Bigbury on sea launching?

Devonmark35 · 06 June 2011, 20:44

Hi

Has anybody ever launched from Bigbury on sea? I have seen the small slip on the left as you head towards the Burgh island car park and its listed on boat launch etc. I contacted the council about driving on the beach and they said its ownership is very complex and as such cant really help other than push the boat into the sea!

Is there any other sites around there that anybody has used and can recommend?

Cheers

MustRib · 06 June 2011, 21:26

I have launched and recovered an SR4 at Bigbury ... there isnt a slip.
There is an emergency vehicle access road (very narrow) to the top of the beach - soft sand..
Not recommended...
The farmer up the hill has a fishing boat he brings down to the causeway at low tide and launches from the lee of the island...
Just a little further west - at the caravan site at Challaborough is another launch site across the shingle and beach that people launch at.
Given the proximity of better slips in the area why would you want to launch at Bigbury anyway?

thornbackflound · 06 June 2011, 21:42

Cor i use to love Bigbury on sea ,USE TO GO CAMPING THERE IN THE EARLY 80S,go across with the tractor for a pint of ushers bitter in the Pilchard Inn,cracking place

MustRib · 06 June 2011, 22:05

you can still go camping there at the farm on the hill.
the sea tractor still goes across to the island at high tide, its £4 a shot though...
gets a bit expensive when there are four of you !

Devonmark35 · 06 June 2011, 22:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by MustRib

I have launched and recovered an SR4 at Bigbury ... there isnt a slip.
There is an emergency vehicle access road (very narrow) to the top of the beach - soft sand..
Not recommended...
The farmer up the hill has a fishing boat he brings down to the causeway at low tide and launches from the lee of the island...
Just a little further west - at the caravan site at Challaborough is another launch site across the shingle and beach that people launch at.
Given the proximity of better slips in the area why would you want to launch at Bigbury anyway?

I was asking for advice on any other slips in the area also. If you have used better ones then can you advise. Thanks.

ribraff · 06 June 2011, 22:22

Hi Mark

Hope Cove is easy but it is straight on to the beach. I've launched and recovered a 4mtr Searider there a few times and just left the trailer by the side of the road but I think you can use the Car park up by the pub.

Devonmark35 · 06 June 2011, 22:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by ribraff

Hi Mark

Hope Cove is easy but it is straight on to the beach. I've launched and recovered a 4mtr Searider there a few times and just left the trailer by the side of the road but I think you can use the Car park up by the pub.

Hi Ed

Many thanks for your help and advice (PMs also). Look forward to using your place at Dartmouth soon.

Mark

MustRib · 07 June 2011, 01:01

I launched at Hope Cove... there are rocks to be wary of to the right and left just after launching. The harbour master will advise.
You can sometimes get a little swell coming in at the bottom of the ramp there.
Salcombe has good launching facilities
Kingsbridge has a good ramp but look carefully at the tidal times as it cant be used at all tide states.

Devonmark35 · 07 June 2011, 06:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by MustRib

I launched at Hope Cove... there are rocks to be wary of to the right and left just after launching. The harbour master will advise.
You can sometimes get a little swell coming in at the bottom of the ramp there.
Salcombe has good launching facilities
Kingsbridge has a good ramp but look carefully at the tidal times as it cant be used at all tide states.

Hi Mustrib

Thats great thanks. I will keep an eye out for those damn rocks!

Thanks

Cookee · 07 June 2011, 08:19

As a Salcombe local (well I live here) I would agree with MustRib - there is a slip at Bantham as well but it's no good for most of the tide and there's a tight hairpin halfway down the access road! Salcombe and Kingsbridge are the biggest and best - don't forget lots at Plymouth and some access at Newton Ferrers/Noss Mayo as well.

Devonmark35 · 07 June 2011, 10:30

Cheers. Whats the going rate to launch at salcombe?

MustRib · 07 June 2011, 12:33

Salcombe Harbour

Cookee · 07 June 2011, 13:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by MustRib

Salcombe Harbour

Beat me to it!

Devonmark35 · 07 June 2011, 13:41

Both Gents thank you