Day trip to IOW

[Oli.]

Hello all

Thinking about taking the RIB to the IOW, can launch anywhere that suits really. Was thinking of taking the kids and doing an overnight stay. Never done this before, can anyone recommend where to launch from, which has good parking etc and where to head to on the IOW, places to stay, leave the boat overnight, eat etc

many thanks in advance

[rik_elliott]

You could launch at calshot spit (near southampton) - it has excellent parking and a well maintained (RNLI use it) slip. You can play about in the solent, or head up the Medina at Cowes. Plenty of places to moor up on the medina (some in cowes, some further down). The folly inn is a bit further up the river, with its own pontoons for you to moor on and a water taxi. I think they have rooms too, but are likely to be popular so give them a call first.

Alternatively launch at lymington (quite tide dependent) and head to yarmouth - there are plenty of mooring sites in the harbour and you shouldnt struggle to find a B&B.

I've done day trips like this before which have been absolutely excellent, the folly is one of my favourite places to nip over to.

[L'escargot]

No accommodation at the Folly. You could always carry on up to Newport, plentry of choice there but will dry out on the town quay (pontoon) a couple of hours either side of high tide. If you don't want to dry out there is Cowes, either the town quay by the Red Jet or one of the marinas. Again, plenty of choice for accommodation. Also Ryde harbour but again, will dry.

[Low Flyer]

Wooton Creek(Fishbourne Inn). Bembridge (Priory Bay hotel) Yarmouth numerous places.