Penzance to Watchet

[Sea_Lark]

We shortly intend to forsake the East Coast Forum for the Bristol Channel Forum, or more specifically sail our boat from our current base at Fosdyke on the Wash to a new home at Watchet. Time is not a problem, so we would prefer to do this by day-sailing. We have a 30 foot ketch, average passage speed 4 knots. The boat is triple-keel so can take the ground and we are perfectly happy to anchor, in fact much prefer it given a sheltered anchorage. From Fosyke to Penzance is familiar and we know how to break up the voyage, but Penzance to Watchet is all new.

So, we would appreciate guidance from knowledgable folk as to where to 'overnight' on this passage, prefereably in 30-50 Nm stages. Also the limitations, i.e. 'OK except in winds from...'. We would sooner sail overnight than roll around at anchor, but if its possible to avoid overnight passages altogether, much better still.

 

[Csail]

Well if time is no issue after leaving Penzance i would do Scilly isles then back to St.Ives (great seafood restaurant on the high st) then Padstow is worth visiting (don't use Rick Steins restaurant but go to his fish shop and make a paella), then Ilfracombe (top restauraunt on the hill up from the RNLI launch , think its called Joshlins), Look on the chart and woody bay is great too, hotel in the woods does good food,then Cardiff Bay (i know your not heading there but worth a visit).
Other point is remember the tides here are really strong so don't try to beat them.If your thinking 4 knts you will go backwards!

 

[Alcyone]

My favourite so far is Lundy, and I'd far rather stop there than Ilfracombe. There's a couple on this Forum who've done that Trip. I think Allan/CardiffCruiser did Padstow - Lundy - Watchet when they did it.

Agree about the tides. Use them, don't fight them.

 

[Csail]

Still don't get the flag on your avatar?

 

[Blue_Pearl]

Flag

It's an Algerian flag .......... Sulking for not qualifying

 

[Blue_Pearl]

I suggest searching for some posts by Damo, he has loads of experience anchoring in the BC and has recommended quite a few.
Not much shelter on the north coast of Cornwall I've been led to believe ....... I'd agree with Martin that Lundy would be a better choice and is a nice hop up from Padstien.

 

[Gwylan]

Damo is the expert, where is he these days?

Penzance to St Ives is a nice run - just have to do the sums, based on the info in the Almanac.

Do not go too shallow at St Ives or you can have an unpleasant night. My experience is that actually drying can make you think the boat is going to shake to pieces!

Padstow is worth the visit, just avoid the fact that the Stein Maffia have taken over most of the town. Is the diesel still as well priced?

Anchor off Lundy is nice, choose spot to avoid reflected wave

Since you can take the ground, got to go to Ilfracombe - nice place to stop. Yacht club is nice, good showers and pleasant, professional HM.
The buoys outside mean that you can get away to take advantage of the rising tide.

Up the coast a bit to Watermouth, bit magical.

Lynmouth , if you have nerves of steel and can squeeze the boat in somewhere.

At 30' think very carefully about Porlock, but it is said that you can 'anchor off'

If possible you can 'zig zag' and go across to the Gower - Oxwich bay is a favourite to anchor

Learn to do your tide calculations with a degree of care, typically you are losing 2 metres of water every hour! 15 minutes can mean the difference between getting there and stopping for a cup of tea.
Look at the charts and see some of the dates for the last surveys.

Otherwise, enjoy - we really miss the Channel

 

[Alcyone]

Still don't get the flag on your avatar?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2010/matches/match_23

 

[Csail]

Porlock is fine....we take our 32' long keel in there. Avoid the local scrumpy in the pub if you want to stay off the loo!!!

 

[PCUK]

When you get to Watchet, remember the tradition that you buy everyone in the marina a drink to celebrate your arrival. Oh alright, it's not a tradition, just thought of it, but we'll welcome you to the "Friendly Marina" anyway!!!

 

[Bosun Higgs]

There are lots of places you can anchor between Penzance and Watchet provided conditions are suitable. For example, we've anchored off Sennen cove before now. But if you want a harbour then the choices are far more limited particulary if it's an all weather one. The obvious first stop is Padstow which is a sensible price with good facilities and nice staff, but you can get into Hayle and Newquay isnt so far away.

The next obvious harbour stop is Ilfracombe but again you can get into Instow though personally I wouldnt recommend it. Po0rlock may or may not be called a harbour but its a nice little place and I've taken a 34 ft cat into there before now so don't fret too much about size.

 

[fergie_mac66]

Clovelly

Clovelly would be a nice stop of for a while if the winds from the south.

 

[Allan]

My favourite so far is Lundy, and I'd far rather stop there than Ilfracombe. There's a couple on this Forum who've done that Trip. I think Allan/CardiffCruiser did Padstow - Lundy - Watchet when they did it.

Agree about the tides. Use them, don't fight them.

We did Plymouth, Lundy, Cardiff so not the type of trip you are after. I have yet to read the posts after Martin's so will read that before adding any other comments.
Allan

 

[Allan]

I have now read the rest of the thead. I would suggest Newlyn as a better place to leave from, very friendly and better timing if going around Land End. If time is not a problem the The Scilley Isles are well worth a visit.
We recently went to St Ives and dried out against the fish quay overnight. I'm not sure if it is generally allowed but nobody said anything to us. I plan to look into some of the other dyring harbours sometime, like Boscastle. I would disagree with the general view about Instow etc. I have been there twice recently and I'm back this weekend.
I now prefer Watermouth to Ilfracombe. It's very sheltered and if you move out and anchor in the entrance it offers better timing for heading on up the channel.
As people have said, the tides in the channel are positive not negative. Work with them and you will make good long passages, without much effort. Work against them and you will learn how to sail backwards!
Enjoy the channel, hopefully we will see you at Cardiff yacht club some time soon.
Allan

 

[Sea_Lark]

Thanks everyone for the info and advice.

 

[mattonthesea]

Lundy now has a few moorings. You pay a fiver per person in the Marisco Inn and they serve fine food.

I support all before really. Scilly is my fave tho'. I've alwys been in a fin keel boat and love it. Being able to dry must make it even better.