Dart

Bucksribster · 10 June 2015, 18:37

I'm looking to take a few days with the family at the end of the month, and am thinking of going to my favourite river - the Dart.

Does anyone know if Blackness Marine do day launching rates? I'm sure they used to advertise this, but I cannot see it now.

Also any recommendations on B&B / small hotel appreciated.

The Black Pig · 10 June 2015, 20:22

If you find about the launching I would be happy to know

Max... · 10 June 2015, 21:11

Me too, planning a return visit, had a great time there in 2013 but thinking of leaving the SIB there all week. Are they on here?

lakelandterrier · 10 June 2015, 22:11

I'm sure Blackness still do day rates.... but they are a fair way up the river.

you could launch at the public Higher Ferry slip at Dartmouth and moor on the South embankment pontoon or one of the marinas for a few days - save a lot of time if you want to go out of the river. Parking is a bit of a pain, but saves running up to Blackness each day.

For B&B - the Ship in Dock in Dartmouth has a good reputation plus great food & beer.

treerat · 11 June 2015, 06:28

Planning to go that way the end of August. Will launch at Torquay and power round.

Max... · 11 June 2015, 07:07

We stayed at Dittisham before, awesome time, highly recommend staying there and carried the boat down to the quay there each time, motoring up to Dartmouth where SIB's can moor up free all day, worked great, topic on the trip here if of interest:

http://www.rib.net/forum/f19/dittish...art-57046.html

Our rig is too big to do that now so planning to leave it at Blackness all week and launch from there, another option is store it at the park opposite the higher ferry slip, spoke to them last time and it was £8 a day or £38 all week.

Endless cottages etc to rent in Dartmouth or Dittisham, looking about £600 minimum up to the sky's the limit for a week in high season.

ribraff · 11 June 2015, 07:24

Speak to Colon at the kiosk on the park nicely and he'll sort you a space on the park, as mentioned the Ship In Dock is pretty good or look up Just B for favourable rates.

gareth9702 · 11 June 2015, 07:32

Three alternative launching places:

1. Dartside Quay at Galmpton. The slip is gently sloping with easy access and a pontoon alongside. You probably have about 2 hours each side of high water. The charges are very reasonable and there is secure storage for your trailer. The only downside is the access through the village.

2. If you are skilled and have a smaller rib then you can launch from the slip alongside the Royal Dart Yacht Club in Kingswear. I have seen a 7m rib launched from the slip so it is possible. There is no charge for this slip.

3. The beach at Dittisham. The sailing club launch off the beach adjacent to the dinghy park. I have launched a 5m boat here with no problems. For a larger boat the shallow slope on the beach might be an issue. There is no charge and (insecure) parking is close by.

Toonribber · 11 June 2015, 13:28

Car parking not a problem if you park at Darthaven Marina about a fiver a day I think. . They're also pretty good at letting you leave a Rib so long as it's not too big on a nightly basis. You might have to chat them up a bit.

Launching next to upper ferry is easy and free.

Need to be under about 4 m to moor anywhere free and easy on the Dart.

I've been going down there several times a year for last 10 years, great fun but often big seas off Dartmouth. Tend to have more fun in my sib up the river visiting pubs etc.

Max... · 11 June 2015, 14:09

Any locals know the guys at Blackness and what they would charge to leave a small SIB there for a week and drop it down the ramp when required?

Or hopefully if they might do a RIBnet rate special??

Toonribber · 11 June 2015, 14:22

Never found them particularly helpful for requests that aren't on their price list.

Bucksribster · 11 June 2015, 18:58

Had a chat today with a nice lady at Blackness. They do a day rate for self launch / recover and car / trailer parking for £15. What she also suggested was that if you are these for several days you can launch there and leave the boat on a mooring at Dartmouth or Dittisham. Apparently there are water taxis that can take you out to your boat. Storage for only the trailer is £2.50 per day.

Thank for all the advice here, and I will follow up on the accommodation suggestions.

Anyone else in that area during that week?

Max... · 11 June 2015, 19:41

Funny you should say that as I spoke to the same nice lady this afternoon too! We chatted about the rates and she is hopefully getting back to me via email to see if they can offer something....

lakelandterrier · 11 June 2015, 20:39

You should be able to keep the boat on the South pontoon by DYC and walk ashore. Saves endless water taxis. Alternstively there is a large small boat pontoon on the north embankment but this dries c 1hour around low water.

Bucksribster · 12 June 2015, 21:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by lakelandterrier

You should be able to keep the boat on the South pontoon by DYC and walk ashore. Saves endless water taxis. Alternstively there is a large small boat pontoon on the north embankment but this dries c 1hour around low water.

Who do you ask for permission at DYC? Do they charge? Is it all states of the tide?

lakelandterrier · 12 June 2015, 21:43

The pontoon is a dartharbour pontooon - give them a call on ch11 or drop into the harbour office. DYC welcomes guests and has good beer. South pontoon is deep water.

Bucksribster · 12 June 2015, 22:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by lakelandterrier

The pontoon is a dartharbour pontooon - give them a call on ch11 or drop into the harbour office. DYC welcomes guests and has good beer. South pontoon is deep water.

Looks like a good option. Just got to find a place to park the trailer. Maybe Darthaven, but I guess it would mean the ferry.

lakelandterrier · 13 June 2015, 08:20

As ribraff says you should be able to park the trailer in Coronation Park for a few days not sure what the cost would be.

Max... · 13 June 2015, 08:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by lakelandterrier

As ribraff says you should be able to park the trailer in Coronation Park for a few days not sure what the cost would be.

See post#6.

Bucksribster · 13 June 2015, 12:18

Booked a B&B for 3 nights from 28/6, aiming to launch at the higher ferry, and keep it on a pontoon. Car parking is at the B&B, and we should be able to walk down to the boat :-)

The website says Coronation Park parking is only open during regatta week, so I'll call the council on Monday and see if this is true.