River Exe

[Ripster]

Just working out the pilotage for the Exe and reading the various guides etc. Any regular river users have a quick summary guide on the situation now right up to date - things to watch for? I have read about "the lump" in the channel on the way in and worked out headings/buoyage. Plan is to enter about 2hrs before HW. Once in though and having turned to port at the dock, where is best area to take a visitors buoy in sufficient water to avoid the gound? We are LOA 11.5m and fin keel 2m dft.

Any tips/advice welcome

 

[oldbilbo]

"......Once in though and having turned to port at the dock, where is best area to take a visitors buoy in sufficient water to avoid the gound? We are LOA 11.5m and fin keel 2m dft....."

Something tells me Torquay....

 

[longjohnsilver]

Just working out the pilotage for the Exe and reading the various guides etc. Any regular river users have a quick summary guide on the situation now right up to date - things to watch for? I have read about "the lump" in the channel on the way in and worked out headings/buoyage. Plan is to enter about 2hrs before HW. Once in though and having turned to port at the dock, where is best area to take a visitors buoy in sufficient water to avoid the gound? We are LOA 11.5m and fin keel 2m dft.

Any tips/advice welcome

With a 2m draft I'd leave it till as near HW as possible. Keep close to the docks entrance (At between -2hrs HW up to HW there will be a significant current flowing past the entrance so don't get swept too far past.) and turn to port towards the mooring buoys just off Dawlish Warren, keeping them to port, (mine is about the 5th along), they are all in deep water, 7m +. Follow them along for a few hundred meters into the Bight where you will find 4 or 5 visitors buoys just as the channel swings around to starboard. They will have plenty of depth for you at low water.
Enjoy your stay in the river. Early mornings are magical with no one around except the birds. And do take your dinghy up to the River Exe Cafe, about 500m upstream.

 

[john_morris_uk]

My experience of the Exe (I've been in and out a few times) is that the current flows fairly fast and the pilotage near the entrance can be a little frantic. However nothing too difficult. Just get an up to date chart... Plenty of water for 2 m draft at HW from memory.

 

[rbcoomer]

If you get a chance to go as far as Topsham, then I'd do that too (in tender or taxi)

 

[longjohnsilver]

If you get a chance to go as far as Topsham, then I'd do that too (in tender or taxi)

Will have to be by tender, no water taxi or ferry to Topsham. But most definitely worth a visit, as is the Turf Locks pub on the way up.

 

[rbcoomer]

Will have to be by tender, no water taxi or ferry to Topsham. But most definitely worth a visit, as is the Turf Locks pub on the way up.

Ah ok - I thought there was a taxi to/from Topsham?

They'll need to do the pub on the way back - otherwise might not get as far as Topsham! (That's a fair run in a tender after a pub visit )

 

[Ripster]

With a 2m draft I'd leave it till as near HW as possible. Keep close to the docks entrance (At between -2hrs HW up to HW there will be a significant current flowing past the entrance so don't get swept too far past.) and turn to port towards the mooring buoys just off Dawlish Warren, keeping them to port, (mine is about the 5th along), they are all in deep water, 7m +. Follow them along for a few hundred meters into the Bight where you will find 4 or 5 visitors buoys just as the channel swings around to starboard. They will have plenty of depth for you at low water.
Enjoy your stay in the river. Early mornings are magical with no one around except the birds. And do take your dinghy up to the River Exe Cafe, about 500m upstream.

OK understood, thanks. Not having seen the visitor buoy set up there, are they marked with a max LOA or all big enough for us? Is it in order to call the HM first and he allocates you one or just go and see what is there, grab one and then report in? We'll certainly be exploring on the tender

 

[longjohnsilver]

OK understood, thanks. Not having seen the visitor buoy set up there, are they marked with a max LOA or all big enough for us? Is it in order to call the HM first and he allocates you one or just go and see what is there, grab one and then report in? We'll certainly be exploring on the tender

Mm, no this is the Exe!. Best to just pick up a buoy and wait and see if anyone appears. I'm sure they .will all be ok for you although there will be no loa or any other markings.