Going ashore in Plymouth from anchor

[CaptainBob]

We are skint and stuck in Plymouth waiting for good winds to head west with. At anchor in jennycliff bay right now.

Pondering how best to go ashore for the day to enjoy the sights and sounds and the 12 month free aquarium pass we bought last year when less skint, and in Sutton harbour.

I notice on the chart just west of Plymouth lido an area marked as 'small craft anchorage'. Anyone spent any time there?

We don't have a lock for the dinghy/oars.

All we can think of is taking it in turns.

 

[Princess52]

You could either pull the tender up the beach on Jenny cliff and walk to Mountbatten when you can catch a ferry across to Plymouth Barbican. Or you could row/motor to Mountbatten and use the services of the Mountbatten centre and use their pontoon. Then catch a taxi. The cost for Dinghy Boat Parking Single Hander per Day - Includes Use of showers & Changing Facilities is £12. 01752 404567 Or pay QAB marina £8.20 to tie up or take a chance and moor the dinghy anyway.

I have seen yachts moored by the lido but I have never been there myself.

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We are skint and stuck in Plymouth waiting for good winds to head west with. At anchor in jennycliff bay right now.

Pondering how best to go ashore for the day to enjoy the sights and sounds and the 12 month free aquarium pass we bought last year when less skint, and in Sutton harbour.

I notice on the chart just west of Plymouth lido an area marked as 'small craft anchorage'. Anyone spent any time there?

We don't have a lock for the dinghy/oars.

All we can think of is taking it in turns.

 

[steve350]

We are skint and stuck in Plymouth waiting for good winds to head west with. At anchor in jennycliff bay right now.

Pondering how best to go ashore for the day to enjoy the sights and sounds and the 12 month free aquarium pass we bought last year when less skint, and in Sutton harbour.

I notice on the chart just west of Plymouth lido an area marked as 'small craft anchorage'. Anyone spent any time there?

We don't have a lock for the dinghy/oars.

All we can think of is taking it in turns.

There's a Local Notice to Mariners relating to the anchorage off Plymouth Hoe, it's LNTM 16/14 http://www.qhm.mod.uk/plymouth/leisure/leisure-lntm

 

[theoldsalt]

CaptainBob,

There are two places I know of where it may be possible to moor free of charge alongside pontoons. I have used both.
Both are up the Tamar on the Cornwall side close to the two bridges.
One is above the bridges and is a "town pontoon"
The other below the bridges which belongs to the Saltash Sailing Club who may permit mooring if you ask at the adjacent clubhouse. As an alternative they may allow you to use a vacant river mooring.
Although a steep climb, provisions can be purchased up the hill at a COOP supermarket.

Public transport is available from Saltash into Plymouth.

I hope this helps.

P.S. I forgot to mention that I am currently in Plymouth Yacht haven just over the hill from Jennycliffe Bay if you need any help.

 

[dleroc]

Anchor in Barn Pool and take the dinghy to the Mount Edgecumbe beach. From there take the Cremyll passenger ferry to Stonehouse and bus/ walk to the centre /The Hoe.

 

[AndrewB]

I notice on the chart just west of Plymouth lido an area marked as 'small craft anchorage'. Anyone spent any time there?

Many years ago this area carried moorings for the Royal Western YC which were served by their tender. It was never a good spot though, what with frequent traffic, choppy water, strong currents and nowhere obvious to leave the dinghy.

Another place you might consider if the winds are reliably west is Cawsand Bay. Good holding and a nice village to visit, reasonably safe for the dinghy on the beach, infrequent bus service to Plymouth.

 

[john_morris_uk]

If someone really is skint, then I'm not sure that suggestions that involve taxi's are that helpful?

From Barn Pool anchorage, you can land the dinghy on the beach and the passenger ferry from Cremyll across to Stonehouse (£1.30 per adult) and you can walk into town or get a bus. It's a bit of a hike to the aquarium from there though!

I've seen boats anchored in the Cattewater near the entrance but clear of the moorings. Just make sure that you are clear of the channel! From there you've got a choice of places to land in a dinghy. We've landed at Mayflower steps before now, but sometimes you get local children mucking about there so be careful. (Schools haven't broken up yet so you may be ok?) From Mayflower steps you can walk to the aquarium without spending a penny on local transport! We've left our dinghy at Mayflower steps (with the outboard padlocked onto the transom but the oars left onboard) without any problems at all. A cheap padlock will act as a deterrent against casual opportunist theft. Make sure you tie the dinghy out of the way of the local ferry and tripper boats that use the steps for landing passengers.

If you are worried about security, you could be cheeky and dinghy into QAB marina. If there's no room at the back of a pontoon (look for some corner that they can't put a yacht or boat) then land at the slip way on the N side (go past the fuel pontoon and turn right) and carry the dinghy into a corner somewhere? You can easily walk to the aquarium from there. We once dinghied into Sutton Harbour when it was near the top of the tide and on free flow. We tied up at the pontoon just to the left of the entrance while we ran to the shops for something and no-one seemed to care.

The pontoon just on the Saltash side of the Tamar just N of the Tamar bridge is supposed to be free for one night, but various locals had taken to just leaving their boats on it last time we were there and I hear that they get very stroppy when told to move up the pontoon a bit to make room. The Saltash Sailing Club pontoon is definitely NOT supposed to be used for overnight mooring. Its for loading and unloading but does have water and the club will be very welcoming.

Our own mooring is vacant at the moment and it just South of the bridge also at Saltash Sailing Clup. Send me a pm if you want to borrow it for a few days. You will have to dinghy to the club, but the dinghy should be reasonably secure tied to the inside of the pontoon. Its a bus ride into Plymouth after a walk up a steep hill.

 

[[2574]]

Be aware that the foot bridge over the lock at Sutton Harbour is currently out of commission so passage over the lock requires a fairly decent stroll around the entire sutton harbour basin. I understand that Rockfish, the new posh chippy on the east side is being significantly disadvantaged by this, no customers! I guess the Aquarium is also feeling the pain.

 

[clyst]

You skint ??......... You have a lovely wife ,lovely daughter,lovely boat and are in the best part of the country and living the dream ! .......... Chill and enjoy another day in paradise

 

[CaptainBob]

Thanks everyone! Some really useful information there! And thanks for the offer of a mooring loan jm!!

The LNTM about the fan tail mollusc particularly timely - we'd definitely have gone there tonight without that.

Rose just called to say she was having to walk right round to get to the aquarium so you're right about the bridge over the lock. She and Nina are going to the aquarium without me today while I do the VAT return here in Jennycliff. There are worse places to work.

It does seem bonkers that for £10.80 we can anchor in Salcombe or Dartmouth, have free use of a landing pontoon, bins and a supply of water, but in Plymouth there's no such town connected facilities.

Mount Batten at £12 to land a dinghy and have a shower seems a bit steep - especially as it's then £3 x 2 return on the ferry. Total trip to Plymouth therefore costing £18 - ouch!

(Thanks for that Terry)

 

[robmcg]

You could pick up the one of the Torpoint Yacht Harbour visitors moorings. £15 for the night, including a water taxi to Torpoint and back. The harbour has showers that you will be entitled to use, even a bath if that's your bag. You can get your washing done as they have washing machines on site. Short stroll to the supermarket. Little park near the ferries. Bus into town not extortionate. All very doable in good weather.


Just noticed Captain Bob? Is that you Jeff ?

 

[theoldsalt]

Good afternoon CaptainBob,

I've just been out for a sail around the Sound and passed by your boat. The inflatable was alongside but no sign of life so did not stop to hail you.

It seems quite peaceful where you are. The name of your boat noted but not published.

Enjoy your stay at Plymouth.

Best regards

 

[clyst]

You could pick up the one of the Torpoint Yacht Harbour visitors moorings. £15 for the night, including a water taxi to Torpoint and back. The harbour has showers that you will be entitled to use, even a bath if that's your bag. You can get your washing done as they have washing machines on site. Short stroll to the supermarket. Little park near the ferries. Bus into town not extortionate. All very doable in good weather.


Just noticed Captain Bob? Is that you Jeff ?

In one !!

 

[robmcg]

Is that you Terry?



Bit slow at spotting people on here aren't I!

 

[CaptainBob]

Hi Rob. Yes it's me Didn't realise Torpoint had visitor facilities - might well check that out.

Theoldsalt I was deeply engrossed in my VAT return, what boat were you in? Yes it's nice here today. A bit rolly (sp?) from time to time but nothing unbearable.

 

[theoldsalt]

Hi Rob. Yes it's me Didn't realise Torpoint had visitor facilities - might well check that out.

Theoldsalt I was deeply engrossed in my VAT return, what boat were you in? Yes it's nice here today. A bit rolly (sp?) from time to time but nothing unbearable.

I have a Moody 425. I'm moored up back in Plymouth Yacht Haven now.

View attachment 43695


Regards

 

[clyst]

Is that you Terry?



Bit slow at spotting people on here aren't I!

G

In one !! Is that you Rob ?

 

[yoda]

Contact the RWYC who I believe have some visitors moorings and close to town. There is mention on their web site but well buried in the selection on club facilities.

Yoda

 

[CaptainBob]

Theoldsalt. Didn't see a moody. Must have been totally enthralled at the time with my work.

Thanks yoda. And everyone.

Ended up holing up in barn pool for a few days where we still are now. Took the ferry across to Plymouth side once and found a small but handy shop very close to the drop off point. Then did the trek to cawsand and back yesterday on foot. Dog very happy about that. Squirrels less so. Arms longer than before.

Barn pool also added to the galley supplies as we've anchored quite far out with a fair bit of chain out and so are positioned over the drop off with evening rising tide. Fish nil. Me 7! (As in I have caught 7 fish)

 

[dleroc]

Glad you took my advice and went to Barn Pool. I was anchored over there for an hour on Thursday and saw several boats anchored. What sort of boat do you have?