Visiting Cowes

S

simon999

New Member
Joined
21 Jul 2011
Messages
2
Visit site
We're planning on visiting Cowes this weekend as first stop in new boat. Given we'll be new to the boat, handling etc.. we're keen to avoid having to raft excessively, mavouver into a tiny corner with lots of people observing!

I think this is fairly common place at Shepherds, Cowes Marina and East Cowes to be part of quite a large raft, but assume the Folly Inn is more likely 3 at most?

Any experiences / tips would me much appreciated. (First post so please be gentle)
 
I may be wrong (because I don't use them) but I have never noticed excessive rafting at East Cowes marina. I think most of their berths are finger pontoons. The Folly sometimes have rafts 4 or 5 deep, unless you go in behind the pontoons when the max raft is 2 (but check your draft).
 
It all depends on how busy Cowes is at the weekend. East Cowes has two rafted up when busy (I've never seen three), same with the Folly, but again I've never had to do it myself. The Folly is probably easier as with East Cowes you might be right inside. I've stopped using CYH altogether and I've never been able to get in a Shepherds or Lallows. The harbour Taxi will come out to the Harbourmaster's piles and there are some pontoons upriver too (unconnected to the banks). I've been cheeky off-season and used the new pontoons by the RYS for short stays.
 
simon999 said:
We're planning on visiting Cowes this weekend as first stop in new boat. Given we'll be new to the boat, handling etc.. we're keen to avoid having to raft excessively, mavouver into a tiny corner with lots of people observing!

I think this is fairly common place at Shepherds, Cowes Marina and East Cowes to be part of quite a large raft, but assume the Folly Inn is more likely 3 at most?

Any experiences / tips would me much appreciated. (First post so please be gentle)
Click to expand...

Beware of the tide running through East Cowes marina!
 
Last edited by a moderator:
the answer for a beginner to East Cowes is to call (by phone) East Cowes in advance, say in the morning before you set off and reserve (they sometimes ask you to pay over the phone) for a finger pontoon berth, that way you are guaranteed your own space, otherwise if it is busy you will probably be put in a "pen" and will be rafting.
 
Go and have a practice somewhere first. Cowes is actually pretty tricky...red jets, big ferries, lots of boats everywhere, chain ferry etc. Don't know how big you are but CYH will sometimes try and stuff you in somewhere very tight...last year the berthing master said "4th time lucky" to me...I said "no, we got in first time" and he said "yeah, but the previous 3 gave up!" (Small boat, lots of crew and fenders helped here!)

Very good point on East Cowes, on an ebb tide the current is ripping through there, you will be amazed how sideways you need to approach some of the berths. To be avoided really if it's your first time, unless you catch it at slacker water. Just practice in the river first, holding station, understanding propwalk, turning aroud etc.

Another option is Island Harbour, being a locked marina there's nothing funny going on inside. Folly is 5 mins walk, and if when you radio in you tell them you're new to this, the harbour master will be only too happy to be in his RIB in case you need a little shove here and there.

Whatever happens, if there are people on board other boats, just give them a friendly shout and ask for a hand or catch your lines, people would always much rather help for 2 mins than see a prang. It's just par for the course with sailing.

Oh, and book early if you can!

Enjoy.
 
Iain C said:
Another option is Island Harbour, being a locked marina there's nothing funny going on inside. Folly is 5 mins walk, and if when you radio in you tell them you're new to this, the harbour master will be only too happy to be in his RIB in case you need a little shove here and there.
Click to expand...

Is Island harbour that close to the folly? only ask as we hope to be in same position as OP later this year and Island Harbour would be our first choice!

With regard East Cowes, we have booked berths there before and if i remember, they were very helpful and accomidating of our requests, think they also said if we needed to cancel that was fine. they would not refund the money but would leave a credit on the account for use later in the season!
 
Definitely 'phone to make sure East Cowes have space if you plan to go there this weekend. There's a big event on at Osborne House and there are quite a few rallies booked into the marina.
 
BSO Last Night of the Proms at Osbourne House - East Cowes will be fully booked - Island Harbour may have space and is a nice sheltered marina - no shops locally though ...
 
Where to go

East Cowes is nice - just try and time it for slack tide
Folly Inn - no problem with rafting - just phone ahead and tell guys there your new at this and can they help please? _ they are REALLY helpful.

Island Harbour - just check the tides for access

Lastly - chill.....I have seen yachtmasters in really BIG yachts make a complete screw of it some times....we have all done it and will again

Have fun

John
 
Folly can raft up to 5 deep outside of pontoons but that is usually rallies or bank holidays; depending on size/draft you can go inside the pontoons and not raft - a raft is a raft so 2 deep or 5 deep doesn't really make much difference. Visitors pontoons either side of the river between floating bridge and East Cowes Marina only raft when really busy and could be worth a try. Not walkashore so will need a dinghy or use a water taxi.
 
Thanks very much everyone for the replies, really great information.

I called East Cowes and they are indeed fully booked. Will most likely either go for the Folly or Island Harbour.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top