Launching around the Bournemouth area

[Andy JC]

I'm off tomorrow for a long weekend camping in the Bournemouth/New forest area and am going to take the sib down with me. What I would like to know is where the best place to launch would be.
I've checked out boatlaunch.co.uk and noticed there are a couple of slips around Bournemouth and loads around Poole. Are any of the Bournemouth slips recomended (parking wise etc) or is it best to go over to Poole... or as it's just a sib should I just launch from the beach around Bournemouth? If so, any particular area of the beach?

Also, if there's too much chop to put it in the water is it worth going over to Poole harbour? Is it generaly a lot calmer in the Harbour?

Sorry for all the questions but it's the first time Ive been to this part of the country and I'm not at all familiar with the area.

Thanks for any advice

[Richard B]

Hi Andyboy, so many questions! The only one I know the answe to is this one...

Originally Posted by Andyboy

if there's too much chop to put it in the water is it worth going over to Poole harbour? Is it generaly a lot calmer in the Harbour?

Yes.

[ribit]

Would recomend Baiter park slip way Poole I think it's around £10-15 to launch and keep trailer and car there, then you can run around the harbour and up the wareham river if it's to bouncy outside the chain ferry area in the bay, I am sure I read, Poole harbour is a 110sq miles inside the chain ferry mmmmm may be wrong though!!!!!!!

[Dirk Diggler]

Originally Posted by ribit

Would recomend Baiter park slip way

I wouldn't, it's crap! Although it's fun to watch the odd fight break out when someone jumps the queue, or decides to faff around on the slipway having retrieved their craft!

Save up some cash and use cobbs quay slip, accessible at all states of tide, has fuel and a slightly shabby bar and restaurant. That's about the lot though, as all the others are private, or closed.

There is a freebie up the side of Poole Boat Park, but access is tight, and the parking is poor.

Just noticed your boat is only 10 foot long, why not park on side of harbour at Sandbanks or similar, and throw it over the wall.

[Richard B]

Originally Posted by Dirk Diggler

Just noticed your boat is only 10 foot long, why not park on side of harbour at Sandbanks or similar, and throw it over the wall.

You should go and give Andyboy a hand with that, 'cos that's the kinda guy you are!

Anyway, FWIW I reckon you're right about the Baiter!

[ribit]

It's crap......ye can be, but it should be simplicity itself with a 10ft sib, probably cheaper, ye got 20 mins of time just getting to the harbour from Cobbs then you may have bridge up waiting another 20mins in car, and a few times I launched at Cobbs they stuck a fu......g great cruiser in the middle of the slip way just to make things tricky.....ye pays ye money ye take's ye choice

[Paul Glatzel]

This link may help

Cruising in/around Poole harbour.

If you have any questions re Poole feel free to give us a call

Regards

Paul

[Andy JC]

Thanks for all replies

Does anybody know whether it's wise to launch a sib from Bournemouth beach (provided it's not too rough)?

I presume there are speed limits in Poole harbour, is there an online map showing restrictions zones anywhere?

[Richard B]

Originally Posted by Andyboy

I presume there are speed limits in Poole harbour, is there an online map showing restrictions zones anywhere?

All of the harbour to the chain ferry is restricted (8kts?) except the water ski-ing area. You should find all details on www.phc.co.uk
The restriction ends for the winter (October - March IIRC).

Give Paul Glatzel a call for authoratative information - when he says "give me a call" he means it! He's passionate about helping people enjoy the area in a safe manner.

Edit: It's 10kts limit, not 8! See http://www.phc.co.uk/3_2.htm

[Nos4r2]

Originally Posted by Andyboy

Thanks for all replies

Does anybody know whether it's wise to launch a sib from Bournemouth beach (provided it's not too rough)?

I presume there are speed limits in Poole harbour, is there an online map showing restrictions zones anywhere?

Do you have to trailer your sib or can you carry it to the waterside and inflate it?

There's a carpark on the Studland side of the chain ferry by the toll booths. I've parked in there a couple of times and carried an 8' SIB to the waterside then pumped it up. The parking's cheaper than Sandbanks too.

RE speed limits-if it looks scenic and has painted posts instead of buoys as channel markers it's safe to assume it's a 6kt limit. Definitely a 6kt limit anywhere you can see a 'quiet area' sign on a channel marker. (this is pretty much everywhere on the other side of Brownsea Island from the town.) If you see a pleasure tour boat doing 10-15kts through these areas it's because they are wankers who seem to like playing 'how many anchors can we get to drag'.

Everywhere else it's 10kts. Beware-it's enforced.