Sat 13th May 2017...Chichester Harbour?

[Martin]

Looks like you've had yourselves a belting day there guys & girls
Great to see new and old members mixing it up, That's what we're all about

I must do that run one day, but the full run... hopefully !

Well done chappies

[Andy B]

I must do that run one day, but the full run... hopefully !

Me too, the Pompey canals is one i want to tick off...

[mattswan2512]

Was the eastern road bridge okay to cross under?

[Haydn]

Firstly a massive shout out to Paul for calling this trip and to the rest of the lads for helping me and the girls out on the water!
This was definitely the biggest excursion for me to date and although we didn't make it the whole way round due to my passengers aversion to the Solent Bumps it was still a great experience.
Will def be making some mods to the boat to help tie things down and keep passengers in the boat.
The girls managed to take a couple of pics but not when we were underway, as they were too busy holding on for dear life and cursing at me. We all agreed that they will stick to canals, slow rivers and placid lakes from now on and leave the bumpy stuff to us!

[Andiac]

Cheers Paul for getting us out together on the water, nice meeting everyone, good fun even if a little bumpy, hopefully get a few more group outings during the summer
Andy

[Paul]

Sorry for my delay posting
New computer and new phone has caused me problems but I'm back

Many thanks for the kind comments folks
The big should've gone to those in attendance with 5 boats and 8 crew with some of you having travelled 1.5-2 hours to be there and some even manhandled their boats and outboards through their houses from their back garden where they store them to attend now there's dedication for you

So about the day:
Unfortunately the wind had increased overnight making conditions rather lumpy so a visit to the Solent Forts was off the plans
Despite the weather looking overcast with a good breeze smacking us in the face we set off towards the main water expanse of Chichester harbour.
As we neared the harbour inlet the water was rather 'lumpy' and despite the roller coaster screams of fun coming from the girls aboard Haydn's boat it was decided to go around the back of Hayling Island, under the only road bridge on/off the island and make for a beach I knew within Langstone Harbour
Once round the island the waters calmed and the girls were happy as were the boys getting the twist grips wound open in the 10mph limit

We landed in Langstone to chillax and have lunch

Langstone lunch

Where we were visited by the Harbour Master .... I was expecting to argue about the 10mph speed limit which we may have exceeded but was glad it wasn't the case to find Andy (Andiac) producing his harbour fee ticket proving we launched in the adjoining harbour as we hadn't entered Langstone by sea so we wouldn't have to pay another £6.50 per vessel for visiting well done Andy

Lunched and our bladders emptied we had a little trial to exit the harbour towards the sea to return to port via the sea front
It was still too lumpy so we retraced our course back into Chichester harbour and headed for a sandy sheltered beach I knew

Chichester beach

The girls were very happy to be back on land once again

Happy girls

Meanwhile Steve (Enzo) just looked out to the flat calm waters, wanting to take advantage of the conditions besides drysuits get rather warm when you're stood still

Enzo

After a short break it was back to port and pack up ready for home.

A great day spent with like minded fellow boaters
For a first time out I thought the girls were very brave and pushed themselves to the limit before calling 'enough'

Until the next time folks


Video to follow once I've mastered this new computer and phone

[enzo200500]

Nice one Paul!

I keep thinking about popping down there again and trying to get around into Pompy harbour. It will deffo be a weekday this time though.

I get grumpy around crowded boat ramps....

[Paul]

Nice one Paul!

I keep thinking about popping down there again and trying to get around into Pompy harbour. It will deffo be a weekday this time though.

I get grumpy around crowded boat ramps....

We'll definitely have another attempt of circumnavigating Pompey this year once the scaffolding has been removed from the bridge over the eastern road

If you do choose to have a solo attempt then here's where you access the canal from the port and study the tide times and heights carefully to get you round

Pompey canal access

If you intend to just visit Portsmouth, be aware the channel can get busy so keep to the LH/Port side on entry because there's been new this year .....Chris Moody knows more so maybe PM him for info

Pompey access

Have a great trip

[chris moody]

QHM have now made bar buoy no 4 (a port hand lateral mark) a traffic separation buoy for the small Boat Channel (which previously ended at BC Outer but now extends out to bar buoy 4). Small vessels under 20m need to keep bar buoy 4 on their port side both entering and leaving the harbour. Previously you could pass either side of Bar buoy 4 both entering and leaving harbour

[chris moody]

Here is the LNTM http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/qhm/portsmo ... nel-update