23 Apr 2024 New log entry: A peaceful Haven ↙ Report?
- Boat Exeat
- By Anna Pocock
- Route Osborne Bay ··· Wicor Marine Yacht Haven
Having anchored at Newtown Creek the previous night, we thought we’d stay in a marina for the second night of our shakedown weekend, and whilst there are several options in the Portsmouth area (including Haslar, Gosport, Royal Clarence, and Port Solent), we have something of a soft spot for Wicor Marine Yacht Haven.
As you sail into Portsmouth Harbour, dodging all the Wightlink and cross-Channel ferries, it’s hard to imagine you could find a peaceful berth for the night here. But carry on past the the hustle and bustle of Gunwharf Quays into Fareham Lake and head for Portchester. Just past Portchester Castle, you’ll find the relatively bijou Wicor Marine, with walk-ashore pontoons, a small chandlery and modest shower block (there’s one unisex shower ashore). There’s no electrical shore supply available, but there is water on the pontoons and the rate here is cheaper than many Solent marinas (£2.10 per metre). It’s vital to book ahead though, as they don’t always have space for visitors.
If you are lucky enough to nab a berth for the night, you’ll be pleasantly surprised at how tranquil this spot is at sundown, when the only soundtrack is birdsong, and the only hint that you’re anywhere near Portsmouth are the distant lights of the Spinnaker Tower on the horizon.
Another bonus of overnighting here is the proximity to the truly excellent Salt cafe on the nearby shoreline, which dishes up some of the best breakfasts on the South Coast. Choose from sausage and onion baps, a stack of maple syrup-laced pancakes, porridge or even spicy dal…it’s all good! And although we haven’t been here on a Friday night, apparently that’s when Salt light up their traditional Tuscan pizza oven and serve up sourdough pizzas, which I imagine are equally memorable.
2 comments
20 Apr 2024 Crew available for Cruising, Ocean / long distance
- Who Bil Lou
- What Cruising, Ocean / long distance
J’aimerais embarquer sur un bateau pour naviguer autour du monde, profiter pour apprendre à naviguer. Pas d’expérience, mais habitué à voyager et adore la mer.
Je parle plusieurs langues, français, portugais, espagnol, anglais pas excellent. Sympa, sociable, polyvalent, je serais une bonne aide à bord.
Idéalement au départ de l’Europe vers l’autre bout du monde. Disponible.
19 Apr 2024 Crew available for Cruising, Ocean / long distance
- Who Mauro Ceccato
- What Cruising, Ocean / long distance
- When Long-term
- Dates from 1 Jan 2025
I’m planning to reach Asia through South or Central America, I’d like to do it in a sustainable way and some recent experiences makes me understand that exploring the ocean and learn all that I can about boats, ocean, see, and the culture of sailing is something that I must do.
I’m an open mind person that can take good care of itself, the people and ambient around me, I prefer a cooperative way of being, managing the work together instead of “let someone do it for me”…
Ready for a call!
13 Apr 2024 New log entry: Shakedown sail 2024 ↙ Report?
- Boat Exeat
- By Anna Pocock
- Route Cowes Yacht Haven ··· Newtown Creek
- Underway 01:27
It’s become something of a tradition for us to bookend the sailing season at Newtown Creek, being just a short sail from our winter berth in Cowes. There’s the reassurance of knowing that if anything goes wrong on Exeat’s shakedown sail, we can easily limp home; plus it’s always a joy to overnight in this lovely anchorage, with basking seals as our neighbours, and the soothing soundtrack of birds nesting in the nearby nature reserve. If you venture ashore to stretch your legs (or your canine companion’s), there are delightful walks to enjoy along the shingle beach and through the woods – we have even spotted a rare Golden Pheasant here before now, and foraged wild sloes from the shoreside hedgerows.
The last time we stayed here, in October ‘23, we had the embarrassing experience of waking up at an unintentionally jaunty angle, after drifting overnight on our anchor and going aground at low tide. This time, we kept a very close eye on our depth gauge and anchored well away from the extensive shallows. But some poor soul spent an uncomfortable evening teetering at a vertiginous 45 degrees until the tide rose again. We felt for them, but there was little we could do except sympathise.
As well as watching out for depth, another point to mention about staying here is that even if you anchor (there are visitor buoys if you prefer), you will almost certainly get a visit from National Trust rangers asking for a donation towards their management of the area. It’s certainly hard to refuse them when you can so readily see all the sterling work they do in protecting the breeding bird colonies here, coppicing the ancient woodland and managing the grazing land.
Dues paid, anchor secure, supper bubbling in the galley oven, we cracked open a bottle of warming red wine and and toasted Exeat’s first outing as the sun set radiantly across the creek.
11 Apr 2024 New log entry: croata split 1 june 24 ↙ Report?
- By Kevin Day
10 Apr 2024 Crew available for Cruising, Training, Mile building
- Who Ben Wolf
- What Cruising, Training, Mile building
- When Weekday, Weekend, Evening, Holidays (short-term), Long-term
Id like to crew boats that are island hopping.