Somewhere to base a trailer sailer

[erbster]

I am looking for somewhere to base my 19' trailer sailer for a few weeks next year, with the aim of some weekend trips to Lundy. Ideally I'd like to leave the boat rigged ashore at a place from which I could launch (or perhaps pay to be launched). Any suggestions? Ilfracombe? Appledore? Thanks

 

[Allan]

You may wish to add Watermouth to your list.
Allan

 

[Birdseye]

Try Instow / appledore. The sailing club there

 

[sarabande]

Appledore no; full of jet skiers and the ramp is very steep. Instow (North Devon Sailing club) is very good and friendly (I would say that, wouldn't I ? ) On the Taw/Torridge, there are a number of small public ramps, but they need seeking out. The bar is passable most days, but local knowledge is best sought.

Also, a large tidal range means you have to take care with launch and return times. But the sailing up the estuary is remarkable for the variety of landscape, and also for navigational challenges.

Minehead is a possibility, with a new harbour master who is keen to support visitors.

Wacthet Harbour hasa good ramp. Again tidal range is an issue.

Watermouth; no. OK for launch but difficult to exit and enter if the wind changes.

Ilfracombe. Good club. Dries out.


Porlock - full to busting from Spring onwards, though some forumites survive the local beer long enough to go sailing.

On the whole, the N Devon coast is stunning, but challenging to sail; tidal range and speeds are the issue.

 

[Earendil-uk]

Appledore no; full of jet skiers and the ramp is very steep. Instow (North Devon Sailing club) is very good and friendly (I would say that, wouldn't I ? ) On the Taw/Torridge, there are a number of small public ramps, but they need seeking out. The bar is passable most days, but local knowledge is best sought.

Also, a large tidal range means you have to take care with launch and return times. But the sailing up the estuary is remarkable for the variety of landscape, and also for navigational challenges.

Minehead is a possibility, with a new harbour master who is keen to support visitors.

Wacthet Harbour hasa good ramp. Again tidal range is an issue.

Watermouth; no. OK for launch but difficult to exit and enter if the wind changes.

Ilfracombe. Good club. Dries out.


Porlock - full to busting from Spring onwards, though some forumites survive the local beer long enough to go sailing.

On the whole, the N Devon coast is stunning, but challenging to sail; tidal range and speeds are the issue.

I resemble that remark - hic - !

 

[peterhull]

I am looking for somewhere to base my 19' trailer sailer for a few weeks next year, with the aim of some weekend trips to Lundy. Ideally I'd like to leave the boat rigged ashore at a place from which I could launch (or perhaps pay to be launched). Any suggestions? Ilfracombe? Appledore? Thanks

I have sailed on a Cape Cutter in the Chichester area nice boat.

I have a Dufour T6 with a Swing keel bought in last 2 years. I am based at Watchet but do not sail from there. I took mine down to Lyme Regis this season for 2 weeks it was very pleasant. Sailed to Axmouth and West Bay Bridport. Tides are less vicious there!!

The Watchet marina has issues at the moment with large amonts of mud and the gate into the marina has failed currently being fixed.

Have a look at the Welsh side maybe. Milford Haven is a large estuary with places like Solva where you may be able to beach the boat.

Ilfracombe is a nice friendly place. Good sailing club but dries as mentioned by others. You can anchor outside harbour but subject to some swell in certain conditions.

Minehead harbour is quite small and open to the East. You would bump on the bottom when the tide came in and out I think.

Porlock although very small is an interesting place to visit but maybe better to contact HM beforehand.

Best of Luck

Peter Hull

 

[erbster]

Thanks for those ideas. I'm looking too do some weekends, so I want to leave the boat ashore on its trailer (rigged) and hopefully do a series of weekends (Lundy is a target). NDYC looks very interesting; I'd need to work out what states of tide I could launch my boat- needs a fair depth too get her off the trailer

 

[peterhull]

Just read your blog on Baltic fascinating stuff.

Have a look at Watermouth Bay, not far from Ilfracombe.

Very very sheltered but drying good friendly sailing club have their own yard and slip. I am pretty sure you could haul out and leave the boat there with rig up

Peter

 

[erbster]

Thanks for the comments on my blog; I'm always looking for different places to explore.

I'd been recommended Watermouth before, but wasn't sure a) how easy it would be to launch/recover boat and b) whether there was somewhere safe to leave it. I'll need to examine the tides carefully to check which weekends have convenient times both for launch and navigation.

I feel a "cycling weekend" coming on, so I can recce a few likely spots!
Would I find much activity at Watermouth or NDYC at this time of year?

 

[peterhull]

Hello Charles.

I would say very easy to launch. From memory there is a nice wide ramp onto hard sand very little swell then onto moorings.

I may even go there myself this summer. I have been thinking about some sailing on this coast. Further down the coast the tides are not as fierce as further up in the narrow part near Cardiff and Barry.

Not sure about activity, I presume you mean racing that sort of thing.

Peter

 

[peterhull]

just checked on web Watermouth Yacht club have own web site www.watermouthyachtclub.co.uk

plan of harbour and other details . Tide tables don't work.

If you are trailering down I would advise not going via Porlock Hill. It is extremly steep and sharp bends, several accidents there in the past where brakes failed etc. Some steep hills near Combe Martin as well

Although longer may be better to go via Barnstaple. Cycling trip to recce would be a good idea yes!! You could see Instow as well.

Peter

 

[geepee]

Hi Charles

I keep a 27' at Watermouth and don't have any issues getting in or out, however, you will need to use engine as there is a huge wind shadow from the prevailing westerlies
Also, be aware it can be quite 'lumpy' for a couple of hundred meters outside the harbour entrance for a couple of hours around mid tide and more so if wind is easterly
There are quite a few small fast cruiser type fishing boats and they don't have any problems
Keeping it on a trailer ashore won't be a problem from April when most boats will be back in the water
Slipway is not steep and you can drive right down to waters edge even at LW springs but take care at the end of the breakwater as there is a bit of a dip where the stream flows
Harbour Master is Keith Allsford who has a well deserved reputation for being very helpful
Harbour office no is 01271 865422 or email allsford388@hotmail.com
WYC is a small club but very friendly - bar opening is only Fri/Sat in the season but we do BBQ's and a few Sunday lunches
There isn't anyone maintaining the WYC website at the moment but there is a Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/pages/Watermouth-Yacht-Club
Feel free to pm me if you want any more info

Geof

 

[erbster]

Great stuff Peter and Geoff!