Launching in South Hams

Roadie · 22 June 2014, 09:34

Hi guys, do any of you have any experience of launching in and around Salcombe, Bigbury, South Sands, aveton Gifford and Kingsbridge?
Also what are the charges to be paid for various ramps?
Boat parking in the area in August?
Many thanks
Tom

Black · 22 June 2014, 19:56

Salcombe - Batson Creek. Good steep wide slip. There are hoses for washing down and flushing the engine.

Phone the boat park and book a space for your car - 01548 844010. There is a trailer park.

The guys down there are very helpful.

Cookee · 23 June 2014, 07:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roadie

Hi guys, do any of you have any experience of launching in and around Salcombe, Bigbury, South Sands, aveton Gifford and Kingsbridge?
Also what are the charges to be paid for various ramps?
Boat parking in the area in August?
Many thanks
Tom

Black is spot on - Bigbury is a sandy beach and not suitable with a pay car park, South Sands is possible but access for anything but tenders is very difficult (especially if you come down the wrong approach road), Aveton Gifford is very todal and also only for very small boats - Stick to Salcombe and save yourself a sh1t load of grief!

(I can see the slip from my house!)

Roadie · 23 June 2014, 08:39

I thought as much. I have been going to the area for nigh on 35 years on holiday, but this is the first time with the boat. It's only a 3.8m SIB, but on a trailer, fed up with pumping it up each time, so looking for a slipway if possible. It would be nice to be able to launch at Bigbury, but I know it is a sandy beach, but wondered if anyone has done it as I tend to go out fishing early morning and I am back at the cottage by 11am. Aveton Gifford might be nice to launch at high tide and take a trip to Bantham and then back on the next flood.
Very jealous of you Cookee living in such a wonderful place

Mickhitchuk · 10 July 2014, 08:50

Hi, I'm holidaying at Bigbury right now, not sure what the law is on this but I just drive my car onto the beach, drag my boat out the boot pump it up, stick on the outboard, park the car and away I go, I must confess I have a 4x4 but seen 2wds down there, stick to the middle where the hotel range rovers go and you should be fine
Regards
Mick

Black · 22 August 2014, 11:28

I'm staying down at Higher Rew Farm this weekend in the camper.

I'm assuming that I am ok to hand launch the Aerotec at North Sands beach?

Any locals tell me whether there is anything prohibiting me doing this?

Many thanks

Cookee · 22 August 2014, 12:03

Launch at South Sands - much easier!

Black · 22 August 2014, 13:27

Cheers Cookee!

Avoiding the Batson slip over this weekend might be a good plan...

You rag and sticking this weekend?

The Black Pig · 22 August 2014, 14:54

Hi

Cookee is right, don't come through Combe to get to south sands best to follow Collaton Road all the way to the end, sharp right and your there it's ok with that size rig

Roadie · 22 August 2014, 14:56

I ended up trailing my SIB to the area and due to the arse end of hurricane Bertha, and the Salcombe regattas did not end up using it once. I will be back for a long weekend fishing when the kids have gone back to school.

Black · 22 August 2014, 15:09

I'll be in the car not the Hymer - that would be an interesting turn!

That car park seems to fill up fast in the morning, so looks like I've got an early start in the morning

Anyone else around in Salcombe this weekend?

Black · 26 August 2014, 08:19

As Cookee says, great launching from South Sands.

As the old hotel there is now closed there is plenty of parking, simply pay £5 per day to the Rigby Group, who own the site.

We launched as lowish water and had few great trips during the day with the kids and visitors.

I checked with the guys at the coffee/canoe shack there and left the boat on the beach in from of the South Sands Hotel. Came back in the morning, 4 cigarette butts and their ash and a kids dummy! Not so good

When the tide was in early evening, great paddle boarding with the kids around the rocky areas on the side of the beach

Roadie · 26 August 2014, 08:23

Did you launch from a trailer or just with transom wheels? If a trailer, did you leave the trailer in the car park? Just interested as I failed miserably a few weeks ago with my SIB in the same area.

Black · 26 August 2014, 10:21

I carried the SIB and engine onto the beach, inflated, attached transom wheels and we were off

Wouldn't be without them, and a trailer would be a nightmare at that beach...

Roadie · 26 August 2014, 10:35

Yes, I agree. I used to do that, but got frustrated at having to inflate and deflate each time, hence the trailer. Also the engine weighs 50 odd Kgs so the trailer makes it so much easier. I think what I will do when I go back down there for a weekend, is launch at Batson but store the boat at South Sands on the beach rather than having to launch and motor the full length of the harbour each time. Gets me to the area I want to fish quicker.

Cookee · 26 August 2014, 12:27

For the record South Sands beach is really firm and nothing sinks in much at all.

ps we built the new sea tractor down there!

Black · 26 August 2014, 13:56

I was only saying to someone at the weekend that the chassis looks like it had a serious upgrade! Looks very smart Cookee

I'm pretty sure the tractor driver was Mike who used to be in the hut at Batson slip - he was doing a good job hiding behind dark glasses and a skippers hat!

Mickhitchuk · 27 August 2014, 12:01

I'll be at Bigbury from the 7th of September, if I see any ribs going to the pilchard for a pint, I'll try and give them the secret ribnet handshake

MustRib · 30 August 2014, 18:18

hmm ... remember this post - South Sands.
Just a note of caution for anyone driving onto the sands.

http://www.rib.net/forum/f50/anybody-on-here-48658.html

Cookee · 01 September 2014, 09:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by MustRib

hmm ... remember this post - South Sands.
Just a note of caution for anyone driving onto the sands.

http://www.rib.net/forum/f50/anybody-on-here-48658.html

I would only vehicle launch where I know the sand is hard enough, having said that he would have to pay harbour dues which would entitle him to launch at the slipway so why bother? Plus the grief to tow a decent sized boat down there, store the trailer etc is never worth it!