Dartmouth marinas

[Sadlerfin]

Simple question -if going to Dartmouth in say early July which marina/berth might you aim for and do they take bookings? What is the fallback plan if no room at the inn as it were ? In summary which marina do people rate in terms of access,facilities etc?

Ive just returned !

Dartmouth is lovely much nicer in my view that Salcombe. The town has a walk ashore pontoon it's fine but no power or water, water is available on the barge in the river FOC. Showers can be taken in the yacht Club on the Dartmouth side. We had no problems finding a swinging mooring at Ditisham and its beautiful there turn up early.
The premier Noss Marina is closed to visitors as it is still in construction.
As said call Dart Nav on arrival they are very helpful told me they had the busiest weekend ever over the late may bank holiday and still got everyone in.

 

[johnalison]

Ive just returned !

Dartmouth is lovely much nicer in my view that Salcombe. The town has a walk ashore pontoon it's fine but no power or water, water is available on the barge in the river FOC. Showers can be taken in the yacht Club on the Dartmouth side. We had no problems finding a swinging mooring at Ditisham and its beautiful there turn up early.
The premier Noss Marina is closed to visitors as it is still in construction.
As said call Dart Nav on arrival they are very helpful told me they had the busiest weekend ever over the late may bank holiday and still got everyone in.

I’m sure that we have had power on the Town pontoon, and I have a vague memory of there being water, but it was about six years ago last time. The tide runs through the mooring there and manoeuvring can be interesting. It was too interesting for the owner of a HR 382 from a sailing school who had to leap aboard over the pulpit and they ended up with the back stay jammed against the pedestrian walkway. There was a YM instructor on the helm, so what would one expect?

 

[olam]

We have been here a couple of weeks.Dartmouth river moorings ok some rafting as you would expect.quite busy at Newtown ferrers.Newlyn full night before last.Helford busy but plenty of room to anchor.Falmouth busy as expected last week with G7 and big classics rally.currently on a buoy in st Mawes still some space.
Prob best to assume marinas full up but not really a problem down here as plenty of anchorage’s.

 

[ashtead]

Thank you to all for words of wisdom . Certainly would like to reach Dartmouth weather willing -just need some suitable weather of course for rounding the Bill etc otherwise a week of lockdown in Portland might be more likely .

 

[newtothis]

Steam trains on one side and the paddle steamer on the other - what’s not to like about Darthaven?

Modernity, apparently.

 

[Seven Spades]

Try being between the big yellow buoys in 60knts with no room up stream for three nights!

 

[pessimist]

Sorry for the late reply - just back from the boat in Dartmouth. I think you'll have problem in any of the Marinas. As others have said Town Quay is usually available but was full a couple of nights ago. The visitors pontoons are still have space but appear to be rafting only. Not been up to Dittisham but judging by the VHF traffic visitor's buoys are available but, again, rafting only. The anchorage below the Anchor Stone has been fairly quiet and is a lovely spot. Bit of a dinghy ride into town (the yacht taxi doesn't operate that far upriver) but worth it. (IMHO)

 

[robertj]

I rang one of the marinas last week to book.
I was greeted by someone who informed me that they are full, will not take bookings in advance only turn up and if they have I can if not then you will have to make other arrangements.
I can honestly say he stated the truth no doubt but I felt no customer service one jot.
I made other arrangements without phoning them.
Where as Sutton harbour were more than pleased when I arrived, helped with lines with exceptionally friendly staff which has to go down to both working environment and management training in customer care.

 

[st599]

I'm looking forwards to the carnage of Dartmouth Week - the race fees are in the 100s but don't guarantee a berth.

Last time on Day 1, they'd rafted all the small race boats which had a start line 1 mile away outside the bigger boats that had a start line 6 miles away.

Then day 2, there was a late arriving cruiser rafted outside who tried to tell the race fleet that as he'd only arrived at 4am, he didn't want to move.

 

[Tomaret]

Modernity, apparently.

I wouldn’t want to live like that, but for a couple of days I enjoy it.