West Country Marinas

[Touching Cloth]

As a long-term berth-holder in the Solent, I am considering moving the boat to the West Country - somewhere between Plymouth and Torquay.
Any recommendations for suitable marinas, and should I be pleasantly surprised or horrified by any change in price?

Thank you.

 

[stranded]

Not sure what the current situation is re availability but marina berths were like hens teeth a couple of years ago so it may be what you can find rather than what you want. Depending on where you were in the Solent, you will probably be slightly pleased but at the same time maybe a bit disappointed in the price differences.

 

[GEM43]

We commuted to the boat from Hampshire to the West Country for a decade. Be aware that the Plymouth marinas are as close as Torbay/Dartmouth in drive time, fast dual carriageway to Plymouth. Personally we preferred Plymouth, at the time we were weekend sailors for which I think Plymouth offers better sailing options/destinations/strong weather sailing. We were at Sutton Harbour which was an excellent sheltered marina but I think it’s busy and expensive now though I’m not up to date.

 

[oldmanofthehills]

Torquay is weird and unsailorly. Dathmouth very sailorly and gives relatively short passage to channel islands, Salcombe has no marina (but excellent water taxi to moorings) and you would be lucky to find even a mooring in Exmouth or Teignmouth. Plymouth Sound has many marinas and moorings though from Hampshire you would want the more expensive ones on the Devon Side. Plymouth Sound is a say sailing ground in its own right a bit like Solent, and not too bad for N Brittany.

Prices the English side of the channel are high all over

 

[ash2020]

I'm currently looking for a swinging mooring in the Fowey area. I've been told that the waiting list is between 10 - 20 years! At my age, that means never!

 

[GEM43]

I'm currently looking for a swinging mooring in the Fowey area. I've been told that the waiting list is between 10 - 20 years! At my age, that means never!

I've been on the list for eight years. Nothing yet!

 

[Sandy]

Google and the telephone is your friend. Really depends on what you are looking for and if they have a suitable sized berth.

If you want the throbbing night life of the Barbican in Plymouth then Sutton is the place to be. If you are looking for a bit of peace and tranquillity then others are available.

Please note since COVID and the thing that we cannot mention starting with a B and ending in an X, Plymouth is pretty full.

I keep my boat on the Tamar.

 

[doug748]

As a long-term berth-holder in the Solent, I am considering moving the boat to the West Country - somewhere between Plymouth and Torquay.
Any recommendations for suitable marinas, and should I be pleasantly surprised or horrified by any change in price?

Thank you.

In all the main marinas you will be paying around £550 (doubtless more for '25) per metre, maybe a bit more or a bit less depending. Plymouth Yacht Haven has access by road without going into Plymouth, very easy once you suss out the best cross country route with some fine Devon pubs for a meal on the journey down. The parking is ok/good with free parking nearby, there are local pubs and it has more of a rural aspect with access directly to the Barbican (Heart of town) by foot ferry.

The five central marinas all have strengths and drawbacks but if there is room for you I think PYH would be a sound choice, if only for an initial year.

.

 

[wizard]

I'm currently looking for a swinging mooring in the Fowey area. I've been told that the waiting list is between 10 - 20 years! At my age, that means never!

 

[oldmanofthehills]

I'm currently looking for a swinging mooring in the Fowey area. I've been told that the waiting list is between 10 - 20 years! At my age, that means never!

You will have better luck in Falmouth or Plymouth area. Certainly a few around in Upper Tamar above The Bridge.

 

[ash2020]

You will have better luck in Falmouth or Plymouth area. Certainly a few around in Upper Tamar above The Bridge.

Thank you, I'll investigate.

 

[oldmanofthehills]

-----

The five central marinas all have strengths and drawbacks but if there is room for you I think PYH would be a sound choice, if only for an initial year.

.

Certainly can recommend PYH. We call in at the start of the season or if heading to Brittany in order to fuel up (we are on swinging mooring) and they are very helpful, and due to proximity of Borringdon Arms or Clovelly Bay Pub, we somehow always seem to stay the night

 

[Jon magowan]

I’m in my second year at Plymouth Yacht Haven with my first boat, so nothing to compare it with. Firstly I’m so surprised at how expensive it is. But others tell me there are more expensive places, especially in the Solent area.
It’s a bit tricky to find for the first time but once you get there, it’s a fabulous location, well protected and extremely well served by pubs, chandlers etc..
Finally and most importantly, the staff are very friendly and endlessly helpful. Facilities are excellent and if you can bear the cost I can thoroughly recommend PYH !

 

[oldmanofthehills]

Thank you, I'll investigate.

Tamar River Sailing Club and Weir Quay Sailing Club on the Plymouth Side which probably suits you best coming from Salisbury plus stuff towards Calstock. Cargreen YC and Saltash S C on the Cornish side which means you have the bother of the Bridge