Should I go to Plymouth for Easter ?

[DAKA]

My new boat is in Falmouth and I have zero local knowledge(Northerner)
Hopefully my Radar will be installed and the boat back together for Saturday.
My plan is to leave Falmouth early Sunday and go to Plymouth.
I think Mayflower is biggest Marina so I could do with local advice please.

Do I need to book ?
Do I need to VHF before I enter the Breakwater?
I was going to take the West Channel, is this OK or is it for locals only?
What do you think the sea state will be like, (I have my family on board)
I will then leave the boat there for a week or two before I move further east and slowly home.

(I think Mayflower is near the Railway station which will help as I need to go back to Falmouth to get the car.)

Is Devon open this week end, the last time I stayed there Petrol stations used to close on Sundays.

 

[tcm]

um maybe.

"Local knowledge" shouldn't be needed to get in and out of ports, esp rather massive ones like plymouth so you really need an almanac and praps get someone along for a show-how to use it.

Anyway, the wind is likely light and easterly against you, but possibly not (at this stage in wx) too strong, so you need to choose a time when wind and tide are moving together in the same direction otherwsie the sea state won't be as smooth.

In a new place, always take the channel for biggest boat if permitted so either entrance is ok but stay east of Drake Island. No, no need to vhf.

Can't imagine you have to book mayflower - it's massive and a bit out of town so can't be v close to the station i wooden have thort... worth a call if you have their number i spose.

 

[pissativlypossed]

Yacht Haven is Biggest, should'nt be a problem getting in but give them a call first 01752 404231. VHF 39, 80. There is also QAB, Mayflower, these two are more convenient for the city then Yacht Haven, but there is a foot ferry every 30 minutes from Mountbatten to the Barbican, but they are more likely to be full.
The west Channel is fine, just be aware of the French Ferry and the Navel ships although there is plenty of space and there should not be any issues. Keep a listening watch on channel 14 (long room port control), but there is no need to inform anyone that you are there.
You can always anchor in Cawsands Bay if the wind is from the West.
Devon is always open and there doesn't appear to be any distinction between days of the week anymore, there are even shops that take money now.

 

[whisper]

Re: um maybe.

Mayflower is probably the easiest marina for the station, especially if you are on foot. There wouldn't be much difference though, if you were to go by taxi, between there and Queen Anne's Battery/Sutton Harbour. Yacht Haven is miles away and also inhabited by very strange people /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

I normally find that visitors are berthed on the outside of the main breakwater at Mayflower. This gets very bouncy during the daytime due to all the tripper boats and other traffic going past. Well it does in our little boat, anyway.

As you say, taking the W. entrance is fine for all and sundry to use.

There is a straight forward passage to the West of Drake's Island (The Bridge) if you are going to Mayflower - just have to go between the red and green posts. Don't think it saves more than 5 minutes though.

 

[ashanta]

Re: um maybe.

Everywhere will be open on Sunday. The forcast I have is East or northeast 5-6 decreasing 3-4. Vis mod or good The rough seas in Plymouth decaying moderate.
This is due to Saturdays East/southeast 5-6.

I do not like anything on the Devon coast with east in it as it always has bad effect on the sea state.

You may have a rough ride if the forcast turns out as predicted by Marinecall.

Regards.

peter.

 

[ashanta]

mainly a easterly weekend. Won't be fun in Cawsand's!

 

[whisper]

Re: um maybe.

BUT , go and have a look first before abandoning the trip. If the wind has more N. in it than E. you may be able to benefit from flatter seas inshore. Alternatively divert to Fowey, though getting there might be a bit rolly if the wind is indeed from the East.
Agree with your general point though as I also find that N.E.lies seem to cause more vicious chops than S.W.lies. Maybe it's because in my case I seem to do more trips when the tide is going up Channel as against down. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[hlb]

I strongly advise you buy WEst Country Cruising. Not only for the excelent charts of harbour enterances and rivers, but is also a good read and informative about facilities..

I came back from Falmouth to Plymouth two weeks ago. Wind F6 north east, giving about a 30 mile fetch to Falmouth, we bashed straight into it, heading roughly towards Fowey, but keeping well off the coast, as we closed the land, as expected it became much calmer and we could head directly to Plymouth.

Falmouth direct to Plymouth, you will be miles out to sea and no dangers, except maybe the navy playing games, or submarines. I dont take much notice of them because the safty mesages are so garbled and positions read out so quick, it's hard to write them down. Anyway, maybe listen to VHF or ask the coast guards wats goin on.

Either Plymouth west or east entrance is no problem, you dont need to keep to the buoys.

The only place to take care is west of drakes Island, you must go through the Bridge, but it can be hard to weigh up as looks like a sunken ship. Easier to go east of drakes Isle. I've not been able to get into Sutton Harbour for two years, so thats out. QAB is expencive £28 overnight for 35ft. but best for Barbican and town. Mayflower is a bit out on a lim, but maybe closer to train. Not much difference though in a Taxi.

Yacht Haven is across the river from town, but there is a good ferry from Mount Batton. Good local food and pubs at Turnchaple.

Should not need to book, but ring anyway.
No need to vhf when entering harbour. But watch out for big ships and there escort policey type boats.
The big ships use west channel.
Might be expencive if leaving boat for two weeks in marina.
Contact HM or Cattewater HM for buoy moorings perhaps.
Devon is open mostly all the time /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[ashanta]

Would agree on West Country cruising. very informative and from a guy who regularly cruises the area.
I would agree also with a previous reply that it would be best to go down and see what it's like. But if the forecast of easterly is correct on saturday and there is easterly on Sunday then it will be a hard bash. A couple of seasons ago I left Falmouth for the Yealm in weather similar to what is being forcast and it was a hard slog and not enjoyable at all. however, it may be more Northerly which will be considerably different sea state and much better for you.
Regards.

peter.

 

[DAKA]

Thanks to everyone who has replied.
I am about to set off on my 420 mile drive, I had hoped to get there in 7/8 hours but I just herd advice on the radio to stop every 2 hours for a coffee, well that will give me plenty of time to swot up on my Almanac /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif


and the wife's just told me she left it on the boat !

 

[ashanta]

Whatever the weather, have a great weekend!

Regards.

peter.

 

[gcwhite]

I think you should do some basic training for your sake and everyone else's. Do you understand colregs. Do you know you will be committing an offence if you use the VHF without a licence which requires a test? Can you navigate ? Do you know how to handle the boat in tight locations? What would you do if a crew member fell overboard. Do you know how to send a mayday?

/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

 

[hlb]

Think yer a bit late cock, he set off days ago!! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

 

[gcwhite]

Hell. What happened?

/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

 

[hlb]

From his bio ... Nomadic
Bio 1st boat Broom(sank) 2nd boat Falcon (Trailer to Scotland, Broads and Humber/Trent) 3rd boat Bayliner(Humber,Trent, Ouse, Poole, France to Paris) 4th boat Corniche(France, Belgium, Amsterdam, Paris,Channel Islands and Farne Islands

Bit worried about the sinking bit. But hey ho!! I've done that a few times. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[gcwhite]

Why ask such basic questions then? Any competent skipper should be capable of answering these without outside help.

/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[hlb]

Just nice to get reasurance I suppose. Dont really question some one who wants help and never been there before. Why do you pay 40p for diesel ferinstance???

 

[gcwhite]

I don't, I was just making the point that our fuel costs are likely to increase by 3 fold. Why is it that folk find it so hard to focus on the point instead of being distracted by the periphery?

/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[hlb]

Thort you were asking about his navergational skills. Anyway we will soon find out if he got there!!!