Itchen Bridge Slipways

onlyonestone · 05 April 2013, 20:02

So, fingers crossed the weather will be turning better soon and I will be heading out on the water, was looking for some advice re the slips near itchen bridge. Was thinking of heading out here as its where i did my pb2 course so will be good for my confidence as i know the river. Any advice re these slips would be appreciated.

whisper · 05 April 2013, 20:21

There are some metal rails under the water on the right hand side, there is no where to tie your boat up so it's a double handed job until you get to know what you can and cant do.

There is no toilet in the car park so stop at the services on the way.

The trailers are locked up on the top of the slip so take a lock and a wheel clamp.

Car parking money.

There is a drop off at the bottom of the slip at low water, ask AJ

Don't forget its a river and it can flow well so don't stand in the water on the port side of your boat when launching or you could get pinned between your boat and the under water rails

Ask Trevor G when he is next going out as he will help you like he did me for the first few times

If not then come round to Calshot and we can help if we are around

whisper · 05 April 2013, 20:23

Oh yeah, it can get busy on match days as the slip is near the football stadium

onlyonestone · 05 April 2013, 20:32

Happy days, im presuming calshot is better if thats where a few of you launch from?

whisper · 05 April 2013, 20:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by onlyonestone

Happy days, im presuming calshot is better if thats where a few of you launch from?

Hummm, it's longer to get there, but once you are there you are right in the Solent, so you don't have the run down the river and then up Southampton water so instead we tend to go out further

Had a run almost down to Weymouth after Christmas

Its a nice wide slip but it can get windy and the current can make it a little tricky until you have mastered it unless you have a small rib, then you just jump out, tie it to the buoy and fetch your trailer.

Nice big car park, coffee machine in the main hanger, fishing shop on the way for bait and a stones through away from Cowes

whisper · 05 April 2013, 20:46

Big waves from tankers can swamp your rear bumper so timing is the key

Watch your skeg on the slipway... Ask AJ for more details

paulbrown22 · 05 April 2013, 20:53

Whilst at Uni i was a Scout leader with the Sea Scout unit based right beside the public slip at Crosshouse Hard under the Itchen Bridge.

We always launched and recovered our SR4 and various other boats without any problems in the several years I was there, but think we kept to HW+-3. I suppose I mainly used it in evenings with the Scouts, and we nearly always had it to ourselves then - not sure how busy it gets at a weekend.

Definitely do be careful around low tide - there is quite a drop, and some nasty metal railway rails at the bottom that will happily take the bottom of your boat out!

AJ. · 06 April 2013, 08:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by whisper

Big waves from tankers can swamp your rear bumper so timing is the key

Watch your skeg on the slipway... Ask AJ for more details

Ask me huh between u and the Mrs you are filing that skeg down! When the Mrs dinged it she bought me a go pro 3 black. What are you getting me?!

Tim M · 06 April 2013, 08:51

A long rope is also useful if you don't want to dunk the rear of your car. I hate that slipway - single handed it's a pain because its so shallow.

whisper · 06 April 2013, 09:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by AJ.

Ask me huh between u and the Mrs you are filing that skeg down! When the Mrs dinged it she bought me a go pro 3 black. What are you getting me?!

A skeg guard :thumbs.