Portland stop over

Firefly625

Firefly625

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Going West in August, as my dear Mitchell is so slow plan a Yarmouth to Portland, Portland to Dartmouth step. Portland because (I hope) guaranteed pontoon berth rather than rafting in Weymouth which I cant do, but never been to Portland, everyone seems to say characterless place & I believe fairly new pontoons build for Olympics. For a night stopover I don't care about character, just convenience. Anyone that been lately confirm it will offer what I want? Anythings to avoid.
 
We are in Portland at the moment. Personally I love the place. Easy access, plenty of room, good facilities, bar with reasonable food, fuel berth on the way out and loads of visitor moorings. As for atmosphere it depends what you want, the wide open sky here does it for us. The marina claim that they have never had to turn anyone away and we have always found a berth.
 
ideal.. for overnight easy access to the bill.... its a long slog in and out of Weymouth a big detour..... Weymouth better for a few days if you don't get stuck in a middle of a raft.

don't time your arrival in Dartmouth for dart week and expect a berth. done that before
 
Firefly625 said:
From memory Dart regatta was end of August... we should be there first 2 weeks..

Hope that's right? Will look up when I get a sec.
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Yes the regatta is last week of August. Even though it is busy then Dart Nav are proud of the fact that no one has been turned away, although the marinas will undoubtedly be full. Before that you should have no problems finding a marina berth. If we are around on Eos (on a trot just off Darthaven marina, Kingswear) come and say hi, although I'm rather hoping we'll be in Scilly by then.
 
longjohnsilver said:
Yes the regatta is last week of August. Even though it is busy then Dart Nav are proud of the fact that no one has been turned away, although the marinas will undoubtedly be full. Before that you should have no problems finding a marina berth. If we are around on Eos (on a trot just off Darthaven marina, Kingswear) come and say hi, although I'm rather hoping we'll be in Scilly by then.
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thanks ljs, we will come and say hi if you are there!

if you are in the Scilly's look out for a boat called Ta-Mera, Contest 46 (raggie) my brother borrowing my parents boat for a couple of weeks and aiming for there..
 
Firefly625 said:
Ben, can't risk a rafting scenario where SWMBO can't get off.. she struggles with mobility with her MS, although does very well, crossing a raft of boats is just too hard for her.

We will run at 11 knots
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Ok, see you point. Defo a stop in Portland.

Where you headed?

We only went to Torquay once... Love Brixham, MDL Marina great. Love the Dart, we use Darthaven. Usually take a night on a buoy at Dittisham, might not suit you, but Greenaways is a lovely way to while away a few hours.

In Dartmouth, try Saveurs for a light lunch or selection of pastries.....

Going further?
 
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Firefly625 said:
Ben, can't risk a rafting scenario where SWMBO can't get off.. she struggles with mobility with her MS, although does very well, crossing a raft of boats is just too hard for her.

We will run at 11 knots
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I would recommend that you try to berth on the inside of town quay in Dartmouth, it's right in the centre of town, with power and water available. If you call Dart nav on channel 11 after you pass the castles they'll tell you if a berth there is available. Failing that I'd recommend Darthaven marina which will be on your starboard side just after passing the lower ferry. If you're planning on staying a while I'd also buy a book of tickets for the passenger ferry, much cheaper than paying for individual journeys to and fro to Dartmouth.
 
longjohnsilver said:
I would recommend that you try to berth on the inside of town quay in Dartmouth, it's right in the centre of town, with power and water available. If you call Dart nav on channel 11 after you pass the castles they'll tell you if a berth there is available. Failing that I'd recommend Darthaven marina which will be on your starboard side just after passing the lower ferry. If you're planning on staying a while I'd also buy a book of tickets for the passenger ferry, much cheaper than paying for individual journeys to and fro to Dartmouth.
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Ah yes, we've still got half a book of tickets, works out less than half price IIRC.

Not immediately obvious, but from the ramp at Darthaven, to get to lower ferry, you do not need to walk up to the road and down the hill, you can walk out through the yard and under the hotel.
 
burgundyben said:
Ah yes, we've still got half a book of tickets, works out less than half price IIRC.

Not immediately obvious, but from the ramp at Darthaven, to get to lower ferry, you do not need to walk up to the road and down the hill, you can walk out through the yard and under the hotel.
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That's right, but the hotel is now luxury apartments, and the passenger ferry is just before you go under it. From Darthaven visitors pontoon it's only about 150m.
 
I haven't been to Darthaven by boat for many years but I had a feeling the new layout of visitors pontoon was alongside berthing with potential rafting. Do they still put visitors in spare finger berths?
 
burgundyben said:
Ah yes, we've still got half a book of tickets, works out less than half price IIRC.

Not immediately obvious, but from the ramp at Darthaven, to get to lower ferry, you do not need to walk up to the road and down the hill, you can walk out through the yard and under the hotel.
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yes I recall that walk.. have not been to Dartmouth for years. looking forward to it
 
burgundyben said:
Ok, see you point. Defo a stop in Portland.

Where you headed?

We only went to Torquay once... Love Brixham, MDL Marina great. Love the Dart, we use Darthaven. Usually take a night on a buoy at Dittisham, might not suit you, but Greenaways is a lovely way to while away a few hours.

In Dartmouth, try Saveurs for a light lunch or selection of pastries.....

Going further?
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Ben

sorry ducking in and out of here.. busy working..
but to answer your questions, just heading for Brixham, maybe Torquay for a night.. maybe not, is it awful?, Teignmouth if weather very good (as friend owns the Beachcomber café), Dartmouth for longer stay, would like to go to Dittisham for the night. (maybe Salcombe for a night but due to SWMBO...maybe not ), then head back.

forgive ignorance but what is Greenways?

Like the sound of Saveurs. Thanks
 
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