Windermere - questions

[spv737]

Am thinking of moving my Dawncraft Motor boat off the canal and getting a swinging mooring on Windermere.
Obviously the mooring availability/location is a big thing as access to/from with a tender is needed.
I know I can launch from various places like Fellfoot, I am a member of the NT so get free parking but does anyone know if you can overnight stay in the car park?
Are there any boat clubs or camp sites etc that will let you park and launch from (Hill of oaks, fallbarrow and white cross are only for people staying at the site)
Ferry nab car parking will be about £15 for a weekend and also how is the access in the summer, always seems to be a mega traffic queue waiting for the ferry.
If i used an electric trolling motor on the tender will it then be classed as powered and have to be registered?
Do colregs apply on the lake or just common sense and local byelaws? i.e lights etc, I have a marine VHF operators licence.
Am I right in saying the BSS does not apply on the lake, if not what standards are the boats kept up to?
I am put off a bit because of the access problems or the costs of parking etc.
Any info about mooring/access etc gratefully received
Have not requested a mooring yet as just trying to find out which areas may be suitable.
Paul

 

[zingaro]

Windermere

I had a boat on a mooring on Windermere for over 20 years,only left because of the speed limit,used to keep it on a swing mooring opposite Fell Foot park,use to pay Fell Foot park an annual fee every year to keep my tender there as well as parking my car,it was very reasonable,you could also use there jettys to bring your boat in so that you could load it up with your gear but you were not supposed to stay on it for long in case others wanted to do the same thing,never had any traffic issues at this end of the lake, as it was always quieter than the other end. You can also have your boat pulled out by there tractor to store it on hard standing for the winter for a fee,providing you have some sort of a trailer for it,there is also a slipway as well as a cafe. Had many happy years there and the staff were very helpful. Might be difficult to get a mooring there due to the high demand, but you can always enquire with the lake wardens.

 

[Jim@sea]

When I applied for my mooring on Windermere near the slipway at Ferry Nab it never crossed my mind that I would also have to pay to park my car in the Ferry Nab car park.
I could understand the charge for casual visitors, but not to people who are paying a mooring fee of over £500 a year.
And visitors, I feel embarrassed when people come up and see me and they have to pay £5 just to visit. Well if I hadn't allready paid for myself I would pay theirs.
But of course we are in the Lake District where the word "Free" is not in the dictionary.
I am only on Windermere because I live nearby.
Your Dawncraft would be nice on Windamere rather than a canal (saw a nice one at Galgate by the canal last year) but dont forget to fit an echo sounder before you put it in the water.

 

[spv737]

Things moving on now, I have been offered a swinging mooring at Fallbarrow (I have access through Fallbarrow caravan park) So a couple of questions :- What anchor type is recommended for the lake bed? What type of antifoul is most suited to the lake (boat is out of the water at the moment being refurbished so ideal time to apply)? What is the best set up for attaching to the mooring i.e type of rope, do I need a secondary rope for safety? Is an auxiliary engine recommended in case the outboard fails (thought of just a Bison electric outboard which will just get me out of trouble should the worst come to it)
Paul

 

[landlockedpirate]

I have never needed any antifoul on the lake, just a pressure wash every now and again. Lake bed is mainly rocky with a thin layer of mud, theres no current so most anchors work. Mooring gear depends on your bow set up, but I always put a backup line on just in case, ferry nab always has boats that have broken from the mooring and been recovered.

A backup engine can be a good idea, but you can always drop the hook if the worst happens. Its quite a freindly place, most boaters will give you a tow (my kids used to spend summers towing people in for pocket money !) or you can always ring one of the boat yards.

 

[Lakesailor]

Things moving on now, I have been offered a swinging mooring at Fallbarrow

Did you take the mooring at Fallbarrow?
I am on Fallbarrow North, near the Museum.
Yes you need two strops.
Leave one a bit looser than the other so it takes the strain if the primary one fails.
Fallbarrow South is slightly more sheltered than my mooring as the rocks shelter it from the Northerlies.

 

[spv737]

Lakesailor - Yes we took the mooring at Fallbarow North (No4) Had new mooring equipment laid as the original had sunk. Boat is still on the drive at home as the refurbishment is going slower than thought.
Another question - Whats the deal with tenders, i.e. when your off cruising for the day do you tow it with you or padlock it to the mooring (is theft a big issue there)?

 

[spv737]

Finally got the boat finished and launched on Windermere, took us a lot longer than expected. for pictures of the refit check ot the dawncraft forum
http://dawncraftowners.com/phpBB3/viewforum.php?f=121

 

[IRC Kevin]

You'll love Windermere. Will give you a big wave when we spot you, as we're not far away at Aquatics.

 

[chuds]

We are at aquatic also, berthed next to teachers pet! so will give you a wave when we see you.
Ian and Jane
Gemini
Bayliner 285