Launch locations in S. Devon?

[davcom1]

Hi all,

Having bought an inflatable air deck dinghy (3.2m) and fitted transom wheels (Ceredi 10"), can anyone recommend places to launch single-handed?

One launch so far from Steamer Quay at Totnes - large paid car park, plenty of space to inflate without attracting too much attention and relatively easy public slipway available 3/4 tide. The negative is that there's a 6 knot limit and its a long way from Dartmouth!

Stoke Gabriel approx. 1 hour / 5.5 miles.

Paying circa £20 for use of some slips feels too much for a 3.2m 40kg dinghy and 6hp o/b.

Anyone launched from Paignton (next to Redcliffe Hotel)? Or Goodrington Sands - has a slip to beach?

I don't want to turn up, spend 30 mins inflating and prepping only to find I can't manage dragging through sand especially now the area is busy with onlookers!

Brixham slip looks appealing. Does the harbour master charge for hand launches?

Any advice would be welcome.

Thanks

[Yabadabadoo]

Polly Steps Teignmouth, public slip with p&d parking if you can find a spot.

https://goo.gl/maps/zygTpLaoMmPLVx316

Fast flowing river in and definitely out, beware if you’re new to whole boat + moving water = king size mattress staircase wrestling.

At slack water you’ll be fine, wear something for your feet: wet boots etc to launch/retrieve.

At springs you can go a long way up river at a gentle pace. Try the channel out and take a cautious look at THE SEA.

It’s a good place to learn, you’ve got as little or as much as you want, more so if a freight ship decides to arrive/depart - doesn’t happen often.

[davcom1]

Thanks Yaba,

Reading the harbour master notes put me off Polly Steps.. £10 reg (ok), proof of insurance, only to be used to go in and out of harbour i.e. no motor boats allowed to go up the estuary (even though there's a water sports area near Coombe Cellars, I believe)... I'm probably taking the rules too seriously and might pop down to check.

Good shout though!

[Old seahorse]

I’ve launched at Batson creek, Salcombe. Choice of heading up to Kingsbridge, and other inlets, or out to sea. Nice beaches across the estuary. Can be busy in high season though.
Also used Torquay( though not with a sib). Not sure how much space there is for inflating boat etc, though.
Further west, Plymouth has plenty of sites. I have only used QueenAnnes Battery, ( sheltered location, but close to Plymouth Sound)and Mountbatten, but there are other places too.
I think that there are other members with greater knowledge who could tell you more.

[davcom1]

Thanks Seahorse!

Salcombe is a good idea esp if tide is early morning. Plymouth also good with plenty to explore. I did have a boat in Mayflower marina a number of years ago.

Jubilee Green under the Tamar Bridge in Saltash was a favourite when I lived in Plymouth... Nice wide slipway and free parking.

[Mikefule]

Boatlaunch is an excellent resource for finding slipways.

Also try www.zuluwaterways.com .