When anchoring off Selsey and East Head can you dink in to the shore

shmoo

shmoo

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We are thinking of stopping round about Selsey and/or East Head on the outward leg of our summer cruise this year. We now have a small dog on the crew so need to get ashore more than in previous years.

Are there feasible dinghy landings from these anchoring spots?
 
At East Head you won't need the dink - you can walk ashore across all the anchored boats ...

Not tried selsey ...
 
Re: When anchoring off Selsey and East Head can you dink in to the sho

East head is fine for a small tender just drag it up the beach or you can swim over if you are brave (and a strong swimmer / learnt the hard way)
 
Look at the charts and you will find that rounding Selsey thro the Looe Channel is difficult enough for a stranger - rocks and crabpots to avoid - yet still too far from the shore to contemplate a safe landing, even if you find a sheltered anchorage. And yes, I've heard of the (Very Close) Inshore Passage but haven't tried it - advice welcome!

East Head offers a sandy beach in a sheltered harbour, admittedly wall-to-wall boats on a fine weekend but empty midweek; however your draft will keep you some distance off.

Do PM me for more.
 
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however your draft will keep you some distance off.

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Look at the charts please:

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Take heed of your own advice ...

I've anchored at East Head and swum ashore with a 6' draft boat - it isn't far ... I don't need to look at the chart - if you get the right spot you can put someone ashore from the bow without getting their feet wet!

Don't PM me for more ... ask here for those with apparently far more experience than yourself.
 
There are anchoring places in Chichester Harbour that don't get as manic as East Head on a sunny weekend. Off Thorney Island for instance or at the bottom of Itchenor Reach. However, if EH is wall to wall then these will likely be holding the overspill!
 
Pilsey Island is another favourite spot - but technically you cannot go above the HW line as it is a nesting place for birds.
Thorney Channel is superb holding - but nowhere really to land - unless you go to the sailing club (clear up the dogs mess please!) - the Island is a military base but does have a public footpath around the outside.
Itchenor Reach is ok too - nice and sheltered - can get direct ashore at HW +- a couple of hours, but other than that you're stuck with going up to the HM pontoon - which is quite a trip in a tender from the anchorage.
 
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Look at the charts and you will find that rounding Selsey thro the Looe Channel is difficult enough for a stranger - rocks and crabpots to avoid - yet still too far from the shore to contemplate a safe landing, even if you find a sheltered anchorage. And yes, I've heard of the (Very Close) Inshore Passage but haven't tried it - advice welcome!


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We've been through the Looe a few times, including at night - sailing with the prop safely folded. I wasn't planning on anchoring in the Looe! I was thinking more about anchoring a bit north: up by the lifeboat.
 
Re: When anchoring off Selsey and East Head can you dink in to the sho

There were certainly a load on Sunday ... don't recall too many there friday night and Monday was about the same as Sunday ... didn't go out Sat as we were busy cleaning ... and cleaning .... and cleaning ....
 
Re: When anchoring off Selsey and East Head can you dink in to the sho

Lets not forget the OP requirement, he needs to anchor, get ashore with pooch, and not be too far up the harbour. That makes East Head just about the only possibility, although I would be happy to be introduced to other places.
 
Re: When anchoring off Selsey and East Head can you dink in to the sho

The pooch bit reminds me of last summer at East Head, family having a nice bbq (locals I guess as they all came over in small launches) when little Sam stumbled upon a carrier bag of dog poo and found it extremely funny to chase his mum, dad and other guests around the beach until one of the parents floored him.

I have to admit I had tears rolling down my face watching all the grown adults running from this little kid once they realised what was in the bag...
 
Re: When anchoring off Selsey and East Head can you dink in to the sho

Re your original question. You could depending on the conditions anchor in Bracklesham bay front of Hayling Island and go ashore by dink? You could even contact HISC and use one of their moorings right outside their humble little yacht club in the entrance to Chi harbour? You could go up to Emsworth where you could pick up either the waiting pontoon mid stream or the town quay floating jetty (This one does dry out l-w-s). There is Sparks or Northeney marina, although you would not be able to anchor in either of those but is another option? And as others have said anchor opposite Thorney Island by the sailing club jetty or Ichenor reach or go up to Bosham (dries near harbour wall) or Birdham or Chichester Marina.
 
Re: When anchoring off Selsey and East Head can you dink in to the sho

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And as others have said anchor opposite Thorney Island by the sailing club jetty

[/ QUOTE ] Erm - not quite - you have to be south of the moorings ... or north of the moorings .... /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
 
Re: When anchoring off Selsey and East Head can you dink in to the sho

Thanks - useful stuff here. Bracklesham bay, outside sounds good. I hadn't realized how busy East Head gets

By the way...
We always clean up after the dog. As new dog owners we can still remember how much we resented coming across dog poo on pristine beaches. We collect it in a compost-able bag, add a stone, and then deep-six it at a suitable spot well off-shore on next leg of the trip.
 
Re: When anchoring off Selsey and East Head can you dink in to the sho

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Bracklesham bay, outside sounds good. I hadn't realized how busy East Head gets

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I would seriously check your charts before anchoring in Bracklesham bay .... the only boats I see anchored outside the harbour (either Bracklesham bay or Hayling Bay) are
1) committee boats for racing
2) angling boats

must be a very good reason!... probably something to do with the shallows, long way to shore and the swell/breakers ... !
 
Re: When anchoring off Selsey and East Head can you dink in to the sho

Bracklesham or Hayling will be fine. So long as there has been about two days of fine settled weather and there is only 2 -3 knts of northerly breeze. Otherwise there will be a very uncomfortable swell. East Head will be your best bet, trust us!
 
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