Across Lyme Bay - the long way?

[RIN]

Has anyone not cut straight across Lyme Bay to the west country, but followed the coast instead? Is it worth doing? is the scenery worth the extra fuel? Is the sea less rough?

We're planning a trip in August and would welcome the forum's views

 

[SkipperMarv]

we did this last easter in TCM's boat to find the calmer weather, still did the trip in reasonable time but had to spend more time looking for pot markers etc. Scenery looked quite good from memory but we did not stop anywhere.

 

[thefatlady]

I've done it a few times and it is worth doing at least once. Sea state is not much different. Unless you dawdle to take in the scenery, it doesn't feel as much longer as you would think.

Eastern end of Lyme Bay is not very interesting and no harbours (except West Bay - used to have a long narrow shallow entrance, but I think it has been rebuilt).

From Golden Cap westwards, it becomes more interesting with some pretty coatline.

It is possible to stop in Exmouth on visitors' buoys or anchor. Pleasant well sheltered estuary but town not worth visiting. Long entrance with sand bars - watch the marks! Can get strong currents in the river at certain states of the tide.

Teignmouth is a small commercial port with a bit more character. There is a small visitors pontoon. Narrow entrance with shallows - take care.

My recommendation? Try it once - you have little to lose.

 

[Tisme]

...and Lyme Regis which is fine for an overnight visit. Harbour largely dries out, depending on tide. The harbour master will bend over backwards to help. It's worth phoning beforehand to get a spot reserved for you.

 

[BrendanS]

Longjohnsilver has written a complete guide to this. If I get time later I'll have a search for it

 

[RIN]

Thanks for the comments. Brendan it would be great if you could find it

 

[Chas25]

Last year on route to Falmouth I went straight across Lyme bay, coming home took the scenic route, I think it was worth it... /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Stopped breifly at Brixham, Teignmouth and west bay not much to say about them though!

 

[tcm]

I would say that it isn't an absolute "must see". As SMarv says, we did this last year tho purely out of need - to head west when the wind was between WNW and N. You have to hang in close 400yds ish to portland bill. Can't say i would put it on a "must do" - it's a sneaky way of heading west against the wind for mobo's, and uder those circumstances yes,it avoided rougher sea. The sea is calmer tho Only when there is north in the wind. Othrwise it's a lee shore and i wd stay further out.

 

[BrendanS]

The original thread seems to have been deleted. It's increasingly difficult to find old threads now. However, I've found a copy of what LJS wrote:
=====================================

No need to rush, call in at a few other places on the way, you'll be surprised how easy it will seem.

Maybe call in at Weymouth for the cheapest fuel on the south coast, creep around Portland Bill about 50- 100 yards off and then hug the coast around Lyme Bay, maybe stop for lunch in Lyme Regis, use a visitors buoy and dinghy to the Cobb, good food and drink in the Cobb Arms. Then onwards past Beer (you could well find Blue Fisher somewhere between Lyme and Exmouth on one of our favourite dive sites), maybe call into Exmouth for a pint, you can always moor alongside me or use my mooring if I'm not there. From my mooring it's only about 20 yards onto Dawlish Warren which has great sandy beaches, but watch out for the currents. The sand dunes are great, easy to find a secluded bit all to yourself even at the busiest times. Have a good explore, there's ponds, loads of wildlife and even a golf course!

Then on to Teignmouth, only go in around high water, but well worth the effort, pretty, good beaches and some good pubs on the quay. Next on to Babbacombe tucked away in the corner of the bay only a few miles away from Torquay. There's a little pier that you can tie up to at high tide, or else anchor 50 yards or so off at low water, with an excellent pub only 50 yards or so away. And a few hundred yards away is a cliff railway, up to the top for some great views. There are often dolphins around this area, an added bonus.

Then round the corner to Torbay, not my favourite place although Brixham is interesting in places, particularly recommended is Brixham Yacht Club, fantastic views of the bay with good food and a good choice of beers. From there a short hop around to Dartmouth, maybe stopping at Scabbacombe sands for the girls to play (watch out for the nudists!) and then into Dartmouth, loads of places to stop, or for somewhere a bit quieter up to Dittisham or again at high water, all the way to Totnes.

Leaving Dartmouth for Salcombe you have some great beaches in Start Bay, Blackpool Sands being one of the best. Look out for the abandoned houses at Hallsands, lots of history there. Creep around Start Point avoiding the Skerries and Salcombe is just around the corner. Look for the wreckage on Prawle point, an old ship which broke its tow some years ago. Salcombe has some of the best beaches in the country with golden sands and clear water, and always somewhere sheltered to moor or anchor.

There you have it, Lyme Bay and beyond in easy steps, all great fun and not at all difficult in settled weather. Give it a go, you will enjoy it, or else your money back!!

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

I'll second that. Lyme Regis is well worth a visit. Its many years since we visited but we stayed on a buoy outside the harbour, one of a few that got installed outside the harbour for the summer. Not sure if they still do them. Only viable in offshore winds though. Yes, the harbourmaster was very helpful and keen to see more visiting boats