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THE |
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A Weekend Cruising in Chichester harbour |
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My largest boat is a Shipmate Senior which I bought in 2001 after a detailed selection process, the criteria being: |
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Must be suitable for single handed launching, sailing and recovery |
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Must be a trailer sailer, generally stored on its trailer |
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Must have a centreboard so that it can be beached or readily got underway if it runs aground |
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Must have a toilet and cooker |
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Must be dinghy-sized to permit ditch crawling |
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Must have at least two berths. |
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Boats which made the short-list included the West Wight Potter, Leisure 17, Sea King and Westerly Nomad. |
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On the long weekend of 12-14th July I led a meeting of Shipmates in Chichester harbour, the annual event having been switched from Poole to Chichester. |
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Seven boats and ten members attended. Although the chart indicates vast expanses of mud at low tide at least 10 miles of navigable channel remain and given the dinghy-like nature of the boat we were able to sail for 10 hours at a stretch, with the occasional picking up of a vacant mooring to brew some tea, make a sandwich or take a nap. |
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The highlight was an evening meal outside the Bosham Sailing Club against the backdrop of the sun setting over the boats moored in the Bosham Channel, all members having gathered to meet Tony Patrick, who was half way through his circumnavigation of England in his Shipmate ‘Rainbow’ |
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.Recommendations arising from the weekend: |
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Wilson’s Boatyard on Hayling Island (023 9246 4869) offer a wide and gently sloping slipway usable at high tide +/- 3 hours, showers and toilets, all for the reasonable fee of £15 for launch, parking for car and trailer, and subsequent recovery. |
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Reported by two participants, 2 hours free use of a non-drying pontoon at Emsworth, giving sufficient time to visit this pretty town for some shopping and a pub lunch. |
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Overnighting at Bosham quay, again a very pretty location, costs only £2-70 and the adjacent sailing club offer a bar, restaurant and toilets. |
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Ready access to the Solent and sheltered sea sailing - the two who reported on Emsworth popped off to Portsmouth, 9 miles distant, for an overnight visit to a friend. |
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Attack Dell Quay on a rising tide and don’t get stuck on the mud as I did - I managed to push off before the falling water stranded me for 7 hours. |
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The switch from Poole to Chichester proved a good decision and a return visit will be recommended for 2004. |