Launch at Swanage/ Kimmeridge

Stubber · 27 February 2015, 15:31

Hi, does any one launch from Swanage or Kimmeridge or anywhere else close as going to Swanage in July and want to know where the easiest and most convenient places to launch are and the prices and if there are anything to look out for to avoid

steco1958 · 27 February 2015, 15:37

Boatlaunch is your friend

Stubber · 27 February 2015, 15:43

Yep looked on boat launch, was wondering if there was any other launch sites not listed or more information on sites on boat launch, looked on previous posts on subject and most was a couple of years ago, the more information the better as I live miles away and don't want any surprises as trying to take 3 inflatables

lukewhiting · 28 February 2015, 22:11

I launch at swanage all the time.

Is a pain at low tide and the left hand of the slipway is best to launch on as it drops away faster.

There are some rocks on the left hand side about 5m from the pontoon end so head out to sea as you leave the slipway area.

Is about £14 if you remove your trailer and more if you want to leave It. The guy gets down at about 8:30 and leaves at 5 so it will be free outside of those times.

The rnli boat station is being rebuild this year so a lot of the boat park is taken up by contractors and the temporary life boat station. There may be some dates when you cannot launch due to it being blocked but ask swanage council.

Other than that it's a nice slipway way in good conditions and high tide but can be rocky at low tide and is quite steep.

What size boat are you launching? There is another free slipway by the parade fish shop. Free slipway, but will mean you need hand launch as it is very shallow and at low tide 30m to the waters edge. I launched my old thundercat there but and old 15ft speed boat

lukewhiting · 28 February 2015, 22:12

Baiter park is also good in Poole. £10.50 for all day parking and launching

Stubber · 01 March 2015, 10:21

Thanks for the reply Luke, either going to take 15 foot speedboat and an inflatable or 2 or 3 inflatables, if its just the inflatables it will be the free slipway as have a launch trolley if tide is out if its an easy stroll to the water, do they ask for insurance documents or anything to produce when using the slip

lukewhiting · 01 March 2015, 10:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stubber

Thanks for the reply Luke, either going to take 15 foot speedboat and an inflatable or 2 or 3 inflatables, if its just the inflatables it will be the free slipway as have a launch trolley if tide is out if its an easy stroll to the water, do they ask for insurance documents or anything to produce when using the slip

No! This is swanage...we've barely heard of the internet!

jeffstevens763@g · 01 March 2015, 12:35

Been to kimmy looks good slip divers launch from there all the time

lukewhiting · 01 March 2015, 18:40

Just have to watch out for rocky shelves that litter the bay

Stubber · 01 March 2015, 19:14

Are the rocky shelves a problem at low tide or more of an issue to look out for needing a fish finder/ depth sounder

lukewhiting · 01 March 2015, 19:21

Have nt had much boating around there but plenty of kayaking. There's a ledge just off the slipway and more to the right of the slipway. If you head straight out your usually fine. You Can speak to the guys in the dorset wildlife trust next to the slipway for some better advice

Stubber · 01 March 2015, 23:01

Thanks for the advice Luke, looking forward to this outing

Johnscubanut · 02 March 2015, 08:14

We've launched at Kimmeridge many times over the years. A bit pricey if not shared tho? Steep slipway of concrete, just make sure your engine is tilted up as far as possible when motoring, follow the line of mooring bouys out on the left til you get deeper water & nice & slow!!!!!!!!
We usually have a 'spotter' on the bow checking for the odd big rock that has your name on it!
You can launch at all states of the tide but there is a ledge that the trailer wheels may drop over & onto the sand. best to stop just short unless you've got a powerful 4x4 that can pull it up & over? Hope this helps?

jokaboat · 02 March 2015, 14:01

Kimmeridge is OK but watch out for rocks at low water. Gets very busy with dive clubs in the summer. Lots of parking though.

Definitely stick to the channel.

Stubber · 02 March 2015, 20:37

Thanks for advice everyone, towing speedboat with Vivaro van and wondered how steep the slip was at Kimmeridge for problems pulling it out, cant really tell from picture on boatlaunch

Johnscubanut · 03 March 2015, 08:22

Yea, you'll be ok with a Vivaro van. A bit slimey on low tide, maybe get a couple of heavyweights to sit on the bonnet? lol

jokaboat · 03 March 2015, 10:00

Kimmeridge is OK as a slip but at the bottom it is broken up so, as already stated, avoid low tide. Swanage is much steeper but you have the man with a tractor if you have problems.

Parking is a pain at Swanage at the weekend as well.

Another good slip a bit further west is Bowleaze cove just East of Weymouth. Good parking and a good slip. Nice cafe nearby as well.

Stubber · 04 March 2015, 19:59

Thanks for advice, if I get chance will go and have a look around and see what campsite to use, problem with a van is a lot of campsites will not allow vans on

cptsideways · 07 March 2015, 21:55

Bowleaze can be a rough launch/recovery in anything windy as its open to the westerly winds & southerly winds you get a good swell. Good spot otherwise but busy on weekends.

Kimmeridge has plenty of nasty surprises lurking below, have lost a few skegs windsurfing in the bay as the tide drops.

Baiter at Poole is an easy option fine in anything but a gale F6+ & its about 15/20mins motoring around to Swanage

dave3235 · 08 March 2015, 01:19

[QUOTE=jokaboat;668831]Kimmeridge is OK as a slip but at the bottom it is broken up so, as already stated, avoid low tide. Swanage is much steeper but you have the man with a tractor if you have problems.

Parking is a pain at Swanage at the weekend as well.

Another good slip a bit further west is Bowleaze cove just East of Weymouth. Good parking and a good slip. Nice cafe nearby as well.[/QUO

I take it insurance must be shown at Bow lease and Poole