Swanage and Lulworth

[Richard B]

We went to Swanage and Lulworth on Sunday. Lunch moored in Swanage bay - we found a buoy normally used by a vessel called "Keep Off" which was handy!

[Richard B]

It's a very pleasant spot, and although busy, plenty of room for everyone. The trip across Poole Bay was amazingly busy - almost as busy as the Solent!

[Richard B]

And here's a short video clip of the return from Lulworth along the Dorset coast:

http://blueice.dogscogs.com/Jurassic_0001.wmv

[robin]

Originally Posted by Richard B

we found a buoy normally used by a vessel called "Keep Off" which was handy!

[Jackwabbit]

Richard, It looks as if you had a good time.
Did you launch from Swanage? & if so what’s the slipway there like.
I’m thinking of planning a diving weekend down there at some time (preferably out side the summer holidays) & was wondering whether the slipway was useable for a 5.5m rib, and a normal saloon car.
Any help would be appreciated
John

[Richard B]

Sorry John, we motored across from Southampton. From memory, I don't think that launching at Swanage is particularly easy, but the locals will advise you better!

[Robox]

Richard,
We were in Swanage bay on Saturday , great place to tie up and have a swim. wanted to try the trip round to Kimmeridge /Lulworth but was out voted by the wife and kids and we ended up on the beach at Studland instead.Hope to give it a go when we are down for 2 weeks at the end of the month , any tips / hazards to look out for up that part of the coast ? Still fairly new to boating and Christchurch to Swanage is as far West as we have managed so far .

Rob.

[Robox]

Originally Posted by Jackwabbit

what’s the slipway there like.
I’m thinking of planning a diving weekend down there at some time (preferably out side the summer holidays) & was wondering whether the slipway was useable for a 5.5m rib, and a normal saloon car.
Any help would be appreciated
John

Ive never launched there myself but i have watched others. It is long and steep and it can be slimy below high water on the slip,there are two stone pontoon/quays to tie up to though . Parking could also be a problem at busy times as i do not think you can park your car there.
Worth a recce first and as Richard said the locals would be able to advise better than i.
Rob.

[Richard B]

Originally Posted by Robox

any tips / hazards to look out for up that part of the coast ?

Quite a few, but straightforward. Chart or chart plotter shows hazards, look out for Peveril Ledge just out of Swanage heading westwards. We travelled close to shore as far as St Albans Head (heading west) as there's good depth, St Albans can be a serious piece of water in a wind-over-tide situation as the ledge continues out to sea for over four miles, although at slack water on a calm day you wonder what all the fuss is about! Then heading west past Chapman's Pool it all changes, and you need to watch the depth - at one point we were over half a mile offshore with a depth of only 6ft. The wave cut platforms are very wide in places. Lulworth is an easy entrance, although the cliffs all blend together from a distance to confuse the eye.

HTH!

[UKPOWERBOAT]

From what I have seen it is concrete all the way however it is about a 100 yard really steep incline. I would have thought you would be ok, just one monster of a slope. I have attached a pic but this does not really show the whole slipway and the angle of the slipway.

Anyway hope it helps