Home • Events • Calshot Cruise - 21 May

Richard Williams, John Ellis and Gordon Jeffery set off from Calshot with the objective to visit Ashlett Creek for lunch at The Jolly Sailor and then sail back into the Solent round Calshot Castle to Lepe for tea at the beach restaurant.

High tide is required to access The Jolly Sailor up Ashlett Creek which has an estimated tidal window of 4 hours. High water on the day was forecast for 1330 at Calshot Castle. Lepe is easily accessible 2 hours either side of high water, then shallows start to make it a longer walk to the water. Wind forecast was for force 3 ESE but it was force 4 easterly. Air temperature reached 18 C. Sea temperature was reasonable. All three were using raceboards with 7.5m sails

After launching at 10.45 they had a bumpy ride round the Castle and then a fast run down to Ashlett Creek. The entrance to Ashlett Creek is guarded by shallows on either side and it is necessary to sail out to the channel markers before turning into the creek. The creek is narrow and full of moored boats and can be difficult to navigate in some winds. They entered the creek at some 2 hours before high water so the depth was adequate. Arrival at The Jolly Sailor for lunch was at 1115. There is a shingle ramp near the pub and boards can be placed on the grass.

The bad news was that the Jolly Sailor was closed and boarded up without any indication of re-opening. However the good news was that a bystander suggested lunch at The Ashlett Club which is on the site of the 16th century mill on the north side at the head of the creek next to the slipway. This turned out to be a good find. The staff there were welcoming, fish and chips was £4.50 and good and the beer was cheap with 2 real ales in stock. It was necessary to sign in a book as it is a private club.

They left Ashlett at 1215 to find that out in the channel it was blowing 15 mph easterly so it was a beat up to the Castle, returning to base at 1245. Here Gordon Jeffery decided to call it a day while Richard and John left half an hour later bound for Lepe. The force 4 broad reach was very fast and they arrived at Lepe 15 minutes later at 1330. Being well ahead of schedule the tide was well up at Lepe. As you approach you see firstly car parks behind the shingle beach and eventually a 'restaurant' (marked as such) half hidden behind the parked cars. The 'restaurant' is self service and has tables inside and out. Ice cream is served by the kiosk next door. Prices are reasonable and there are public toilets available.

After a cup of tea they relaunched, the tide still being high, leaving at 1400. The wind was still force 4 E and they were close hauled all the way back, putting in 1 tack. Finally they landed at 1430 (1 hour after high water). Richard split a vet-eran sail that he uses for cruising on the way.

Taking into account the tides and tacks, the total distance sailed was about 10 miles, done in 1¾ hours, so giving an average sped of 5.71mph. A fast and successful sail with none of the landing problems associated with low tides.

Report from Norman Hadddon who organises a programme of cruising. More about other social sailing here.