Halfway between Southampton and Weymouth...

[Brad Thrust]

Yes, I'm looking for a few days out in E soon and fancy going to Weymouth.

Thing is, I'll have youngest onboard. He wants to stretch his legs ashore
in the evening and I'm looking for a suitable marina halfway between Soton
and Weymouth.

Poole looks possible - which are the best/cheapest marinas (Or nearby) that
have facilities and a nearby chippy or Indian take-away? I'd prefer not
going too far up Poole Harbout.

Many thanks

[Derek Moody]

Post by Brad Thrust
Yes, I'm looking for a few days out in E soon and fancy going to Weymouth.
Thing is, I'll have youngest onboard. He wants to stretch his legs ashore
in the evening and I'm looking for a suitable marina halfway between Soton
and Weymouth.

Don't see why you'd break the passage at all - and outside Mudeford & Poole
there are no marinas.

Post by Brad Thrust
Poole looks possible - which are the best/cheapest marinas (Or nearby) that
have facilities and a nearby chippy or Indian take-away? I'd prefer not

Consider Swanage: pay for a berth alongside the pier for the
afternoon/evening (tiny tidal range) and then anchor in the bay overnight.
Several chippies, pizza places and ethnic restaurants close by.

If you can make a close inshore passage around St. Aldhelms then Chapman's
Pool is a beautiful anchorage. No chippies. Come well offshore on leaving
to avoid the ledges.

If the ranges are not firing then Mupe Bay is another glorious anchorage,
especially sheltered at low tide if the wind is SW. No chippie.

Lulworth Cove is a rather grotty anchorage and can be crowded. There are
fast food outlets ashore but I can't vouch for them.

Cheerio,

[Duncan Heenan]

Post by Brad Thrust
Yes, I'm looking for a few days out in E soon and fancy going to Weymouth.
Thing is, I'll have youngest onboard. He wants to stretch his legs ashore
in the evening and I'm looking for a suitable marina halfway between Soton
and Weymouth.
Poole looks possible - which are the best/cheapest marinas (Or nearby)
that have facilities and a nearby chippy or Indian take-away? I'd prefer
not going too far up Poole Harbout.
Many thanks

In Poole harbour there are several marinas, but they are all at the top of
the harbour, and all expensive. I sometimes use Poole Quay Marina (formerly
Dolphin Yacht Harbour), which is horrendously over-priced, but very
convenient for the town centre. You can sometimes get on to the town quay
for short stays, but it is very busy and you're liable to be moved on. There
are also various yacht clubs with pontoons, but visitor berths are few and
need booking well in advance, and none are that good for nearby shore
facilities other than the clubs themselves, which are often closed anyway.
Sorry, but Poole is simply a crowded, expensive place - but where on the
South Coast isn't?

[TonyB]

Post by Duncan Heenan

Post by Brad Thrust
Yes, I'm looking for a few days out in E soon and fancy going to Weymouth.
Thing is, I'll have youngest onboard. He wants to stretch his legs
ashore in the evening and I'm looking for a suitable marina halfway
between Soton and Weymouth.
Poole looks possible - which are the best/cheapest marinas (Or nearby)
that have facilities and a nearby chippy or Indian take-away? I'd prefer
not going too far up Poole Harbout.
Many thanks

In Poole harbour there are several marinas, but they are all at the top of
the harbour, and all expensive. I sometimes use Poole Quay Marina
(formerly Dolphin Yacht Harbour), which is horrendously over-priced, but
very convenient for the town centre. You can sometimes get on to the town
quay for short stays, but it is very busy and you're liable to be moved
on. There are also various yacht clubs with pontoons, but visitor berths
are few and need booking well in advance, and none are that good for
nearby shore facilities other than the clubs themselves, which are often
closed anyway.
Sorry, but Poole is simply a crowded, expensive place - but where on the
South Coast isn't?
--
Duncan Heenan

Not exactly the south coast, but had a night on the Town Hall Quay at Great
Yarmouth last weekend. It's within
walking distance of a Starbucks and a decent pub and cost nothing.
TonyB