Can i drive my boat to Isle Of Wight?

Question

hi i was just wondering can someone who owns a boat (motorboat) drive the motorboat from UK to Isle Of Wight without any kinda permission, like one would drive on the roads or do you have to get some kind of permit?

Answer 1

no you dont need any permit or passport to take your boat over to the isle of wight.

Answer 2

You sail a boat....

Answer 3

obviously... sail to somewhere secret..

Answer 4

Yes when you get to Capetown I would ask for directions

Answer 5

You can! You don't need permits!

You should, however pay some attention to your vessel and your abilities.

If you are asking this question, then you might not be up to the trip. It really is no big deal, about two hours under sail and you're there. Can be done in twenty or so minutes depending on the power of your motor boat.

But! It is a heavily trafficked area and you should become familier with such things as collision regulations & tidal streams and quite a bit more.

I can put you in touch with good sources of such info if you like, just email me at [e-mail]

Best regards,

Geoff

www.sailingunlimited.net

Answer 6

It's an English county so I don't see any customs or other legal issues. I am concerned about your navigational and sailing background though as (also noted by others) you dont' drive a boat. The proper term would be piloting. Crossing the Solent is going to be quite different than coasting (that is sailing along the coast) or motoring along a river. There are bound to be currents and traffic you're not accustomed to that could place you in a very dangerous predicament. I'm not sure but there are probably also various maritime laws governing equipment that are different for sea going boats compared to inland navigation.

Check with a local maritime office, I'm sure they'll be very helpful.

On the other side of the trip if you go through with it you may have to book a slip at a marina ahead of time.

Answer 7

You don't drive you sail, but the answer is no since the Isle of White is part of the UK.

Answer 8

Remember its a very busy shipping lane probably advice would be the order of the day from the harbour authorities

Answer 9

yes as far as I know you can as its part of the UK.  It is quite a long peice of water to cross and you would need to make sure you keep out of the shipping lanes.  Its a busy area for ferries ect

Answer 10

Yes, of course you can, just like driving from one county to another on land.  However I wouldn't recommend it for yourself, your phraseology implies you know little about boats or boating and that is NOT the best sea area to find out . . .

I might add that the various harbourmasters are going to be peeved if you turn up in their areas wandering all over the place.

Answer 11

no you cant drive a boat

Answer 12

No permissions are needed but think about the safety of yourself and your crew if it goes wrong you cannot call the AA first up is the Lifeboat.Should they risk their lives for your fun just do the checks .Make the coastguard aware by radio and if  it all checks out enjoy yourself.

Answer 13

you can,but your only big concern,is being run down by the frequent ferry services,and the waves that they cause,I would also wear a life jacket,just in case you end up being capsized