how long to get to Cowes

[skid]

From hamble point how long will it take to get into Cowes on my little fletcher without getting a divorce so fast but sensible

[dpb101]

5 or 6 miles so probably about 20 mins at 20ish knots.............depending on speed!!!!!!
Can be a bit bouncy off the spit!

[jokaboat]

Easy 20 mins, less if flat on the day. Avoid the shallow bits like the Bramblemet and it will be smoother.

[Capn Jack]

If you're worried about your missus, then pick a really calm day for the first trip..not easy I know but can be done......SWMBO's have long memories, mine likes big boats for the ride but not so much the small ones, so the smoother the better..

[zippy]

20 mins at most from hamble south cardinal.

If your looking for smooth try for slack tide cos its always confused off Calshot.

worth heading off to lee on solent across to Osbourne bay and back again if the weather makes it smoother that way!

[jokaboat]

With zippy on that.

[Torque of the Devil]

It usually takes me 20 mins if I don't mind a black, blue and red left cheek, 25 minutes if I want just a blue left cheek, and 30 minutes if I want just a red cheek from the sea breeze. The cheek colour is a scale referring to the consequence of being slapped round the chops by my girlfriend for going too quickly over the chop.

[JORIDAPILOT]

Don't forget to add the time beyond the harbour entrance where you are limited to 6 knots upto a point where you can moor.
Up to the Folly can add another 20 minutes and on a busy day you may have to wait around whilst they sort you out a berth.
There are moorings near the entrance but usually busy. I have been in Sheppards but had to raft up.
But if it is just to the entrance and back 20 minutes or so is about right.

[ian h]

if its just my Eldest and myself its only 10 minutes

[mlines]

We did it in 8 minutes the other week in our bowrider (however it was flat!) - should add this was from the point where the speed limit ends at both ends.

[Matt13]

We did it in 8 minutes the other week in our bowrider (however it was flat!) - should add this was from the point where the speed limit ends at both ends.

Where's the speed limit Martin? We did it in March, took us 9 minutes from the point where Southampton water becomes the Solent to the mouth of the medina, but we weren't going flat out.

[jokaboat]

I guess it was the Hamble Cardinal? That's where thwe 6 knot Hamble limit starts. Would be pushing it from the Itchen Limit to Cowes, although I'm prepared to try

[mlines]

It was in the reverse direction, Cowes to Southampton water.

James had read the early postings in this thread and wanted to time it.

We started the clock just after the last fairway edge buoy (No. 2??), turning out of the fairway at this point and going as straight to "HOOK" as Bramble bank and Calshot spit will allow (It was calm and high tide but we did not cut Bramble bank as a matter of principle!). The GPS plot shows we went straight to Thorn Knoll and then turned.

[skid]

Bit of help please if l come out of Hamble do l just aim for cowes or do l have to miss things or go round posts? or run aground ?
when l get there how do l get a mooring,l have a radio but where do l go to park up and buy the wife lunch,whats the procedure on parking?

do the tides cause problems,ie if l leave on a high tide will l be going back on a low tide and have to miss anything at low water?

quite frightening

[jokaboat]

Have you got a chart or a plotter?

Best to keep outside of the main shipping channel, or cross at right angles to it. If there's a very big boat moving you will see the harbourmaster launch ahead of it. You must avoid 1km ahead of the big boy and 500m either side. Look on the chart for the bramble bank. Not usually a problem to us but it dries dry out. Otherwise cross where it looks least choppy.

Once in cowes the easiest I think is east cowes marina and the lifeboat pub. Phone them before or you ca call them on ch80 as you approach. For a first time I would run up river to the folly inn. They have a water taxi buzzing about who will tell you where to moor up and will help.

All of the Marinas are on ch80. Look up the internet for the folly taxi. They are on phones and Vhf.

The folly does get very busy on a sunny weekend which is why we prefer east cowes.