Watchet - What's it like?

windlipper

windlipper

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Watchet - What\'s it like?

Just posted this on main forum, then been told about this one which is obviously more appropriate.

Thinking of taking up a semi permanent berth in Watchet.
What are the pros and cons? Marina gate has a good window on paper, can that be relied on?
Opinions would be appreciated, I am ex solent so not experienced with Bristol Channel.
 
Re: Watchet - What\'s it like?

Hi there.Im sure someone resident in Watchet will respond ,we visit a few times each year and have done since before the marina was built.

The gate times are predicted times when the tide reaches a certain height. When we have visited they have been roughly right giveor take quarter of an hour.You can get into the outer harbour about half an hour before the gate opens .

The marina does have a silting problem.I think they have largely overcome this by employing a dredger a few times a year to do the fairways and they have there own equipment to clear mud out of the berths.You would have to discuss the effect of silt on any berth you were offered.

The staff have allways been helpfull and friendly to us.The town has several pubs shops etc.No trains but regullar bus service.

AerialWatchet.jpg
 
Re: Watchet - What\'s it like?

One of my favorite BC halts. Good access to open water and plenty of nice places in easy range. Possible to get the steam railway up to Taunton - but.... silting has been a problem. We scraped with only 1,1m at low water. They do claim to have dredged since then?
Great marina team, OK facilities and the town has all you might need short term. COOP is the only shop of consequence and you would not equip for a long voyage there.
Entering and leaving the outer harbour can be a bit challenging with the wind in the wrong quarter.
 
Re: Watchet - What\'s it like?

I've been there for five years now and love it.
Watchet is an old fashioned seaside town happily stuck in the 1950s and the marina saved the harbour from becoming moribund. Annual berth prices are very reasonable but visitors prices are considered a bit high. Nice crowd with non of the sail versus power crap found on the South coast.
Dredging is now done annually and is keeping the problem down. Steam railway to Minehead and Bishops Lydeard.
The marine will be opening a big new chandlery in the near future and this will be the biggest between Bristol and Exeter. The Coop is open 8 to 10 every day and offers a good range of basics plus a very good wine selection.
Couple of very good pubs, restaurants and a new Bistro. Hellikers does a great breakfast and the Boat Owners association users the Esplanade Club as it's headquarters.
It's a nice place and not called "the friendly marina" for nothing!
 
Re: Watchet - What\'s it like?

Was there on foot this weekend, talking with the team.

They are getting their own dredger apparently to stir up the goo and let it out ont he falling tide.

To me it the marina looks a little under funded, and resources in the chandlery are not huge at the moment. A new chandlery shop is due to open this summer.

Peripheral kit such as lift out is courtesy of a huge and ancient 20 ton crawler crane; water aand lecky on th epontoons.

An eclectic grouping of mobos and raggies, with a mixtur eof fishing boats to leaven the scene.

The inner harbour is well sheltered once you are in the basin, but a bit tricksy if you are late or the weather is unco-operative.

Long term bet ? It should make the grade, but will need the onshore developments to fund the services. So pricewise- you get what you are paying for. A good staging post for Devon and Cornwall coats,a nd the Celtic brethren and sistern across the water.
 
Re: Watchet - What\'s it like?

Link to Watchet website if you havent allready seen it. Watchet website

PS could someone give them a gentle reminder that its 2008 now for the gate opening times. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif
 
Re: Watchet - What\'s it like?

Lets hope we get some decent weather, ie; F3 or lighter and maybe some sunshine, combined with HW around mid afternoon..............all on a weekend of course...........then we can go boating!
Or am as asking to much?
 
Re: Watchet - What\'s it like?

Going to Cardiff on Saturday come hell or high water (in the car that is!) /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
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