Off to Plymouth

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OAF

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Providing the weather is ok next week (which is looking ok at the moment) I am planing a trip from Southampton to Plymouth (in one journey) does any of the experts have any useful comments and tips, can cruise at 20knts
 
Try and get slack water around Portland bill and st Albans head or wind with tide and head off 5 miles off shore to avoid the overfalls around those headlands
 
Without doubt, the best value and quality food can be found at The Barbican Kitchen - go for the early dinner or lunch, you'll not be disappointed. (No connection just very satisfied punters)
Consider Sutton Marina for mooring - you are right in the heart of the Barbican.
 
I was planing on giving PB a good clearance and St AH, thanks for the tips on eateries I will take a look at some of your suggestions , If we get there then the plan is to return via Dartmouth, Salcombe and Weymouth, I just hope the weather is good.
 
I was planing on giving PB a good clearance and St AH, thanks for the tips on eateries I will take a look at some of your suggestions , If we get there then the plan is to return via Dartmouth, Salcombe and Weymouth, I just hope the weather is good.

If you stop in Dartmouth try the Dartmouth Apprentice, a nicely converted church.

PS: It is now a restaurant, I wasn't trying to convert you!
 
If you stop in Dartmouth try the Dartmouth Apprentice, a nicely converted church.

PS: It is now a restaurant, I wasn't trying to convert you!

Yes Dartmouth apprentice is good, the head chef is an old friend of mine!If you visit Dartmouth, you could carry on up the river dart to Dittisham, where there is a great pub ` the ferry boat inn`, alot of vessels anchor here so the crew can get a good meal. Is a bit quieter up there, and scenic. I live near Salcombe, but dont go too much on it! The place has not got such a great reputation, high fees and not many services. If you need any crew please let me know am desperate for miles for my yachtmaster! Have a nice trip
 
Two choices with PB, go about 8 miles out or take the inner Route. Iner route is easy enough, Head about thre quater way between Waymouth and PB, then go close inshore, follow the head land round, till you cant see rough water to port.

I've never found St Albans much of a problem, but you can just drive round the bad bits.

Watch out for Start Point, (Salcolmbe) though your ok if two or three miles out.
Take your time to visit all the little places on your way back, Yealm, Bigbury Isle, Hope Cove, Salcombe.

I'd be breaking the journey down to visit some of these place on the way down, but anyway.
 
Thanks guys, very much appreciated, I will be anchoring at Dittisham for sure as I was there some years back and I have promised SWMBO a night there as it is a lovely spot.

HLB I need to go straight to Plymouth as I have a crew member to drop off as he can only do one day but then Have a week to return so I will take a look at your suggestions.
 
As well as start point, watch out for Prawle point too, keep well out if unfavourable conditions, sure you know this probably anyway!This is my area (Plymouth/Salcombe) so some ideas for you. On the return from Plymouth, a sheltered spot from easterlies is Hope cove at the southern part of bigbury bay. Alot of boats anchor up here overnight. There is a nice pub here too. And in the bay is Burgh island, again some vessels anchor infront of the island, but there are some rocks around it so maybe a bit dodgy if you dont know it. If you do visit hope cove, watch out for Bolt tail nearby. Took my boat for its first run the other day around there and it scared the life out of me! Was shaking for ages afterwards! Keep well out from here too! Noss Mayo is nice too!If you go to Salcombe then if the tides are good you could go up the river towards Kingsbridge and moor alongside the Crabshell Inn, a great pub with lots of outside seating next to the water! Popular for food. Again, if the tides are right you could visit keith floyds old pub the Maltsers arms, in the river Dart, just past Dittisham, moor alongside or further down the river a little bit and take the tender. Is great for food! Do a google search for the Maltsers Arms At Bow it think, or Maltsers arms dartmouth/river Dart, their website has info for tide heights when you can visit. If you want any more info, please get in touch! Cheers!
 
" Do a google search for the Maltsers Arms At Bow it think, or Maltsers arms dartmouth/river Dart, their website has info for tide heights when you can visit. If you want any more info, please get in touch! Cheers![/QUOTE]

When taking dinghy from anchorage/moorings to Dittisham beware of "whirlpools" if tide running fast. Took me ages to escape one one day - much to the amusement of the pub clients.
Yes, Maltsters Arms is up Bow Creek. Further up towards Totnes there's a landing stage for Sharpham Vineyard - visitors welcome.
In Dartmouth I'd also recommend "The Cherub" - super little pub with food.

We often find that the overfalls at Prawle Pt. are worse than at Start. To shorten the bouncy bit you can go quite close in (30-50m) to the large visible rock off the point. However, from just E of Start there are quite a few pot "markers - ha ha" all the way to Prawle if you keep relatively close inshore.

If you feel really brave you can nip up the R.Avon for a lunch break. Idyllic little spot but tide runs very fast through the entrance and moorings - not too bad at Neaps.

R.Yealm is a must but often gets filled up by mid afternoon.

Kingsbridge - has 2 supermarkets. Vis. pontoon and wall - easyily access for 1m draught from HW-2.5 to +2.
Crabshell Inn is much better than it used to be a year or so ago - access HW-2.5 to +2.5

Please keep well clear of Targa 25 on adjacent quay wall!!
Between pontoons and quay wall keep closer to the latter for deeper water.

Have a nice trip
 
Two more pub recomendations for eating, the Floating Bridge next to the higher ferry at Dartmouth and the Fishermans Arms at Plymouth on the hill above the lifeboat shop and tourist office. Both serve much better quality food than you might expect from outside.
Also at Plymouth the Barbican Kitchen is excellent and Tanners is superb for lunch or an expensive dinner.

ps my avatar was taken just below the anchor stone at Dittisham, our favourite anchorage but watch out for the steeply shelving mud bank.
 
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Well previous operators of ferry managed to stay well clear - hope new ones are atleast as good.
Saw your unique vessel moored at the boatyard a few weeks ago.
All being well I'll be there again next week - could you give the boat a clean for me before I get there? We've a very considerate neighbour in the flats who throws food off the balcony so we suffer badly from seagull c""p. She's now even into throwing tea bags onto the boat!!!
Still, she's well into her 80s so we just put up with it - bloody annoying though.
 
Having done the reverse journey last September, the overwhelming memory is my crew spending hours on the foredeck spotting lobster pots just under the surface of the water, specially round Start Point and Portland Bill, badly buoyed and unflagged. Would not attempt at night!
 
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