Dartmouth to Salcombe ?

[Skinnyrib]

Hi - can anyone give me an indication of how long I should allow to get from Dartmouth to Salcombe assuming reasonable conditions. Dont want to race there - just a relaxed cruise. How far is it ? Many thanks

[ribraff]

Relaxed cruising I woud give an hour to get out to Start Point and another hour through the race and in to Salcombe, we'll be out there tonight boardriding on a 5.5 mtr red Rib, wave if you see us!

[Skinnyrib]

Thanks Ribraff - would you say it is an easy voyage - wife somewhat nervous !

Not down there until Saturday - hope the weather stays good for next week.......?

Have fun ! I'll look out for you next week.

[Cookee]

Originally Posted by Skinnyrib

Hi - can anyone give me an indication of how long I should allow to get from Dartmouth to Salcombe assuming reasonable conditions. Dont want to race there - just a relaxed cruise. How far is it ? Many thanks

Assuming it's the boat in your profile it depends on the weather - Start Point and even Prawle Point can be "difficult" in wind over tide conditions but flat out on the best day - it's about 17 miles so assuming you can cruise at 25mph at the very least it will be under an hour easy without stops. Having said that I would hug the coast all the way to Start (looking out for swimmers etc of course!) and maybe stop in Elender cove just around the corner from Prawle for a breather - it's a great trip in the right conditions, even for a relatively small boat like yours - no problem!

[Skinnyrib]

Thanks for your advice Cookee - I'll check the weather before we set off ! Elender Cove looks like a great stop off point. Cheers

[willk]

Originally Posted by Skinnyrib

I'll check the weather before we set off !

Excellent. At least you have that covered. And of course, you've asked the RIBnet "massive" how far it is and if it's an easy passage, so that's everything covered. No reason for your wife to be nervous now then...

OK, please excuse my sarcasm above, but I'm trying to make a point. If you have to ask a bunch of lads on the internet these questions, then you really aren't ready to do whatever it is you're asking about

[sax player]

If you have to ask a bunch of lads on the internet these questions, then you really aren't ready to do whatever it is you're asking about [/QUOTE]


Thats a little strong!
Whilst pushing the boundaries of experience any info is welcome specialy local knowlege.

[willk]

Originally Posted by sax player

Thats a little strong!
Whilst pushing the boundaries of experience any info is welcome specialy local knowlege.

Perhaps, that's why I added the next line.

Originally Posted by willk

OK, please excuse my sarcasm above, but I'm trying to make a point.

However, I stand by my point. That being, if the OP has no idea how far the passage is, or what hazards might be expected on it, or if it is "easy", then I think that asking a few lads on the internet does not constitute having the bases covered.

Originally Posted by sax player

Whilst pushing the boundaries of experience any info is welcome specialy local knowlege.

I'm not a huge stickler for overly detailed passage plans, but I would never tackle a new passage without running over a chart first. The lack of ability to calculate the distance and likely duration of the passage suggests a lack of experience and confidence. Local knowledge comes into play after the basics have been considered, it does not include how far it is from A to B or how long a RIB would take to go between them.

[Skinnyrib]

Thanks all for your input !

First things first - I am a self-declared novice hence my request for some pointers/advice. Isn't that what this forum is about ??

Clearly before I embark on any passage I would spend more time researching - I am sitting at my desk in Manchester currently and my post was an informal request from a novice for advice/information and thanks for that received.

I consider myself to be responsible and do not under estimate the potential dangers of the sea.

So thanks Saxplayer !

[BumbleAbout]

Get the charts and tide tables for the area - there are a few submerged rocks on the way that you need to know about if you are just hugging the coast!

There have been a few posts recently debating this, but for the practical experience I still recommend doing the Powerboat Level 2 course (either in Dartmouth or Salcombe) - there is a lot of information packed into the course and you generally learn lots about the local area too.

[PeterM]

I feel a good idea to ask a bunch of ( experianced/ qualified ? ) ribnobbers ....

Some local knowledge can be worth weeks spent looking at a chart.

WillK just gets carried away some days ....

Good luck doing it - take loads of pics and post them here. We all love to see what people are up to ...

I'm off to Yarmouth ( and hopefully back ) tonight in the dark in my little 4m RIB ...

[willk]

Originally Posted by PeterM

WillK just gets carried away most days ....

Fixed that for you

It's interesting. You and I are similarly qualified and yet we have very different approaches to developing a passage plan. I agree that communicated local knowledge is a very important supplement to a passage plan, but it's not a substitute for it. Incidentally, I have no gripe with the OP, but rather those who would wave him off into what, for him at least, appears to be the Unknown.

[PeterM]

I reckon we would end up doing pretty much the same things . I am some what obsessive about planning if its a new / unknown or slighlty ' risky' area.

Generally - look at chart , think about it , look at it again - look at options for what may happen if things go wrong & where they may go wrong ie hazards on the way and how far I could be off track before I hit a hazard (margin for error) , look again and think about headings & leg times / max fuel burn etc , try and find someone who knows the area and ask them, then go back to chart again , draw all over it or a copy of it etc , chart plotter etc , look out window ( vital ! ) check weather etc & then finally off we go ! ( and I then just rely on pilotage and hefty amount of common sense/ caution )

Everytime I go out I view it as a trip into the unknown, maybe thats just my nature ?

We could start a whole new ' what do you do for passage planning thread ? '

[bedajim]

Originally Posted by PeterM

We could start a whole new ' what do you do for passage planning thread ? '

Go on then

[sax player]

I believe main lesson to be learnt here is for the experienced sea farers amongst us to be careful with our wording. the last scenerio we want is for novices NOT to ask questions in fear they may look a fool.
No beef with you Willk.
shaun

[congerman]

And just to add to the fun...
We did Saltash - skerries and return on Tuesday this week. Great weather, sun fish, baskers.
Lots of small pot buoys around Start Point and sea fog. Lannacombe also heavily potted.
Take it steady and keep a good watch ahead. Wind against tide at Start and Prawle always needs to be considered.
Gentle pace is one hour between harbour entrances.
Enjoy

[kerny]

Originally Posted by congerman

And just to add to the fun...
We did Saltash - skerries and return on Tuesday this week. Great weather, sun fish, baskers.
Lots of small pot buoys around Start Point and sea fog. Lannacombe also heavily potted.
Take it steady and keep a good watch ahead. Wind against tide at Start and Prawle always needs to be considered.
Gentle pace is one hour between harbour entrances.
Enjoy

[Firefly]

What comms, nav and emergency equip are you carrying?

Beware of tide and wind at Start Point.

Familiarise yourself with Salcombe Harbour (Wolf Rock, The Bar etc)
Salcombe Harbour Pilot Notes & Charts, Salcombe Marina Pilot Notes & Charts


Be safe and enjoy.

JW