New West Bay Harbour

[Jerbro]

Has anyone been to the new harbour at West Bay (Dorset) since the works have been complete. Any comments? Anyone planning a visit?

Also, I've just done another website for the boat. Any comments appreciated - I've tried to add some video clips (all clean stuff unfortunately though) - Hope it works.

 

[longjohnsilver]

There's been a few freds already on the new harbour, probably worth doing a search. I've been there many times in the past by boat but only recently by road, looks v smart but not sure if the shelter is any better.

 

[Solitaire]

Tut tut, with fenders still hanging over the side as well! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif You just can't get the crew these days!

 

[Jerbro]

Ahh yes. It was just a quick spin.

 

[Solitaire]

No excuse! Sloppy seamanship /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif


/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[bob_tyler]

Agreed!!!!!!! Just the sort of thing that lets MOBO'ers down in the minds of raggies. Just a quick spin is <font color="red"> NO EXCUSE </font> .

Write 1000 lines by next Sunday:-

"I must take in my fenders immediately I have cast off."

 

[ChrisKaye]

Havent been to the new harbour, but lovely boat and video is good, hope to see some additions in the future

 

[Jerbro]

Thanks. Notice you're in Wilts as well. May PM you later.

 

[ChrisKaye]

Hi Jerbro
Yep no probs PM anytime, I sent you a PM earlier but I dont know if you got it. Will be on the IOW this weekend tho. Was hoping to get out on the boat but the report I have today is that both engines flushed and filled with new a/f. New oil, filters, impellors, anodes ..............but for some reason port engine isnt charging, so looks like it will be a weekend of fault tracing again !

 

[MikeJack]

The new West Bay Harbour is a great asset to Lyme Bay - but to local boat owners, the new Slip is proving to be troublesome at best, and potentially leathal at worst.

As a boat owner of no more than a year, the opening up of West Bay had been eagerly awaited for decades. Slip launching until 2005 being done at appropriate tidal times only - the main harbour drying out, so the improvements - as West Bay access had been noted in The Shell Channel Pilot as 'the second most dangerous around Britain' should have been a great success.

The main problem however focuses on the new Slip - and it is not down to one particular problem, but a number - as follows:

1. The Slip faces directly out to sea - admittedly SEasterly - but swell can run in powerfully.
2. The Slip is solid concrete, complete with large Hardwood edging - allowing no drain-off, and channeling waves up the Slip.
3. The Slip is "SLIPPERY" - with power cleaning being sporadic.
4. Bow lines cannot be handled from launch to floating pontoons, because of Red Marker Poles placed down bottom of Slip.
5. Floating pontoons are inaccessible directly from the Slip.

Launch and recovery.
I have heard a number of tales of near disaster with launching being a shove-and-hope experience - but Recovery is the really dangerous activity. Running in with following waves creates major steering problems, with boat speed and wave speed becoming equal - thus removing any steerage at a critical point.
Launching/Recovery is now a major spectator sport - but time will tell just how well the situation is resolved.

May I take this opportunity of asking any people in or around West Bay to post factual information here so that a sensible and accurate history of incidents can be logged.