Thinking of moving to the South West, whats the sailing like?

South West south coast is great really for coast hoping and day sailing, lots of great anchorages, and shelter available, and the Chanel Islands are only along day sail away.

I think on the whole, the prices are in comparison, no more expensive than further east, but not having tried them, I stand to be corrected. As said previously, all marina's tend to be expensive unless as a resident you can get on a council pontoon berth facility which will be considerably cheaper.
 
I live in Plymouth, I moved here for the surf 25 years ago and happily by chance moved to some of the best sailing areas in the UK.
Positives are:
Less crowded than further east, including commercial shipping
Beautiful, occasionally stunning scenery.
Sheltered waters to sail in if necessary
Choice of mooring from marinas to trots
Lots of clubs and a fair bit of racing

Negatives are:
It's a long way from anywhere else. Not as bad as Cornwall, which is a long way from everywhere, but still a good drive even from Bristol.
Parking can be a problem for some moorings
Lots of racing
France is much further away
Gets crowded in the summer in some places
When it gets stormy, it gets very very stormy, and it can happen very very quickly.
There be submarines.

South coast is infinitely better than the north coast of Cornwall/Devon in terms of places to go, safe havens and facilities.

I think the east coast is more interesting and probably more challenging to sail, but the south west (as in between Portland and Lands End) is the most beautiful.
 
mayflower marina in plymouth consistently wins awards and is just over £400 a metre but I think they do a discount for first year. More importantly if you buy shares in the marina company you get a significant discount. Only any good if you've got some money available that is earning nothing elsewhere, but the effective return on your investment is pretty good - I can't recall the details as in the end I found a berth further west where I wanted to be.
No connection etc.
As others have said, Brittany, Channel Islands and Scilly Isles all within easy distance. Much quieter than Solent. Plenty of anchorages too.
edited to add:
Just found doe old emails. The cost of a share is around £10K and each share gives you £500 off your berthing fees. So even if value of share stays constant thats a 5% tax free return, effectively - could do worse!
 
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Lots of marinas in Plymouth, but I have no idea of cost as I am on a swing mooring.

The sailing is great, but not quite as good as the West of Scotland, and having watched Coast on the Yesterday Channel last night Norway looks really, really good.
 
I've always found it ironic how some people whinge about paying 20-odd quid a night for up to six people to stay in their £20-30,000 yacht before going ashore and spending £40~£50 quid a head on dinner.

Anyone complaining about mooring or anchoring fees should try camping in Cornwall - The last time I checked a campsite it was £25 a night for me, my tent and a car. That's 25 quid for a patch of grass 2m square for one night. And a quid for 1minute 30 seconds of shower. . I bought a boat soon afterwards and I'm consistently amazed how cheap staying anywhere is.

I spent the night at one small fishing village whose harbour master was most apologetic at charging me £15 a night, "Usually it's for bigger boats, but it's a flat rate so it seems a bit expensive for your little boat. It does include a free shower, though". I tried not to smile as I handed over the money - I've paid more than that just to park my car for the night!

I've found the water taxis can end up being expensive though, just for the luxury of sitting down for dinner with a dry backside.
 
PCUK said:
Forget the South Coast poofters and come North (yes, there is a North in the South West, called the Bristol Channel, just as beautiful but empty and a fraction of South Coast prices!:cool:
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Agreed, but not a good place for fin-keelers unless you are happy drying on legs or against a wall. Many of the nicer places are drying.
 
jwilson said:
Agreed, but not a good place for fin-keelers unless you are happy drying on legs or against a wall. Many of the nicer places are drying.
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If you say the Bristol channel starts at Lundy that is only true for a few places. Clovelly, Ilfracombe, Watermouth and Minehead come to mind. You can anchor off Clovelly and Minehead. Other places have gates or locks, Watchet, Portishead, Bristol, Sharpness (for Gloucester) Lydney, Cardiff and Burryport come to mind. Lots of other places dry to what I was once told was bottomless mud, Burnham on sea, Uphill, Thornbury, St Pierre, Newport and many other places mainly above the bridges. When dropping into the mud it's much better to do it with one keel as you normally sit more level. Unfortunately to get there you here to pass all the hazards I mentioned earlier in this thread. That is why we few, who have sold their souls to the devil have the place to ourselves! Long may it continue! Stay away,it's ours and we don't want to share it, Oh and don't tell anyone, there are loads of good anchages too
Allan
 
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Allan said:
If you say the Bristol channel starts at Lundy that is only true for a few places. Clovelly, Ilfracombe, Watermouth and Minehead come to mind. You can anchor off Clovelly and Minehead. Other places have gates or locks, Watchet, Portishead, Bristol, Sharpness (for Gloucester) Lydney, Cardiff and Burryport come to mind. Lots of other places dry to what I was once told was bottomless mud, Burnham on sea, Uphill, Thornbury, St Pierre, Newport and many other places mainly above the bridges. When dropping into the mud it's much better to do it with one keel as you normally sit more level. Unfortunately to get there you here to pass all the hazards I mentioned earlier in this thread. That is why we few, who have sold their souls to the devil have the place to ourselves! Long may it continue! Stay away,it's ours and we don't want to share it, Oh and don't tell anyone, there are loads of good anchages too
Allan
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But the OP wants something close to all tides access, which doesn't work any better for locked harbours than for drying ones. The only real option as we both know is Cardiff, but this is not in SW England, which is where he wants to be.

Realistically there are no non drying ports on the North Devon/Cornwall/Somerset coasts between Padstow and Avonmouth (apologies to watchet). Given that he sounds like he's interested in port hopping I doubt our turf is for him.
 
I hope you're right, if the channel gets any busier I'm going to have to move. One weekend last year I saw three other boats and it wasn't a race weekend! I think we should all warn people to stay away or it will become another Solent!
You have been warned!
Allan
 
Allan said:
I hope you're right, if the channel gets any busier I'm going to have to move. One weekend last year I saw three other boats and it wasn't a race weekend! I think we should all warn people to stay away or it will become another Solent!
You have been warned!
Allan
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:) Given that it's 18Nm from Cardiff to Avonmouth and about 20Nm from the Needles to Ryde I think it's only the Bristol Deep that's in danger of becoming another solent. The rest of it, we have to ourselves!
 
TiggerToo said:
The Fal has plenty of free anchorages, if you know where to look
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And if a patrol boat does not "pick you up"! Once caught way up the Dart when anchored sheltering from a southerly gale. I don't object to paying for a pontoon berth or a visitors' mooring or a landing fee to pay for refuse collection etc. but when anchored to escape stress of weather or await a fair tide, a rip off!
As are car parking charges throughout the South West.
When I kept my boat in the South West I kept her on a mooring in Plymouth because there are still free anchorages up the Tamar and Lynher, but even that mooring was not cheap- £900 for 6 months 18 years ago!
 
Lots of options on south coast. Swing morning where I am costs £500 rent for a deep one. Availability is good, but you often have to visit and chat to locals and check local ads and newsagents to locate what you want.
Plenty sailing up and down coast, and if you choose a non ' yachty' area, such as a proper working town, costs will be lower. Stay away from tourists and places with designer clothing stores!
Tides can be strong and take getting used to.
Teignmouth, exmouth, Brixham, and other plenty other options.
 
Halcyon Yachts said:
You haven't lived ;-)

The Westcountry offers some of the best sailing in the UK!!!

Pete
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Head round the toe and you sail North to Kinsale for late May/June and July in 2017 after having spent this summer around the Scillies!
Mooring wise: well Plymouth Yacht Haven is nice and sheltered but Teignmouth might offer an excellent solution.
 
A fine place to sail.

Can't think of any cheaper marinas though. Yoda's solution, post 10, is probably the best you will get. It is a bit snug and access is tidal but parking is ok and there is a inexpensive club next door.
 
Jamesuk said:
" Teignmouth might offer an excellent solution. "
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Not sure Teignmouth has any walk on walk off pontoons as yet, which is what the OP is looking for?

Re Anchoring, Torbay around to Teignmouth is all free, no charges as yet, some nice ones- Churston Cove, Broad sands, Goodrington ? Anstey's Cove, Babbacombe just to name a few. All good shelter from South Westerly's
 
TiggerToo said:
The Fal has plenty of free anchorages, if you know where to look
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mainsail1 said:
Like where?
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None in the Fal for visitors but you can anchor for free in the St Mawes area......they do not charge but keep the ability to charge on their books in case they wish to reinstate charging. Also you can anchor for free in the Carrick Roads South of a line between Penarrow Point and Messack point.
Here for instance in St Just Pool the yachts on the moorings are just by Messack Point.
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