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Does anyone have up-to-date info on launch-sites in south Devon, e.g. charges, parking, condition of slip?
I would love to explore some of the estuaries and coast there, say between Plymouth and Teignmouth, but its a long way to go without knowing a good place to launch.
Also let me know if you fancy joining me.
Thanks
John
W6419
Hi John. You are probably already aware of this but Salcombe is excellent Wayfarer territory (I want to go there myself )……straight out of my Honda good launch guide….www.boatlaunch.co.uk……Batson creek Salcombe tel. 01803 861358 looks good. Salcombe Harbour office tel 01548 843791………Dartmouth has two entries and Kingsbridge looks good has two entries (tide restrictions)…….basically you are going to have a good time………I’m with you in spirit…..My advice would be phone the harbour master of any new venue….Fowey in Cornwall and Bembridge (I.O.W) were really helpful and know the questions you are going to ask (parking trailers/trolleys etc)……….like anywhere if you are going in school holidays slipways will get hectic….I’ll let you be the guinea pig. Stick any photos on here too…its easy and brings it all to life. Good luck. Hopefully you might even get a reply from someone who has sailed there!
Also don’t bother with the estuary at Bigbury on sea……its a legendary windurfing venue with fantastic waves in on-shore conditions…..(my previous incarnation pre-Wayfarer)….obviously okay if there is no swell for sailing.
I can recommend an excellent book – “Where to Launch Around the Coast” – which tells you where you can launch, details of parking, any fees or harbour dues, tidal restrictions, toilets nearby etc. My copy was £7.95 (it’s a couple of years old now), and the author is Diana van der Klugt, published by Opus.
One day I may write a foody sequel, Where to Lunch Around the Coast…
DB
Hi John,
When are you going? I am starting a cruise from Plymouth around the 9th June, probably launching from Queen Annes Battery Marina and heading east as far as Lymington if possible.Hi Matt
Are you really?
David
PS John I can recommend http://www.boatlaunch.co.uk excellent site with maps and pictures!
Given half decent weather you will have a great cruise. I am biased having grown up and learnt to sail in Torbay, but it is a fabulous bit of coastline and cruising area. Cant really add a lot of detail to the comments already posted. Plymouth Sound, Salcombe Estuary, Dartmouth (would recommend exploring upriver towards Totnes if you have time) and Brixham / Paignton / Torquay are all very worth calling in at. In terms of launching you could consider the Mountbatten sailing centre in Plymouth – I’ve done a lot of sailing out of the Plymouth Yacht Haven marina recently (right next door to Mountbatten) and there are definitely loads of dinghies around and very good launching facilities.
What are your plans for overnighting? Will you have any form of shore support or are you going self sufficient? Will you be returning to your starting point?
Would be interested if you could update this thread as you plan your trip and definitely some comments after you have completed it. I would hope to be doing something similar before too long.
Good luck
JonathanThanks everyone for your comments on launch-sites in S Devon. The boatlaunch web-site is very good, but I was hoping for some up-to-date user comments, in particular car- and trailer-parking facilities and overnight charges. There also seems to be a scarcity of dinghy clubs in those parts – Dittisham SC is the only one I’ve found south of Teignmouth and east of Plymouth. Have I missed any? Surely Salcombe and Dartmouth have dinghy clubs?
No doubt Matt will be able to acquire full details during his cruise eastwards from Plymouth – sounds a super idea!
JohnTry Paignton Sailing Club, they have a big active dinghy fleet. There are also some dinghies in Brixham and Torquay but Paignton is the main one in Torbay. Not sure about Dartmouth and Salcombe in terms of dinghy clubs.
Jonathan
Johnathan,
Last time I sailed the area was in 2004 with my younger daughter. We ended up in QAB Marina in Plymouth – plenty of parking, easy launching and on the right side of Plymouth for me.
Dave Maynard and I aim to be self-sufficient with boat tent, but marina nights make life real easy and the cost is a trifle with a doctor aboard!
We will certainly let you know how we get on.
The trip will just about complete the south coast section of my gradual circumnavigation of England, perhaps later I can fill in the last of the east coast and then it’s all the sticky out bits on the left to worry about.Matt, me thinks the Doctor prefers Hotels to tents.(what a sensible man)
Hotels!!!!!!!! And miss out on those wonderful peacful nights in a tent (snoring dependant of course).
so you have heard about the snoring, now you know why I don’t need much sleep when sailing, i will send you the insomniacs guide
Hi there, has anyone done any more research on South Devon (or actually done any sailing there!) since the last postings on this topic? Since my last posting I have bought my first wayfarer and will be sailing in and around Torbay for the first week in June, probably just day sailing rather than cruising.
Jonathan
W8866Hi Jonathan,
Keep a look out for Water Witch over the weekend 7th-8t June. Maynard and I are starting from QAB Marina that weekend and heading east.
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