Plymouth Harbour - where to anchor and water

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We are about to spend several days at anchor in Plymouth Harbour - there are several anchorages that look good, depending on the weather, but two practical questions:-

1. Is there a convenient public tap where we can water (we draw 2m)?
2. Where can we park the tender (small rib) for access to the city centre, so anywhere around the Barbican would be ideal?

Many thanks.
 
You can come alongside our pontoon at Saltash Sailing Club free of charge for a short period (30 minutes is on the sign - but just be considerate) There is a hose which you can use for free. We do ask people not to wash their decks though, as the water is metered and we pay for it!

I have gone alongside the main outside pontoon at Mayflower for short periods without being charged - although I haven't been cheeky enough to fill up with water.

Also been into Queen Anns Battery for short stays without being charged. Its usually been to run up to Yachtparts chandlers, and when I explain that to the berthing master, he has always waved my wallet away. I have filled up with water here whilst waiting.

Regards landing, you have a few options. The steps just outside Sutton in the Barbican are used by tripper boats, and you can't leave a rib there, but you might manage to find room inside the pontoon adjacent. Alternatively, there is a slipway on the shore a few yards round to the west, hidden behind the trots of boats. I am sure that other locals will come up with some more landing places.
 
Hi Lemain,

John's ideas are very good, but would suggest you 'watch out' at Mayflower Marina, where even several years ago, they used to charge a 'minimum' 2 hours IF you were seen!! I understand they still do. They have full camera coverage, so I think John's instinct not to fill up with water was probably wise! However, if you were re-fuelling there at the same time, I suspect re-watering would not be a problem.

John can advise you better then me I'm sure, but there is a 'short stop' public pontoon just above the Saltash bridges that is free (as I understand it) that may also have a water point.

I know you can go alongside the Tamar River Sailing Club's pontoon (dead opposite Saltash's) FOC short term, but don't know whether water is available there. Again, perhaps John could advise.

Cheers Jerry
 
Agree with the official minimum charge that Mayflower charges for a short stay. Some of the times that I have used the pontoon is for getting candidates to sail on and off it during YM exams. Perhaps its because its obvious what we are doing they never seem to mind too much.

If you go and buy a few litres of diesel from any of the marinas, I have no doubt that they will let you have water as well. I was trying to think of free places!

The pontoon north of the bridge is the local authority Millenium pontoon. I ought to know if there is a charge, but I am afraid that I have never used it and I don't know. Also I don't know if there is water there or not. If I go down to the boat later, I will stop and have a look.

There is a free slipway adjacent to Blagdons Yard, tucked inside the long pontoon on the outside of Mayflower. Its very busy on week-ends and in the summer and close to a dodgy area of Plymouth, so I wouldn't leave a rib unattended there. Its also a very long walk into town, and there are few services nearby. However Osen Sailmakers is within walking distance and the chandlery in Mayflower is a hundred yards or so away.
 
Plymouth is possibly the worst place I know for visitors facilities. Short of using a marina. Saltash is maybe the best option for free mooring and water from the sailing club.

Anchoring in Cawsands and dinghy ashore is easy, but only pubs and small shops.

For Plymouth, I've tied the dinghy to the back of the W taxi/ferry pontoon. It's not ideal. Maybe the slipway on the left 100yds before it would be ok. All quite away from any anchorage though.
 
I think that the orginal post was implying 'free' anchorages. Cawsand is free, and whilst I entirely share your opinions regarding the River Yealm, you will find the harbour master coming round after money soon after arrival. However in the Yealm, you can anchor for free off the beach to starboard just after the bar bouy, but the holding is reputed to be no better than average. Having said that, we have anchored there overnight several times without any trouble.
 
Fair point..... its such a long while since I last visited (1988-ish), that I can't remember whether I paid or not!...... I've also anchored there.... its a pretty and quiet place to get ashore..... I never had any holding problems either. although I never overnighted there.... must do it at some point!
 
Thanks everyone, that was a very helpful response. As it worked out, we used Cawsand and Jenny(?)cliff Bay and thankfully the watermaker bit turned up so we made our own water. Very effective, we made hundreds of litres mainly from spare solar capacity. As for landing, that was less easy, although we tied up the tender by the slipway at QAB and nobody asked any questions. We did the 'decent thing' and bought a fiew bits and pieces on-site. Thanks again everyone who replied.
 
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