Ventnor/Round the Island - Sun 26 Sept

Avocet · 24 September 2010, 09:03

If the weather proves to be as favourable as the tides, we are planning to have lunch in Ventnor (HT 13.20 BST) on Sunday.

The plan is to launch in Poole around 10.00 to get to Yarmouth to fuel up by 11.00. That means that we should get to Ventnor by midday and aim to look around the town (not done that before) and then have lunch in The Spyglass before continuing on with the anti-clockwise circumnavigation.

Anyone want to join/meet us?

NautiSeacrets · 24 September 2010, 10:27

Won't be able to make Sunday unfortunately, but I'm planning on a RIB reccky there tomorrow, as the following Saturday I have to be in Ventnor overnight so will be looking at options inside the harbour for the overnight stay.

Never been there before either!

Avocet · 24 September 2010, 12:00

We've been there several times before: just never up the hill to explore the town. In particular, I'm keen to try The Volunteer which has a good reputation as a pub.

If you're overnighting next week-end, bear in mind that the harbour dries at low tide. Its mainly sand so should do no harm to the boat although from memory there may be a couple of rocks that would be best avoided! The harbourmaster will doubtless be able to advise. You will also need to time your arrival/departure accordingly.

Trevor G · 24 September 2010, 23:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Avocet

If the weather proves to be as favourable as the tides, we are planning to have lunch in Ventnor (HT 13.20 BST) on Sunday.

The plan is to launch in Poole around 10.00 to get to Yarmouth to fuel up by 11.00. That means that we should get to Ventnor by midday and aim to look around the town (not done that before) and then have lunch in The Spyglass before continuing on with the anti-clockwise circumnavigation.

Anyone want to join/meet us?

Hi Dave
It's the 2nd round of the Powerboat Marathon on Sunday - running from Portland to the Needles and back, starting at Portland at 10.30.
Currently we're intending to try and see them turn at the Needles at about 11.15.
If the weather's playing ball and we're out I'll give you a call on Sunday morning and we may round the Island with you, although I think it may be a bit choppy round St Catherine's with a stiff northerly.
Trev

Avocet · 25 September 2010, 10:12

Sounds like the start of a plan ..... I'm sure we can change our timings slightly and either arrive earlier for fuel in Yarmouth or fill up in Poole and run with the powerboats from Old Harry to the Needles (

).

I don't think that St Catherines will be too bad: the island will provide shelter from the predicted northerly and we'll be rounding it at coming up for slack tide. I reckon the east side of the island and eastern solent will be more uncomfortable - but that's why we've got RIBs isn't it?

Hope to see you tomorrow.

David

NautiSeacrets · 27 September 2010, 10:42

What a lovely spot Ventnor is !

Popped in on Saturday, ended up being a brief lunch stop - as it was so nice we decided to go right round the Isle !

SE of the Needles was the worst bit, pretty choppy. Didn't expect it to be like that just there. In the lee of the Northerly and all that.

Fab day out.

Hope yesterday was as nice.

WARNING - the Harbour master didn't have their VHF on, as it's winter........

Avocet · 27 September 2010, 13:24

Glad to hear that you had a good trip on Saturday.

Although our view of the powerboats on Sunday was of them disappearing over the horizon back to Portland owing to our slightly late arrival at the Fairway Buoy, we successfully met up with TrevorG (who had arrived in time to see at least most of the powerboats round the mark) and we avoided the worst of the seas down the west side of the island by keeping into the coast. Once round St Catharines it was an easy run into Ventnor and lunch. The Volunteer (once we had found it!) is excellent for beer (choice and quality) but does not do food or allow children. We therefore had a couple of drinks before eating at The Spyglass (where the seafood chowder off the specials board is highly recommended).

After that onwards round the island where the first part of the east side was pretty calm and only started getting interesting off Ryde with some very interesting swell off Cowes where the waves were being blow down Southampton Water. We said goodbye to Blue Ray there and, once in the lee of the land towards Beaulieu River, the Solent calmed down and allowed fast cruising through Hurst and all the way back to Poole (again hugging the coast for shelter).

It was an excellent run in lovely weather and contrasting sea states and in great company. Hope to do it again soon - perhaps with more boats.

David