A weekend in the Solent

Spring time in the Solent

Clive Loughlin plans a spring tide weekend in the Solent

Having previously planned a weekend in the Solent based around neaps (ST October 2021), my thoughts now go towards the extra possibilities that await those that venture out into spring tides.

The idea is that someone with a berth up the River Hamble arrives at their home berth late afternoon on a Friday, and needs to be back there by Sunday afternoon. With relatively minor variations it should also work for those with berths anywhere within the Solent area.

What’s the difference?

Spring tides are like neap tides on steroids. Both the range of tide between high and low water and the rate of the tidal streams are about double that at neaps.

The higher high water means we can gain access to places that would otherwise be too shallow for our keel, while the depth at low water could easily see us touching bottom in places where we would stay happily afloat at neaps.

The higher rate of the tidal streams also means that if you go with the flow you can reach more distant locations if you get your timing right, but get punished big-time with tediously long journeys if you dally too long in the pub.

The timings of high and low water at springs are always the same within about an hour – so what follows should work for any springs, or a few days either side.

I leave it to you to do the necessary passage planning, pilotage and secondary port tidal height calculations for your specific adventure.

Planning

As always my starting point for passage planning is to make multiple copies of the Solent Tidal Stream pages from the almanac and then fill in the times (I prefer to use BST) so I have an hour-by-hour snapshot of what is flowing where for the whole of the weekend.

This particular passage plan starts on Friday 29th April 2022 and with the spring occurring on the Sunday, but should work for any weekend that includes springs.

Friday evening - Portsmouth

The tidal stream in the Solent starts flowing east from about 1600 and for the first evening our aim is a modest 13nm hop to Portsmouth. With the tidal stream flowing east this plan would also work reasonably well for boats berthed in Lymington, Yarmouth or the River Beaulieu.

Coming from the Hamble take the North Channel to the east of the Bramble Bank and then head on past Gillkicker Point to the entrance to Portsmouth Harbour.

At this state of tide, close to low water, I would definitely avoid trying to cut the corner in the inner swashway and instead opt for the well trod route keeping the War Memorial on a bearing of 49° T.

Be sure to swot up on pilotage for getting in to Portsmouth and listen in to the Queen’s Harbour Master (QHM) on Ch11. Partly because it is interesting, but mainly for the ferry and naval traffic announcements.

If you fancy a night on the town, head over to tie up at Gunwharf Quays, directly under Spinnaker Tower; but not before seeking approval from QHM to make the crossing. Hover around the Ballast Buoy while waiting for permission, and be prepared to make the crossing the moment you are instructed to do so.

If Gunwharf Quays is full, or if you fancy something quieter, then Haslar (look for the green Lightship) and Gosport Marinas are close at hand on the Gosport side. You can always take the ferry across to Gunwharf Quays if you fancy a stroll around the bright lights, authentically seedy backstreets, or historic vessels such as ‘Warrior’, ‘Victory’ and ‘Mary Rose’, and their modern equivalents in the form of HMS Queen Elizabeth and Prince of Wales aircraft carriers.

Wherever you choose to spend the night, a visit to Portsmouth by boat is an unforgettable experience.

Saturday - Back to nature

After the hustle and bustle of Portsmouth the aim for Saturday is to escape to the serene natural beauty of Chichester Harbour. The jewel in the crown of which, in my view, is Bosham.

For this plan to hang together it is important to leave Portsmouth early near low water, both to catch the east-going tidal stream and also to be sure to cover the 12nm to Bosham in time to arrive at least two hours before high water.

Head out from Portsmouth, staying in the small boat channel until Spitbank Fort is abeam to starboard and then, when safe to do so, cross the main channel and head east aiming for the middle of the 60m wide gap in the submarine barrier that runs from the mainland to Horse Sand Fort.

Bosham has no marinas, no boat lifts and access to the village quay is restricted by the tide, but what it lacks in facilities it more than makes up for with ‘Foyle’s War’ charm and drop dead gorgeous surroundings.

On one particularly notable visit I managed to run aground on my final approach and had to dry out at a jaunty angle on the mud bank. The whole incident was extensively recorded by the Chichester Camera Club, whose members had gathered in considerable numbers to photograph the particularly spectacular sunset. The best excuse I can come up with was that the west cardinal had been temporarily removed for maintenance.

The correct way to approach is to stay in the main channel heading north until the black boathouse on the end of the quay is just about due east and then head in keeping the south cardinal to port. Cut the corner too soon and you too could suffer my ignominy.

Bosham calculations

There are two very useful online weather/tidal stations for this area. chimet.co.uk is sited on the ‘West Pole’ Beacon and gives weather and tidal height in the approaches to Chichester harbour, and cambermet.co.uk which is within the harbour area, and located on the ‘Camber’ south cardinal at the confluence of the Thorney and Chichester channels.

The tides for Chichester Harbour in the Almanac are based on the area just inside the harbour near the Hayling Island Sailing club.

For ‘live’ tidal data for Bosham I would refer to CamberMet. High Water at springs is usually in excess of 4.3m. The depth alongside Bosham quay is 1.52.0m above chart datum.

Using tidal curves from the Almanac and data for 30th April 2022 and assuming a draft of 1.7m, I estimate that an adventurous mariner would have access to the quay for about 4 hours. I would be more cautious and plan to arrive as early as depth and keel allow, and leave just before high water.

Time and tide wait for no man, and this was famously demonstrated by King Canute, who allegedly ordered the tide to retreat here in 1030. Similarly we cannot delay its departure, but there should be enough time for a walk ashore to explore the village, find a teashop

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Dries out alongside Bosham Quay (p52) and Portsmouth Harbour (p53)

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Murmurations in Chichester Harbour - a haven of wildlife

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Bosham's iconic church and muddy delights or two and visit the Saxon church.

For those with a stout heart and appropriate insurance, it is possible to dry out against the harbour wall (ST April 2015). Do this if you fancy an unforgettable night ashore at the ‘Anchor Bleu’, or the hugely active Bosham Sailing Club which welcomes visitors to their bar and showers.

Be sure to let the Quay Master know your plans in advance for advice and to pay dues for Bosham Quay and also to Chichester Harbour Control (VHF Ch14).

As this is a holiday and not a mile-building exercise, for the rest of Saturday I recommend heading back down Bosham Channel for a general exploration of the harbour, before anchoring off East Head for the night. As long as weather conditions are mild and the wind is from south or south west, then East Head makes a lovely destination to either stay on the boat as it swings at anchor, or to get the dinghy out and head ashore for a stroll along the sand dunes and perhaps a beach barbeque.

Sunday – Beach huts and ice creams

The tidal stream into the Solent starts heading west from about 1030. Those that need to get back to Yarmouth or Lymington had better head straight for home, possibly dropping the hook in Osborne Bay for lunch and a swim. However those heading for the Hamble or Beaulieu can take the opportunity to visit Bembridge.

I always enjoy a visit to Bembridge, and this is what I recommend for Sunday morning.

Say goodbye to Chichester Harbour and head out until past the West Pole port hand mark and then head SW for St Helen’s Fort and the winding entrance to Bembridge Harbour.

This is a very busy area for shipping of all descriptions, including large cross channel ferries, container ships heading for Southampton docks, and LNG tankers heading for Fawley, as well as naval vessels of all sizes from frigates to aircraft carriers. The main shipping channel is just 0.5nm wide, so take a good look around and then cut straight across at best speed.

Bembridge approaches

I often ask my crew to take me to Bembridge – partly because the winding approach channel is quite challenging and also because I love a trip ashore and a stroll along the front past multi-coloured beach huts for ice creams at the ‘Baywatch on the Beach’ cafe.

As with Bosham, access to Bembridge is limited by the tide. The least charted depth on the to starboard between narrow shingle banks. Stay mid-channel between the lateral markers. Look out for the large workshops and slipway that used to house the ‘Cushioncraft’ hovercraft facility, and make your way to your pre-booked berth.

High water at springs is just after midday, and how long you can stay will depend on your draft.

The tidal stream in the Solent and eastern approaches flows west until two hours after high water and I would plan to depart Bembridge by about 1400 so that most of the voyage back to the Hamble can be with a fair tide.

approach is about 0.5m above chart datum and from a navigation point of view there is a very reassuring ‘height over the bar’ tidal gauge that is physically located to the north of St Helen’s Fort (bembridgeharbour.co.uk).

Chart limitations

Do not be led astray by the charts! A casual inspection of charts – digital and otherwise, would suggest that the best approach is leaving St Helens’ Fort to the north. The official (and best) approach leaves the fort to port, I start the approach near the tide gauge that is due north of the fort and then find the first pair of red and green laterals and follow the buoys in, being very careful not to cut any corners.

The navigation buoys marking the approach are regularly re-laid to mark the shifting channel – so go by what you see on the day.

After initially winding around, the channel runs parallel to the beach, before taking a sharp turn

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East Head in Chichester features a superb anchorage and sandy beach

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The tide guage at Bembridge

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Bembridge Harbour

Clive Loughlin teaches for First Class Sailing in the Solent area and is a regular Sailing Today contributor

Fact Box

Chichester Harbour Control VHF Ch 14, Tel: 01243 512301 Bosham Quay Master Tel: 01243 573336 Email: Rowena.Judd@conservancy. co.uk Bembridge Harbour VHF Ch 80, Tel: 01983 872828