South , sites and launch

Cumbria · 26 March 2019, 11:20

Hi

I am a bit of a northern monkey.

Do u have and semi wild sites , quirky or dune sites which I can launch me honwave?

Devon Cornwall kid friendly site.

Thought might venture down to see what south has to offer

Fenlander · 26 March 2019, 12:04

Devon and Cornwall are superb boating areas and we've had four weeks down there over the past 2yrs.

I'd advise staying on an estuary with direct sea access rather than a site where you have to beach launch to the open sea as there are so many weather and tide situations that can make this anything from difficult to dangerous.

Perhaps not as "wild" as you'd like but I can advise one excellent place... Penmarlam near Fowey.

https://www.penmarlampark.co.uk/

The site sits above the estuary with a waterside café, boat park, slipway, pontoon and toilet/shower block just below adj the water.

You can safe launch and set off in sheltered waters and then venture out to sea when weather/confidence dictates. If it's rough out on the open sea there is plenty to safely explore within the estuary.

There are many more such locations in Devon and Cornwall... I'm only mentioning this one as I have direct experience for sibbing.

Stick to the south coast of Devon and Cornwall as the north coast sea state can be rough for a SIB... remember it's a surfing area.

Images are of our Aerotec on the pontoon just down from the site and others of that immediate area.

Stigomery · 26 March 2019, 17:08

What a coincidence... I popped back here, having not been on for months if not years, to see if there was any advice for a trip to Devon (July this summer with the boy) and Fenlander seems to have answered my question without my even asking it...

This place looks ideal, I better get the motor serviced ;-)

We have about 4 days to camp and explore...

Escapeskiing · 26 March 2019, 18:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fenlander

Devon and Cornwall are superb boating areas and we've had four weeks down there over the past 2yrs.

I'd advise staying on an estuary with direct sea access rather than a site where you have to beach launch to the open sea as there are so many weather and tide situations that can make this anything from difficult to dangerous.

Perhaps not as "wild" as you'd like but I can advise one excellent place... Penmarlam near Fowey.

https://www.penmarlampark.co.uk/

The site sits above the estuary with a waterside café, boat park, slipway, pontoon and toilet/shower block just below adj the water.

You can safe launch and set off in sheltered waters and then venture out to sea when weather/confidence dictates. If it's rough out on the open sea there is plenty to safely explore within the estuary.

There are many more such locations in Devon and Cornwall... I'm only mentioning this one as I have direct experience for sibbing.

Stick to the south coast of Devon and Cornwall as the north coast sea state can be rough for a SIB... remember it's a surfing area.

Images are of our Aerotec on the pontoon just down from the site and others of that immediate area.

Looks lovely. Think I will try that one myself!

Fenlander · 26 March 2019, 19:21

More here if interested... http://www.rib.net/forum/f50/sibbing...wey-78786.html

Stig good to see you are still about... just looked you've been away 18mths or so. Have you used the sib much? We got the most from our holiday with it but many boating weekends lost due to other family duties. This year may well be the same.

You might note I'd certainly be no good at the Mersea-Brightlingsea race now.. a gripey back and the sense to preserve it has caused a downgrade to 9.9hp.

Jerry · 26 March 2019, 22:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stigomery

What a coincidence...

Indeed coincidence, I've been wondering what to do in May. The pictures are perfect Fenlander, thank you for an excellent idea!
Time to sell the idea to the missus...

Limecc · 27 March 2019, 00:05

Salcombe is also a boating paradise. Pics to follow..

Stigomery · 27 March 2019, 09:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fenlander

Mjust looked you've been away 18mths or so. Have you used the sib much?

You might note I'd certainly be no good at the Mersea-Brightlingsea race now.. a gripey back and the sense to preserve it has caused a downgrade to 9.9hp.

A few major life events, moving house, divorce, that kind of thing

have left me devoid of much time but now I'm settled in my new place it's time to start some proper adventures.

Ideally I'd love to do a beach-to-beach wild camp adventure like has been done in the Scottish SIB outing(s) but I'm stuck to Devon/Cornwall so I think my options are limited...

I'll either base myself in Fowey for 4 days or spend 2 there and try to find somewhere similar for 2. I don't want to venture much further than about 90 minutes drive from Mortonhampstead.

Sorry to hear about the back, hope you haven't lost too much of the excitement downgrading to a 10hp...

Stigomery · 27 March 2019, 09:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by Limecc

Salcombe is also a boating paradise. Pics to follow..

Any recommendations for accommodation (camping/b&b) near a beach/slipway suitable for easy SIB launching?

Fenlander · 27 March 2019, 10:50

Sorry to hear there have been some difficult changes for you Stig. Seems you have ended up in a good area for access to some superb boating locations.

Thankfully my back situation is me taking care of it early rather than it stopping me doing what I want now. Re excitement I commented the other day... having been on the water in some form or another for over 55yrs since a kid I still get the same pleasure now as I have for all those years regardless of speed.

Stigomery · 27 March 2019, 11:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fenlander

Seems you have ended up in a good area for access to some superb boating locations.

Ha, I wish... still in the Fens, 200yds from the ex, my daughter is at a thing in Mortonhampstead hence being local to there for 4 days...

I'm quite confused by all this harbour fees, moorings, slipways, licenses etc... I might have to find my way across to you and buy you a beer one evening if you're open to visitors and an evening of SIB talk?

(Sorry, un-hijacking this thread now... back to Southern waters talk)

treerat · 27 March 2019, 18:07

I'd throw plymouth into the thoughts. Plenty to see, a great up river option, loads of accomadation options and if the sea is right some superb coastline to play on and the Sound if its not.

treerat · 27 March 2019, 18:10

If you fancy a bit further down Mylor makes a great base with again up river and big estuary to play in along with open sea.

North coast you have Appledore, decent estuary, good accommodation, loads to play inland and if perfect Lundy or clovelly for open work.

Bit of a pain at low water though, even for a Sib.

Fenlander · 28 March 2019, 09:58

>>> I might have to find my way across to you and buy you a beer one evening

I'll PM you.

paintman · 28 March 2019, 10:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by treerat

If you fancy a bit further down Mylor makes a great base with again up river and big estuary to play in along with open sea.

If the OP considers Mylor then this thread is worth a read - if you haven't seen it already!
http://www.rib.net/forum/f50/sibing-...s-80582-2.html

Limecc · 28 March 2019, 10:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Limecc

Salcombe is also a boating paradise. Pics to follow..

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stigomery

Any recommendations for accommodation (camping/b&b) near a beach/slipway suitable for easy SIB launching?

Here's a link explaining the launching arrangement, you can use the slipway unlimited times after paying to use the estuary:
http://www.rib.net/forum/f50/excel-v...tml#post782950

If you are beach launching at South Sands it is best to store the boat (under cctv) under South Sands Hotel for free next to the Sea Kayaking school's gear. We checked during some really high tides and it remained dry sand under the veranda which offers some shelter. Whitestrand in town is a disaster.

Higher Rew campsite is really close to South Sands just a few minutes away by car. Lot's of fellow boaters there, they also do covered boat storage and don't charge for your boat or extra car by your pitch.
Higher Rew - Higher Rew Caravan and Camping Park

Salcombe is central to Dartmouth and Plymouth (45mins) if you fancy a day out from somewhere else. Launch for free on the slipway next to the Upper Ferry at Dartmouth or at Mountbatten for free at Plymouth. There's boat park opposite the Upper Ferry where you can assemble your SIB or store your trailer.

If you are experienced and the conditions are right you could even make a trip to Dartmouth or Plymouth and back by sea!

Max... · 28 March 2019, 10:59

As I posted here the Dart is my SIB heaven, sadly not going there this year but thoughts here:

http://www.rib.net/forum/f50/just-ba...art-75796.html

http://www.rib.net/forum/f50/sibing-...now-78546.html

http://www.rib.net/forum/f19/dittish...tml#post565083

Limecc · 28 March 2019, 11:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by Limecc

Salcombe is central to Dartmouth and Plymouth (45mins) if you fancy a day out from somewhere else. Launch for free on the slipway next to the upper ferry at Dartmouth or at Mountbatten for free at Plymouth.

There's also Hope Cove 10 mins away using the back lanes from Higher Rew as an alternative launching point from Salcombe. Use the lifeboat ramp, £6/day in the unlikely event someone approaches you, so walk down the ramp and launch from the beach instead. Hope Cove gets you to Bigbury Island and that part of the coast.

Attached pics are from Calstock (launched at Plymouth) and Totnes (launched at Dartmouth). Plenty of food and drink available!

btw, it's free for us to use the Dart or Tamar rivers.

minisponger · 11 April 2019, 08:09

If you were looking for something a bit different then I usually launch from Appledore in north Devon, as long as you don’t use a trailer there’s no launch fees, and there’s some good little adventures to be had if you get the tide right, from a little trip up the estuary to fremington, to get a lovely cream tea (cream on first obviously), to a longer trip out to sea to clovelly. I know people in sibs have gone from Appledore to Lundy but that can leave you a long way from shore if anything goes wrong....
Sam