Think I've bought a boat...

[strickers]

My husband and I needed something to get our behinds off the sofa, we've always enjoyed being out and about on the water so we decided after a glass of wine or two to buy a boat!

We're both going to take a course on what the hell we should be doing on the water!

Does anyone have any tips for us?

Where should we go? how does it all work? We're probably thinking about solent to IOW...

We've bought a 23ft fishing boat - second hand and will be keeping it at Port Solent

[ColinR]

Welcome.

You're in a great area for exploring. The only issue with Port Solent is the distance from the marina to the sea combined with coping with the lock.

There are quite a few locals to you , mostly Hamble or Southampton based. I don't know of anyone at Port Solent.

Definitely an RYA PB2 course for the basics on boat handling and confidence. Plus advice on here of course

Get some good charts and use them to plan your days out then plot your intended course on a chart plotter. Sounds like a good sized boat. What is is, any pictures?

[strickers]

Hi!

oooo my first boating chum!

it's an Ocqueteau 715, I don't have any pictures on my laptop at the moment.

We did have a look at other Marinas but Port Solent seemed the nicest for people watching and the bars mean we'll never run short on wine.

I'm not sure where we should sail to, is there a 'places to visit' guide anywhere?

[strickers]

Boat comes with Garmin, fish finder and a radar....not that I know how to use any of them but I'm sure I'll work it out

[ColinR]

Sounds well set up. I regularly fish from a smaller Ocqueteau. Very good seaworthy boats in my opinion. Yours sounds well set up and, as you say, you'll soon learn how to use all the toys.

Although aimed at yachties this is a good site for where to go.

http://www.troppo.co.uk/tightwad/tightwad.htm

From Portsmouth you have Bembridge, Ryde (tricky harbour entrance) , Wooten Creek all in range on the Island. A bit further round Whitecliffe Bay is a nice place to anchor up in the sun.

A run round to Hayling etc is also worth doing.

Google is a great source of info and there are loads of books about the Solent. I would recomend one calles Solent Hazards for places to avoid!

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Solent-Hazards-Peter-Bruce/dp/187168031X

[Bigplumbs]

Well done and welcome to the forum. What engine has she got and what is your boat called

Dennis

[betty boop]

don't get used to the warm welcome, Ive been here for ages nd never got shown special web sites or books Im sure it must be me though as they're all nice people really. Welcome and well done, Ive just bought a open cockpit sports fisher but up north (ish) did look at one like yours but too big to tow.

[shibbs]

Hi,
Welcome to the forum. A good decision buying a boat, hopefully you'll have loads of fun.
I can personally recommend Nick at BoatBility based at Port solent for courses, he can either supply boat and equipment or he will do it for a reduced cost on yours which obviously gives you slightly better experience for when alone. I did a advanced powerboat course with him and it was great!
I am local, work pretty much at Port Solent, ( just the other side of the big field) and the boat is kept just down the road. The channel in and out of port Solent can be tricky for the first few times in and out as it shallows very quickly!! Be warned!!
The guys at the lock are very helpful and will assist where necessary.
As for exploring the Solent, as Colin says, get some charts and read them for where you want to go, there are some parts that will catch you out!! Mind the sandbank at ryde... Some of us have got to know it quite well!
Plenty of info on here, just ask..!

[Cap'n Jack]

Hello Sarah

A very warm welcome to our forum full of nautical nutters.

Ignore Betty, we do, he doesn't need any special books, cos he's an RNLI hero and likes dressing up in yellow dry suits and we all love him.

I've looked at Ocqueteau boats, very nicely built and well capable of handling the area you want to boat in. One I looked at had beaching legs, so I looked underneath to find they have a protected skeg and therefore can take a bit of a bump and grind in shallow waters, like Bembridge for example if you happen to miss half the tide. 715's all seem to come with either Nanni or Volvo diesels on shafts, probably the best combination for maintenance and economy.

You have got masses of cruising from where you are based, its about 70 odd miles around the Island plus the places already mentioned. Plus your can either go East or West for further adventure.

Any questions, ask away, there is no such thing as a stupid question when it comes to boating and safety.

[betty boop]

Hello Sarah

A very warm welcome to our forum full of nautical nutters.

Ignore Betty, we do, he doesn't need any special books, cos he's an RNLI hero and likes dressing up in yellow dry suits and we all love him.

I've looked at Ocqueteau boats, very nicely built and well capable of handling the area you want to boat in. One I looked at had beaching legs, so I looked underneath to find they have a protected skeg and therefore can take a bit of a bump and grind in shallow waters, like Bembridge for example if you happen to miss half the tide. 715's all seem to come with either Nanni or Volvo diesels on shafts, probably the best combination for maintenance and economy.

You have got masses of cruising from where you are based, its about 70 odd miles around the Island plus the places already mentioned. Plus your can either go East or West for further adventure.

Any questions, ask away, there is no such thing as a stupid question when it comes to boating and safety.

ahh thanks Ian I feel the love now.