Chichester weekend Rally 2024

Chichester Rally 20th - 21st July 2024

We had a very successful rally to Chichester in 2021 and so we are heading there again but this year the event will be a little different as we intend to moor up to buoys at Itchenor. Six large visitor mooring buoys are available to use, large yellow "hippo buoys" with a "V" on them, just under the harbour office. There is a charge for this, currently about £28 for a 12m boat inc. harbour fee, payable to the Harbour master, and each buoy can take up to 6 yachts of similar size rafted up. The Harbour Master has said that there should be good availability of mooring buoys but you have to be prepared to raft up against a non-Club boat. If we get more than 4 boats booked on the rally the Harbour Master may be able to reserve one or two for us - so do book please if you intend to come. 

There is also a section of mid-stream floating pontoon about 200 metres further down the reach and that could also be suitable for us but again, this cannot be reserved in advance, it's first come, first served. Rafting up to 2 deep is possible on the floating pontoon.

I will be lead boat and will create a WhatsApp group nearer the time so we can stay in touch.  I'm hoping to be in Chichester nice and early, (about 10:00 ish) and will radio the Harbour Patrol Team on Channel 14 on arrival. If you arrive before me please do the same, they will help if they can and want to make our stay enjoyable.

The best way of ensuring you have space is get to Itchenor as early as possible. With HW Portsmouth being 11:46 BST on 20th you could make an early start if you want to use a favourable tide. Once you are safely tied up you can relax in one the best natural harbours in the world!

On Saturday evening we have booked some places at The Ship Inn at Itchenor but it is important to note that you will have to use your own dinghy to get from your boat to the shore and back again afterwards. Of course you can always take provisions and eat on board your own boat if you wish.

The Ship is a dog-friendly pub for those who like to bring their furry friends.

We will be using VHF Channel 77 as an inter-club frequency for the weekend although monitoring on Ch11 (Portsmouth Harbour), Ch 12 (Southampton VTS) and Chichester Harbour Patrol Team on Ch 14 as appropriate together with Channel 16 is advised.

Jem Nicholls

Crew-finder

Last updated 12:06pm on 27 July 2024