The Solent at Anchor

[Dockhead]

I arrived home to the Solent last week of August after sailing -- mostly against the wind -- from Finland.

For some reason I didn't go straight to my mooring on the Hamble. I put the hook down in Osborne Bay and spent three nights, taking the dinghy into Cowes from time to time, before going in to my mooring for just a couple of days, then back out. Like that I've spent the last three weeks. I've anchored in the Beaulieu, in one of my favorite spots just E of Yarmouth, now E of Lymington. In between several nights at anchor, I spend one night somewhere (Cowes, Lymington) to buy groceries, take on water, give a good finishing charge to the batteries. Great sailing between all of these places too.

What is bizarre is that except for Osborne Bay, NO ONE ANCHORS OUT HERE. The Solent is one gigantic, protected anchorage. There are a huge number of ports here, and probably 30 or 40 marinas, but they are among the most expensive in Europe, in season. Why does no one anchor out? I've got 100 meters (330 feet) of chain out now -- because it doesn't matter. I'm the only anchored boat along the whole coast. I have my deck lights on full blast so that no fishing boat will slam into me, as happened last fall. There are some 4000 yachts moored in the Hamble River alone -- where do they all go? How can it be so empty here?

[Franziska]

Seems not only Sent specific.

Guess no-one is actually using their boats outside a harbour anymore these days.

I just spent a wonderful summer cruising the channel, Channel Islands and Brittany and have equally the impression people do not like to anchor anymore.

Don't tell them though , so we keep having space ;-)
Found far less boats at anchor than expected.

Spent about 3nights in a marina in the last 4 months and it's been just great.

Cheers from a free and nice anchorage in Lorient next to crowded marinas.

Franziska



www.ladyrover.com

[Dockhead]

Lots of racing still going on here. The Etchells world championship just finished, and now we see all kinds of this. Had to do collision avoidance with this.

Anchored for three days near Yarmouth I woke up in the middle of a race, exactly between the windward mark and start.

World Etchells championship finished here a few days ago. I was moored at the entrance of Cowes Yacht Haven and had to move my boat not to stick out into the entrance so much, as all the Etchells were coming in under sail.

[conachair]

A few thoughts...

For loads (like most if they do actually get out?) it's a bit of sailing then some beers and a curry..

There will be plenty anchored, Newton creek will have boats in it, Chichester, the known places which are popular for a reason, people get a bit freaked out parking up way out from the known spots.

Beaulieau - what - pay that much to anchor?

Some of us do though... Off Woodside for a few days at the start of April
Not too busy...

[Althebass]

Good points raised. So often we're out sailing and asking each other: where is everyone? It's a beautiful day but hardly anyone is out using their boats that are neatly tucked away in some marina

[Jim Cate]

The answer: Heaps of boat owners, not so many sailors, damn few cruisers.

Jim

[Delancey]

Similar in New York Harbor, epicenter of a metropolitan area with 20 million inhabitants and likewise one of the world's great harbors.

Used to go out all the time and find we were the only sailboat on the water. Strange.

Couple good spots to anchor. Never see anyone doing it. Bit sloppy from the ferry traffic, but still have done it no problems.

[Delancey]

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