What is the best protected Anchorage in the south?

Seven Spades

Seven Spades

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What is the best place to hole up with 3G on the south coast? Just trying to think of a free anchorage that does not require me to move if the wind moves.
 
Chichester Harbour!

Failing that, Osborne Bay, though can be a bit bouncy in a big but rare northerly blow.

Salcombe, though they charge a little, after which I suppose it's Falmouth, Fowey, Helford, etc.
 
Newtown might be alright out of season, most of the year it's quite busy and the holding can be very poor, so highly likely you'll have a stressful time in a blow with other boats dragging even if you don't.
Everywhere else of any use for wind in every direction is basically not free.
The winds we've been having lately are not ideal for saving a few quid on mooring fees or harbour dues..
 
The only places I can think of west of Torbay are a few spots on the river Lynher and Tamar above Plymouth. There are also some good anchorages in the lower rivers which would be dodgy in certain conditions.

Snug spots in Dartmouth, Salcombe Fowey and the Fal as well but all require harbour dues to be paid.
 
Dover outer harbour was a well sheltered spot but they stopped anchorage there while they built the new marina. That is finished now so I assume it is available again. There was a charge but I dont think they used to collect?
 
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Seven Spades said:
What is the best place to hole up with 3G on the south coast? Just trying to think of a free anchorage that does not require me to move if the wind moves.
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Do you need to self-isolate due to coronavirus?

Upper reaches of the Tamar or Fal would suit. Plenty of nice wee places off the north of France.

I've had cracking 4G on Orkney but that does not fit your geographic requirements.
 
What is this "3G" of which you speak...?

Don't know what your draft is or whether taking the ground is feasible.

My limited experience of Newtown suggest that holding in a blow is remarkably poor. So bad that after a stressful day last summer we no longer go in at all if I'm told it's "a bit blowy". Mooring buoy a better option. East Head in Chi Harbour not bad under some condtions. Osborne suggested above is very rolly at times (shipping). Mooring buoys in Beaulieu River definitely an option.
 
burgundyben said:
Newtown.

3G fine in both, in fact, mostly round IOW 4G is fine too.
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Has it improved in the past few years? I recall about 5(?) years ago I spent a few days up the clamerkin lake end and there was no vodafone signal. I got something from Three hoisting the portable lte router up the mast which was about the only time I got better service from Three than from vodafone.

I'd think Newtown would be suboptimal if looking for a free long-term berth: You have the constant worry of others anchoring too close/not well enough and mr. National Trust will be knocking on the hull for a donation every morning.
 
laika said:
Has it improved in the past few years? I recall about 5(?) years ago I spent a few days up the clamerkin lake end and there was no vodafone signal. I got something from Three hoisting the portable lte router up the mast which was about the only time I got better service from Three than from vodafone.

I'd think Newtown would be suboptimal if looking for a free long-term berth: You have the constant worry of others anchoring too close/not well enough and mr. National Trust will be knocking on the hull for a donation every morning.
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This summer I couln't get a decent Vodafone signal, but a 3 data chip worked well.

+1 to your other comments. Extraordinary number of knocks in there on busy summer nights, hence I only tend to use it out of season. When, of course it is a wonderful place :)
 
You are all correct of course. Newtown is an absolutely terrible anchorage. I wouldn't recommend anyone to make more than a lunch time stop. It's very shallow so you are bound to dry and fall over at 3 o'clock in the morning. There's no pub/restaurant within a mile and shops are non-existent. The NT warden is a true harridan who just won't leave you alone. The constantly changing tide is a nightmare and as for phone signal, forget it.
 
Chichester isn't free - you'll get stung for harbour dues, but as a place to sit out a blow, you could do a lot worse than the mid-channel pontoon at the top of Emsworth Creek. Decent holding at East Head, but it can get bumpy in a strong westerly. If you aren't familiar with CH, study the chart before going in and don't cut corners - there's an uncomfortable and embarrassed-looking boat parked up on the Winner about once a month. Also avoid entering or leaving on the ebb with a strong wind over tide.

Plenty of places in Poole Harbour, which I believe are free. I sat out a nasty 7 off Goatshorn Point once, then there's South Deep, though not very deep if you've a big fin. I wouldn't want to be in Studland Bay, it can get quite bumpy in a blow and if it's calm, you get stinkpotters and jetskis charging around, making all the wake they know how.

Last time I looked, I was struggling to get any sort of signal in Newton Creek. Holding is a bit of a lottery. My anchor - an oversized Delta - wouldn't bite at all in one spot, but grabbed hard a few feet away. There are deep spots, but with my bilge keeper, I rather enjoy being out of the way of the big boys. I rather suspect it may be one of alahol's favourite spots, which may or may not be a good thing... He is right about shopping, though.

Again, as long as you can take the ground, there's a pool opposite Island Harbour on the Medina that could provide a safe spot in almost any weather. A deeper draft could probably squeeze in on the edge of the channel except at a big Spring. No idea about signal strength, though.
 
alahol2 said:
You are all correct of course. Newtown is an absolutely terrible anchorage. I wouldn't recommend anyone to make more than a lunch time stop. It's very shallow so you are bound to dry and fall over at 3 o'clock in the morning. There's no pub/restaurant within a mile and shops are non-existent. The NT warden is a true harridan who just won't leave you alone. The constantly changing tide is a nightmare and as for phone signal, forget it.
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How Shallow it is depends on draft of the boat!

Pub, New Inn, is less than a mile from the quay at the boatyard. Its open and a lovely pub selling nice food.

Village shop, bread, groceries, beer, newspapers is about 500 mtrs further on from the pub.

EE coverage is fine.

NT Man lovely!
 
Stemar said:
Plenty of places in Poole Harbour, which I believe are free. I sat out a nasty 7 off Goatshorn Point once
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I also once sought respite from a nasty 7 off Goathorn point. I was only there for a few hours rest before running to Lymington and no-one hit me up for harbour dues but looking now I think they are chargeable, but will hardly break the bank if paid weekly:
Poole Harbour Commissioners
 
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