For those of you who travel from afar to ski in Langstone and who are not familiar with the area a list of alternative launch sites might be of interest.
Directions. From A3M slip off and follow signs A27 Chichester, take next slip and turn right at roundabout and follow A3023 all the way to the seafront roundabout, turn right and follow to end.
15-20 mins from A3M but it can take a lot longer to get off the Island on busy weekends.
Launching. Into the Harbour entrance east side. Concrete ramp, can be a step off the end at low spring tide, tide race at half tide can make launch and recovery difficult.
Possible to launch off the beach to the seaward (south) side with a 4 x 4 vehicle.
Don't take a vehicle on the shingle to the north of the slipway as you WILL get stuck (even in a 4 x 4).
Parking:
Ferry Road car park, run by Havant Council, reasonable rates but can get very busy.
The Ferry Boat Inn car park, as of 2023, £3 for up to three hours then £20 for longer. Not sure if trailers are permitted.
Managed by "Local Parking Security Ltd" and controlled by ANPR cameras.
If you park on the verge in Ferry Road you are likely to get a ticket.
No Height restrictions.
Services. Pub, Harbour Office and compound, Public Loo`s, Shower (cold) attached to Harbour office.
Directions. From A3M follow on west to A27, take the next slip and turn left at roundabout, follow A2030 Eastern Road around the Harbour after which it becomes Velder Rd. At mini roundabout turn left on A288, at 2nd set of lights turn left into Bransbury Rd, follow road until road bears sharp right, turn left but take right hand fork along Fort Cumberland Road 100 metres past Southsea Marina (on left), turn right and follow road along to slipway.
15-20 mins from A3M.
Launching. Into the Harbour entrance west side. Concrete ramp runs off at low tide but firm beyond ramp. Tide race at half tide can make launch and recovery difficult. At certain times dependant on weather and tides the slip can get covered with shingle.
Depending on the amount of shingle present it may be possible to launch off the beach at low tide to the seaward side of slip with 4 x 4 vehicle.
Don't take a vehicle on any shingle to the north or south of the slipway as you WILL get stuck (even in a 4 x 4).
Parking. Car park next to slip. No Charge. Bit deserted at off peak times so security can be a concern.
No Height restrictions.
Services. None.
Directions. From A3M slip off and follow signs A27 Chichester but at 2nd roundabout go straight across over the A27 and across the next roundabout along Harts Farm Way, take 2nd right into Coastal Park and follow road to slipway. 2 mins from A3M.
Launching. Into Harbour at back end. Very wide slipway 4 or 5 boats at a time but only water for approx 3hrs each side of high water. Mud beyond end of slipway. Access steps for crew to join boat. Ideal if mid day high tides and you are sure the weather will be all right for full day out.
Parking. Large car parks next to slip. No Charge.
Height Barrier 2.0 metres (6' 6") at site entrance off Harts Farm Way
Services. None.
Directions. From A3M slip off and follow signs A27 Chichester, take next slip and turn right at roundabout and follow A3023 over Langstone Bridge at turn next left before filling station, along to Hotel/Marina where road bears left. Follow road into Marina keeping to the left of Shore Watersports and then turn right around the back of the buildings and follow around to the Harbour office. Pay and then proceed on to slipway.
Launching. Into back end of Marina which leads out into Chichester Harbour. It is possible to turn left and come back under bridge into Langstone but only about 2.5 hrs each side of high water. Steep concrete ramp water at all states of tide. 5 mins from A3M.
Parking. Within the Marina area, usually there is room.
Slipway prices for 2023 include car parking and are:
Daily: £31.10
Annual: £298.00
During the 2020 season daily passes were not made available although annual passes were.
As of 2023, prices for daily launching are in the list of tariffs so may now be available.
Services. Marina Toilets and showers are for berth holders only, but office will let you in if you ask nicely. Shop, Bar Restaurant, Hotel with Bars, Restaurant and swimming pool.
There are a number of small slipways with limited access around high tide. They may be useful for pick-up and drop-off of crew or for launch and recovery of kayaks, canoes and small inflatables.
About an hour each side of high tide, gets very muddy very quickly as the tide drops.
Maybe a couple of hours each side of high tide, can be quite rocky. This is a public right of way although the slipway itself may belong to Langstone Sailing Club.
An hour or so each side of high tide, quite rocky. Can be difficult to navigate to from seaward. Sometimes referred to locally as "The Halt". A popular Windsurfing, Paddle boarding and Canoeing location.
There are a few private slipways with access restricted to members of the respective organisation. Included here only for completeness
Just to the west of the bridge, Langstone Sailing Club members only. A couple of hours each side of high water.
Just south of Kendall Bros Wharf (the Dredger), Tudor Sailing Club members only. Three or Four hours each side of high water.
Just south of Tudor Sailing Club. For Centre customers only. Three or Four hours each side of high water.
Directly into the "Run". ECA Members only. All states of the tide, significant tide race at half tide.