hamble_river.zip

Located on the northerly shores of Southampton Water in Hampshire, close to the Hamble Fuel Oil Farm (Module 2) is Hamble River. Situated at the rivers entrance is ‘Hamble River Sailing Club (HRSC)’, founded in 1919 by nine local men. The club is a members club that has a RYA recognized training centre. The position of the club allows yachtsmen quick and easy access to Southampton Water and is a yachting Mecca for yacht racing types. Close by is the interesting little village of ‘Hamble Le Rice’, commonly known as Hamble with its various public houses and mooring options as far as the eye can see; a big attraction to visiting yachtsman.

The 1980’s TV series ‘Howard’s Way’ was based around here and made the local ‘Jolly Sailor’ pub famous. There is plenty of deep water for average size boats with over 3,000 berths, five marinas, a couple of boatyards with moorings, including the harbour authority moorings; just about every Marine requirement can be met here.

In spite of the number of berths available it still can be difficult to secure somewhere in the height of yachting season as resident boats fill up the vast majority of the 3,000 plus berths. This is not really a cruising area as the river consists of a narrow navigable channel leading through the numerous moorings and marinas as far as ‘Bursledon Bridge’. Anchoring is not allowed anywhere on the river, up to the bridges, and neither is the flying of spinnakers. Its attraction mainly lies in its central location and proximity to the cruising and racing grounds of the Solent and beyond.