Entry to Padstow Tidal height and depth in entry channel

[yotter]

We are planning a delivery trip from Salcombe to the Clyde in early May. We plan to stop at Padstow. We visited yesterday by car and chatted with a couple of the harbour staff after explaining that we draw 2.1 metres, they seems pretty laxed that we could get in even at neaps, which surprised me, perhaps I misunderstood. We are aware that the bock gate is open for 2 hours either side of HW, but looking at the chart, there is a drying height of 3.5 metres in the channel from the river Camel to the dock gate. That would mean that we ground with a tidal height of 5.6 metres at 3.5 + 2.1. So looks like we need to be within a couple of days of springs when the height is approx 7 metres, neaps is as low as 5.3 metres, so not enough water. Perhaps the drying height is not as high as 3.5 metres and I should imagine the sand shifts around a fair bit with the tide. We would be happier with a bigger tidal window around springs, sine there are many other considerations not least weather affecting the timings for rounding lands End.

Any local knowledge would be appreciated apart from get a bilge keeler

Angus

 

[masterofnone]

The Harbour Master is a very helpful gentleman, There are two deep water moorings suitable for waiting on. Obs stick very well to channel, I was a little complacent but the HM noticed and advised otherwise. The charge for inside/outside is the same.

 

[yotter]

Many thanks for that info, all useful. We do need to establish what the water depth is at that shallow 3.5m drying sounding, otherwise we may be on the deepwater moorings waiting for springs and we have a dog with limited tank capacity. He did mention that the tidal flow can sweep you out of the channel towards the town bar and we will certainly watch for that, they were all very friendly.
Angus

 

[dunedin]

Don’t know Padstow, but when we did our delivery trip North with similar keel draft, we went to the stunning aisles of Scilly - then sailed directly for Dun Loughaire/ Dublin, as seemed the simplest and least stressful route. Worth considering?

 

[lustyd]

Don’t know Padstow, but when we did our delivery trip North with similar keel draft, we went to the stunning aisles of Scilly - then sailed directly for Dun Loughaire/ Dublin, as seemed the simplest and least stressful route. Worth considering?

Dog on board makes that very difficult.

 

[lustyd]

St Ives is a very reasonable anchorage after Lands End, no need to get all the way to Padstow in one hit if you’re running late.
Padstow is less scary when you’re there than you’d expect just be extremely sure you know the tides for the day and whether it’s BST. If you’re late just don’t go in you can anchor further out too.

 

[mattonthesea]

We've been to Padstow many times as we are Bristol based. IIRC the neaps tide height drops to its lowest and back up to a reasonable height within a day or so. So you would have a 1in 7 chance of getting it wrong. It is easy to get a dinghy to the outside pontoons if you want to get the dog ashore. Coming from Lands End you would be near the top of the tide so slack water would be near.

Admittedly we only draw 1.5m but we have left the harbour at HW+2 and then waited on the moorings for another hour before departure. That's because we want the lesser foul tide for Lundy.

Going north, if the tides don't match daylight or your schedule, you can anchor just to the north of the river. (Not advisable in F6 - how do I know!)

NB there are many many lobster pots in the mouth of the river and surrounds.

 

[mattonthesea]

St Ives is a very reasonable anchorage after Lands End, no need to get all the way to Padstow in one hit if you’re running late.
Padstow is less scary when you’re there than you’d expect just be extremely sure you know the tides for the day and whether it’s BST. If you’re late just don’t go in you can anchor further out too.

Yes we've gone alongside there in a Sigma 36 for a few hours; and anchored and used a mooring buoy many times. Bit uncomfortable if there's much northerly in the wind.

 

[barca nova]

We sail the Bristol Channel so been into Padstow many times, albeit not for a couple of years or so. The outer harbour dries and the channel from the river into the harbour is more shallow. The river used to be more than deep enough to cope with my boat at 1.9m, so if the lock gates werent open to allow me to go straight in , I used to anchor in the river just before the point where you turn to starboard to go into the harbour entrance channel and waited there until there was sufficient water for the HM to start opening the lock gates.

Watch Navigation Video - Padstow Harbour The Camel estuary approach channel used to be well buoyed at night.

You will find it pretty straightforward but be wary of the outer approaches to the river Camel - its often fouled up with lobster pots and they arent all well marked. There are fewer of them at Springs because of strong tidal flows.

Padstow is a bit of a glue pot. Lovely place but if I were heading for the Clyde I would try to give it a miss and go straight from Newlyn or Penzance to Milford which is accessible at all states of tide and weather.

 

[yotter]

Many thanks for the good info. I have just fitted a Darglow rope cutter as an insurance policy. I had an Ambassador stripper on previous boat and it was successful in chomping at laest 2 lobby pot porely marked risers. We may review the crew list, nae dug certainly simplifies things, makes Lundy feasible also. We went to St Ivves by car on Friday and with westerly 6 to 7 and a big sea it was surprisingly calm east of the harbour, but no go in northerly I expect. I like this option since less distance, trying to keep daily runs to 60nm due to dug tankage levels

Looking forward to the adventure

 

[lustyd]

Padstow pots are the best marked in the country with good flags on all. The rest of the coast os chaos, of course, but Padstow is good!
You probably realise but it’s usually not northerly at St Ives, and if it were, Lands End would be unpleasant anyway.

 

[yotter]

Yes, we were thinking if onshore wind on north coast, we will be hiding at Penzance or near to.

 

[lustyd]

Newlyn is good if you decide not to take the dog.

 

[SaltyC]

I have done the Scottish Borders to South Coast a few times, usually going Newlyn - Milford Haven.
Last summer I went Fishguard to St Ives, following previous visit to St Ives and rolly night went into Carbis Bay quieter night but in the morning very surprised how I missed the chess board of lobster pots in the dark!
Returning, anchored off Mousehole well sheltered from West, quiet night and a delightful village for a shore run.

I then took the plunge to go to Padstow - I previously had your concerns, arrived within 2 hours of HW and straight up. With 2.0m draught I never had any concerns so would say never less than 3m depth, however did have concern when HM allocated stern to berthing since singlehanded - no problem will gave staff in RIB to take bow line, HM also on pontoon to take stern line!
Fantastic service, most helpful and cheapest marina after 6 weHi Steve happy new year. It's been an odd winter in Lanzarote lots or rain and high winds but still got some sun and better than the UK. We have 2 weeks left it's gone so quick.
With regards to your request, I've asked the skipper, and he said that's absolutely fine. He will find Riona on the hard round about where tranquility landed the ladder is tied on at the back so easy to get onboard. eks in the West country - @ £25/ night for 37' cheaper than many moorings!
Can thoroughly recommend a couple of nights. From Christmas card and News letter the new facilities are now open!
Another anchorage I find useful us Abardaron at the Southern entrance to Bardsey sound.
Have a great trip, make tge most of the time to visit places on tge way.

 

[masterofnone]

Many thanks for the good info. I have just fitted a Darglow rope cutter as an insurance policy. I had an Ambassador stripper on previous boat and it was successful in chomping at laest 2 lobby pot porely marked risers. We may review the crew list, nae dug certainly simplifies things, makes Lundy feasible also. We went to St Ivves by car on Friday and with westerly 6 to 7 and a big sea it was surprisingly calm east of the harbour, but no go in northerly I expect. I like this option since less distance, trying to keep daily runs to 60nm due to dug tankage levels

Looking forward to the adventure

I did Newlyn to Padstow, missed the lock by 15 mins, directed to the rnli buoy, therefore i entered on a falling tide. Then up to Lundy, good anchorage before heading onto Dale. Returning via Lundy/ Padstow/ St. Ives / Scilly Isles/ Newlyn. I was trying to do day sails 45/50nm.

 

[SaltyC]

I have done the Scottish Borders to South Coast a few times, usually going Newlyn - Milford Haven.
Last summer I went Fishguard to St Ives, following previous visit to St Ives and rolly night went into Carbis Bay quieter night but in the morning very surprised how I missed the chess board of lobster pots in the dark!
Returning, anchored off Mousehole well sheltered from West, quiet night and a delightful village for a shore run.

I then took the plunge to go to Padstow - I previously had your concerns, arrived within 2 hours of HW and straight up. With 2.0m draught I never had any concerns so would say never less than 3m depth, however did have concern when HM allocated stern to berthing since singlehanded - no problem will gave staff in RIB to take bow line, HM also on pontoon to take stern line!
Fantastic service, most helpful and cheapest marina after 6 weHi Steve happy new year. It's been an odd winter in Lanzarote lots or rain and high winds but still got some sun and better than the UK. We have 2 weeks left it's gone so quick.
With regards to your request, I've asked the skipper, and he said that's absolutely fine. He will find Riona on the hard round about where tranquility landed the ladder is tied on at the back so easy to get onboard. eks in the West country - @ £25/ night for 37' cheaper than many moorings!
Can thoroughly recommend a couple of nights. From Christmas card and News letter the new facilities are now open!
Another anchorage I find useful us Abardaron at the Southern entrance to Bardsey sound.
Have a great trip, make tge most of the time to visit places on tge way.

weHi Steve happy new year. It's been an odd winter in Lanzarote lots or rain and high winds but still got some sun and better than the UK. We have 2 weeks left it's gone so quick.
With regards to your request, I've asked the skipper, and he said that's absolutely fine. He will find Riona on the hard round about where tranquility landed the ladder is tied on at the back so easy to get onboard.

Delete the above oasted as I struggked witb signal - may make more aense.

 

[yotter]

I have done the Scottish Borders to South Coast a few times, usually going Newlyn - Milford Haven.
Last summer I went Fishguard to St Ives, following previous visit to St Ives and rolly night went into Carbis Bay quieter night but in the morning very surprised how I missed the chess board of lobster pots in the dark!
Returning, anchored off Mousehole well sheltered from West, quiet night and a delightful village for a shore run.

I then took the plunge to go to Padstow - I previously had your concerns, arrived within 2 hours of HW and straight up. With 2.0m draught I never had any concerns so would say never less than 3m depth, however did have concern when HM allocated stern to berthing since singlehanded - no problem will gave staff in RIB to take bow line, HM also on pontoon to take stern line!
Fantastic service, most helpful and cheapest marina after 6 weHi Steve happy new year. It's been an odd winter in Lanzarote lots or rain and high winds but still got some sun and better than the UK. We have 2 weeks left it's gone so quick.
With regards to your request, I've asked the skipper, and he said that's absolutely fine. He will find Riona on the hard round about where tranquility landed the ladder is tied on at the back so easy to get onboard. eks in the West country - @ £25/ night for 37' cheaper than many moorings!
Can thoroughly recommend a couple of nights. From Christmas card and News letter the new facilities are now open!
Another anchorage I find useful us Abardaron at the Southern entrance to Bardsey sound.
Have a great trip, make tge most of the time to visit places on tge way.

Many thanks for the info. You said there was never less than 3 metres, I assume this was in the channel from the river to the dock gate. Do you know the date of your entry, was in near neaps or springs, I can calculate the tidal height if you know the date and approx time. I am probably being a bit annal but do not want to get there and not get in, or worse go aground on a falling tide. But we will only move when the tide is rising
Angus

 

[SaltyC]

Many thanks for the info. You said there was never less than 3 metres, I assume this was in the channel from the river to the dock gate. Do you know the date of your entry, was in near neaps or springs, I can calculate the tidal height if you know the date and approx time. I am probably being a bit annal but do not want to get there and not get in, or worse go aground on a falling tide. But we will only move when the tide is rising
Angus

Arrived 8th July HW 6.2m @ 1650 estimate arrival about 1530 with about 5.7m tidal height.
Departed 10th July about 0700 in Fog!!! Follow the snail trail on plotter. HW0600 6.4m.

TIdal cycle nearing springs.

Arrival time best guess departure fairly accurate, log book on board so can't give exact time.

Something nagging in my mind that channel was dredged last year so charted depths may not be correct, feel sure HM could confirm.

I too was anal, doom bar and horror stories of people stuck in Padstow due to strong Westerly winds, I entered in W F4 no problems.

As stated I was never concerned about depth entering - I do however sail in the Solway Firth and the East Coast rivers so used to shallow water. I start to pay attention when the depth sounder drops below 3m and never slowed below 4 k so not concerned. I remember being surprised at the depth entering and wondering about my concerns.

 

[yotter]

Impressive data. Perhaps it has been dredged, that would make sense, they did not mention that on Saturday. with a 6 metre tide that would mean 2.5m over the 3.5 drying height. Need to give them a call. Many thanks.

 

[lustyd]

To be fair that mirrors my experience, I think it’s just deeper than charted and the annual survey is too far out to see the worrying bit as they’re charting Doom Bar.