:
Folly is a Greene King managed house and has been for quite awhile.
Jut bear in mind there’s lots of seating capacity for diners, and average size kitchens. Can be a very long wait for pub grub when it’s busy. (Based on personal experience ��)
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I thought it was fine in a basic kind of way. The beer was good, I quite like Abbot.

I'm not sure what people expect from it, it's not fine dining and they don't charge like it is either.

Damn sight better than most of the offerings in Newport anyway.
 
FairweatherDave,

I'd still go for East Cowes, but only IF you can get across to west Cowes on the chain ferry or replacement, haven't heard the latest on that.

If in West Cowes, - NB I haven't been to Cowes for a couple of years - walk towards the Squadron, still on the high street there is / was a trendy cafe on the left expecting cooking one's own breakfast, not cheap either !

I wouldn't be surprised if that's bust, but there should be an excellent traditional style cafe opposite.

lots of interesting pubs in Cowes, The Union down a side street to the water always seems interesting in a maritme sort of way, I keep intending to visit the ' new ' Classic Boat museum, if open and timing suits you might be worth a go.

Have Fun !
 
Scala said:
Chain ferry was fine last couple of times I used it this summer. E Cowes a very decent marina. Always the water taxi as an optionif you don't fancy the walk to the chain ferry, or it's short tender ride across.
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Where would you suggest mooring the tender? I've not tried that option because I was unsure what the best and adequately secure place would be.
 
Hmm, I wondered about that myself, been visiting Cowes for 40+ years but can't think of anywhere I'd tie up a dinghy - the slip by the Red Jet always seems to be full of RIBs which are also probably more dangerous to mix with than the Red Jet ! :)
 
When we take the dinghy to Cowes we tie up "round the back" of the Town Quay pontoon as it's free ie . Pass the Red Jet terminal and under the walk bridge. Sometimes have to duck at high water mind ;). Getting off the dinghy is a bit more challenging though as you have to climb through the pontoon guard rails. You can obviously park at the front of the Quay pontoon but you may get charged, but not much. Another alternative would be one of the marinas, again a very small charge.
 
Interesting stuff about tenders. I was quite impressed how busy the river was one way or another and would want faith in my outboard :). Instead we got nicely tucked up in Shepards, getting allocated a vacant resident's berth on a pontoon and helpful staff taking our lines much appreciated. Proper slog to get to Cowes on Saturday from Chichester, plenty of motoring into a choppy Westerly F4-5, absolute joy in the sunshine and a northerly on Sunday for the return. Checked out from the street the various recommendations here but my son wanted pizza so we went to the Italian Toninos which hit the spot, particularly the Camembert starter...... The pubs looked very appealing though.......next time.
 
Had a great trip to Shepherds this weekend with others from Haslar and even on outer side of pontoon quite peaceful but maybe helped by fine meal in Tapas bar . First reef of season on sail there though
 
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