Advice on the merits of Ilfracombe?

[[3889]]

Whilst my boat is in Swansea for a month I'm looking at short passages with an overnight stop to gently rehabilitate SWMBO to sailing after excessive exuberance on my behalf in the past. I'm thinking about Ilfracombe/ Combe Martin /Lynmouth but don't want set backs caused by a night rolling at anchor. Any comments on the suitability of these venues in light to moderate SW winds on neaps or any other suggestions within 30 miles max of Swansea.

 

[C08]

Not sure if your boat is fin or twin keel but the shelterered visitors mooring at Ilfracombe dries although you can anchor further out and stay afloat and an attractive little town to spend time in. Saundersfoot is a sheltered and pretty harbour with visitors spaces on the walls and a helpful harbourmaster and well worth a visit.

 

[jwilson]

If your boat is a Jeanneau 36i or Sun 2500 as listed in your profile you will struggle. By Combe Martin I presume you mean Watermouth. All are drying, Lynmouth onto a rather rocky bottom. You can anchor off all three, though Lynmouth not good holding ground from memory.

 

[[3889]]

It's the 36i - fin keel. I know I can't use the harbours - I was wondering how sheltered the anchorages are and if they are strongly affected by tide.

 

[[70521]]

That horrendous statue puts me off ever visiting again.

 

[DuncanHall]

Why not anchor off Lundy probably the most beautiful spot around there. It's easy to do on one tide from Swansea. Providing no E in the wind it's an excellent anchorage.

 

[bluedragon]

By Combe Martin I presume you mean Watermouth.

No, Combe Martin is different to Watermouth. You can anchor off in 3-5m with shelter from SW. What you don't want is any chance of the wind going N or East. I prefer CM to Ilfracombe. It's a large bay and VERY quiet. Last time I was in overnight there were only two boats at anchor inc. ours - and that was in summer! Beware - if you're entering at HW there is submerged (drying) mole off the beach. I went right over it the first I time went in to explore. Got a bit of shock when it appeared on a falling tide!

 

[SteveSarabande]

You wont get very far into watermouth at low tide. With a northerly stay clear. I found out how bouncy it could be on wednesday evening.

Lundy isnt too far away from Swansea, or perhaps some of the gower bays, or Caldey.

 

[simon barefoot]

Lynmouth should be ok, plenty of chain out and stay out well past the last weir posts. Strong tide though. The Rising Sun is a lovely pub right by the harbour. Or nip over on springs, you should get an hour and a half either side of H/W alongside the eastern harbour arm.