brians
Member
Just how busy is it at the moment? Is it worth turning up without a reservation?
West Country
- Thread starter brians
- Start date
chrishscorp
Well-known member
Currently on the Westerly Owners Rally we have boats in Dartmouth, Plymouth and Salcombe tonight, If you can book ahead do so. We have not been able to book on a number of venues in advance and have called up various harbours, marinas shortly before arrival and been fitted in. What it will be like during school hols i dont know......
Sandy
Well-known member
It is the busiest I've seen it in years. I believe the modern word is rammed and it is only going to get more so as the school holidays ramp up.
jordanbasset
Well-known member
This was a photo we took on a walk overlooking Salcombe last week
Sailing dinghies were enjoying themselves
Sailing dinghies were enjoying themselves
Scillypete
Well-known member
Just got back home after 2 and a half weeks pottering from place to place as far east as the river yealm, when we wanted an alongside marina berth (for crew pick up and drop off) we got one, we anchored many places, Helford, Falmouth, St Mawes, Mevagissey, Yealm, Mousehole, had a mooring in Fowey there were several empty when we arrived. Had an alongside berth in Looe on two separate visits.
It did not appear to be any busier than a usual summer although that may change when schools break up and if the weather improves
It did not appear to be any busier than a usual summer although that may change when schools break up and if the weather improves
Sandy
Well-known member
I popped into the Yelm a couple of weeks ago. A Wednesday evening and they were three deep in the pontoon.
longjohnsilver
Well-known member
My son went there a few days ago and got a space on one of the pontoons. I guess the weather forecast has put many off even leaving home.
Scillypete
Well-known member
cellar bay. . . . . . No pay . . . . . ?
Switch
Active member
Just got back from two weeks 'out west'. You probably know you can't pre-book marina berths in most of the Devon and Cornwall marinas. You have the call the morning of your intended arrival. Despite several attempts we were unable to get a marina berth in Dartmouth but there was space at times on the mid-river pontoons but they filled up quickly. We spend a few days in Fowey and there was plenty of space on the visitor pontoons and the same went for the River Fal. We managed to get into Brixham marina for a couple of days. I would say that in general it seemed busier this year than the last few years.
Tomaret
Active member
This morning we were unable to extend our stay at Plymouth Yacht Haven until tomorrow but were offered a choice of pontoon or buoy mornings in Fowey this afternoon.
A quiet (compared to the Solent) but fast trip from Plymouth to Fowey. If there are more boats in the West Country this season they are moored up.
A quiet (compared to the Solent) but fast trip from Plymouth to Fowey. If there are more boats in the West Country this season they are moored up.
ortac
New member
In Dartmouth at the mo. Berths available
chrishscorp
Well-known member
Spoke to one of the berthing masters in Salcombe this morning, basically from the booking info they take, lots of boats from the southcoast who would normally go over to France Channel Islands and beyond etc etc are all ending up down the the west country because of lockdown.
A trip out now YES, you may have to raft, yes you may even share a visitors swinging mooring, saw 3 hanging off one off of Salcombe this morning or a quiet spot to anchor or you may just get a marina berth or a visitors Buoy in one of the quieter spots like Dittisham.... Pity those who wish to venture out when schools break up
A trip out now YES, you may have to raft, yes you may even share a visitors swinging mooring, saw 3 hanging off one off of Salcombe this morning or a quiet spot to anchor or you may just get a marina berth or a visitors Buoy in one of the quieter spots like Dittisham.... Pity those who wish to venture out when schools break up
ashtead
Well-known member
Plenty of space here in Gosport for visitors- cannot imagine why we are planning to be in Dartmouth next week but research seems to show booking not as organised as likes of Lymington etc?
ashtead
Well-known member
Have reached Brixham and friendly staff have found us a berth. Seems a lovely location and ability to take the dinghy across to local beaches etc. The town was very busy over weekend ( not certain if schools broken up yet up north) but a fair number of children crabbing etc plus much boozing by parents. Paid a visit to yacht club which seemed very quiet though and bar closed which was sad even if a few recovering dinghies to dinghy park. It’s not clear if they do meals there though but might try again in evening for a drink. Lovely sunset views from marina and only disturbance seems loud shore based music on a Saturday night but ends early and the noise from fishing port. Generally seems a convenient location for day sails to Dartmouth and local bays. Seem to be a number of happy resident berth holders even if shoreside facilities are dated compared to other MDL and the access pontoon is a one way traffic . I wondered at possibilities of keeping boat here for summer months in future years and wintering in other MDL marina on Solent ? Any Brixham Berthholders have views on location?
DipperToo
Active member
After a west country cruise 6 years ago , Brixham somehow seemed 'right' to leave the boat. Been here at MDL ever since despite living in Suffolk.
Even at busy times of the year it is tranquil compared to the solent area.
Being a working harbour there is always activity outside the holiday season.
Yes, facilities a bit dated and sadly some users do leave them in a bit of a state but a minor inconvenience when you look at the whole picture.
The only downside is the it gets exposed in strong N to E bad weather and although the wave break works for waves there can be quite a swell that enters the marina.
The marina staff could not be more helpful - especially when the weather is bad and you live hundreds of miles away!
The Sea Tang guest house has a very useful Web cam that scans across the marina so you can usually see your boat!
Overall I would find it hard to get a better location - especially if you also use the boat as a 'cottage' as well as sailing.
Mudisox
Well-known member
Lots of places you can anchor. Paddle boarders and RIBs are however different matter. Please remember to go slow and watch your wash.
fisherman
Well-known member
The visitor mooring chap at Helford says uptake has been many times the normal. I was out on a down river beach yesterday and it was busy, busy every where, had to pull out a little known patch of private shingle for a swim. I scanned the arc between Mawnan Shear and the Dodman, 70 leisure craft in view from sea level. However, there is still space to anchor, even upriver, and it seemed less busy up that way.. Helford pub, Shipwrights, is shut following a fire in the Pizza shack.
Tomaret
Active member
And today. Salcombe were five to a buoy on Saturday and Sunday nights, but rafts on the Bag were not full.
longjohnsilver
Well-known member
Always room to anchor up by Salt Stone. Lovely tranquil spot.
ashtead
Well-known member
Had a lovely day on beach reached from marina across harbour towards the Brixham gun battery by dinghy. Dinner at local Rockfish restaurant was very good . Thanks for advice DipperToo yes looked at webcam this morning to check we hadn’t moved in the night. Day trip to Dart tomorrow to view conditions and then back to Brixham for dinner if we can find somewhere-it’s a bit like Bethlehem at Christmas for eateries here though but they have Co-ops and Tesco metro so we can stock up if needed . One strange feature we found out today is no petrol sold at fuel pontoon here .
