moving to the west country - advice please as to where to look at

[Burnham_Bob]

In a previous post i explained that we might want to retire to the west country - we sail in Burnham on Crouch at the moment.

We're going to take a trip down soon and Exmouth is on the list to look at, but in the previous post someone suggested we look at the Plymouth area.

Any suggestions for areas in between or around there? We have a fin keel and a swinging mooring at the moment in the Crouch and can sail at all states of the tide. Marina fees are likely to be too expensive. Where should we look to give ourselves some options and has anyone got any advice on sailing in the area?

Currently we can get up the East Coast, down to Ramsgate and across to France and Holland quite easily. Where in the South West should we look for similar choice of weekend/longer sails? And would the same place be good to just get on the baot for a day out?

 

[Iota]

Crikey where does one start.

Chose where you want to base your boat.

Swinging moorings in Plymouth, River Yealm, Salcombe, Dartmouth, Brixham - not sure about Torquay.

West from Plymouth Fowey, Falmouth, St Mawes, Helford all within easy reach. East Salcombe, Dartmouth, Brixham.

Properties depends on your budget but plenty of lovely places by or near the sea. Newton Ferrers and Noss Mayo on the Yealm very nice. Dartmouth and villages on the Dart also very good. If you like towns Totnes, Kingsbridge etc etc etc

Iota

 

[Sanderling_]

Bob, we did this exercise several years ago (only the boat as i cannot afford to retire yet).

Exe - unless you can dry out or fancy the haul accross Lyme bay to Portland, the only way to go is to turn right on leaving the river. short sail to Teignmouth or Torbay, slightly longer to Dartmouth.

Teignmouth - shortage of moorings, most are drying. Need to live in area to get one.

Torbay - Torquay and Brixham marinas only (very few moorings). Expensive. Salcome or Exe are a short sail away.

Dartmouth - Huge waiting list but if you live in South Hams you might stand a chance of queue jumping. Many places between Plymouth and the Exe to visit for short day trips.

Salcombe - moorings only available to South Hams residents

Yealm - should have put your name down at birth!!

Plymouth - Loads of options, waiting lists abound but you will get in somewhere. Plenty of local cruising if weather poor.

Looe - very limited local moorings

Fowey - Great spot but you shall be extremely lucky to get a space

Mevagissey - see Looe

Falmouth - great local cruising


We opted for Plymouth on the basis that we have loads of options 4-6 hours sailing away and long day sails will get us anywhere between the Exe and Fal/Helford. There is easy road access and plenty of choice. we originally went for a marina berth (PYH) but their pricing structure has forced us out and we are moving right up the Tamar to a swinging mooring at Weir Quay this year.

I think initially it will be a case of where you can get in rather than where best.

Hope this helps, let me know if you need any more information.

Tony

 

[Fr J Hackett]

Bob

Your best option is likely to be Wier Key for the first year then have a look around to see if you can get a local mooring. Most of the Plymouth marinas will get you in within a year, The day sailing is excelent and Northern Brittany within 24 Hrs, Channel Islands 12 to 14Hrs.

 

[NealB]

Weir Quay is a beautiful spot, but the moorings are quite shallow. If your draft is around 5 feet, you'll sit on the bottom at LWS.

Many don't mind this, but it does put others off.

 

[mormargh]

Just seen this:

http://www.ybw.com/forums/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/1843078/an/0/page/0/gonew/1#UNREAD

No connection.

 

[fastjedi]

Dart Harbour quote long waiting lists but often come up with something within 12 months for < 8 metre boats. You have to join a separate list for every area you are interested in. It's worth spending time talking to the harbour staff to get a feel for availability. Car parking and dinghy storage can be just as challenging for some areas. We spread our bets around short, medium and long term options and were offered something after 8 months.

I have a friend who moved his Halcyon 23 to Weir Key last year. He didn't have to wait. On the face of it they are a bit expensive. If you take the whole package into account it's O.K (mooring + cranage + winter ashore + car parking + managed service)

 

[Iota]

Re Yealm
Harbour moorings 25 year wait list but up river about 60 moorings owned by Kitley Estate - owner "Rodney surname same as offspring of un married parents"A number are sublet - owners long term cruising. We now have one from Rodney - nothing moved until we got down here and rang him a few times total wait time 12 months. PM me if you want Rodney's contact details.

Iota

 

[hquinn]

Tamar River - all tide access, Plymouth Sound good sheltered sailing, further afield, turn right fowey, falmouth, scillys, turn left yealm, salcombe, dartmouth, channel islands. Great cruising ground. For moorings try Tamar River Sailing Club, Torpoint Sailing Club, Saltash Sailing Club.