Starcross - suitable inflatable, slip to new mooring (.5nm UP stream)

[Trintella]

Hi

I've had a mooring laid in the River Exe and was hoping to be able to use a 2.3m rountail inflatable with 2.5hp engine (and an anchor just in case) to travle the 1/2 mile upstream to the mooring from the slip at Starcross. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Current experience is of 1 mile trips down to the deep water moorings near end of Langstone Harbour where it can get quite rough but that was in an Avon Rover 310 (too big/difficult/impossible to stow on board).

I imagine the Exe N. of Starcross would be reasonablly sheltered from the prevailing S'Westerlies & obviously wouldn't take any risks if it was bad on a particular day but is there anyone with local knowledge who'd mind helping me decide between 2.3m roundtail/inflatable for floor or 2.6m solid transom/inflatable floor ?

Many thanks

 

[john_morris_uk]

I've used an inflatable with a flexible floor on that stretch of water without any problem. I did find the sprayhood helpful sometimes. Its doesn't get that rough - more choppy with the associated spray that gets into the inflatable. Once in March and when on a long trip from Starcross up to Topsham, we stopped to empty the water out of the inflatable because we had shipped so much, but that was an exception to the norm.

 

[longjohnsilver]

Can't you use the Avon and leave it on the mooring, maybe padlocked on? I have an Avon 3.1 RIB which I use on the river and I still get wet in any chop, I think the bigger the better. In any Northerlies especially towards the top of the tide there can be a fair old chop which will get you very wet. There is a good amount of fetch from both the N and S around Starcross. Why not pop into the Starcross boozing and cruising club (the old Brunel tower), a very friendly club, and ask for advice there.
Welcome to the river, it's a glorious place to be, quiet and relatively unspoilt.

 

[Trintella]

In a fit of temper I swore I'd never have to insert the floorboards again and sold it, also I really wanted one I could keep on the boat so I could use cheap visitors moorings rather than go in marinas once I've made it to the area. I'll keep my waterproofs on for the dinghy trip then!

Hoping to arrive Wed 18th May pm on the (neap) tide. I see from the website that Thursday is club night but that the bar is open other nights so perhaps they'd make an exception...

Thanks for the replies, I'm getting the impression that with a bit of common sense a smaller inflatable should be safe but wet. Hopefully in due course one of the local clubs will let me in and I can get an old Mirror for pottering about in the river/using as the permanent tender.

 

[whisper]

For taking with you I'd suggest a min 2.6m(3 person) inflatable with airdeck and inflatable V bottom. For leaving on the mooring a nice little alluminium job would be good or an unsinkable Bonwitco dinghy.
Hope you enjoy your stay on the Exe, it's an interesting place to be. Locals are a bit odd though /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[Joe_Cole]

I'm based at Starcross (SFCC), and would be happy using either of the sizes which you mention. Personally though I would always opt for the bigger size for comfort and, more importantly, for safety.

I'm not sure which slip you are thinking of using (there are several along that stretch of water) but if you are talking about the SFCC slip then that will put your mooring at the northern limit of the Starcross moorings. Most of the time the water will be fine but Spring tides can run at a fair rate on the ebb making it a bumpy (i.e. wet!) trip when there is any South in the wind. In a strong E/SE blow you'll not want to go!

With most (if not all) the slips on that stretch you'll need wheels (preferably) and wellies (definately) to launch a tender when the tide is out.

If you are thinking of joining SFCC you can be sure of a pleasant welcome. I think it's a smashing club. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

PM me if you want any more info.

 

[ashanta]

Joe,

I'm a SFCC member but you don't show any profile details! Whats the name of your boat?
With regards to the poster, I agree with Joe' it's a good club and provides easy access to the water and very good parking facilities. believe it or not the club is now looking at resticting membership due to the popularity of recent years.
The river is no probelm generally other than already explained that in wind against tide conditions it can be rough. I sail most often single handed and therefore travel back and too from the moorings in my inflatable without much problem.
As with Joe, please PM me if you require any assistance at all.

Kind regards.

Peter.

 

[Joe_Cole]

Peter,

I've sent you a PM

Joe