Racing Solent ish

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   Scotch Mist,
Brian can give you better local advice but I can give you a steer based on my experience there and at Port Solent. The Port solent lock is quite a bit bigger than Chichester and is truly 24x7 (channel is dredged to 1.5 below CD so very rare to have less than 2-2.5m although it did happen recently on a big Spring tide). On bank holidays we have seen lock waits of several hours at Port Solent. On a busy weekend it might be 30 mins to 1 hour. I would have thought that Chichester would be worse due to smaller lock and limited tidal access. They certainly operated a numbered waiting list before Port Solent did! The premier advantage (berth holder's benefits package) gives you a small number of free movements. There may be further arrangements for Chichester - try the premiermarinas.com website which should say. I think at Southsea they do moves for free but then that has very restricted tidal access. We visited both during the summer. If in doubt give Port Solent a call (which is Premier HQ) and ask them or call the individual marina. They are normally all very helpful.
Now you appreciate one of the reasons I stated for us moving to Gosport next year!     
Regards,
Andrew

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BlueMan Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Lieutenant Commander Joined: 22 October 2004 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 58	Post Options Post Reply Quote BlueMan Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 09 December 2004 at 12:48
	Scotch Mist, Brian can give you better local advice but I can give you a steer based on my experience there and at Port Solent. The Port solent lock is quite a bit bigger than Chichester and is truly 24x7 (channel is dredged to 1.5 below CD so very rare to have less than 2-2.5m although it did happen recently on a big Spring tide). On bank holidays we have seen lock waits of several hours at Port Solent. On a busy weekend it might be 30 mins to 1 hour. I would have thought that Chichester would be worse due to smaller lock and limited tidal access. They certainly operated a numbered waiting list before Port Solent did! The premier advantage (berth holder's benefits package) gives you a small number of free movements. There may be further arrangements for Chichester - try the premiermarinas.com website which should say. I think at Southsea they do moves for free but then that has very restricted tidal access. We visited both during the summer. If in doubt give Port Solent a call (which is Premier HQ) and ask them or call the individual marina. They are normally all very helpful. Now you appreciate one of the reasons I stated for us moving to Gosport next year! Regards, Andrew

Bryan Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Sub Lieutenant Joined: 06 May 2004 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 5	Post Options Post Reply Quote Bryan Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 09 December 2004 at 17:53
	Scotch Mist Andrew has given you most of the details. The lock is a lot bigger at Port Solent. Both Chichester and Port Solent operate a number system of priority. You call in and are given a number. You then listen out and wait for your number to be called. At weekends you could have a wait of 1-2 hours, depending on how quickly you got your call in. Getting back in is usually easier, as boats are returning over a greater period, though it can still be busy. The channel was dredged last May, so you can normally get in at all states, though you may have to be careful on a big spring tide. Also, you have a 5 mile trip to get out of the harbour, which may be tedious for you. As with most things, it depends on your preferences. Chichester is very different to Gosport, or Port Solent. It is a preservation area, with a wide variety of birds etc, and and very quiet. There are some super spots around the harbour, with good pubs & food, but little in the way of other things, unless you go into Chichester. We go to Gosport quite often, and you get all states entry, and very convenient for getting out. Also you have everything around in terms of shops etc, especially on the Portsmouth side. As I have said before, I am not restricted to weekends, which are busy in any event in the Solent, so I don't often have the wait. As far as getting down to the harbour entrance is concerned, I would go down the evening before, and moor or anchor, so as to be easily out early morning. You asked about sails. I agree with what most people have been saying, and that is that the 312 sails beautifully, but is under powered off the wind, especially in lighter conditions, with the self tacking arrangement. Istill prefer it, as I am often short handed, with crew with little experience. I have just bought a cruising chute, but not yet had the chance to use it, as the boat came out of the water last week, but hope that it will provide a solution to the off wind issue. I would also suggest that you look on the Premier web site. I have always found all their staff helpful. If you would like to talk in more detail, you can e mail me and I will be happy to give you my number. It is good to have a contact like this, and hopefully to see people on the water next year. Who knows, we might even get some people interested in a trip to France, with the reassurance of having other boats around! Bryan

BlueMan Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Lieutenant Commander Joined: 22 October 2004 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 58	Post Options Post Reply Quote BlueMan Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 09 December 2004 at 19:58
	A cruise in company to France or the Channel Islands. Now that does sound like a good idea, if I can sell it to the family! It would be great to get some Hanses together, even if only for a trip to somewhere like Cowes. I am sure we will be able to pick up lots of hints and tips from each other. I have to agree that Chichester is a nice quiet spot but our arrival in the summer coincided with an invasion of flying (well actually dive bombing) ants which put us off a bit. Depending on your priorities there are lots of advantages to both Chichester and Port Solent BUT if weekend sailing is your thing then think long and hard about the locking in and out. It has never stopped us going sailing but it can be a real pain. I'm off to Hamble Point for the handover tomorrow so keep your fingers crossed that all goes well for me! Regards, Andrew

Bryan Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Sub Lieutenant Joined: 06 May 2004 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 5	Post Options Post Reply Quote Bryan Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 10 December 2004 at 14:02
	To BlueMan Hi Andrew I haven't encountered the flying ants yet! Hanse organised a rally last year, which was good, so with more boats now around, perhaps it might be repeated (hint Peter!). We would certainly be interested in a trip in company sometime.. Right now you will either be still getting to know your boat, or on the way to Port Solent....Enjoy! Bryan

Eternal Flame Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Captain Joined: 15 December 2003 Location: Netherlands Status: Offline Points: 253	Post Options Post Reply Quote Eternal Flame Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 10 December 2004 at 14:31
	Hi, maybe a trip to Lowestoft or Medway? We (the Dutchies) are comming over in july (week 29) so it could be nice to meet some Uk owners. I hope that we will come with a large fleet of Hanses... Frank - Eternal Flame
	Happy Sailing you all!



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