Where to keep a boat near Exeter

Phideaux

Phideaux

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Have a possible move to our Exeter office and assumed that there would be easy berthing nearby, but a quick search around Exeter doesn't look that hopeful for something in the 34-38' range drawing 1.8-2.2m. Should I be considering Brixham and Plymouth, or is there something nearer?
 
Swinging moorings on the Exe.
An ugly Marina at Exmouth.
A small but friendly yard with pontoons at Topsham.
Swinging moorings at Teignmouth.
Horrible marina at Torquay. (Yes, I know some people like it!)
Ok Marina and swinging moorings at Brixham.
Lots to think about at Dartmouth.

Plenty to choose from. No need to go as far a Plymouth.
 
Rigger Mortice said:
Swinging moorings on the Exe.
An ugly Marina at Exmouth.
A small but friendly yard with pontoons at Topsham.
Swinging moorings at Teignmouth.
Horrible marina at Torquay. (Yes, I know some people like it!)
Ok Marina and swinging moorings at Brixham.
Lots to think about at Dartmouth.

Plenty to choose from. No need to go as far a Plymouth.
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Cheers for this. I'd really prefer pontoons with shore access and preferably some 'facilities'. Not particular about the marina scene, so a reasonably priced berth at a friendly boatyard would be fine.
 
In that case Trouts at Topsham may be what you are looking for. Space is pretty limited so you may or may not be lucky. Facilities.....well there's a shower, diesel and water but beyond that everything else is available on the doorstep in Topsham which is a lovely little town.
Trouts have a webcam at;
http://www.troutsboatyard.co.uk/webcam/

There is a downside. It's about 4 miles to the sea and with your draft you would need to plan the tides.
 
Trouts yard pontoons is really only suitable for RIBs and winter storage as the river dries out and you end up in a mud berth. OK if you want to time your exits and have time to spare. Moorings on Exe are fine, but you won't like t the odds of getting back in on LW +- 2 hours on a spring though neaps is usually fine in settled weather. Exmouth Marina access not good.(see PBO article) If you want a "proper all tide marina" try Torbay or Dartmouth. However, for the journey time to Plymouth, Plymouth is faster to get to than Torbay or Dartmouth.
 
Rigger Mortice said:
Swinging moorings on the Exe.
An ugly Marina at Exmouth.
A small but friendly yard with pontoons at Topsham.
Swinging moorings at Teignmouth.
Horrible marina at Torquay. (Yes, I know some people like it!)
Ok Marina and swinging moorings at Brixham.
Lots to think about at Dartmouth.

Plenty to choose from. No need to go as far a Plymouth.
Click to expand...

You'll be hard pushed to find many 38' deepwater moorings available on the Exe, although I have one that is available ........
Same applies at Topsham, and getting there and back with that daft will be interesting!
Teignmouth moorings, same as Exmouth.
Agree about Torquay and Brixham.
Dartmouth is great but finding a mooring at short notice will be a challenge.
 
Seagreen said:
Trouts yard pontoons is really only suitable for RIBs and winter storage as the river dries out and you end up in a mud berth. OK if you want to time your exits and have time to spare. Moorings on Exe are fine, but you won't like t the odds of getting back in on LW +- 2 hours on a spring though neaps is usually fine in settled weather. Exmouth Marina access not good.(see PBO article) If you want a "proper all tide marina" try Torbay or Dartmouth. However, for the journey time to Plymouth, Plymouth is faster to get to than Torbay or Dartmouth.
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And by road Plymouth is just about the same distance as Dartmouth.

I kept my old boat at Topsham for a month or so on a couple of occasions (after lay-ups in the canal) but was very disappointed with the sailing options, a deeper draught boat would be even more restricted.
 
I agree that I wouldn't discount Plymouth as a possibility. It might be further in miles, but its a LOT less hassle and quicker by car than some of the nearer alternatives. We live just outside Exeter and we keep our boat on the Tamar and have no regrets. Its about an hour from where we are to where our mooring is.

Furthermore if you want a marina berth, then Plymouth has lots of choices.
 
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Thanks all for your replies. Certainly the travel time and ease of travel is important; more so than proximity to Exeter, especially as I would be looking to rent a country cottage SW of Exeter. I can see the need for a long weekend down there looking at Dartmouth and Plymouth.
 
PCUK said:
Don't forget Watchet!!!! Nice small marina with a boatyard-like atmosphere and prices much less than the south coast. About 40 mins or less from Exeter through fantastic countryside!
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The OP was taking about a deep keel biggish cruiser: Watchet may nominally have the depth but last time I was there is was of ooze rather than water, and deep fin keels are a bit of embarrassment in the Bristol Channel and much of Pembrokeshire unless you only go to the few boring marinas - and ignore all the nicer places, of which there are quite a lot.

Plymouth is the way to go if you want a deep keeler and work in Exeter, and can't afford to throw money at getting a berth quickly in Dartmouth.
 
jwilson said:
Plymouth is the way to go if you want a deep keeler and work in Exeter, and can't afford to throw money at getting a berth quickly in Dartmouth.
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Definitely can't throw money at anything. Still searching for a reasonably priced boat after the last one fell through. :(
 
Another vote for Plymouth from me. I live in Exeter, and used to keep my boat on the Exe. Although it's very pretty, it's very shallow, which made it difficult to get out and back again in a day if you just fancy a day sail. After one particulay bad season I moved the boat to Plymouth and haven't looked back. You can always get out for a sail - even in a gale if you want, and there is a good choice of marinas, which do seem to be cheaper than Dartmouth. There are also nice ports and anchorages to sail to. The only thing against Plymouth to my mind is there are limited sheltered swinging moorings. My first year in Plymouth as was at Torpoint, and it could get very rough at times, and the wash from passing tripper boats could get annoying at times. If I was to move out of the marina I think I would look at Cargreen / Weir Quay or the Cattewater (though less scenic).
 
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