Marine Forum

Navigating into Newtown Creek, Isle of Wight (UK)

AquaBoy

05 January 2006 10:50:08

Joined: 17 November 2005 15:37:45 | Posts: 13

I'm planning a sailing trip with my family into Newtown Creek on the Isle of Wight. I've heard it's particuarly tricky to navigate into Newtown Creek due to shallow water.

I've obviously got the charts etc that I need, but was just wondering if anyone has been there and has any tips.

Many thanks!

Re: Navigating into Newtown Creek, Isle of Wight (UK)

Anonymous user

09 April 2006 21:53:58

Joined: Unknown | Posts: Unknown

If you find anything out about this, please let me know. i am planning to sail my wayfarer there this Summer

Re: Navigating into Newtown Creek, Isle of Wight (UK)

Anonymous user

11 April 2006 09:02:14

Joined: Unknown | Posts: Unknown

I went aground in Newtown Creek many years ago in my Banjer. My own fault, I wasn't paying attention and went the wrong side of the channel markers.

I can tell you the mud there is very thick and sticky. Luckily we had a alot of power to our engine and were able to get ourselves afloat by going full astern. Covered the decks with mud though!

Stay the correct side of the channel markers and you should be ok - but that applies anywhere really - I learned the hard way!!

Re: Navigating into Newtown Creek, Isle of Wight (UK)

Anonymous user

11 April 2006 09:43:45

Joined: Unknown | Posts: Unknown

The same thing happened to me in my Motor Sailor! Not wishing to blame him but; my 6 year old son, always the observant one (he gets it from his mother) shouted "look at the submarine!" and low and behold on my port side and far out in the Solent there was this huge sub rising out of the water like a missile.

I immediately commended him with a Mars Bar for being so observant.

I was not quite as observant and seconds later the whole boat came to a firm STOP as if it had come to the end of a very long piece of elastic it was on. The rest of the family went flying and the family dog ended up on the V berth. The boat then started listing heavily to stern and muddy water started flowing on to the deck. We had gone aground!

My family went silent and then my elder daughter shouted, go full astern! Acting on her command the bow dipped slightly in the water the prop was exposed covering the entire boat in thick smelly mud! Apart from that

Its a super place to rest up and give your boat a mud pack! It has a lovely pub at the end of a great walk too! Just remember, it can get a little crowded with big weekender gin palace power boats in the summer that have just powered over from the mainland. To get to the pub you will need a tender!

Unless you want to go back in to port with mud on your face, remember a good bucket and scrubbing brush. I always carry one you never know when you may need one.

Remember - Always stay the right side of the markers!!!