Seajet
...
For some reason I'm getting a sneak preview of the next question on normal repeated mail while it's not here yet, some foible of the forum works !
Anyway, being pshycic I think you'd like to know about Cowes & Beaulieu...
Cowes; a must - see, also must avoid the first marina on the W side IMHO, unless you want a night rolling at the berth as even at night the ferries go to & fro & ships go past in the Solent.
Much better to go upstream.
The chain ferry is usually very considerate - there's a strong ebb and they will wait for a yacht to get past until setting off - signalled by a ball at the business end mast going down and yellow light flashing.
If in doubt, of course wait. Just upstream is a fuel barge to starboard and on a bit is East Cowes Marina, much more secluded, with an on site pub & generally good facilities.
It would be a huge shame not to visit Cowes proper though.
To get there one wanders through a small modern housing estate to the ‘floating bridge’, which runs regularly and is free.
Extra points if you can work out all the odd noises it makes.
The place has the mickey taken as a lot of posers in co-ordinated shirts go there, but in reality this is the home of serious sailing.
There are museums, at least 2 good Indian restaurants, and a grand view over the Solent from the far end of the town ( personally I’d recommend the ‘Union Inn’ of to the right towards the water on the way, nice place & food ) and a walk around the outside of the Royal Yacht Squadron complete with row of brass cannon, said to be most exclusive in the world; I wouldn’t know, I refuse their begging letters.
Upstream of East Cowes marina is the village of Whippingham, with the Folly pub; there are long rows of pontoons opposite the pub mid-river, and a water taxi if desired.
There’s a very nice walk along from the Folly, up past the mobile home park, through woods then along the shoreline to Island Harbour marina.
This place has a lock to get in, but is supremely peaceful if you have the time or it’s bad weather. The tides suit the lock if going on westwards the next day.
There are good bus services from the main road near there, into Cowes or around the Island.
There is another good walk from the Folly, past Whippingham church and across the fields all the way to East Cowes, beware some farmer with a sense of humour may place a bull in a field despite public footpaths, and it’s a long way, certainly worth thinking about a ( not cheap ) water taxi back.
As ever the 'public footpath' wooden signs and logo are the answer.
Beaulieu is another matter.
The entrance can be boisterous and gets shallow at low water, but both conditions apply only when entirely predictable and one would not be around by choice anyway.
Check this hasn’t changed, I have a feeling it may have, but it was possible to anchor relatively close to the entrance as soon as one is sheltered by a low lying spit to port, facing West.
And be prepared for a high speed attack boat demanding harbour dues about 10 seconds later.
This sets the tone of the place for many; for god’s sake have plenty of meals on board !
The river is delightful, and long, until one comes to Bucklers Hard.
Here there are pile moorings, usually rafting along other boats, or the marina which is mind-boggling expensive for small boats, but last I knew a flat rate, so not so bad for larger craft; small though so check spaces if this is desired.
The ONLY pub caters – or rather doesn’t – for the captive market, see the ‘pubs & restaurants forum’ along a bit from this one, and the current ‘Bucklers Hard – So What’s The Attraction’ thread…
Worth a one –off visit though, and the museum isn’t bad.
Anyway, being pshycic I think you'd like to know about Cowes & Beaulieu...
Cowes; a must - see, also must avoid the first marina on the W side IMHO, unless you want a night rolling at the berth as even at night the ferries go to & fro & ships go past in the Solent.
Much better to go upstream.
The chain ferry is usually very considerate - there's a strong ebb and they will wait for a yacht to get past until setting off - signalled by a ball at the business end mast going down and yellow light flashing.
If in doubt, of course wait. Just upstream is a fuel barge to starboard and on a bit is East Cowes Marina, much more secluded, with an on site pub & generally good facilities.
It would be a huge shame not to visit Cowes proper though.
To get there one wanders through a small modern housing estate to the ‘floating bridge’, which runs regularly and is free.
Extra points if you can work out all the odd noises it makes.
The place has the mickey taken as a lot of posers in co-ordinated shirts go there, but in reality this is the home of serious sailing.
There are museums, at least 2 good Indian restaurants, and a grand view over the Solent from the far end of the town ( personally I’d recommend the ‘Union Inn’ of to the right towards the water on the way, nice place & food ) and a walk around the outside of the Royal Yacht Squadron complete with row of brass cannon, said to be most exclusive in the world; I wouldn’t know, I refuse their begging letters.
Upstream of East Cowes marina is the village of Whippingham, with the Folly pub; there are long rows of pontoons opposite the pub mid-river, and a water taxi if desired.
There’s a very nice walk along from the Folly, up past the mobile home park, through woods then along the shoreline to Island Harbour marina.
This place has a lock to get in, but is supremely peaceful if you have the time or it’s bad weather. The tides suit the lock if going on westwards the next day.
There are good bus services from the main road near there, into Cowes or around the Island.
There is another good walk from the Folly, past Whippingham church and across the fields all the way to East Cowes, beware some farmer with a sense of humour may place a bull in a field despite public footpaths, and it’s a long way, certainly worth thinking about a ( not cheap ) water taxi back.
As ever the 'public footpath' wooden signs and logo are the answer.
Beaulieu is another matter.
The entrance can be boisterous and gets shallow at low water, but both conditions apply only when entirely predictable and one would not be around by choice anyway.
Check this hasn’t changed, I have a feeling it may have, but it was possible to anchor relatively close to the entrance as soon as one is sheltered by a low lying spit to port, facing West.
And be prepared for a high speed attack boat demanding harbour dues about 10 seconds later.
This sets the tone of the place for many; for god’s sake have plenty of meals on board !
The river is delightful, and long, until one comes to Bucklers Hard.
Here there are pile moorings, usually rafting along other boats, or the marina which is mind-boggling expensive for small boats, but last I knew a flat rate, so not so bad for larger craft; small though so check spaces if this is desired.
The ONLY pub caters – or rather doesn’t – for the captive market, see the ‘pubs & restaurants forum’ along a bit from this one, and the current ‘Bucklers Hard – So What’s The Attraction’ thread…
Worth a one –off visit though, and the museum isn’t bad.
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There is so much to absorb!