Summer Cruising in the Solent and Return to Suffolk Yacht Harbour (July 2026)
Adventures with Len, Kevin, David and Jill in the Solent and return to Suffolk Yacht Harbour (SYH) with Len, Kevin, Tony and Nick.
Arriving at Gosport
Arriving at Gosport (Haslar, now one of the Premier Marina chain) on the Saturday of 11th July Len and Kevin were greeted by a well left Saor, super weather and an England football match (World Cup finals) to look forward to that evening.
With minimal preparation required we were able to take things easy before going to Wetherspoons to eat and then watch England beat Norway to progress into the semi finals. Not a bad start to our stay in the Solent.
During the morning of Sunday 12th we were joined by David and his wife Jill and for both it was to be a new experience sailing in that area. We left Gosport with minimal fuss and in 15-20knts of breeze we were soon out into the Solent taking the north channel and into Southampton Water where we sailed up past the Hamble river before going about to head towards Cowes.
Let the adventure begin!
At Cowes Yacht Haven we were well received (again!) and allocated a berth in the north bay which was to be our berth for the next three nights. As is usual, Len and Kevin returned to The Duke of York for those nights whilst David and Jill also had accommodation ashore.
On Monday morning the 15-20knts of wind had increased somewhat and along with most others in the marina(s) going out for the day was postponed. Of those that did venture out, most were seen returning a short time after their departure. Len and Kevin had an enjoyable walk along to Gurnard where hospitality in the local pub was well received as we looked out onto the windswept Solent. That evening, an enjoyable meal in The Anchor back at Cowes.
For the morning of Tuesday 14th the wind had decreased to a sensible level and we departed Cowes crossing the Solent and into the Beauleau River. There was still though a sensible sailing breeze.
To Southampton Water & Shamrock Quay Marina
The purpose was to show David and Jill the type of entrance where an apparent wide entry is in reality almost all a long sand bar leaving a fairly narrow navigable entrance. We sailed a little way up that river before turning back and exiting into the Solent where we turned back into Southampton Water. We had a good sail right up to Southampton and once again visited The Shamrock Quay Marina for a visit to the well reviewed Yellow Welly café. Once again, we were not disappointed.
After that, a pleasant sail further past the berthed ships before sailing back towards the Solent.
As we exited Southampton Water, a timely reminder that being a couple of hundred yards off shore does not guarantee deep water. A similar size yacht to Saor thought it wise to cut across the area in front of Calshot Spit, “Oh dear” , came to a rapid stop as they ran hard aground.
We had to go about as we neared Cowes to allow a large ship to pass and even received a ‘Thankyou’ from the accompanying escort vessel !! A first!!
An interesting day ending up back in the Duke of York again.
Wednesday morning arrived far too quickly but this was the day for a return to Haslar Marina, drop off David and Jill and await the arrival of Tony (J) and Nick.
With the wind coming firmly from the east it was an awkward yet enjoyable sail back towards Gosport. There was nothing of real difficulty to report but just an enjoyable sail primarily against the easterly breeze.
Back to Gosport
Back safely in Gosport, it was not too long a wait before Tony and then Nick arrived. Quite by coincidence of course this was to be the night England played Argentina in the final of the football world cup. Enjoyable meal in Wetherspoons, great table to view the match, not a great result!!! Less said the better I feel.
The Morning After
Life goes on, despite football loss.
Thursday morning and it was time to prepare for our start of the return journey
Returning to Suffolk Yacht Harbour
The thought was to make Eastbourne that evening, however the wind coming increasingly from the east had other plans. To make Eastbourne before the tide turned foul on us was clearly not going to occur so we pulled in to Brighton. An incredible number of liveaboard vessels/cubicles there.
That evening we had an enjoyable meal at The Harvester close to the marina and on the way back to Saor had a further stop at Wetherspoons, not a great visit this time. Some odd tasting drinks which in the main remained undrunk!
Not a bad stopover but we did hope that the forecast for tomorrows wind direction was wrong but alas, we clearly did not hope enough! The wind was from the east BUT was meant to swing around to the south LATER that day and stay there for some hours, this becomes relevant.
Friday morning, breakfast at Wetherspoons whilst we waited for the tide to rise sufficiently. Our intention started with leave Brighton and just sail around to Eastbourne.
With one decent length tack out to the shipping lane we tacked back towards and then along The Seven Sisters cliffs. However as we neared Beachy Head the wind did indeed veer around to the south, early!
Late into Dover
This was quite a decent southerly and even after passing Beachy Head quite comfortably (passed to see if it was not just Beachy Head that caused the change) we were holding going east with a very reasonable southerly breeze. Allowing it further time to change back, it didn’t so we decided that with that breeze we could continue straight on to Dover.
Wrong decision!!! That steady southerly held long enough to get us past the point where turning against the tide and going back to Eastbourne itself was not an obvious winning decision, it was then that the wind decided it was time to back into the east again before dropping off almost completely! Engine had to be used again and as we passed Dungeness the thought of arriving at Dover seemed ever more distant
Hard sail from there on to Dover. Arrived there shortly before midnight. Tired, hungry and with the exception of a dubious looking pizza/kebab/burger shack all was shut. However, we all survived the perils of that shack and live to tell the tale.
Saturday morning; wind north / north east —– deep joy. Oh well, good breakfast (Wetherspoons again!) at Dover. With other commitments Nick left the trip here .
The Final Leg - Dover to SYH
We left via the east entrance at Dover, we tried to sail towards the north but as the wind barrelled down along the cliffs and no meaningful help from the tide it was very soon quite evident that despite our best efforts we were in danger of slipping back across the entrance, time (yet again) for the motor to assist us. Working hard the motor got us up towards Deal where we could turn it off and get a tack out to sea heading north east—–just! Where we were trying to make the north end of the Thanet wind farm, despite tacking efforts, as the foul/cross tide increased it soon became apparent that clearing the north end was just not going to occur so call again for the motor and even then, motor sailing, it was still touch and go whether we would clear without yet another tack towards the west where without doubt we would lose much of the ground we had made.
Suffice to say, with a bit more effort and some determined ‘pinching’ by Tony and Kevin we did clear the top but probably best left that I do not want to pass that close to those windmills again!!! Very well done to tony , Kevin and motor. Len just sat and said a prayer or two!
Well, That Was a Slog.
From there onwards, it is probably best left that until the top of the Black Deeps the engine did it’s job and defeated the annoyingly changing wind which always seemed to want to change to our detriment.
From the top of the Black Deeps, a great sail right back to Landguard (Harwich) and onwards back to S.Y.H.
It is probably best left that during this difficult return we used the motor for 20 hours, the wind spent most of it’s time being against us and even so the crew performed very well. Probably not one of the most enjoyable sails back but sometimes a journey just has to be done!
