CRUISING IN POOLE HARBOUR by Philip Hoath.

Poole is very shallow in places, but our cruising week has neap tides which will give us a wider area to explore without the time restraints of the big springs. All sailing will of course depend on the weather conditions  as to where we go each day.

As explained in the Spring issue of Mainsail our Club Dayboats have an Open Meeting on the Sunday. This should not be a problem and I would suggest a short afternoon sail, to test the water. One option would be Pottery Pier on the western end of Brownsea Island, it is one mile from our club slipway.

Here is a summary of our other cruising options.

• Sail to Wareham and tie up on the riverside bank for a picnic or pub lunch. It is seven miles to Wareham but well worth the effort.

• Outside the Harbour, Studland and Shell Bay beaches are ideal for landing with the options of sailing towards Old Harry Rocks or Bournemouth Pier and Sandbanks.

• Within the Harbour, Bramble Bush Beach is one of my favourite landing spots a good stopover after sailing round the Islands or visiting the beach at Arne and enjoying the marvellous vista from the viewing point.

I hope this may encourage you to join us for what promises to be a fantastic week’s sailing. A warm welcome awaits you at Poole Yacht Club.

Cruising in Poole Harbour, the dates Sunday 15^th to Friday 20th August. All GP14 Sailors welcome. I would welcome any ideas, suggestions and help to organise this event.

Hope to see some of you on the water.

Philip Hoath GP 13081                                      

CRUISING PROGRAMME HERE