Where to anchor and dinghy in the Solent?

lustyd

lustyd

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Hi all, I've just bought a new dinghy and fancy using it at the weekend. Where should I go this weekend where I can anchor that there is a useful shore to go to? I'd prefer not to dry out if possible. Had a smashing BBQ last weekend at East Head but obviously would like to leave Chi harbour as I'm always there :)
Thanks
Dave
 
You could try Priory Bay (just N of Bembridge) though there's nothing terribly exciting on the shore. The bay itself is quite shallow, not a problem with shoal draft and/or neap tide.
Newtown - there is a beach on the W side of the entrance which apparently can be BBQ'd upon, although if you try this on a Spring ebb you might find yourself proceeding rapidly in a sort of Lymington direction. If feeling adventurous you can use the dinghy to get to the pub, care here as the mud is extensive and of a special quality, apart from which it's still a longish walk, and I understand booking is advisable.
 
lustyd said:
Thanks, where would you anchor there, outside the creek?
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Near the start box (platform) hard to miss in daylight. You can go into the ruver just opposite RVYC/Wightlink but it will touch bottom if you plan on staying there. Another place now its summer is Woodside bay just west of Fishbourne. Seaview is a lovely place to dinghy in, nice village not as good as Wootton Creek. Also Newtown Creek then nip up to the 'Inn'
 
Thanks all for the advice, I'll have a go at one this weekend if the weather is as nice as planned :)
 
Ashlett Creek is nice, you could take the big boat in there if she is shallow draft. But the club pontoon gets busy and the quay is very shallow (dries more than 3.2m if my recent expience is anything to go by) so a dinghy would have distinct advantages. Nice pub and sailing club to choose from.

Or my home club Hill Head Sailing Club at Titchfield Haven. I would only anchor off in North or Northeast winds and check that the anchor is well set as the holding is somewhat variable. But you can get in and lie against the wall with shallow draft and modest length. There is a tea room opposite, bar and probably a bit of lunch at the sailing club at weekends or a 15min walk up to the pub. Look out for a very busy mixed racing fleet just off the club on Saturday though!
 
lustyd said:
Isn't that quite lumpy? I've never been in near the shore there as always on passage to somewhere.
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Depends on wind direction. If there is south in it then Totland can be as smooth as silk. We have anchored there over a hundred times. Great holding, no obstructions etc. Go as close to the beach as you like. We used to plan to have 6 inches below the keel at low tide.
 
Hi Dave, I thought that was you at East Head on Saturday with a spanking new Dinghy. I was just coming back from Gosport and trying the limits of my draft at low tide through the sub gap and over Chi bar - had about 2' on both :eek: - good exercise to know I can go over both. I came through Chi entrance an hour after high tide, wind over the incoming tide but no probs.

Bembridge is a lovely spot and a good place to use your dinghy. I will be there at some point this weekend, let me know if you are heading in that direction - you could anchor up, or the Drascombe guys just dry out in the harbour I think. If i get my 3.5 outboard sorted today I'll bring it over and you could stick that on the back... I'll bring my ski's ;)
 
Ex-SolentBoy said:
Depends on wind direction. If there is south in it then Totland can be as smooth as silk. We have anchored there over a hundred times. Great holding, no obstructions etc. Go as close to the beach as you like. We used to plan to have 6 inches below the keel at low tide.
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Need to keep clear of Warden ledge, to the NE of the anchorage between Totland & Colwell Bay though.
 
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