Calstock

[rob]

Any one have any info on Calstock. I wanted to take my fin keel yacht there next summer exploring the rivers etc. in and around the Tamar.
Is there enough water to anchor/moor there at low tide for a 4'8'' draught?
Is there any other places in and around the Tamar/Plymouth area for the same?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Regards

Rob

 

[yachtcharisma]

Have you got Mark Fishwick's West Country Cruising? I can recommend it for a good section on Plymouth and its rivers. From personal experience, I've only been up to Calstock once. But I didn't think the river was that deep up there, although you'd probably be ok at neaps. From memory, there's a deeper spot just downstream of Calstock after the river turns south, but you're then in the main channel which is quite heavily used by trip boats - huge so and so's which look quite scary bearing down on you at speed!

Other places around the Plymouth rivers? Dandy Hole up the Lynher to anchor in a very peaceful spot. Cargreen up the Tamar - pleasant enough, moorings and a pub. Cotehele, further up the Tamar? Can't remember for certain, but I think there's a mooring buoy in the deep water channel as an alternative to drying out alongside the quay there, but you'd need to check.

Cheers
Patrick

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Sailing a Corribee
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[PaulJ]

From Mark Fishwick's West Country Cruising, the phone number of Calstock Boatyard is 01822 832502 - I suggest you give 'em a ring....

 

[AndrewB]

I've been there several times in the past, the last time seven years ago in my present yacht which draws 6½ft. There is not enough water generally for you at low tide. There are deeper 'holes', one close to the bridge, which I think would take you, but of course there always seems to be a yacht moored there already. Another possibility is to lie on the quayside wall, which is suitable close to the bridge. Trouble is, the quay is used by the river steamers at high tide, so you would have to negotiate whether you could move in for the night as the tide drops.

There is (or used to be) a 'harbour master' mainly responsible for supervising the visiting steamers, you might try. Calstock is well worth the visit, I would recommend you go but be prepared to have to return on the tide.

 

[charles_reed]

Why not contact cornishman938 via the e-mail facility on this BB - you'll find he has the information first hand, at his fingertips.

 

[Trevethan]

I was down there last summer, not in a boat, (family lives up the hill past the railway line).

Wandered down to the quayside and low tide and to be honest didn't see much in the way of water for vessels with any draught. I wasn't looking specifically mind you, but all the boats that I saw were bilge keelers.

So I am not much help at all really sorry!

Good luck!

Regards,

Nick

 

[rob]

thanks all, I'll explore the advice fully, as it seems rather hit and miss there.

 

[schilde]

Local knowledge is the best, the boatyard will know. It is also worth buying the chart and Fishwick, then you can work it out for yourself. Also you will see in your almanac that the spring range up there is only 3.5m or something, ie 1m less than Plymouth. But I think you should be able to find enough water even if it means you only move at higher tides. I expect the trip boats must draw 4ft or so. One of them moors at Calstock.

The main reason to go to Calstock is to say you have been there. There is 0 to see and 0 to do. (Does everyone agree?) Definitely do not be there when the trip boat unloads, the locals hide and the population increases by 1000% for an hour.

Cotehele is worth a visit esp if you are NT members but the docks are too muddy for your keel, you should be ok drying against the southernmost frontage ie in line with the river where the dirt is about 3m below the top of the wall, assuming you can make the boat lean the right way! Fishwick doesn't recommend it, I haven't tried it, my ship fits in the dock. There are some moorings here that are always empty, maybe the boatyard will know who they belong to. You could anchor just downstream, only a few boatlengths south of the quays.

Cargreen is ok if you like pub food. The pub has moorings. nb the tide runs fast here, you need a motor on the dinghy. You can go on the wall if you time it right. Weir quay has a boatyard with visitors moorings and a shower, chandlery etc which is ok for an overnight, also there is a sailing club. You can also overnight for free on the new pontoon at Saltash but if staying longer I would borrow a mooring from the club as you will worry about the kids nicking your stuff.

While around here have a trip up the Lynher. You could probably get to St Germans which is a very nice village. It has a very friendly sailing club, post office, pub (there may be more than one pub, but I can only remember one!) The channel is well marked. But you may prefer to anchor at Dandy Hole and go up by dinghy like everyone else does. Don't feel you have to go right in the hole (5m) esp at neaps, anywhere round the outside of the bend is ok, I prefer the west part. don't go east of the end of the trees (and the hole) where the river is wider because the wide bit is shallow. Look at the chart.

Enjoy your trip

hth
Steve