The Western Solent : Profile

Location

Southampton Water and The Solent encompass a large area of protected water and is probably one of the busiest and most famous sailing areas in the world. Not only is it home for thousands of leisure craft, it is a port for very large container and tanker vessels, cruise liners and ferries of all descriptions. Consequently it is advisable to be very alert when transiting these waters and to have up-to-date charts and sailing instructions. Add to this, fast tides, a shallow bank, various defensive forts and a submerged barrier, and you have a very interesting mix! Another thing to add, is that it is never boring sailing here!

The area is generally divided into the East and West Solent, with Southampton Water and the River Medina at Cowes forming the dividing line. The East Solent has the harbours of Portsmouth, Langstone and Chichester on the mainland, and Ride and Bembridge on the Isle Of Wight. The West Solent has The Beaulieu River and Lymmington on the mainland and Newtown and Yarmouth on the Isle of Wight (IOW).

Clearance

All yachts arriving from outside the EU must contact HM Customs and Excise.

Customs
Tel:0845 010 9000

Docking

When planning to use a berth in a marina, it is wise to call ahead, and you will then be allocated a berth number and advised which side to you will be mooring. Most marinas in this area do not have dedicated pontoons for visitors, but slot them into available spaces.

Apart from marinas, the Solent has many mooring buoys and anchorages which can be used.

Until very recently there was no harbour on the southern shore of the IOW, but now there are breakwaters at Ventnor providing a small refuge.

Care needs to be taken when entering the Solent via the Needles Channel (western entrance) as in strong wind over tide conditions it is dangerous. The eastern entrance is navigable at all states of the tide.

Last updated December 2009.

(NB No anchoring is permitted in the river)

Beaulieu River & Bucklers Hard
Beaulieu, Brockenhurst, Hampshire SO42 7XB
Tel:+44 (0)1590 616 200, Fax:+44(0)1590 616211
river@beaulieu.co.uk
Opening Hours: Manned 24/7
Take care to follow the entrance channel markers as the river runs parallel to the shore (with the seaward bank being covered at high tide) for about a mile before turning inland.
There is a charge for anchoring in the river.
The marina at Bucklers Hard has all facilities, a choice of walk-ashore berths, mooring buoys and a detatched pontoon. Fuel, laundry, chandlery, sailmaker, boatyard with crane, boat hoist, shore storage and repair facilities. Proisions, restaurant and bar.

Bembridge Harbour
The Duver, St Helens, Ryde, Isle of Wight PO33 1YB
Tel:+44(0)1983 872828, Fax:+44(0)1983 872922, VHF Channel 80
chris@bembridgeharbour.co.uk
Entrance to harbour restricted (recommended entry for a 1.5m draught is 2.5 hours before HW). Well sheltered in all but north north easterly gales. Sailing clubs, beaches and restaurants. Approx 100 visitors berths on Duver Marine pontoons (marina at St Helen's Quay at western end of harbour is restricted to annual berth holders only)

Berthon Lymington Marina
The Shipyard, Lymington, Hampshire SO41 3YL
Tel:+44(0)1590 647405, Fax:+44(0)1590 676353, VHF Channel 80
marina@berthon.co.uk
Situated approximately half a mile up river of Lymington Yacht Haven on the port side, easily accessible at all states of the tide. Between 60 and 70 visitors berths(booking essential at weekends). All facilities. All-tide access.

Dan Bran Pontoon
Lymington
Tel:+44(0)1590 672014
All-tide access

Harold Hayles
Bridge Street, Yarmouth, IOW
Tel:+44 (0)1983 760 373, Fax:+44 (0)1983 760 666
info@haroldhayles.co.uk
Pre-bookable pontoon berths with water and electricity.
Boatyard with 5 slipways up to 70 tons. Repairs, rigging and marine engineering.

Lymingotn Berthon Marina
The Shipyard, Bath Road, Lymington, Hants SO41 9YL
Tel:+44 (0)1590 647 405, VHF Channel 80 'Lymington marina'
This is the 2nd marina in the Lymington river. It is also to port. All facilities and repairs possible here. It is within walking distance of the town.

Lymington Town Quay & Lymington River
Harbour Office, Lymington
Tel:+44 (0)1590) 672014, Fax:+44 (0)1590 671823
www.lymingtonharbour.co.uk/, harbouroffice@lymingtonharbour.co.uk
The river needs to be negotiated with care. It is fairly shallow, with extensive mud banks on either shore. At peak times, ferries leave every 15 minutes and often pass in the river. Being wide and flat bottomed, they 'suck' the water as they pass, both lowering the level and drawing small boats in towards them. The Town quay is for boats up to 12 metres. There are also buoys for visiting craft. There is water available on the quay, toilets and showers. Lymington town has every facility a yacht could require. Some of the biggest names in the yachting world are based here.

Lymington Yacht Haven
Kings Saltern Road, Lymington, Hants SO41 3QD
Tel:+44(0)1590 677 071, Fax:+44(0)1590 678186, VHF Channel 80 'Lymington Yacht Haven'
lymington@yachthavens.com
This is the first of the marinas. It is to port as you enter the Lymington River. It has all facilities, boatyard, repairs and storage. 40 ton hoist, fuel, restaurant and chandlery. All-tide access.

Newtown River
(3.5 NM east of Yarmouth, on the IOW)
Tel:+44 (0)1983 531 424 (HM)
Visitors' buoys are white. It is also possible to anchor (watch the depth!). There are extrensive drying banks both on the approach and in the river and Clamerkin Lake. A wonderful peaceful spot.

Ryde Leisure Harbour
The Esplanade, Ryde, Isle of Wight PO33 1JA
Tel:+44(0)1983 613879, Fax:+44(0)1983 613903, VHF Channel 80
ryde.harbour@iow.gov.uk
Drying to 2.5m and therefore only accessible to yachts that can take the ground, the harbour accommodates 90 resident boats as well as up to 75 visiting yachts. Fin keel yachts may dry out on the harbour wall. Well protected harbour is conveniently close to beaches as well as town's restaurants and amusements

Town Quay
Lymington
Tel:+44(0)1590 672014
Fore-and-aft moorings, all-tide access.

Yarmouth Harbour
Harbour Office, South Quay, Yarmouth, IOW P)41 0NT
Tel:+44 (0)1983 760 321, Fax:+44 (0)1983 761 192, VHF Channel 68
www.yarmouth-harbour.co.uk, info@yarmouth-harbour.co.uk
During summer weekends, this harbour is often full. When this is the case, a "Harbour Full" sign is displayed (illuminated at night).
The visitors' moorings are now (2011) mostly on pontoons, some with walk-ashore access. These are bookable in advance via the website.
Boats should wait at the entrance to be directed to a free mooring. The harbour taxi (VHF channel 15) is very efficient.
There are three rows of mooring buoys outside the harbour, quieter and very useful if just waiting for the tide to go through the Needles Channel.
There are good shower, toilet and laundry facilities at the Harbour office on Town Quay. This quay also has water, fuel and LPG and there is a good chandlery here.

Yacht Clubs

Bembridge Sailing Club
Embankment Road,, Bembridge,, Isle of Wight PO35 5NR
Tel:+44(0)1983 872237
sec@bembridgesailingclub.org

Brading Haven Yacht Club
Embankment Road,, St Helens,, Isle of Wight, PO33 1XQ
Tel:+44(0)1268 776539
office@bhyc.org.uk

Lyminton Town Sailing Club
Tel:+44 (0)1590 676 580

Royal Lymington Yacht Club
Tel:+44 (0)1590 672 677

Royal Solent Yacht Club
The Square, Yarmoth, IOW
Tel:+44 (0)1983 760 256
www.royalsolent.org, office@royalsolent.org

Yarmouth Sailing Club
Bridge Road, Yarmouth, Isle of Wight PO41 0NL
Tel:+44 (0)1983 760 270
alan@stetspray.orangehome.co.uk, (Hon., Sec.)
Yarmouth Sailing Club sits next to the swing bridge over the River Yar at the western end of the Isle of Wight. It’s a friendly, informal, inclusive club with around 970 members run entirely on a volunteer basis. A welcome is always extended to visiting yachtsmen