Christchurch Harbour Entrance and Waterloo Compound

[budgie]

Hi,

 

I have just been offered a space in Waterloo Compound for my 20ft Wilson Flyer and was wondering if anyone has their boat there and if there is any issues with security etc. 

My boat is currently in Portsmouth and I will be new to fishing around Christchurch so have no experience of the harbour entrance. I have been reading about getting in and out through Mudeford entrance and was wondering how difficult it really is, is there a better time of the tide to go through or can it be used in all states of the tide.

 

Thanks

 

Budgie 

[niggle]

How safe is any compound ??

The entrance at Mudeford is generally OK providing its a metre or over on the tide chart

Nigel

[Paul D]

PJ keeps his boat there. There was a spate of boating thefts a few years ago but not directly related to the compound ( it was through the whole area ).

[live bait]

Hi Budgie, no info on the compound but be very careful about timing until you are used to the harbour entrance.

 

Going out is OK on LW neaps / mids because even if there is little water you can drift through the shallow part of the run if necessary with shallow draft or engine up.

 

However on a spring tide you need to get back in at least 1 1/2 hrs before low, more if weather dictates, such as a swell or SW winds that kick up breakers through the entrance, because there is a shallower bar several hundred yards out. Surf will normally reveal where this is and the width of the channel.

 

The channel profile changes each year and until they put out the channel marker buoys in the spring be careful - you might only have a 40ft wide safe channel and 2ft depth in the centre of it.

 

Best err on the side of caution until you have tried it a few times under different conditions.

 

Good luck!

 

Clive

[Rob]

Don't believe the bouyage 100%!

High pressure can also make a difference.

If the water is low, as said, you can drift out. Coming in without much water can be difficult/impossible as you have to fight against the flow of Avon and Stour!

 

Rob

[budgie]

Thanks for the advice, I will take it steady the first few times going out the entrance after I move my boat over. 

 

Regards

 

Budgie

[Paul J]

The compound is great value and your engine gets a fresh water flush on each trip.

 

You'll need about 20 mins to get down to the run and allow 2 hours each side of a big tide to get in or out.

 

Don't stray out of the channel and if i were you id get a spare prop, even the most experienced of us get caught out occasionally

 

I'm the Boston whaler next to the slip, say hello if you see me.

 

It will cost you £60 a person the fish the harbor and it's actively balliffed, i got my wrist slapped last week as i had not got mine as yet and i was only practicing my fly-casting-no sign of fish there yet.

 

PJ

 

Only one problem with security over the last 8 or so years

[budgie]

Hi Paul,

Will make sure to say hi once I move the boat over, I am currently in Afghanistan so will be moving it over when i'm home on leave, then hoping the weather will be kind so I can get a lot of fishing in.

 

Budgie

[Jim]

Budgie,

I used to wear your Jacket in the 70's

Have faith in my words.

 

Jim

 

Hope you get the mooring sorted !

 

 

[budgie]

Just filled out the membership application and paid the 30-00, so looking forward to meeting you all and fishing some of the competitions.

 

I'm far too young to remember a jacket like that Jim lol.

[Member Removed]

Budgie

            I am the Lower Stour manager for RDAA  and we keep our club boat next to the slipway. Paul would be a good person to give you all the info you need about the harbour and entrance as he is always out. I also have a 20ft boat which I go out in and ( touch wood ) have never had any mishaps in the entrance in the last 20yrs, you will get used to when to go out and come in on various tides and conditions. Regarding safety at waterloo pool, in general very good, but is any boat i00% safe these days especially just before the Beaulie boat jumble.

                                                                                 Good luck,

                                                                                                   Dave