Mooring in the River Exe, any advice?

[dukes4monny]

I've made an offer on a nearly new mooring in the River Exe for my Jag27, and the offer has been accepted.
The mooring is on the Starcross side midway between SF&CC and SYC.
It's been several years since I've sailed in / from the Exe, so would appreciate any pointers from those that have done so recently.
I have 6' at MLWS on my mooring, so that is ok.........but will I be able to approach / leave the mooring at all states of the tide (draft 4' 5")?
Is the mouth of the Exe navigable at all states of tide (depth etc.)?

Any other advice is appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[andygc]

I keep my boat in Topsham so I know the entrance.

No, the entrance to the Exe is not navigable at all states of tide. There have been considerable changes to Pole Sand over the last few years and the entrance has moved to the west. As a consequence there has been a major revision of buoyage. Least depth at chart datum in the channel between the new Exe buoy and the fairway (no 8 buoy) is 0.4 metres. For a quick look at the new channel without buying a chart see the Hydrographic Office web site and look at the corrections for SC5601. The block is in L5512/08. The channel can be expected to continue to change with winter gales. Once you know where the new Exe buoy is, it is fairly easy to find

I can't give a reliable answer to your question about access to your mooring - it depends exactly where it is, but ... probably.

There is a useful transit for an approach from the south - see the photo - the transit is the toilet block on the foreshore and the distinctive house above it. You can pick it up with binoculars from at least 3 miles out. It takes you straight into the approach channel, midway between Exe and No 2. You can see No 1 in the photo - we were about to alter to port to run up the starboard side of the channel.

 

[dukes4monny]

Thanks andygc, I will take a look at the chart corrections. I should have said that the person I am buying the mooring from has not actually used it, so they cannot advise me of any specific details.
I've been spoilt for the last couple of years having moored at Brixham, so no tides to worry about........still, it will now only take me 15 - 20 minutes to get to the boat instead of an hour or more at Brixham.

Thanks again.

Edit: I have saved your picture for future reference, that is very useful information.

 

[ericbutt]

I have a mooring in the area you describe, mine is about 1/2 mile north of Starcross pier.
As was said above it will depend on the detailed location of your mooring as to how easy access is on the lower states of the tide, there are channels which you will need to work out the positions/widths of etc. before attempting a low tide access. I only draw about 3 ft with bilge keels but have just touched bottom while turning in the channel to approach the mooring. The charts give a good idea of where the channels are but like the approaches they also move around a little.

Can only concur with above post as regards approach, it might be worth watching a few of the larger fishing boats as they enter/exit around the low tide, good viewpoint would be the new lifeboat-station on the seafront. Mind you there's never one about when you want to watch them!

Eric(Emily Jane)

 

[dukes4monny]

Thanks Eric, all good points...........mines a fin keeler so I cannot afford to be grounding too often. Looks like I've got quite a bit to learn.
I'm taking a walk over to the warren point tomorrow at low water to get a better idea of the 'lie of the land'.