Poole Harbour - Any advice?

[BrAinZ]

Fancy a trip down to Poole Harbour tomorrow (from Yarmouth).

Anyone got any advice as to navigation or where to moor to take the wife for lunch?

[250kts]

Make sure you comply with the Harbour speed limits, 10kts and 6kts by the Quay.
Keep a very good look out approaching the entrance, it can get very busy.
Give way to the chain ferry, it has right of way.
Either follow the main channel or use the small vessel channel to the port side.
There are some very good resturants on the Quay and the short stay fee on the Quay Boat Haven is very reasonable. Ch80
Some of the yacht clubs have very good food too.
If you have the time and the tide, Wareham is a good place to visit too.

[Searider]

At the risk of sounding sarcastic - how about a chart and an almanac for starters?

[BrAinZ]

Originally Posted by Searider

At the risk of sounding sarcastic - how about a chart and an almanac for starters?

No need to be a Richard is there. I simply asked for help and advice, which is the whole point of a social forum such as this.

Thanks for the advice 250kts, I want to keep things as simple as possible, so the Quay Boat Haven sounds like a good suggestion.

[slimtim]

Go up to shipstall (think thats how its spelt). Its up by long Island and has a nice little beach and a real nice walk around a nature reserve. Probably one of the nicest anchorages in the harbour.

[slimtim]

Do you keep your boat in Yarmouth? I'm sure I've seen a Wightstuff around somewhere...

[BrAinZ]

I keep it outside the house, but normally launch from Yarmouth, so you may well have seen us going in and out of Yarmouth Harbour.

[250kts]

If you do end up at the Haven, pop along to our kiosk and say hello to the guys.

Have a good trip

[BrAinZ]

Had a lovely trip out today, down to Poole. Ended up at the Quay Boat Haven as suggested (Thanks 250kts!).

Had a look round the town, then a nice meal at The Lord Nelson (actually would have rather gone next door, but no tables free).

Short stay was only £6.50 which seemed reasonable.

Was going to say hello 250kts, but wasn't sure which of the kiosks you were at, there were a few of them!

Coming out of the harbour though, I was a bit unsure whether to take a left and go closer to the beach, or stick with the GPS suggestion of following the main channel out to deeper water before turning to go back to the Needles.

For future reference, what's the verdict of the channel closer to the beach? A bit risky, or safe if you're careful?

[250kts]

Glad you had a good day.

The channel that runs along the beach in front of the Haven Hotel is safe to use at all states of tide. The only risk is stupid swimmers who go into and across the channel, very very difficult to spot when stationary in the water.

Steve