Visitors' moorings at Swanage

jlanng · 03 July 2006, 21:21

Are there any?

Nos4r2 · 03 July 2006, 21:28

You just drop your anchor as far as I'm aware. The bottom is sand.

Richard B · 03 July 2006, 22:43

We usually choose the most friendly looking buoy. Last time we chose one marked "Do Not Moor Here" as it seemed like the best choice!

AndrewH · 03 July 2006, 22:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard B

Last time we chose one marked "Do Not Moor Here" as it seemed like the best choice!

Yeah the pier is also similarly marked and we've moored alongside there a number of times as well. No one seems to mind unless you moor up at the point where the fee-paying pleasure boats come alongside

Biggles · 04 July 2006, 00:17

Cheers Chaps,

Hope to be there this weekend if the sea is like a mirror.

Planning a 100 NM round trip from Chi to Swanage.

Any good places for eats ? If so where in the bay is best to anchor. have done recce via Microsoft live but would appreciate local knowledge.

Nos4r2 · 04 July 2006, 01:32

There's a really good fish'n'chip shop on the seafront.It's a tiny little shop to the right of the pier as you come into land. The owner owns the boat the fish is caught from.

jlanng · 04 July 2006, 09:06

Thanks chaps!

Robox · 04 July 2006, 09:48

A water taxi runs in the summer at the town end of the bay, i can dig the number out if you want,or why not try the top end of the bay away from the town.It is less busy ,water is crystal clear at the moment, great for swimming , water skiing e.t.c. and you can have a bbq ashore.

Rob C.

AndrewH · 04 July 2006, 10:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by Biggles

Any good places for eats ? If so where in the bay is best to anchor. have done recce via Microsoft live but would appreciate local knowledge.

Well just a bit further round the coast there is Shell Bay fish restaurant as mentioned here a few weeks ago.

http://www.rib.net/forum/showthread....ight=shell+bay

Food there is bl**dy good and you can drop anchor right outside

Andrew

Ribald · 04 July 2006, 11:01

Quote:

You just drop your anchor as far as I'm aware. The bottom is sand.

With a fair amount of kelp as I recall

Richard B · 04 July 2006, 11:07

If you're going to leave the RIB then definitely anchor rather than use someone else's mooring! You don't want the locals going grumpy on you

jlanng · 04 July 2006, 11:27

I've never left sight of my boat at anchor before! Was planning an overnight stop... don't think I'd sleep very well!

Richard B · 04 July 2006, 11:33

Yep - remember that you're probably not insured either. I can add an anchorage to my policy by advance arrangement with my broker, although they do state restrictions like maximum wind speed and may increase the policy excess - may be worth checking if you can do this?

Doug Stormforce · 05 July 2006, 09:28

You can park on the South Side of the pier, its worth ringing them first on 01929 427058 and effectivly booking yourself the space. They ask for a small donation, ive found them helpful b4 and given them whaterver the smallest denomination note in my wallet is (yes I am Scottish and carry £1 notes). Ive only stayed overnight so not sure if its the same for during the day.

Last time a bit of swell was coming in from the SE so I berthed her stern into the pier with the anchor holding the bow off. There is no rising pontoon so you are effectivly parking alongside piles/pier.

There are also plenty mooring bouys but I believe they are all proivate, look for 1 that looks quite solid, some hold trawlers.

Also worth considering anchoring N of the moorings.

I dont think there is any sort of taxi running though.

Have a good weekend

Peter J · 06 July 2006, 12:06

You could berth in Poole Harbour. Its not that far away and you have all of Poole to find somewhere to eat.

Personally I prefer Studland beach or if you want one pretty much to yourself, Chapmans Pool a bit further round. Watch the tidal race off Durleston Head though. Lovely cliffs round that way.