June in the west country

[ashtead]

So thinking of plans for June sailing trip. Now many pilot books etc but where to berth west of say Dartmouth . Plan to try a stay in Dartmouth but where too after that in uk? No desire to traverse to little Scillies or Channel Islands so really looking for places to book in say Fowey ,Plymouth etc but which marinas offer best facilities for crew, entry etc. I was thinking Yacht Haven as the one in Lymington is good but others. We have no aversion to marina where we can take day trips out to local beaches etc but it might for a variety of reasons be good to have a fixed booking for a destination holiday berth.

 

[Fr J Hackett]

Any of Plymouths Marinas are reasonable for access but some like PYH and Mayflower will require car transport or taxi to get to from the city. Others like QAB, Sutton Harbour are easily accessible from the centre but car parking could be a problem for joining crew.

Fowey has mooring buoys and pontoons but no long term shore access for the boat other than tender but there is ample space for tenders, Salcombe is similar, car parking again in both is restricted and out of the town for crew change.

Falmouth all 3 marinas are readily accessible by foot from the town and railway station.

After Falmouth there is Penzance which is locked access from memory +/- 3hrs HW facilities minimal but easy access to the town.

Newlyn has some pontoon access but is a fishing harbour principally facilities are limited.

All the main towns with marina or significant moorings have good yacht clubs with the usual access for showers and food etc if the marina facilities are limited.

There are many many small harbours with some limitations, usually tidal like the Yealm estuary and Looe. Enough information for entry can be found in almanacks or cruising guide and pilots.

Other than those there is plenty of scope for anchoring in many places including Plymouth and its rivers and bays and onwards westwards.

Enjoy your cruise.

 

[ashtead]

I should have added we might want to do some gentle cycle rides from the boat location which might influence choices but thank you. I guess for those who know it somewhere like St Cast in Brittany but based in Devon ideally . A Fowey pontoon might be an idea, not certain Salcombe has attractions -I’m escaping the Solent to gain some peace -Salcombe is like EastHead -too many crossed anchors and rib noise etc.

 

[st599]

I should have added we might want to do some gentle cycle rides from the boat location which might influence choices but thank you. I guess for those who know it somewhere like St Cast in Brittany but based in Devon ideally . A Fowey pontoon might be an idea, not certain Salcombe has attractions -I’m escaping the Solent to gain some peace -Salcombe is like EastHead -too many crossed anchors and rib noise etc.

Lots of nice rivers you can moor in, but like Fowey, you'll have to row your bike ashore.

 

[Fr J Hackett]

I should have added we might want to do some gentle cycle rides from the boat location which might influence choices but thank you. I guess for those who know it somewhere like St Cast in Brittany but based in Devon ideally . A Fowey pontoon might be an idea, not certain Salcombe has attractions -I’m escaping the Solent to gain some peace -Salcombe is like EastHead -too many crossed anchors and rib noise etc.

Getting out of St Cast involves a reasonably steep climb no matter which way you choose ( ask me how I know this ) much of Devon is the same. I am not familiar with cycling in Devon or Cornwall but the coastal walks are excellent.

 

[Wansworth]

Cawands inside Plymouth free anchourage

 

[johnalison]

Don’t overplan it. There are places to stay at all the harbours and unless you have set your heart on a particular berth, it is usually just as easy to turn up and choose what looks best. On one occasion we had planned to meet one of our families with children staying ashore and pre-booked a marina on the Dart, but out of season, as in June, there will usually be spaces everywhere. Salcombe is a good example. You might arrive with the intention of picking up a mooring near the town, only to arrive and find the weather a bit iffy and decide to go to the Bag instead, or even anchor further up. The Isles of Scilly are definitely worth visiting, but if you are new to the area it may be better to leave them for another year. You are on holiday after all, and supposed to be enjoying it.

 

[[2574]]

Penmarlam Quay up the Fowey river will be ideal for you. Pontoon with facilities ashore and easy cycling access. The walking around Fowey is sublime too. You might have to wait for a berth to come free.

 

[doug748]

So thinking of plans for June sailing trip. Now many pilot books etc but where to berth west of say Dartmouth . Plan to try a stay in Dartmouth but where too after that in uk? No desire to traverse to little Scillies or Channel Islands so really looking for places to book in say Fowey ,Plymouth etc but which marinas offer best facilities for crew, entry etc. I was thinking Yacht Haven as the one in Lymington is good but others. We have no aversion to marina where we can take day trips out to local beaches etc but it might for a variety of reasons be good to have a fixed booking for a destination holiday berth.

Booking is not a way of life in the West Country although corporate marinas in the big ports may well do it. OTOH you probably don't want to go on holiday and be stuck permanently in a marina much like the one at home. Most of the best places don't have a true marina or booking of any sort: Salcombe, Yealm, Fowey, St Mawes, Helford etc.
You might consider taking a week in Plymouth were there is loads to do in poor weather, easy crew changes and excellent day sailing. For the rest I would wing it.

For getting away from it, there is little to beat the upper reaches of the Fal where there are loads of anchorages, moorings, deep water,floating pontoons and perfect shelter.

 

[johnalison]

For getting away from it, there is little to beat the upper reaches of the Fal where there are loads of anchorages, moorings, deep water,floating pontoons and perfect shelter.

If I think back to my favourite places in the West Country, top spot must go to the moorings off the town in Fowey. A fine evening there watching the sun go down or the evening dinghy racing with Troys, or listening to the fine bell-ringing from the town, while eating or drinking local produce and one's favourite tipple takes some beating. There are inconveniences of course, such as having to dinghy ashore to shop or shower, unless you are made of money and use the taxi, and the area can be untenable in a SW blow, but there is nowhere like it. It is also a convenient setting-off place for the Eden Project or Heligan gardens.

 

[Sandy]

Lots of nice rivers you can moor in, but like Fowey, you'll have to row your bike ashore.

or pay the nice people on the water taxi.

 

[Sandy]

So thinking of plans for June sailing trip. Now many pilot books etc but where to berth west of say Dartmouth . Plan to try a stay in Dartmouth but where too after that in uk? No desire to traverse to little Scillies or Channel Islands so really looking for places to book in say Fowey ,Plymouth etc but which marinas offer best facilities for crew, entry etc. I was thinking Yacht Haven as the one in Lymington is good but others. We have no aversion to marina where we can take day trips out to local beaches etc but it might for a variety of reasons be good to have a fixed booking for a destination holiday berth.

Plymouth is pretty full at the moment as a large number of vessels have returned back from the mainland (EU).

All of the destinations are busy in June as people without school age children explore before the main holiday season start.

It might be worth looking for other locations were you can meet cars/trains e.g. Exmouth, Poole and some Cornish ports.

 

[Fr J Hackett]

or pay the nice people on the water taxi.

Not being a parsimonious soul nor having any Yorkshire or Scottish blood in my veins that is exactly what I used to do unless the dinghy was already inflated and ready to go. A short if expensive jaunt on Zeberdee or was that the HMs launch was very convenient and the banter with those in the queue at 11.00pm and after watching the antics of the younger element was almost worth the price of the ferryman.

 

[jordanbasset]

Love the Yealm, have to dinghy in or use the ferry boat.
Can get busy, but think you would find somewhere to Moor up
Personal choice, but one of my favourite places

 

[veshengro]

" For getting away from it, there is little to beat the upper reaches of the Fal where there are loads of anchorages, moorings, deep water,floating pontoons and perfect shelter." doug 748.

I spent a couple of winters on the River Fal pontoons, I used to stay there between foreign voyages. I would support Doug's comment


For your info Ashtead, the Fal pontoons are (were?) administered via the Truro Harbour Master's Office. There was a basic shower facility and water supply there too. My routine was to go up on the flood in the Dinghy either all the way to Truro on a bigger tide or stop and leave the dinghy at Malpas for a small fee. From Malpas you can walk into Truro, get the bus or do as I used to do and ride your push bike. If you go into Truro by dinghy there is a small pontoon right outside Tesco's car park.

There are some great walks/ rides on the Roseland Peninsular or dinghy trips to various places on the upper Fal.
I imagine in the summer the river is busy, but still not heaving with visitors as the berths down by Custom House Quay or even the anchorage were.


There are day trip ferries between Falmouth and Truro. Truro Harbour Office staff were really helpful.

 

[Pete7]

Penmarlam Quay up the Fowey river will be ideal for you. Pontoon with facilities ashore and easy cycling access. The walking around Fowey is sublime too. You might have to wait for a berth to come free.

Yes, I was thinking of this one too. Not sure about the easy cycling, Walked up the hill behind it with a bag of laundry to do in the camp site on top. Sheesh Met your son there too and parking shouldn't be a problem.

I wouldn't rush across Lyme Bay either. If its calm Lyme Regis is nice to anchor just outside the harbour if you have a fin keel. Same with Beer and Brixham, anchor just north of the harbour in the bay. Use the public door at the back of the fish market to buy very fresh fish

 

[ashtead]

Many thanks for the suggestions -folding electric bikes might be on board which may help with terrain -I spent 3 years living around Exeter and sailing around the sandbanks of the river Exe so some Devonian knowledge. Buoys or mid river pontoons are fine but not that convenient with canine crew of course . Some more researches perhaps now needed on suitable eateries in some of destinations mentioned.I am attracted by Fowey as a destination to head to based on comments.

 

[Fr J Hackett]

Many thanks for the suggestions -folding electric bikes might be on board which may help with terrain -I spent 3 years living around Exeter and sailing around the sandbanks of the river Exe so some Devonian knowledge. Buoys or mid river pontoons are fine but not that convenient with canine crew of course . Some more researches perhaps now needed on suitable eateries in some of destinations mentioned.I am attracted by Fowey as a destination to head to based on comments.

In Fowey, Sam's used to be good, I don't know about now his take-away Fish and chips from the harbour was OK as well, The Royal Fowey Yacht club food was good last time I was there also, Gallants was good for a beer. I have eaten a couple of times at the Harbour hotel and Fowey hall when visiting friends rather than on boat, both were good but there are many places to eat within the town including pubs of which I always found the Ship to be the best, I would give the King of Prussia a miss but maybe that's just me.

 

[ashtead]

Thanks a Ship pub sounds just the place. I am always put off Dining in YC with a Royal designation - I well recall the service at Southern one here in Solent that took me back to Acorn antiques or the first and last on Alderney in terms of service speed but will certainly look. To be fair the Dartmouth yacht club in the town by ferry was well served by young local who kept the wine flowing on the quay.

 

[Boathook]

The Old Ferry Inn at Bodinnick (by the ferry) used to be good along with the Lugger Inn in Fore Street.
The Fishermans Arms up the river at Golant has been on my 'visit' list for years. One day ...