Knowledge Required River Dart

[epervier]

Apologies if this question has been asked before, I've left Reeds on the boat, and am sat at home thinking forward to this coming season, as you do on new years day, anyway,back to the enquiry.

Who of you knowledgeable seafarers have done the Dart in recent years could give your opinion on the better places (read less expensive for better) to stop over and how far can a 4' draft tugboat get up the river?

Thank you for your indulgence.

 

[Poignard]

Dittisham is a pleasant place to stop. You could get up to Totnes with the tide and then dry out.

 

[Skysail]

Second Dittisham. There are visitors' buoys, they can be busy in high season. Agatha Christie's house just opposite at Greenways.

Up the river to Totnes is very beautiful, and dry out on the wall if you can.

 

[AIDY]

If you have a dingy and are self contained for power and water the harbour masters pontoons mid stream are relatively cheap ie.... C. £15 for 40 foot yacht a night ideal for dartmouth and watching the steam train at kingswear.

 

[epervier]

Is it hard or mud at Totnes? mud I can sit in no probs, but if hard it falls over

 

[Nick_H]

The least expensive way is to anchor in the channel between Darthaven Marina and the ship moorings. Harbour authorities aren't that keen on it, and put in place some restrictions like you have to be on the boat when tide turns, boat can only be left unattended for short periods, etc., but these don't seem to be rigorously enforced (or at least they weren't a few years back, not sure of current situation.)

There is a still a charge, but obviously much less than the marinas.

 

[Skysail]

Its a hard river bed at Totnes, can you get your boat to lean into the wall?

 

[epervier]

My home berth is on a quay wall and I use drums of water on the stb deck for ballast to lean against the wall, didn't really want to take the drums with me to Dartmouth

 

[Poignard]

Is it hard or mud at Totnes? mud I can sit in no probs, but if hard it falls over

Here's my boat dried out alongside Steamer Quay, Totnes:

http://www.ybw.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=12914&d=1312151813

You'll need a fender board but there were a few on the quay when I was there.
Totnes is an attractive little town in which to spend a couple of days.

Re: Dittisham. Agatha Christie's house is well worth a visit, even if you're not a fan the house is worth seeing. It is on a headland overlooking a bend in the river, opposite Dittisham. There is a ferry across and he will stop off at your boat to pick you up.

 

[benjenbav]

Suspect epervier's looks more like this:

Guess you'd best take those water barrels, David.

 

[epervier]

Suspect epervier's looks more like this:

Guess you'd best take those water barrels, David.

just a bit more mud and weed growth than yours Martin.

 

[Poignard]

When I was there, there was a drying pontoon on the other side of the river which might be better suited to your boat

 

[Red]

Head for the Res Nova - the dutch barge moored just up from the fuel barge. Tie up alongside enjoy the bar and fine restaurant. Sleep on your boat moored up alongside, return to the barge for a full English breakfast. Let me know if it gets any better.........

 

[epervier]

is this it?

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=+Re...src=6&hq=Res+Nova+River+Dart&t=h&z=19&layer=t

 

[rbcoomer]

Head for the Res Nova - the dutch barge moored just up from the fuel barge. Tie up alongside enjoy the bar and fine restaurant. Sleep on your boat moored up alongside, return to the barge for a full English breakfast. Let me know if it gets any better.........

Didn't appear open last few times I've been past, so check first perhaps? Then again it was December I suppose...

 

[burgundyben]

By the north west corner of the little harbour in Darftmouth town centre is Natwest, a few doors along is a cake shop, with tea rooms upstairs, its a must!

 

[longjohnsilver]

Didn't appear open last few times I've been past, so check first perhaps? Then again it was December I suppose...

Yes it does seem to have shut, it's been for sale for some time now.
IMHO the best place for brekkie is Browneys in Coronation Park, it's eat outside or take away. Bacon,egg and mushroom sandwich is superb. Sat on our boat now and will be heading there in the morning. A great sandwich and a mug of tea for less than a fiver, can't be beaten!

 

[epervier]

LJS, less than a fiver sounds more to my liking, goes on the list with Ben's afternoon cream tea.

 

[whisper]

Dittisham is a pleasant place to stop. You could get up to Totnes with the tide and then dry out.

Agree re. Dittisham. There's also a couple of vis. buoys at Stoke Gabriel, which is another good place to eat and drink.

When I've visited Totnes at LW there seems to be thick mud in various spots so the OP should be able to find somewhere suitable. Could always contact Baltic Wharf for advice or even Dart HM.
There's also at least one berth alongside the pub opposite where the ferries berth. That seemed pretty muddy when I was there last year but obviously it's difficult deciding how thick it is.
Totnes is an interesting little town - has its own currency. Also has a lot of craft and alternative lifestyle (hippy) shops. Large supermarket 5 mins from the quay.