Summer Cruising in the Solent and Return to Suffolk Yacht

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. Kev, Jill and David 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. https://saorsailing.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Len26CruiseReport1.mp4 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. NEARING THE YELLOW WELLY!! 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. https://saorsailing.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Len26CruiseReport2.mp4 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. Spinnaker Tower at Night The Morning After Life goes on, despite football loss. Thursday morning and it was time to prepare for our start of the return journey Sunrise Departing Gosport 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! Beachy Head 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

Heaving to

Knowledge of heaving to is essential in emergency MOB situation

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Sail out to The Rough Towers, 29th May 2025.

Sail out to The Rough Towers, 29th May 2025. Tony J, Tony E and Len aboard SAOR looking forward to the first real sail since taking ownership of Saor. What we planned to do… The local shipping forecast was optimistic in suggesting the wind would be generally from the N.E. and force 3 – 4 and sea smooth or slight. Probably fair to say the direction was fairly accurate, the strength was generally lower than forecast although a brief sea breeze did help and the sea certainly did not ever become troublesome!High tide was advertised as 13.40hours and as we were looking for a decent length sail the choice was to visit The Rough Towers by a anti clockwise circular route incorporating Stone Banks, Medusa, South Cork, Rough Towers, North Cork and then back to Landguard. After carrying out required engine checks etc we left SYH about 10.35 as planned. We knew we would be against the tide until out of Harwich Harbour but even in the light winds we managed to sail and with Tony E at the helm good progress was made. We made use of the engine briefly as we passed the massive ‘wind break’ container ships at Felixstowe but otherwise Saor sailed impeccably in light winds. Interestingly, two other yachts turned back not far from exiting the harbour, not easy sailing in light airs. Towards Medusa. Quite soon we were passing an angling boat at Stone Banks and holding a good course towards Medusa with Tony J now at the helm. At Medusa, as is not at all unusual, we found ourselves in the midst of a lot of marker buoys for fishing nets. Rather skilfully Tony kept Saor sailing well picking his route through them. It was necessary to hold our course before tacking back towards South Cork and then up towards Rough Tower. Tony E at the helm Len at the helm. During this leg, an unusual event! Len took a turn at the helm ! Managed to keep going for a rather lengthy leg held our course well as we neared Rough Towers. The tide had now turned as expected and was working for us. Len demonstrating he can helm! A bit of Rough As we approached Rough Towers we had a friendly wave from one of the occupants with Tony J now back at the helm and soon heading towards North Cork. The wind was coming over our starboard quarter and was decreasing rather rapidly allowing the tide to start washing as towards the shipping lane to our north. Tony held our course well until the failing wind meant that to not start the engine would have meant us being washed to the north and certainly not making Harwich very easily, if at all. Rough Towers – Principality of Sealand Safely back home! With engine again performing well and Tony E helming we soon made Landguard and then into Harwich harbour and back towards home. In the river a bit of breeze picked up and Tony J helmed us well as we pushed a yacht under engine power who we all but caught up but not quite overtake as we arrived outside SYH.Sails down, packed away, fenders out and into SYH where our berthing was impeccable. About 17.30 hours we were tied up and had enjoyed a successful first sail of the season with no adverse issues. Back home; cheated death again! Off to the Ship for a pint… and ready for another day With both Tonys staying at SYH for the night in readiness for a sail the following day it made good sense to retire to The Ship (nearby good hostelry) joined briefly by Len who had business to attend to elsewhere so left the others to their meal. The following morning Tony J and Tony E , having spent the night on Saor, prepared themselves for another day sail from SYH. An exceptional low tide encouraged by weather conditions meant a brief wait for the return of sufficient water to allow exit. Once again, light winds were forecast and unfortunately the wind managed to be even lighter than forecast, once again what did arrive came from the N.E. A short day had been planned and encouraged by the conditions that prevailed throughout it is probably best left that an uneventful sail towards the end of Walton pier and then back to SYH took place. A Misty start from Suffolk Yacht Harbour. The channel marking posts demonstrate exceptional low tide.