Cruising the Tamar

C

Catamaran

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Thinking of cruising up the Tamar next week, to take a look at places like Cotehele quay etc and take in a pub lunch or two.

Anyone got any experience of this? Nav tips, pub tips etc!?

Boat is a Cat and has a draft of around 2.5'.
 
What height is your mast + other bits added on top?

There are a couple of power lines across the river upstream of Saltash. Check your charts for the clearances.

There is at least one previous thread you can find on YBW from last year.

I have a 50 foot mast which prevents me going not much further than where the Tavy joins the Tamar.
 
Our boat has an air draft of under 50', so we should be OK at all states of tide... According to charts I've seen. Only o/h cable is around Weir Quay.

I'd like to get as far Calstock if the tides allow...
 
Heading North from the Tamar Bridge, there are two sets of power lines crossing the Tamar, the first just before Cargreen (68ft clearance according to my charts) and then another set crossing just before Weir Quay (52ft clearance according to my charts) Obviously that's the clearance at HAT or highest predicted spring tide and for the lowest point of the power lines. They droop considerably in the middle (don't we all after a while) so that you have a much greater clearance (but less depth to play with) nearer the sides of the river. I've seen big boats up there past the power lines with much greater air draft than 50 ft!

It's very beautiful and there are some wonderfully peaceful spots to anchor. Enjoy. Just watch out for tree trunks and the like in the river after a spring tide! ;)
 
Despite your cat config and modest draught, do ensure you go up on a rising tide. Yes.

The only place with pubs above The Bridges that doesn't require a 'yomp' is Calstock, and there are two of 'em. Plenty of scenic atmospheric anchorages along the way, though.

Just below The Bridges, there are Y/Clubs on both sides of the divide - Tamar River SC and Saltash. There's a fine pub-with-food-and-beds on the Plym/St Budeaux side, two ruff pubs on the other, Cornish, side close to a public jetty, and a dozen more up the v. steep hill into Saltash. The better beer is on the Plymouth side. As are the prices..... The 'Ferry House Inn'.
 
My air draft is 19m / 63 ft. I happily go under the first power lines to Cargreen. Though it is theoretically possible to slip under the other at low water keeping to the side I'm reluctant to risk it, otherwise I'd love to go up to Cothele, calstock, Morwelham etc.
 
Catamaran said:
Thinking of cruising up the Tamar next week, to take a look at places like Cotehele quay etc and take in a pub lunch or two.

Anyone got any experience of this? Nav tips, pub tips etc!?

Boat is a Cat and has a draft of around 2.5'.
Click to expand...

We took our then Prout Quest 33 up past Cothele a decade or more ago. Only issue was that evetntually the river became quite narrow and turning the boat to go back was awkward. I dont remember any issues but TBH my memory is carp these days.
 
snowleopard said:
My air draft is 19m / 63 ft. I happily go under the first power lines to Cargreen. Though it is theoretically possible to slip under the other at low water keeping to the side I'm reluctant to risk it, otherwise I'd love to go up to Cothele, calstock, Morwelham etc.
Click to expand...

Snowy... one of the boats I've seen above Weir Quay (and the second set of powerlines) was a Dragonfly 35 Ultimate which this website reckons to have an air-draft of 19.5m!

http://www.dragonfly.dk/boats/dragonfly-35/specifications.aspx

I don't live far from Plymouth, so if the lights go out here at home, I'll assume you decided to give it a go ;)
 
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