Coming from the Solent, the cruising dinghy’s first port of call will often be in the Hamble River. Stick carefully to the channel except at high water; it is well marked by piles. Once past Warsash pier to starboard, and Fairey Marine Limited to port, there are seven miles of sheltered river. Over a thousand yachts have permanent moorings, and there are four clubs and nearly a dozen yacht yards.

The first four miles up to Bursledon bridge have a line of moorings on either side of the channel. Between them there are no anchorages, but anywhere between either line and the shore a dinghy can find an anchorage. At low water springs this dries, leaving soft mud which is pleasant enough unless one has to walk in it.

Moorings can be obtained from most of the yards or the harbourmaster, but anchorage is preferable. At Warsash, Hamble and Bursledon there are hards where boats can be beached. Beware the ferryman’s hards at Warsash and next to the Hamble River Sailing Club which are private and cannot be used for landing. The ferryman will put you ashore if you anchor in this vicinity, and the yards and clubs also have obliging boatmen, though the quieter water half way up to Bursledon landing is not so easy, and may mean a long row, and the spring ebb reaches 4 knots.

Water and stores are to be found in Hamble or, with a short walk, in Bursledon and Warsash. The Hamble River SC welcomes DCA members and may offer the use of their premises. Secretary N Robinson, ‘The Studio’, Satchel Lane, Hamble. Several yards will look after a boat for the usual fees, but as there are so many yachts, a dinghy left securely moored or anchored is unlikely to be molested.

There are no camping sites adjoining the river. However, all DCA members are strongly advised to go up river, above Bursledon Bridge. The gunter rigged boat may get under the road and railway bridges at low tide, but it is worthwhile removing a taller mast. Once through, there are five miles of unspoilt river without boats or buildings ashore, bounded by fields and National Trust woodlands. For 3 hours around high water, a dinghy can sail up to Botley where there is a small yard and shops in the village. Camping is easier up here. Anchorage can be found anywhere, and at high tide landing is easy.

Returning to Southampton Water, the next anchorage on the east side is off Netley Hospital. This is good holding ground and easy landing on the beach, but it is exposed and without facilities. Further north, the Weston SC have a compound on the shore where there is good landing.

The Itchen River is tidal for about four miles from the docks. The lower reaches are dockland, but there are yacht yards further up, and a dinghy can easily find anchorage. There are three bridges with a minimum high water height of 14’ spring tides. The winds are fickle or gusty so that it is advisable to use the tides in the river. Entering the river at low water, most dinghies will get under all the bridges with their masts up. Landings can be made and fresh water obtained at many places. The upper limit of sailing is Woodmill where there is a quiet pool, nearly dry at low water. Though pleasant and sheltered, there are snags and stones on the bottom here. It is not safe to leave a boat for long, but for short periods there is easy access to the road via the university’s landing place, where there is fresh water.

The river Test offers its first landing place and anchorage at the Royal Pier. Useful for setting down passengers, it has few other advantages. A little upstream on the other bank, Crockmore Hard is another rather exposed anchorage and landing place with an inn and shops within easy reach.

At the upper end of the New Docks, Millbrook Point is a small boat anchorage. Mostly it dries out at low tide, leaving a soft bottom. Anchor anywhere, but beware of permanent moorings. Deep water can be found off the end of the sewerage pier, but the pier is used by small ships, even at night, and landing on it is forbidden. There is a hard which just dries to its end at low water. Fresh water comes from a tap at the top. Millbrook SC welcomes DCA members, and the nearby boatyard will haul out and store any size of boat. There is no local boatman or tender. It is a short walk to the main road, but for a car to reach the water, special permission from the railway is needed.

Sailing above Millbrook is difficult at low water. There is a creek up to Redbridge where bridges prevent further access. To port, there is another creek, marked by piles, up to the pleasant village of Eling. Here Eling SC welcomes DCA members, and will try to find a mooring. Landing can be made at a short pier adjoining the Anchor. There is fresh water, but most of the shops are at Totton, half a mile away. There are excellent bus services, and camping ashore can be arranged by enquiry at the club.

The harbour is too crowded for anchoring, but just out in the creek, out of sight, there is a very peaceful anchorage with a beach nearby to land on, and a short walk via the church to the village. From here down to Marchwood there are several small tidal creeks, for a night’s peace.

Continuing down the western shore, there is anchorage and landing at Hythe, but it is too exposed for an extended stay. South of Fawley Oil Refinery, there are three small creeks: Cadland Creek, Ashlett Creek and Ower Lake. All have plenty of water at high tide, and are well marked. Cadland is very near the refinery, and has no yachts permanently moored there. Landing may be difficult except at high water.

Ashlett creek is the most charming, and has a number of moorings, a landing stage, inn, etc. Preferably anchor beside the channel, but a vacant mooring can sometimes be found.

Ower Lake, just north of Calshot Spit, is broader. Here there is a landing stage, and often a few yachts. Any of these creeks offer a handy shelter for the night, or for a week. They are accessible by bus and a walk, but very quiet.