West Country base for Summer

[amf]

Have got a 2 week break end of July and our plans were to head west and see how far we got. Plans now needs revising as SWMBO is now "eating for two" /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif - advise is calm weather cruising only so no bumpy bumpy.

So plan B is now to take boat down with mate in a good weather window beforehand, come back by train. Then take SWMBO down by car/train, stay in self-catering cottage and do day-trips with SWMBO on boat - then do reverse to get boat back home (Port Solent).

Have been looking at suitable base' s (Plymouth, Falmouth, Fowey) etc criteria being:

1. Lots of day trip potential
2. Have self catering places available for rent for a couple of weeks (lots in Fowey)
3. Have good security for boat (so probably marina?)

Would appreciate any recommendations from forumites for base to keep boat for 3 maybe 4 weeks (furthest west we have been so far by boat is Dartmouth!).

Cheers

Andrew

 

[hlb]

You can leave the boat most anyplace, but it will cost you dearly. Try a phone call to Fowey or Falmouth HM, for a cheap spot up river. Then just use marinas or whatever when your down there.

 

[Nick_H]

Congratulations. If you want west of Dartmouth and walk on pontoons for SWMBO then its Plymouth or Falmouth. If a secure swinging mooring or river pontoon is OK then you could also consider Salcombe, Yealm, Fowey. I guess there's some on the Helford river as well.

As with all things boaty it depends what you want. Yealm and Fowey are the prettiest, Salcombe is the trendiest, and Plymouth and Falmouth have the usual big city stuff.

 

[Alistairr]

Can't help with your question, but very many congratulations to you and Mrs amf. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Cheers

Al.

 

[gjgm]

we'll be going same way.. probably mid July though.
Anywhere yachty- check for regattas. Last year we ended up at Salcombe at the same time as some dinghy regatta, and it was total mayhem. Dartmouth I always like, but we will return to Mylor. Coves,bays,beaches,pubs,restaurants,sheltered rivers,great coastline.Or across the Roads if you prefer the towns, Falmouth.
In fact were more likely to pass on you on our way back!

 

[gjgm]

Ah, not sure I d put Falmouth in big city stuff !
I had a terrible time trying to find a decent capuccino /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[SilverTT]

[ QUOTE ]
Plans now needs revising as SWMBO is now "eating for two" /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif - advise is calm weather cruising only so no bumpy bumpy.

[/ QUOTE ]

I was told humpy humpy leads to bumpy bumpy. As swmbo is eating for two does that mean you can drink for two.

 

[SilverTT]

Congrats to you both. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Mines due June 2nd. Hopefully july onwards is paternity holiday on the boat. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[halcyon]

Do a check at Mylor Yacht harbour, they have self catering flats, and the marina, with food and drink on site. Train to Penryn via Truro, taxi 23 mile to Mylor.
Have you concidered storage ashore ?

All the best.

Brian

 

[Garryt]

I would say Plymouth is a good base.

If the weather is not so good there's still plenty to do. You can go up river about 8 miles or so comfortably and even stay overnight on one of the "pub" buoys at the Spaniards Inn at Cargreen. Very deep water moorings and the passage there is OK in a Mobo at virtually all tides except perhaps low springs.

On the way up river you pass the dockyard and warships (if this is of interest /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif ). you can also anchor up in Plymouth Sound in various places (depending on the wind direction), for a short trip to the baech or pub or an onboard BBQ.

The River Yealm is only round the corner from Plymouth (about 10 mins in a mobo, so if it's a little choppy, you don't have to be at sea for long. Once in the Yealm, you are rewarded with beautiful walks, about 4 great pubs, plus the local yacht club with cheaper beer /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif ! The Ship Inn in renowned for its excellent food and environment, but it's not cheap. there are a couple of pontoons in the river and the water is crystal clear!

Fowey is only about an hour away to the west, which is another real nice place. Falmouth is about another hour further west. To the SE there's Salcombe, which would be a good stop on the way back. Not cheap, but the place is really throbbing in the summer.

Garry

 

[poter]

Congrats,

Try Ditisham upper reaches of the Dart for a couple of nights, my SWMBO's favourite place, easy navigation. You can almost always pick up a buoy. ( not too sure of prices today but probably around 15/20 quid for a night) eat in the local pub & walk for miles if you want, or just laze onboard, really is a beautiful spot, much better than Salcombe IMHO.

good luck.

poter

 

[whisper]

Well I agree that Dittisham is a super little spot but it's not really comparable with Salcombe as the latter is far larger, far busier and so should be avoided in the August Hooray Henry season. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

For a greater variety of day trips and mainly sheltered waters I'd go for either Plymouth or the Fal. Not sure about B&Bs/cottages in the Plymouth area but I'm sure there are lots around the Fal.
Plymouth will give you the option of city life and a number of marinas if you want that, in order to escape inclement weather. This is on top of nice trips up river to Calstock and St Germans.
The Fal and the Helford River are IMHO rather nicer for a relaxing holiday.

 

[hlb]

Yes. Plymouth is the center of the attractions of the west country. Only a few miles, left or right to the major attractions. there is knowwhere that is not nice, and all in a few miles, with nearly no rocks to hit, and certainly no sand banks, with nearly all harbours available whatever tide. It,s free and easy.

If bad weather is round the corner, I head for the Fal. There is so much to do there, without venturing out to sea. Mind, same is true of Plymouth, just that I,ve seen it quite alot.

 

[gjgm]

cottages for rent around the Fal, John. Just you need to sell the boat to be able to rent one for a week! (X5 and Cayenne owners only need apply.)

 

[longjohnsilver]

My vote would be for Falmouth, plenty to do and see, could spend the whole two weeks in the harbour and rivers and still not see it all. Helford's only a few miles to the right and Fowey a bit further left.

 

[ccscott49]

Falmouth not a good idea!!! Haydn goes there, too much smog!

 

[hlb]

Cheeky bugger. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[longjohnsilver]

He'll be safe from July 1, smoking's been banned! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[amf]

Thanks everyone for replies and good wishes - much appreciated.

Falmouth and Fowey seem to be front runners - nice balance between availability of self-catering places and day trip potential. So couple of follow-up questions:

Fowey: Bit worried about leaving boat unattended on swinging mooring - I assume further up river the less secure but the cheaper?

Falmouth: Mylor has been mentioned a couple of times. Anyone tried the Premier marina at Falmouth (don't have name to hand). Might be able to get some free nights - any downsides?

Cheers

Andrew

 

[hlb]

Phone Fowey HM. He has a little marina up the river. Forget what it's called. Just across from the clay dock. You can park your car there as well.