Local Knowledge - Salcombe

DeeGee

DeeGee

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Thinking of crossing to Salcombe tomorrow from Brittany, unfortunately arriving middle of Wed night. pretty much near LW, 2m. Never been there before, but looks as if avoiding the west end of the bar should be strfwd, more than 4m depth, no overfalls shown on my chart - so simple that I wonder if any hazards to be aware of?
 
Where did you get that chart???

Think my chart shows .07 metres on Salcolmbe bar. Never seen it that low though. Also you need to keep close to the west side.

The bar is famous for overfalls.

Salcolmbe is not normally a problem. But your info is way out!!
 
Oops, maybe my wording - chart shows bar as min depth 1m, but a channel round the western end of the bar between 2m and 2.5m, and LW of 1.9m predicted... presumably any overfalls are at the bar? (Chart is CMap NT)
 
Have you had a look here?

Their advice is to steer clear of the entrance in strong Southerlies on the ebb, (a bit like the Needles, really). The extent of my local knowledge is that I once went on a grockles tour round the harbour in a local boat and got chatting to the helmsman. He said that, although the reputation of the Bar was somewhat over stated, it was a place best avoided when the wind got up!
 
Many years ago, either Eric Hiscock or Adlard Coles got a right slapping going over the bar on an ebb into a southerly. Breaking waves and all that stuff. Personally, i've never seen it that state but that's probably 'cos I've avoided it in those conditions.
 
Going into Salcombe is usually straightforward, but in strong onshore winds with a spring tide on the ebb the bar can be dangerous. You'll be on neap tides tomorrow and probably going in on the flood. It should be OK. If in doubt go to Dartmouth.

Parking up is another matter. If I arrived in the middle of the night I would tie up on the short term pontoon (up river to port) and be prepared to move somewhere else early in the morning when the harbour master turns up.
 
Well, nothing much to worry about then.. I recognize the inadvisablity (anywhere) of arriving against the ebb and wind against tide, which is why I thought arriving at slack water, coming off neaps, would be comfy, sp as wind is likely to be in short supply.

"...Parking up is another matter. If I arrived in the middle of the night I would tie up on the short term pontoon (up river to port) and be prepared to move somewhere else early in the morning when the harbour master turns up"

That sounds like some useful advice, thanks...
 
Reference the pontoon, there isn't very much water East of the pontoon - haven't been there for a little while - but I have seen more than one boat go aground a few yards off the pontoon itself. You can always look for a bouy that is vacant - and hope that the resident doesn't also plan on getting in in the small hours...
 
Re: Salcombe is straightforward enough

with due care. It can be lively on the bar but it's OK unless the wind is dead south or south east F5 or worse and the tide about half ebb.

The drawback is that by time you see it's a bit surf up, from the sea, your in it.

If your going to stray of the leading lights go a bit to the west side. At low water it's a bit deeper over there.

I agree with Joe that your best bet for a quiet night is to go on the Normandy pontoon near Whitestrand at the start of Bateson Creek. As you come up the harbour there is a long row of unlit channel markers, a number of dinghy moorings and then bigger moorings. Most anchored yachts will be off to the east side were the holding is pretty good. If you can't get on the pontoon the visitors moorings, rafting isn't unusual, are to the west side of the main channel across the mouth of Bateson Creek. Carrying on up towards Kingsbridge there are also HM moorings on pontoons again to the west side but you can't walk to shore from them.

I think diverting is a bit drastic unless conditions are quite poor. I'd rather heave to in the offing and give the flood an hour or two.
 
That sounds much better. Keep close to the western side of the bay, Pick up the leading lights, deap water is to the west of them though. Keep on this track till you come to a green starboard buoy, then turn to starboard. The chanel is easy and there are no hazards after the starboard buoy. You can anchor in a small bay just after the buoy (Rock.) or carry on a couple of 100 yds and anchor off the starboard beach. Pick up a spare buoy if there is one. As said, at the Hotel turn to port, make sure you are in the marked chanel. Rubbish skip to starboard then about 20 yds, short stay pontoon to port. Plenty of water. Stay there till the morning if in doubt. Or At Hotel keep straight on, keep to starboard if in doubt (It dries to port.) 200yds? at small headland, turn to port, you will find more visitors bouys and a pontoon to port up the (Bag)
 
Agree with Peppermint, but have a clear picture prepared of your pilotage up the harbour and know where to expect moorings - unlit moored boats can appear suddenly, especially on a night arrival after a long crossing
 
Keep to with in spitting distance to the west side. I've never understood why the leading marks are where they are.
The bar is a problem with strong onshore winds, otherwise not really a hazard.
 
Thanx for all contributions - if wind is sufficient, then we'll be there tomorrow. Unfortunately, the forecast is for middle F3 at best, and BS needs a bit more to pick up her skirts. If too weak, it will have to be CI. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif (Daren't complain about the weather!!!) /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif
 
Re: Normandy pontoon near Whitestrand at the start of Bateson Creek.

Too late! DeeGee will be on his way now.

Strictly speaking you are right, but this was in the context of him arriving in the middle of the night. As was said earlier, if he is up early and ready to move when the harbour master turns up it's unlikely to be a problem.
 
Re: Normandy pontoon near Whitestrand at the start of Bateson Creek.

Yes, I'd try this as well if there were no vacant buoys before you get there, though not really allowed. Actually think visitors are allowed 30 mins here. There is a security patrol operating throughout the harbour during the night but I don't think they are connected with the HM so are unlikely to move you on.
As others have said, Bar is no problem other than if there is a decent swell at LW Springs or else F4-5+ blowing against a Spring ebb.
After following the leading lights in, as far as Wolf Rock, there are then leading lights to guide you up the harbour as far as the entrance to The Bag. The higher light is hardly visible however and the course will take you amongst the Vis buoys just off the town, so you need to keep a decent look-out.
There has, over the last 2 years, been a dredging operation to allow the lifeboat to have an alongside berth, so the depth has increased to I believe atleast 2m at LAT.
 
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