Motoring to the Isle of Wight

[Stuzzer]

Having invested in a Honwave rib and taken it out a few times, I would like to at some point cross to the Isle of Wight, obviously on a very fine day! Could anyone give me advice on what I actually do when I am there. I would probably be launching from Lepe as its the closest point.

May seem a silly question and please forgive me, but do I just turn up at Cowes Harbour? Do you need to radio ahead? Where do you moor and who do you pay fees to?

[Landlockedpirate]

Dont need to book for a lunch stop, just turn up in Cowes and radio 1 of the marina's (Channel Numbers on boards outside entrance) for a berth.

You moor right in the middle of Cowes, walk to the marina office to pay. Its easier than finding a car parking space in Lymington !

[Bucksribster]

Originally Posted by Landlockedpirate

Dont need to book for a lunch stop, just turn up in Cowes and radio 1 of the marina's (Channel Numbers on boards outside entrance) for a berth.

You moor right in the middle of Cowes, walk to the marina office to pay. Its easier than finding a car parking space in Lymington !

With a boat of that length, you do not even need to go to a marina, just tie up at the town quay - see Town Quay :: Visitor Moorings :: Cowes Harbour Moorings

Raft up alongside another boat if you there are no spaces. They will charge you £1 per metre. As Landlocked Pirate says, you are right in the middle of town.

Or you can go further up river to the Folly in for a pint. Moor up at the pontoon by the pub. Again you will be charged. It is £5 for my Avon 560.

[Stuzzer]

Thanks for the replies. I don't actually have a radio yet (I am going to get one), but the Town Quay sounds like the one, it is only a 3m rib. I just turn up and I'm good to moor?

How do you moor against other boats, may seem a silly question but don't people get peed off if you tie rope to their boat and block them in??

[Landlockedpirate]

Just had a look through your posts and realised that you have a 3m sib.

While the boat and engine you have got are both excellent, IMHO a trip to the IOW in it is a little ambitious. It can get very rough in the middle of the Solent and the wakes from ferries/Big Mobo's/ ships are going to cause you significant issues.

You really need some training 1st and also basic safety kit, including a radio.

I don't want to be negative, but there are lots of places you can go on this side of the water, wait till you get some more experience and a bigger boat before you 'go abroad'

In reply to your question, when rafting you must always tie your ropes to the pontoon, not your neighbor.

[landlord]

Originally Posted by Landlockedpirate

You really need some training 1st and also basic safety kit, including a radio.

Agreed you would do well to get some training and safety kit, especially a radio.

Originally Posted by Landlockedpirate

In reply to your question, when rafting you must always tie your ropes to the pontoon, not your neighbor.

Correct way is to tie to your neighbour and extra lines to the dock. Although very rarely see other boaters doing this

[Landlockedpirate]

Originally Posted by landlord

Correct way is to tie to your neighbour and extra lines to the dock. Although very rarely see other boaters doing this

Not on a dinghy pontoon

[landlord]

Originally Posted by Landlockedpirate

Just had a look through your posts and realised that you have a 3m sib.

While the boat and engine you have got are both excellent, IMHO a trip to the IOW in it is a little ambitious. It can get very rough in the middle of the Solent and the wakes from ferries/Big Mobo's/ ships are going to cause you significant issues.

You really need some training 1st and also basic safety kit, including a radio.

I don't want to be negative, but there are lots of places you can go on this side of the water, wait till you get some more experience and a bigger boat before you 'go abroad'

In reply to your question, when rafting you must always tie your ropes to the pontoon, not your neighbor.

Originally Posted by Landlockedpirate

Not on a dinghy pontoon

very true

[nik]

Originally Posted by Stuzzer

Thanks for the replies. I don't actually have a radio yet (I am going to get one), but the Town Quay sounds like the one, it is only a 3m rib. I just turn up and I'm good to moor?

How do you moor against other boats, may seem a silly question but don't people get peed off if you tie rope to their boat and block them in??

Do get a VHF even if its only a handheld one.
As far as mooring up, firstly make sure you have some rope.
It may sound obvious, but I have seen people rock up there and have to use the unused part of other peoples mooring rope in order to stop themselves drifting off.
Tie off onto hard parts (cleats, A frame, metal handles), try not to use the rubber grab handles on tubes.

[Ian M]

Originally Posted by nik

try not to use the rubber grab handles on tubes.

or lifelines as someone did to me recently.

[Nick Hearne]

The trip I made on Friday may give some ideas http://www.rib.net/forum/f50/lost-an...ent-57725.html I did have flares and VHF radio.
Have to consontrate big time in the swell with a little sib, but on the plus they are so manuverable
You do want to chose good weather and best of all see if you can do it in company.

[Stuzzer]

Ok - thanks for the replies. I think I'll lower my expectations a little :-)

Do you reckon I could get to Brownsea Island? I just need to conquer some sort of island lol..

Any advice on launching and mooring up there would be really helpful, cheers