| The tour boats are a cheap way of getting around the | | | | for carrying cargo up and down the Thames and from |
| harbour but they have to stick to a set route. They | | | | 60 to 100ft. Due to there shape, they have huge deck |
| offer fixed prices per person with reduced rates for | | | | space and large areas beneath deck. As with the Rib |
| children. These trips generally take about an hour and | | | | you can chose where you visit and you are not |
| cover the main areas of the harbour. | | | | restricted to Portsmouth harbour alone. Despite there |
| Another option is to charter a RIB (RIB Charter) – | | | | large size the lack of a keel means that you are not |
| (rigid inflatable boat) for the day. If you take some | | | | restricted by shallow water which is handy as |
| friends or family this actually works out great value for | | | | Portsmouth harbour is very tidal. Most of the sailing |
| money and gives you the freedom to chose which | | | | barges also have plenty of berths down below so you |
| parts of the harbour you visit. The Rib can be at your | | | | can even sleep on the boat and continue sailing the |
| disposal all day and some are capable of over 50mph | | | | next morning. |
| so you can be anywhere in the Solent in no time. | | | | What ever method you chose to explore the harbour |
| Portsmouth harbour actually has a speed limit of 10 | | | | you can almost guarantee a great day out with plenty |
| knots so if you hire a Rib and fancy doing some wave | | | | to see and do. Rib and Thames barge charters give |
| jumping and high speed turns you have to venture out | | | | you more freedom and add another angle to the |
| of the harbour. | | | | day’s fun but the tour boats offer a very cost |
| You can also tour the harbour in style on a Thames | | | | effective method of exploring Portsmouth harbour. |
| sailing barge. Thames sailing barges were initially used | | | | |