Approaches
Portsmouth isn’t the prettiest berth in the area, but it is one of the most historic and is richly associated with the Royal Navy. For the yachtsman it also has the more immediate and practical advantage of being the only harbour at the eastern end of the Solent which can safely be entered at any state of the tide and in any weather.

Arriving from the east, pick up the main shipping channel and, keeping to the right hand side, make for the Horse Sand Fort which you must leave to starboard. This will appear as the middle one of three round defensive forts constructed by Palmerston in the 1860s.

From here it is a simple matter to follow the marked channel into Portsmouth, paying due attention to the considerable volume of shipping which uses these waters. From No.4 port hand buoy inwards it is mandatory for small craft to use the Boat Channel to the west of the main channel.

Do not be tempted to cut the corner, as between the fort and the land a barrier was constructed to force enemy ships to pass between the forts. There is however a passage through the barrier which can be used at most states of the tide if you are coming along the coast from Langstone or Chichester.

The main channel from Horse Sand Fort can also be used from the west, but it is often quicker in this case to cut the corner across Spit Sand. To do this safely, line up the war memorial with the tan coloured block of flats behind it on a course of about 049º. This will take you between Hamilton Bank and Spit Bank. The alternative Inner Swatchway close to the shore is best left to those with local knowledge.

Marinas
Portsmouth Harbour is well supplied with large high quality marinas. Visitors to Haslar Marina, just inside the harbour on your port side, are usually accommodated immediately behind the green painted light vessel. Food is served at Landers opposite the marina office or in the light ship.

Neighbouring Gosport Marina has the advantage of fuel on site. The well known Castle pub is just outside the gates. Both marinas are close to the Gosport ferry across the harbour. Supermarkets about 15 minutes walk away.

If you want to berth in Portsmouth itself on the east side of the harbour you can try the new development at Gunwharf Quays. Inquire first if they have room and get permission from the Queen’s Harbour Master (VHF ch.11) to cross the harbour and again when you leave. Be prepared to dig a little more deeply into your pocket.

Finally there is Port Solent a good 3 miles inland behind a lock at the far end of Porchester Lake. Proceed up the Harbour beyond the naval base and the ferries and enter Porchester Lake to starboard at beacon no.57.

While you’re in the place, if you haven’t done it before it’s worth anyone’s time to go over Nelson’s flagship and some of the other naval relics on view in the area including the ironclad HMS Warrier and the submarine museum in Gosport. Then head for old Portsmouth by turning right outside the Gosport ferry. You’ll need a fair bit of imagination but there are still some characteristic old streets with a few pubs that Jack Aubrey might have frequented in his miss-spent youth. And if you look out to sea and adjust your historical telescope by about a century you might also see the ghost of Parsons’ epoch making trials of the new steam turbine in 1897 or even the mighty fleet drawn up for inspection at Spithead by King George V on the eve of the First World War.

© 2009 Yachtpilot