Anchoring in Ilfracombe

Blue_Pearl

Blue_Pearl

Well-Known Member
Joined
4 Nov 2008
Messages
260
Location
Portishead
Visit site
We're planning on doing the Ilfracombe-Lundy race on Sunday and have never been there before. Are there any secrets to anchoring there outside the harbour ? Or is it better to try alongside the harbour wall ?
Boat is 12m LOA and 2.1m draft
Also if anyone fancies crewing then feel free to PM me. It's only oue second ever race and we'll need all the help we can get !
Planning on leaving Portishead either Saturday morning staight to Ilfracombe, or Friday night via stop off in Cardiff.
 
If its calm pick up a mooring buoy in outer harbour but we tend to go inside on the wall.Guess that won't work if you need to get out racing though!
 
Be prepared for a rocky rolly night at anchor if there is any north in the wind .

Havent looked at the tide book but suspect the outer moorings wont be suitable for your draft and single keel .

PS You can email the HM harbour_master@northdevon.gov.uk
 
Last edited:
Csail said:
If its calm pick up a mooring buoy in outer harbour but we tend to go inside on the wall.Guess that won't work if you need to get out racing though!
Click to expand...

No No No - unless they are putting in some extra buoys just by the entrance. The normal row of buoys facing the outer side of inner harbour wall will be far too shallow for a 2.1 m draft.

I dont know what arrangements the race organisers make but room against the quay wall is limited and you will dry out. Space just outside the harbour is also limited and a bit exposed but the current forecasts are for light winds.

I'd be inclined to get there early to bag a place.
 
Apparently the race organisers are expecting quite a few yachts to anchor beyond the harbour.

I bet there will be some bleary eyes in the morning and not through to much pop.Haha!:D

I will look out for you Bosun Higgs..
 
The wall inside is normally fairly booked by now, about 200yds off the outerharbour (the seaward side of the pier) pretty much in the entrance is the best place. The harbour dries and buoys in the outer harbour won't have enough depth for you. If you do manage to get on the wall you should not have a problem with the tide and getting out for the start.

If anyone fancies meeting for a beer i will be crewing on mystere, a cobra 850.
 
It was quite rough on Friday night and the anchorage outside the harbour would have been a VERY rolly place to be. Blue Pearl got a slot on the harbour wall and we dried her out there. And a good time was had by all. :D
 
Bit academic, this was last weekend - keep up at the back. Off to look at the results and see who won!

Outside anchored is not my first choice of places to spend the night. Too near the beach, if you want the Oldenburg to leave you alone.
Last time it was so unpleasant and felt unsafe that we got up, left and sailed over to Oxwich!
Maybe the buoys outside, but not sure of the depth and all.
Watermouth is the next best choice, but leaves you with a trip to get to the start.That might be a pain if the tide is against you.
Anyone know a good bilge keel racer?
 
Last edited:
Again accademic now after the event - I spent the weekend in Watermouth, and it was springs - so the Cove dried out almost completely. Xanadu, the fin keeler who came with us was right in the entrance lying to an anchor bow and stern, not really gaining much protection from the Cove at all, and she only draws 1.4m.

Mike, Xanadu's skipper moved to Combe Martin for the second night, which being only a couple of miles from Ilfracombe would probably be a good option.
 
Not academic: we was there, on Blue Pearl! (Keep up at the front :D)

Like I said, Blue Pearl was dried out on the harbour wall, along with several others. We could see one boat that arrived later than us anchored outside, and every time I looked that way it was rolling about +/- 30 deg :eek:.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top