Trailer Sailing Hamble or nearby

Zelda · 10 April 2021, 19:18

Evening All,

Our 5.4 Metre Predator rib has spent a pleasant 3 years being trailer sailed from Eastlands Boatyard on the Hamble. Unfortunately, the new management at Eastlands has decided on a revamped pricing strategy which amounts to a 25%+ increase for us trailer sailors.

I am aware of a coupe of people who have left already and I am very tempted to follow - paying as much as a drystack for a self-launched trailer sailing experience - and 25 minutes from the Solent too - seems like they are taking the mickey to be honest.

A couple of the other boat owners are moving to Hamble Point Marina, which amazingly is now significantly cheaper than Eastlands for trailer sailors, but it is not particularly convenient for me and that slipway looks extremely exposed....

Can anyone offer any alternative suggestions at modest cost? - ideally on the Hamble but would look as far as Southampton or even Chichester harbour if the price was right. Not necessarily opposed to dry stacking either - but the additional cost of storing the trailer has always put me off in the past. Would also consider antifouling and putting in the water for 3 or 4 months in the summer. In fact anything I might not have though of - it doesn't easily fit on my drive before you ask!

PMs welcome too if you have spaces to offer...

Regards,

Rob

lakelandterrier · 10 April 2021, 20:01

Slip at Hamble Point is not too bad - just avoid low water. There is a pontoon to tie to once launched.

Zelda · 10 April 2021, 20:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by lakelandterrier

Slip at Hamble Point is not too bad - just avoid low water. There is a pontoon to tie to once launched.

Good to know - but still not the single handed launch I can do at Eastlands or even the public slipway at Warsash - not if I want to be on board the boat as it floats away anyway!

Regards Rob

GuyC · 10 April 2021, 22:10

That's a bit of a shame about Eastlands.

We are in Southampton Dry Stack and it's very good. The team down there are friendly and helpful.

Matt · 10 April 2021, 23:58

That was going to be my recomendation.

Drivers Dry Berthing, next door, probably not quite what you're looking for.
Used to know a guy who launched from Saxon Wharf - he was happy enough, although I seem to recall the slipway was very gentle gradient.

I have previously trailer launched from Northney Marina. The marina & harbour are nice, but a bit of a trek to get out of the harbour, especially if the tide's out and you have to go via Chichester. Steep slipway, so need to be careful when the tides out if the bottom is a bit green, your boat is heavy and your tow vehicle is insubstantial, but no problem if you know what you're doing. Also has a hose for washing off and I think a Cafe (when we're allowed). I really like it there other than the distance to the harbour mouth, although if you go the langstone way, you can pop up onto the plane a little if you are discrete and careful. I wouldn't do that on the Chi side though - displacement speeds all the way.

IIRC they have a tractor to launch @ Northney too, if you prefer, plus a good amount of tarmac'd boat parking & storage areas.

GuyC · 11 April 2021, 07:15

I enquired about Northney to trailer sail before going to SDS but they have a significant waiting list.

Calshot is used by a few people and there is boat storage on site. It's a bit of a drive but on the other hand, you are directly into the Solent without having to navigate anywhere at displacement speed.

Matt · 11 April 2021, 09:22

Oh, I didn't know they had a waiting list now. Shows how popular it is, they have a lot of storage space.

I recall security at Calshot being an issue. Open to the public, and large, it's difficult to police.

Another option - store at Drivers Wharf, or even Shamrock Quay & launch at Crosshouse Road.
I launched my old 24' catamaran there a couple of times and it's OK.
Drivers Wharf is a bit industrial though - it's boat yard rather than marina. You get what you pay for.

There's also a decent enough public slipway at Hythe Marina Village, (on Shamrock Way, not to be confused withe Shamrock Quay that's the other side of the water). I know a few guys who have launched there, although I'm not sure if there's much storage nearby.

I think if it was me, I'd have Southampton Dry Stack near the top of my list if nothing on the Hamble is viable.

As it is, I use Drivers Wharf still. But that's because my boat is a little heavier, I store it at home, have lifting strops to go on the crane. It's also loud (silencing is a surprisingly difficult work in progress) and I don't want to upset too many people when I fire it up, which Drivers is less of an issue with. Another reason why I carry the aux motor for when visiting more peaceful marinas.

Theoretically there's a public slipway at the entrance to port solent. I know a few people who have used it, but it's quite tidal and used infrequently, so often has a lot of weed. But you could store at Port Solent then.

Then there's also KB Dry Stack opposite the wightlink terminal in portsmouth. Not used them ever, but I see them every time I take the ferry to the IOW.
There's probably some other boatyard options on the hamble to - but I don't know them at all.

Tim M · 11 April 2021, 14:36

Zelda, what the maximum hight on the trailer? I may have an option for you.

lakelandterrier · 11 April 2021, 15:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zelda

Good to know - but still not the single handed launch I can do at Eastlands or even the public slipway at Warsash - not if I want to be on board the boat as it floats away anyway!

I'd take Hamble Point over Warsash every time - having used both. Far less shallow, proper pontoon to tie up, parking right by the slip. don'r think there's any difference in single handed launch there to the other slips.

Zelda · 12 April 2021, 12:06

Thanks for all the input so far - will get some quotes and ponder further over then next few days. Made the mistake of working out how much each day of actually using the boat is costing us, which is kind of sobering....

Tim M I sent you a PM.

Thanks again.

Regards,

Rob

Matt · 12 April 2021, 12:43

You have to view boating as a lifestyle choice, not a money based decision.

Limecc · 12 April 2021, 13:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt

You have to view boating as a lifestyle choice, not a money based decision.

?? Every lifestyle is governed by income.

Our current boat was a money-based decision, not being prepared to spend more than £xx on something we are not able to use very often, plus, I enjoy working on my doer-upper at home as much as I am happy exploring the water.

Matt · 12 April 2021, 13:22

Yeah, but I don't think we need a rib.net type debate on the semantics, or pedantics of it.

I'm sure you know what I meant, but you're choosing to disagree with the principle on something that you demonstrably agree with.

If it was just a money based decision, nobody would buy a pleasure boat.

Limecc · 12 April 2021, 13:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt

Yeah, but I don't think we need a rib.net type debate on the semantics, or pedantics of it.

I'm sure you know what I meant, but you're choosing to disagree with the principle on something that you demonstrably agree with.

If it was just a money based decision, nobody would buy a pleasure boat.

Honestly didn't know what you mean and still don't.

I see money spent on leisure activity (ie non-essentials) as what people can afford, or choose to spend. It's a money based decision.

You are right we don't need a debate, neither here.

Ribtecer · 12 April 2021, 13:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Limecc

Our current boat was a money-based decision, not being prepared to spend more than £xx on something we are not able to use very often, plus, I enjoy working on my doer-upper at home as much as I am happy exploring the water.

Same here.

Matt · 12 April 2021, 14:09

If it was just a money based decision you wouldn't go boating at all.
It's a lifestyle choice to decide you want to go boating, and only then money kicks in to work out what you can afford.

B.O.A.T : Break Out Another Thousand
Boat : A hole the water into which you poor money

And all the many many other jokes about it.

Limecc · 12 April 2021, 14:28

Many people don't have a choice. If they had spare money they could choose a dinghy or superyacht according to available budget. I see it back to front.

Zelda · 22 April 2021, 10:03

Thanks for all the replies in this thread. Some may be interested in the outcome...

Moving to Hamble Point at the weekend. Good price and good facilities though still a bit nervous about that slipway.

Trailer has not been used on the road for four years and though it all seems sound I am more comfortable transferring the boat via water and separately driving the empty trailer round. This means we will probably be recovering the boat for the first time at Hamble Point at HW on Sunday.

Any tips for first time users of the Hamble Point slipway? Have had no problems at all launching/recovering at Eastlands, but that has a nice pontoon alongside the slipway which allows you to walk the boat on and off the trailer without getting your feet wet. No currents at the slipway ether. Clearly Hamble Point will be a different experience.....

Regards,

Rob

Ribtecer · 22 April 2021, 11:12

Hi Rob

I launch across the river at Warsash. My boat is only 5.4m but I launch singlehandedly with no problems, infact enjoy it to be honest.

Best advice i can give is get yourself a pair of fishing waders that go up to your chest, I get the boat ready whilst still connected to the car, I then get my long line which is tied to the car and the trailer, put on my waders and I walk down the slipway pushing the trailer to deep enough water for the boat to float off.

Depending on the tide, I either walk to the pontoon towing the boat to secure it whilst I sort out the trailer/car, or I hop in, waders and all, and drive it to the pontoon. It's no bother.

I think at Hamble Point you wont be able to walk thru the water to the pontoon, but if you hop in you'll be able to drive it as I say.

Recovery is just as easy, return the pontoon, walk ashore get your trailer suitably positioned and tied to the car, pop your waders on and you then drive the boat on to the trailer jump off secure it and drive off up the ramp. It may be so steep there you don't need a rope.

Shame things at Eastland have changed so much.

Zelda · 22 April 2021, 13:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ribtecer

Hi Rob

I launch across the river at Warsash. My boat is only 5.4m but I launch singlehandedly with no problems, infact enjoy it to be honest.

Shame things at Eastland have changed so much.

Thanks, that is really helpful and it sounds like you have everything down to a fine art. I would like to be able to launch/recover single handed too (as I do at Eastlands) but will have someone with me the first time I do it.

Luckily I do already have a suitable set of Chinese waders - thus far unused - so all good with that suggestion.

I am hoping to get by without the rope, at least at HW, as the slipway at Hamble point looks reasonably steep. But I do have one of those tow bar extension poles - also thus far unused - which I can utilize if necessary.

Regards,

Rob