Local knowledge - Hounster Boatyard, Millbrook, Plymouth

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PhillM

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Paean was moved by the builder to their yard for repairs. I am going to collect her on Saturday afternoon. Apparently the site is drying so I will have to take her away right after launch. I plan to take her to Mayflower and to spend the weekend there, getting ready for the homeward journey.

The thing is that I don't actually know where the yard is and I wont get to Plymouth station before 1400, so time will be tight and atm I cannot plan my passage ahead of time. Bearing in mind my lack of success navigating blind in Plymouth, I would like to be better prepared. Why not ask the boat builder I hear you scream .... well I would but I think he is away.

Anyone local, any local knowledge?
 
Mill brook is a long way from Plymouth I’m afraid. I suggest you ask the yard to deliver her to Mayflower for you - it’s much easier by water. I’m sure they can tow a rib to come back in.
 
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You are best getting a taxi it is on the Cornish side so at a guess with all the buggering about it's going to take you at least an hour to get there.
 
Get a taxi from the station to the cremyll ferry then ferry across to cremyll the bus stop is just by the ferry and goes to millbrook . Not heard of that boatyard though and I’ve had a couple of lift outs at the multihull centre at millbrook, but probably wasn’t looking anyway so easily missed it.

Millbrook to mayflower you will not pass through the display area
 
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Google puts the boatyard in Hounster centre in St Andrews Street, which is improbable, but I don't know the yard myself and Southdown Marina seems more probable if its in Millbrook, try ringing them to confirm. Are you sure its not Huggins yard at Torpoint which is just across the other side of St Johns Lake, in which case access is via Torpoint Ferry not the Cremyl to Edgecumbe ?
 
oldmanofthehills said:
Google puts the boatyard in Hounster centre in St Andrews Street, which is improbable, but I don't know the yard myself and Southdown Marina seems more probable if its in Millbrook, try ringing them to confirm. Are you sure its not Huggins yard at Torpoint which is just across the other side of St Johns Lake, in which case access is via Torpoint Ferry not the Cremyl to Edgecumbe ?
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Your yard is right next door to the Huggins Southdown yard. Follow the signs with Huggins all over them and just drive another 50 yards. It’s not far from Mayflower by water but a cross country experience down narrow lanes that, if it’s sunny and full of tourists, will easily take an hour. Can you blag a quick trip on a rib from Mayflower? BTW, the cafe in a container in Southdown is pretty good for nourishment.
 
If you confirm with the yard 'zackly where they/your boat is - and Bob the Dog is right, then easiest access is via the Torpoint Ferry ( bus from city centre, or taxi from rail station ) then walk/taxi the 300 metres or so.

The Armed Forces Day Exclusion Zone is well clear of your likely route to Mayflower Marina. At/near High Water you won't have any 'depth' issues, but the waterway - The Hamoaze - could be very busy with spectator and pax. ferry craft - and armed MoD Police boats.. You will need a handheld VHF.

I may be able to help.... sending PM.
 
Thanks everyone. Turned out to Ben a corner in southwold boatyard. Thanks also to zoildberg for help to locate, travel to and bring Paean over to Mayflower.

I am pleased to report that post incident, skipper and boat now back to perfect condition. Time to continue with my summer cruise!
 
PhillM said:
Thanks everyone. Turned out to Ben a corner in southwold boatyard. Thanks also to zoildberg for help to locate, travel to and bring Paean over to Mayflower.

I am pleased to report that post incident, skipper and boat now back to perfect condition. Time to continue with my summer cruise!
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Brilliant lets hope we have a bit more summer.

I got down to Plymouth at silly AM yesterday to avoid the rush for Armed Forces Day. Had the Longroom on the radio during the day, some interesting radio traffic. I had forgotten how noisy they Red Arrows are!
 
I rather enjoyed it all. The Red Arrows were superb and we circled Queen Elizabeth - gosh she's big - as Putin said "what a large target". Superb view of the Red Arrows from outside the breakwater but took ages then to get back to mooring against the falling tide as now the wrong side of exclusion zone so missed most of the concert on the Hoe
 
There's always something to learn....

Such as - if you have a beautiful old Bristol Channel Pilot Cutter to refurb and you want a truly spectacular result that would grace the pages of Classic Boat Magazine and the Parade of Sail at Saint-Tropez's 'Nioulargue', then onwards to Porto Cervo for the rest of the season, then Southdown Marina is the place to go and Chris Rees is your man.

He's a top traditional craftsman working in marine wooden boats. No, he's an artist...... Just don't expect him to be available on an iPhone.

48174444037_2f9df20649_z.jpg


Follow the progress in pics from derelict to 'concours d'elegance' here: https://www.facebook.com/Letty1905/
 
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