Update on Dover

benw

benw

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Now that the end of term is a week away I am starting to look at plan a,b,c etc.
What are the options for berthing at Dover?
Considering Southwold to Ramsgate or Southwold to Harwich then Dover.
Any local or recent info would be useful.
Thanks Ben
 
Just got back from Dover. The western end of the port is under re-development, this means the anchoring area is not available, the only berthing at present is in the marina.

Regards
Phil
 
Ben

Visited Dover on Saturday night on my way home from the Isles of Scilly. No problems at all. There is still the choice of the 2 locked in basins and the tidal harbour. The tidal harbour is the most expensive at about £2.70 per metre including electricity, the others are about £2.30/m.

There are works on both sides of the route to the marina and all you are asked is to keep your wash down as there are usually divers down. There is a regular dredger entering the harbour that might delay you slightly, but there are no problems that should affect you.
 
We're in Dover tonight. No problem. Beer and grub at Cullins Yard cos my crew doesn't do Indian food (I rather fancied an Indian but hey ho)
 
Concerto said:
Ben

Visited Dover on Saturday night on my way home from the Isles of Scilly. No problems at all. There is still the choice of the 2 locked in basins and the tidal harbour. The tidal harbour is the most expensive at about £2.70 per metre including electricity, the others are about £2.30/m.

There are works on both sides of the route to the marina and all you are asked is to keep your wash down as there are usually divers down. There is a regular dredger entering the harbour that might delay you slightly, but there are no problems that should affect you.
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Apologies for going off-topic.... How were the Scillies? I'm hoping to go later this year but am wondering if this is foolhardy in a boat with no engine? I've sailed passed them several times but never had time to stop. My only mechanical power is a flubber tied alongside with a 3.5hp OB. What are your thoughts?
 
Major_Clanger said:
Apologies for going off-topic.... How were the Scillies? I'm hoping to go later this year but am wondering if this is foolhardy in a boat with no engine? I've sailed passed them several times but never had time to stop. My only mechanical power is a flubber tied alongside with a 3.5hp OB. What are your thoughts?
Click to expand...

You need to watch the tides and height of tide. Choice to where to moor does depend on where the the wind is, as you may roll or snatch on the mooring buoy or anchor chain.

Not having an engine may be a problem if you need to move in a hurry due to a wind shift. Your Contessa 26 should be able to sail with the tides, but I doubt if an inflateable alongside would be sensible arrangement if the weather turned rough against the tide. Could you not fit an outboard bracket, then the 3.5 hp outboard should be able to cope.
 
Concerto said:
You need to watch the tides and height of tide. Choice to where to moor does depend on where the the wind is, as you may roll or snatch on the mooring buoy or anchor chain.

Not having an engine may be a problem if you need to move in a hurry due to a wind shift. Your Contessa 26 should be able to sail with the tides, but I doubt if an inflateable alongside would be sensible arrangement if the weather turned rough against the tide. Could you not fit an outboard bracket, then the 3.5 hp outboard should be able to cope.
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Thanks for that, appreciated. I do have an engine to stick in the boat at some point, but it's not a straightforward installation. Your opinion echoes my concerns so perhaps a trip to leave until I do have a reasonable alternative if needed. :)
 
I was in Dover on Saturday evening on the way back from Cowes. On Peter Wilsons 1925 48ft Motor Yacht Maudorces.
There were two large cruise liners tied up near western entrance, one of which was leaving as we approached and we had to wait to enter. I must say the tide whips across the entrance and can be quite rough.
There is a lot of redevelopment but didn't notice the noise as it was evening. They have been doing piling which could be irritating.
Cullins yard was a great place to eat and their brewery next door makes very palatable ale.
We ate in the Indian Cinnamon Somethingorother ( a few mins walk along prom, turn left ) on the way down and I would also recommend that place if you don't want anything too posh but very tasty.
 
I was there in the Granville Dock on Saturday evening too, I admired that boat you were on. I guess I came in a few minutes after you as I saw that cruise ship leave when we had about a mile to go. Awesome waves outside the Western Entrance....
Didn't eat out, too nackered after a bouncy old sail from Boulogne.
Heart sank when I saw the row of Portacabin loos and showers, astonished to find they are extremely well fitted out and very clean.
 
Tomahawk said:
I was lookong at the condition pf the Granville dock walls. They are in a shocking state. Bricks snd stones misding and much of the pointing gone.
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Well, since they're going to fill it in shortly I don't suppose they've done much maintenance of late

Seems we missed everybody cos we cleared out of the Granville early Saturday morning!
 
As Dover is my home port, thought I'd add my tuppence worth...

Dont be put off by the re-development, as this only takes place during the day so it's nice and quiet during the evening. I haven't found the works going on have caused me any delays getting in and out.

If you've got any other questions just give me a shout and I'll do my best to help.
 
As of today there is a new "dogleg" in the channel between the marina and the cruise ship berths all controlled by signals and port control vhf. Strictly one way through there now.
 
Biggles Wader said:
As of today there is a new "dogleg" in the channel between the marina and the cruise ship berths all controlled by signals and port control vhf. Strictly one way through there now.
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Indeed. Caught me completely by surprise - was in Dover tidal marina early August and then stopped there again on passage back from Portsmouth to Burnham and it had completely changed. Did the usual call-in on VHF to port control and then the marina when inside the breakwater - no-one saw fit to mention the channel had significantly changed. Got very confused when I motored up what was the old channel to find my way blocked by huge steel girders! Worked it out in the end (wasn't that difficult) but as Biggles says, controlled by port vhf.

On leaving, you'd report into Port Control as you headed to the exit but now they will want you to report more or less as you slip lines - we had them chasing us on the VHF for our intentions before we'd cleared the final pontoon!

There's a useful Local NTM here: http://www.doverport.co.uk/administrator/tinymce/source/Notices%20to%20Mariners/Local%20Notice%20to%20Mariners-%2048-17-SM-Operation%20of%20the%20Wick%20Channel.pdf
 
It's perhaps worth mentioning for anyone unfamiliar with Dover and thinking of stopping off there, the Port Control people are brilliantly professional and very sympathetic to small craft. So long as you do exactly as you are told, that is. They do spell out very clearly what they want you to do. Just do it!
 
I'm planning to stop off there tomorrow. Phoned a few days ago and they said that they have no problems accommodating any boat under 12 metres in the marina. Beyond that, ask in advance.
 
Cantata said:
It's perhaps worth mentioning for anyone unfamiliar with Dover and thinking of stopping off there, the Port Control people are brilliantly professional and very sympathetic to small craft. So long as you do exactly as you are told, that is. They do spell out very clearly what they want you to do. Just do it!
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Well said! Dover Port Control are fantastic. For the best experience, always radio them when you're about 2 miles off, even if you're just going straight past. They want to know, and they appreciate your involvement.
 
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