Solent and nearby during Cowes Week
Discussion
Hi all,
Just heard my in-laws can dog sit for us next week - freeing us up to get out on the boat (Bavaria 37 in Haslar/Portsmouth). Would be me, wife and three kids (10, 13, 16). My 16 year old has done his comp crew and is actually fairly competent, but the rest of them are novices.
It was a December 2019 purchase so we've not had many opportunities to gain experience as a family, so I'm keen to get some experience under our belt whilst keeping things fun and plans flexible (weather is not looking fabulous at this point - unsettled and higher winds than normal).
We had hoped to sail across to Cowes (stopping for lunch and fishing in Osborne Bay), have a couple of nights there exploring sea or land depending on the weather and then maybe do the same in Yarmouth. Major fly in the ointment is that it's Cowes Week.
I'm not that keen on rafting up with a whole load of race boats (I've done the race crew thing and we definitely burn the midnight oil
) and not sure how relaxed I'd be spending a night at anchor given the weather forecast.
Any seasoned hands who can let me know how busy the wider area would be? Is the craziness just in Cowes? Would I need to leave the Solent?
Just heard my in-laws can dog sit for us next week - freeing us up to get out on the boat (Bavaria 37 in Haslar/Portsmouth). Would be me, wife and three kids (10, 13, 16). My 16 year old has done his comp crew and is actually fairly competent, but the rest of them are novices.
It was a December 2019 purchase so we've not had many opportunities to gain experience as a family, so I'm keen to get some experience under our belt whilst keeping things fun and plans flexible (weather is not looking fabulous at this point - unsettled and higher winds than normal).
We had hoped to sail across to Cowes (stopping for lunch and fishing in Osborne Bay), have a couple of nights there exploring sea or land depending on the weather and then maybe do the same in Yarmouth. Major fly in the ointment is that it's Cowes Week.
I'm not that keen on rafting up with a whole load of race boats (I've done the race crew thing and we definitely burn the midnight oil
) and not sure how relaxed I'd be spending a night at anchor given the weather forecast.Any seasoned hands who can let me know how busy the wider area would be? Is the craziness just in Cowes? Would I need to leave the Solent?
maturin23 said:
Hi all,
Just heard my in-laws can dog sit for us next week - freeing us up to get out on the boat (Bavaria 37 in Haslar/Portsmouth). Would be me, wife and three kids (10, 13, 16). My 16 year old has done his comp crew and is actually fairly competent, but the rest of them are novices.
It was a December 2019 purchase so we've not had many opportunities to gain experience as a family, so I'm keen to get some experience under our belt whilst keeping things fun and plans flexible (weather is not looking fabulous at this point - unsettled and higher winds than normal).
We had hoped to sail across to Cowes (stopping for lunch and fishing in Osborne Bay), have a couple of nights there exploring sea or land depending on the weather and then maybe do the same in Yarmouth. Major fly in the ointment is that it's Cowes Week.
I'm not that keen on rafting up with a whole load of race boats (I've done the race crew thing and we definitely burn the midnight oil ) and not sure how relaxed I'd be spending a night at anchor given the weather forecast.
Any seasoned hands who can let me know how busy the wider area would be? Is the craziness just in Cowes? Would I need to leave the Solent?
Cowes itself will be fully booked for the week's racing but I suspect if you head further upstream to the Folly Inn pontoons you should be OK.Just heard my in-laws can dog sit for us next week - freeing us up to get out on the boat (Bavaria 37 in Haslar/Portsmouth). Would be me, wife and three kids (10, 13, 16). My 16 year old has done his comp crew and is actually fairly competent, but the rest of them are novices.
It was a December 2019 purchase so we've not had many opportunities to gain experience as a family, so I'm keen to get some experience under our belt whilst keeping things fun and plans flexible (weather is not looking fabulous at this point - unsettled and higher winds than normal).
We had hoped to sail across to Cowes (stopping for lunch and fishing in Osborne Bay), have a couple of nights there exploring sea or land depending on the weather and then maybe do the same in Yarmouth. Major fly in the ointment is that it's Cowes Week.
I'm not that keen on rafting up with a whole load of race boats (I've done the race crew thing and we definitely burn the midnight oil
) and not sure how relaxed I'd be spending a night at anchor given the weather forecast.Any seasoned hands who can let me know how busy the wider area would be? Is the craziness just in Cowes? Would I need to leave the Solent?
IIRC racing starts around ten and will be finished mid-afternoon so it is relatively easy avoid mixing it with the race fleets.
However, now the schools have broken up Lake Solent and the surrounding area is extremely busy. For example some of the more popular places for visitors are saying they are now booked out every weekend until September.
Try Bembridge Harbour, can spend days at anchor in Priory Bay round the corner.
SUP, kayaks etc can be hired nearby if you don’t have, fishing excellent for bass and mackerel currently, only issue with Priory is if it is an Easterly wind, but Bembridge harbour will be sheltered.
We love Brading Haven yacht club, very relaxed, low key, child friendly.
SUP, kayaks etc can be hired nearby if you don’t have, fishing excellent for bass and mackerel currently, only issue with Priory is if it is an Easterly wind, but Bembridge harbour will be sheltered.
We love Brading Haven yacht club, very relaxed, low key, child friendly.
Think about mainland stuff as an alternative? Keyhaven maybe? Or the Beaulieu River. There'd be landward stuff to do if sailing was off the cards too. Buckler's Hard has a decent museum, and it's only about an hour (less if you're fit) on a public footpath to the national Motor Museum. And Exbury Gardens on the other side of the river from Buckler's Hard.
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