Advice needed - mooring / regulations in Plymouth

[jojonic]

I am seriously considering buying a boat shortly and, never having owned one before, am a little daunted by the proceedures and regulations I might encounter. The sort of thing I'm looking at is a 12' - 14' outboard speedboat which I will need to keep in Plymouth. I have parking for the boat but am trying to find out how / where I might be able to moor a small boat like this to save dragging it in and out of the water everytime I use it. Can anyone recommend a site? Does anyone have an idea of the price? (the cheaper the better!!!)

Also I am trying to find out rules and regs for using this type of boat in Plymouth and the surrounding area... does it need to be registered with a harbourmaster? Do I need a license to drive it? Can anyone recommend a good book for a first time boat owner?

Any advice would be much appreciated... /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[Swagman]

Suggest at 12 / 14 foot it is best to stick with the trailor. Leaving it on a mooring will see it degrade with UV - you'll have to antifoul - and then organise to get out and back to it. Add in any cost of mooring as opposed to front yard......I'd suggest try one season parking it at home.
I think you'll find the more often you launch and retreive the easier it becomes............
But sorry not local to Plymouth - so can't advise on the current by-laws.

JOHN

 

[poter]

As far as registration etc. etc. there are...none.
You will have to keep within the speed limit in the harbour which I think is 5mph but check, with the harbour authorities.
You will also have some no go areas but these are well posted. HM Docks etc.
As far as getting into boating go to the RYA website here and have a look at the training for powerboats. You do not actually require any form of licence, but it is of course much better for your safety & others if you understand the basics. You will also enjoy yourself a lot more having a bit of confidence in your own ability.

I would suggest that you keep you speedboat on a trailer & lunch it on a public slipway, there should always be someone around to give you a hand.

Don’t do what I did first time, many years ago got out of car and then got back in very sharpish as it started backing into the water on its own now I always make sure there is a wedge under the back wheel.

Have fun & good luck. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Poter.

 

[david]

Only two bylaws I can think of,
1 The speed limit in the sound is 10 mph.
2 Don't go within 50 metres of any moored warship, you won't get knicked but you won't go unoticed.

When any warships enter or leave the sound they are escorted by defence police in ribs, they will ask you to keep out of the way untill the warship has passed.

Most speedboats/skiers and jetskis tend to wander into the area near Cawsand and Kingsand where it is a favourite ancorage for both raggies and mobos, please don't go fast as you won't be very popular, and always be aware of swimmers in ancorages.

 

[StriderOzone]

Check out tis site for information on public slipways

http://www.sw-watersports.com/main/information/Slipways.cfm

 

[Will]

Jojo,

One of the easiest options might be launch and recovery, which I can provide for you in Plymouth. Basically, you store the boat here, give me a ring an hour or so before you want it launched, and we'll trundle it down the slipway behind a tractor, to save you dipping your car in the sea. Likewise for when you want it recovered.

I'm also a powerboat instructor, so should be able to help with any queries about using the boat. You don't need any specific licence in Plymouth, but some insurance companies will lower your premium if you have a basic qualification such as Powerboat Level II or an International Certificate of Competence. These require a couple of days training and if you're fairly limited in your experience at the moment, I'd strongly recommend a course before you take your boat to sea, even within Plymouth Sound.


Send me a PM (private message) if I can help any more.

Cheers

Will

 

[jojonic]

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. I'll do some more research and see what my options are here.