Teignmouth Entrance Do"s and Donts

[markcw]

Went Teignmouth today with the kids in the car, we were thinking off popping around the coast on saturday when we should be down at torquay on the boat watching the power boat raceing.

Well arriving at the seafront i was shocked to see such a torrent of water ebbing out off the channel, and about 1/2 mile out to see a patch of sea that resembled a washing machine water with large swell, rough was not even close enough to describe the sea state. I went and asked a RNLI staff member about the tidal flow and even he said that he has no idea why its so rough and such a large very fast flow of sea, there is no spring tide today.

We moved to the beach and channel tip and watched 1 boat struggle to get in, with all the waves peaks and troffs and then the sear relentless pace of the channe,l unbelivable to see and quite frightning at times you could see large worl pools spinning around.

So my question, do you have to be on a suicide missions to even use or enter the channel, what vessel would be suitable to use in the very dangerous condtions, and what are the do"s and donts in useing the channel.

I have to admit after watching i feel that i am no where near competent to even place my vessel and family members anywhere near this area and may be we will stop at babacombe instead.

mark

 

[henryf]

Well we ventured in and spent the night there a couple of weeks ago. When I get a moment I'll post up a little review of the place as well as some of the other places we visited.

I timed our visit to coincide with the high tide so as to enjoy slack water. The dredger was out there working away as we went in and you are absolutely correct in saying there is a hell of a current ripping through the place on an ebb!

Boats did leave and enter at states other than high water but for us it made things a bit easier. I had a play around on the tender as the water was going out and pottered at low water (something I like to do in all new ports of call to get a bit of a feel for the place when everything is exposed).

Princess P42 flybridge.

Henry

 

[VicS]

I went and asked a RNLI staff member about the tidal flow and even he said that he has no idea why its so rough and such a large very fast flow of sea, there is no spring tide today

Oh yes there was . We have big spring tides at the moment! The new moon was the 29th. Yesterday's ( Wednesday's) was probably one of the biggest tides of the year

In a week's time it will be neaps and the tidal range will be less than half of what it is at present

Nearer to high water the tidal stream will be very much weaker too. The best time to have entered would have been a little before high water when the flow was much less strong and also going in the right direction!. At the latest shortly after HW when the ebb was still fairly gentle

Me thinks you need to learn a bit more about tides and to read your tide table

 

[hlb]

Teigmouth is not the sort of place to go to in bad weather. Having said that we found it whilst pootling around waiting for high tide Exmouth.

We found boats coming out of Teigmouth and asked them for the depth at low tide.

Anyway went in . Least water was 3M around low tide. Keep to the left.


So going to Teigmouth, go on a nice day, not difficult

 

[rbcoomer]

Hi Mark,

Your graphic description made me laugh! Yes, it can get a little 'frothy' - especially in an Easterly and with surprisingly little wind, but most times it is quite do-able even in our 14'. We usually launch there, but I've learnt to check the state of the river mouth and in particular the bar - which is what causes that 'washing machine'. Also, never be ashamed to turn back - we have and have seen others do the same - there's always another day to try! If you look at the charts and the Teignmouth Harbour website, you will see where you need to go and where to avoid. It's also worth watching for a while and bear in mind that some pretty big stuff docks in there for the china clay! There is a marker buoy that looks a very long way out, but marks the end of the sand bar - I always go around unless high tide as a number of vessels have run aground on the bar over the years and it's not a place you want to be stuck - almost definitely a mayday situation as I'd say the chances of riding it out until you re-float are slim! However, go on a nice calm Autumn day and you'll be amazed how tranquil it will be... Teignmouth is worth the effort IMHO

 

[oceanfroggie]

Looking at the chart, three bars and a constricted channel entrance will generate stronger tidal streams and a wind against tide effect, but as with so many places, going at a suitable tide should make all the difference between a gentle and bumpy ride.

 

[markcw]

Hi Mark,

Also, never be ashamed to turn back - we have and have seen others do the same - there's always another day to try!

funny you should say that we did see a large rib go out with about 5 people onboard, they went through the main run ok(very quickly) but as they got out to the top marker buoys were the washing machine seas were to, the boat just got thrown about, at one point a wave caught it and dip it down and span it around at the same time , next thing we knew he must of stalled the engine as it was not moving and getting tossed around dangeriously and we could see them doing something to the large outboard, eventualy they came in.

thanks for the comments,

 

[rbcoomer]

funny you should say that we did see a large rib go out with about 5 people onboard, they went through the main run ok(very quickly) but as they got out to the top marker buoys were the washing machine seas were to, the boat just got thrown about, at one point a wave caught it and dip it down and span it around at the same time , next thing we knew he must of stalled the engine as it was not moving and getting tossed around dangeriously and we could see them doing something to the large outboard, eventualy they came in.

thanks for the comments,

A friend & I did likewise around October last year. We looked at the sea on the coast - about a 5mph N.Easterly or less, pretty flat sea. Went down to Polly Steps and launched both boats, headed out towards the sea and Wow! What on earth is that? A wall of white water bigger than us by quite some considerable margin! We 'dipped our toes in' so to speak, having a couple of runs in a bit further then decided discretion was the better part of valor and turned tail and fled! The problem is it's quite a long run to get through and a 'quick, well timed dash' isn't really an option - you're looking at a few minutes of arduous water where a lot can go wrong. In the time we pottered about in the river afterwards, a number of boats - even one 25' or slightly more, tried and returned! That certainly made us in our respective 14' & 15' boats feel certain we had made the right call - however disappointing at the time. A few days later a 17' speedboat crew were rescued by the lifeboat having come unstuck on the bar. Their sunken boat was pulled in later I see no point in bravado where the sea is concerned - definitely know the limits and if in doubt, don't! Far better a wasted trip than a lost boat - or worse. That said it is not always like that and the tide state makes a massive difference as mentioned above. Sometimes it's worth parking up and going for a wander around the town, then check back later. For me it's all part of the fun of learning really and certainly hasn't put me off using Teignmouth to launch.