Lyme Regis Pontoon

[Stoshak]

Was thinking of visiting Lyme Regis in 32ft lift keel. I understand that there is a seasonal visitor's pontoon in place north of the Eastward extention of the Cobb.

Have any Forumers tried it? Is it rolly?

Or would we be better off inside alongside.

Opinions much appreciated.

 

[longjohnsilver]

LR is one of my favourite places. The pontoon is in the pool which is well sheltered from anything apart from SSE through to direct E. Last year it was not possible to get ashore from the pontoon at high water but I was told by the asst HM that this would be different this year although I haven't been there yet to see if it has changed.
Witha lifting keel you should be fine anywhere on the pontoon, it's a clean sandy bottom. Enjoy your stay and look out for us, hopefully will get there soon!

 

[properjob]

Have visited Lyme Regis 6 or 7 times in the last 10 – 12 years and enjoyed the experience.

However, last summer sailed in to discover a new pontoon tucked in behind the new breakwater arm. Its one of those made from sealed square plastic cubes clipped together that snakes out from the shore. At low tide the inshore end sits on a small sandy beach but at high tide there is a gap of about 35 metres. To cross this gap there was a very small, max 2 persons, plastic pram dinghy attached to an endless line strung between the end of the pontoon and a chain at the top end of the beach. Loose seaweed seemed to have an attraction for this line making it very slippery. During my overnight stay we watched and spoke to several people that nearly fell in due to the unstable nature of this arrangement. I used my dinghy to row to the old harbour steps or waited till low water to walk ashore. I assume that the pontoon is secured to the seabed by anchors at both ends only as the middle moves around a bit due to the windage of the craft moored on to it. Walking along it is rather like walking on a bouncy castle, best done sober(ish)!

West Bay just a few miles along the coast uses the same type of pontoon, but there it works much better possibly because it is more sheltered. Dorset CC must have got a good price on the pontoon cubes by buying in bulk !!

To answer the question, it is a bit rolly but not as bad as the old swinging moorings, if allowed go inside against the wall amongst the fishing vessels and dry out. The inner, most sheltered, end of the pontoon dries out, but there were several fin-keeled yachts moored on the outer half.

The new(ish) HM seems to be an ex-military type who treats visitors like squaddies, unlike the previous HM whom I always found to be very helpful. I gather he has ruffled a few local feathers.

This is how it was last summer, I wont be going back again to see if any changes have been made.

 

[Iain C]

I nearly lost my boat there last summer

Forecast was fine, went on the end in a 27' fin keeler (drawing 4'8"). Pram dinghy was not there at that time, so took the inflatable into the harbour. Went for a curry, and came out to a completely un-forecast 30 odd knots coming from EXACTLY the wrong direction.

Went back to the boat and it was carnage...great big rollers coming into the harbour and up the beach, meaning that it would have been suicide trying to get back onto the pontoon. Boat was all over the place...it would have been horrendous onboard and potentially very dangerous to move her. I really thought she would be on the beach in the morning but there was nothing for it but to check into a hotel.

The next morning was very, very foggy and totally still. Amazingly, she was still there, although my bronze aft fairlead had literally snapped in half, and a firly substantial bow line had parted. Thank goodness that for some reason, I'd doubled the lines up, just in case.

More amazing was the fact that the pontoon cleats hadn't snapped...they are only bolted through the plastic and bend alarmingly under load.

I probably won't be back. Shame, as it's a lovely place.

 

[Vern]

Lyme is lovely, been going there for 45 years as a camper and child!
My boat was on a swinging mooring there for 20 years before I got it. Not that probably helps you much, just thought I'd say it

 

[Angele]

Was thinking of visiting Lyme Regis in 32ft lift keel.

Is that 32ft when the keel is down or retracted?

 

[steve6367]

Spend a few days there in summer 2009 and really enjoyed it. As said above however if wind goes the wrong be prepared to leave - we mored facing out so we were at least pointing into it.

Didn't experience anything as bad as Iain C however.

Steve

 

[aowen]

I was there about 10 days ago. The pontoon had not been deployed for the summer yet. Spoke to the HM prior to arriving and he advised tying up under the fish nets just inside the harbour wall. We spent 2 comfortable nights there in strongish SE winds. Our boat is 35ft and lifting keel. HM and local fishermen very helpful and welcoming.