Newlyn - OK to visit ?

[Dave_Rolfe]

I've planned a months cruise to the Isles of Scilly this summer (my boss doesn't know it yet) and am considering visiting Newlyn and using it as a setting of point for the Islands rather than Penzance. I have heard that Newlyn is much better than it used to be and even had new pontoons installed specifically for visitors last year or the year before. Has anyone used Newlyn recently and if so what is your opinion. Is it a noisy busy fishing port or is it pleasant to visit and stay as a pleasure sailor? Any thoughts or hints would be appreciated.

 

[awol]

Was there week before last for one night while a gale blew through. Very friendly harbourmaster, chatty fishermen, a rather surly barmaid, helpful ironmongery and a Cosalt that actually wanted to serve you!
Pontoons are mostly for fishing boats so ask before you tie up. Inner row of pontoons are available at high tide but you may not get out at low. Electricity points are few and far between. Didn't get diesel but given the number of fishing boats it must be available. No showers or toilets, or if there were we never found them
Absolutely no idea what else "a pleasure sailor" wants or needs.

 

[asj1]

When I visited 5 years ago there was certainly somewhere to have a shower - as I recall a sort of fishermans social club on the quay with a bar, meeting rooms and very decent shower facilities.

 

[Anonymous]

The chippie used to be a bit greasy.... I prefer Penzance.

 

[charles_reed]

Even when I was there in 2000 it was a much better place than Penzance (where you had to lock in and out).
The harbourmaster showed me the new plans, only potential problem is depth, they're on solid granite. But it's a real port - not a transatlantic terminus with no mod cons.
Still had plenty of commercial boats working out of there, but I enjoy real mariners' company to that of poncey yotties ;-).

PS Best pasties in Cornwall, from the bakery in the NE corner, and Harveys great for shellfish at wholesale prices - showers, loo etc at the NW corner and diesel by mini-tanker.

 

[wotayottie]

have the reverse view. Newlyn itself is a dump. The pontoons have been installed for locals/ fishermen with no specific provision for visitors - you might be able to tie up but no guarantee. In comparison Penzance is a pleasant well sheltered place, friendlt harbour staff, nice town. There are holding moorings outside the gates - bit lumpy in any weather, but a free overnighter if calm.

 

[Ian_Edwards]

Newlyn is OK, we visited about this time last year, pontoons were good, very few power points, Harbour Master seems to work part time, and so no answer from the VHF in the afternoon. Moored in an empty slot near the end of the pontoon and then asked if it was OK when we saw the Harbour Master in the evening (it was OK), who was very friendly .... we had a good meal in friendly pub. The harbour filled up a little with fishing boats in the evening, but wasn’t full. Bur it’s a working harbour not a marina.

 

[Flossdog]

Was there in 2007 and found everyone, including the fishermen, very friendly and helpful.

 

[sailor211]

I found Newlyn excellency, and a good hopping point for the Scillys. Pontoons good, can be a problem to leave from an inside berth at low as it is shallow at the end of the pontoons if a yacht is mored. I talked to the Harbour master and moved to suit me.

Seamans mission a bit tatty but has facilities that are better then Penzance harbour, internet, connection, very cheep beans on toast etc and a laundry service.

Newlyn is my choice.


mike

 

[bobgoode]

Fine for a starting point to the Scilies. Grab a berth if available or raft on the hammerhead. Between the pontoons and the wall is shallow but ok elsewhere. Not much in the way of facilities if your want luxury showers but the pubs are fine. Pretty reasonable prices too.

 

[TamarMike]

If you've got bilge keels and can dry out Mousehole is another pleasant starting point for the Scillies.

 

[doug748]

... or use the anchorage just off Mousehole for an early start to Scilly. If you do choose Newlyn be sure to have an ice cream from Jelberts shop.

 

[charles_reed]

I suspect

That you are, in the words of the song "a man of taste and discrimination - Hey big spender".

Not like us other impecunious yotties.

I used to live down there and can assure you that Penzance is full, in summer, of emmets (or grockles if you prefer) whereas, outside of daytime, Newlyn is mercifully free.

 

[Anonymous]

Re: I suspect

[ QUOTE ]

I used to live down there and can assure you that Penzance is full, in summer, of emmets (or grockles if you prefer) whereas, outside of daytime, Newlyn is mercifully free.

[/ QUOTE ]Do you suppose that the locals in the Mediterranean and Adriatic have similar feelings about your presence? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[PeterGibbs]

Penzance much preferred - better shelter and grub.

Newlyn claims to be dredged - not so you'd notice; yachts are pushed to the back of the pontoon used by the fishermen, and
the bottom is hard rock! Movement at low water not feasible, and pontoons not attainable then either. Had hard contact with the bottom there (1.9m draft) and had to be dragged out.
First and last visit.

PWG