Swanage and Lulworth

Richard B · 18 July 2005, 23:19

We went to Swanage and Lulworth on Sunday. Lunch moored in Swanage bay - we found a buoy normally used by a vessel called "Keep Off" which was handy!

Richard B · 18 July 2005, 23:24

It's a very pleasant spot, and although busy, plenty of room for everyone. The trip across Poole Bay was amazingly busy - almost as busy as the Solent!

Richard B · 18 July 2005, 23:55

And here's a short video clip of the return from Lulworth along the Dorset coast:

http://blueice.dogscogs.com/Jurassic_0001.wmv

robin · 19 July 2005, 08:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard B

we found a buoy normally used by a vessel called "Keep Off" which was handy!

Jackwabbit · 19 July 2005, 12:34

Richard, It looks as if you had a good time.
Did you launch from Swanage? & if so what’s the slipway there like.
I’m thinking of planning a diving weekend down there at some time (preferably out side the summer holidays) & was wondering whether the slipway was useable for a 5.5m rib, and a normal saloon car.
Any help would be appreciated
John

Richard B · 19 July 2005, 12:55

Sorry John, we motored across from Southampton. From memory, I don't think that launching at Swanage is particularly easy, but the locals will advise you better!

Robox · 19 July 2005, 12:55

Richard,
We were in Swanage bay on Saturday , great place to tie up and have a swim. wanted to try the trip round to Kimmeridge /Lulworth but was out voted by the wife and kids and we ended up on the beach at Studland instead.Hope to give it a go when we are down for 2 weeks at the end of the month , any tips / hazards to look out for up that part of the coast ? Still fairly new to boating and Christchurch to Swanage is as far West as we have managed so far .

Rob.

Robox · 19 July 2005, 13:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jackwabbit

what’s the slipway there like.
I’m thinking of planning a diving weekend down there at some time (preferably out side the summer holidays) & was wondering whether the slipway was useable for a 5.5m rib, and a normal saloon car.
Any help would be appreciated
John

Ive never launched there myself but i have watched others. It is long and steep and it can be slimy below high water on the slip,there are two stone pontoon/quays to tie up to though . Parking could also be a problem at busy times as i do not think you can park your car there.
Worth a recce first and as Richard said the locals would be able to advise better than i.
Rob.

Richard B · 19 July 2005, 13:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robox

any tips / hazards to look out for up that part of the coast ?

Quite a few, but straightforward. Chart or chart plotter shows hazards, look out for Peveril Ledge just out of Swanage heading westwards. We travelled close to shore as far as St Albans Head (heading west) as there's good depth, St Albans can be a serious piece of water in a wind-over-tide situation as the ledge continues out to sea for over four miles, although at slack water on a calm day you wonder what all the fuss is about! Then heading west past Chapman's Pool it all changes, and you need to watch the depth - at one point we were over half a mile offshore with a depth of only 6ft. The wave cut platforms are very wide in places. Lulworth is an easy entrance, although the cliffs all blend together from a distance to confuse the eye.

HTH!

Nauti Buoy · 19 July 2005, 13:10

From what I have seen it is concrete all the way however it is about a 100 yard really steep incline. I would have thought you would be ok, just one monster of a slope. I have attached a pic but this does not really show the whole slipway and the angle of the slipway.

Anyway hope it helps

Richard B · 19 July 2005, 13:17

That's different to the one I was thinking of!

Simon B · 19 July 2005, 13:46

We launched at slip shown, think its called Peveril point slip, parking for trailer is included as well I think if there is space left. It is steap but non 4x4 vehicles were doing this ok. As said it is concrete all the way, however, not sure what it dries to at Springs. We must have seen you Richard in the bay on saturday as we were in and out diving the Kyarra and then the Fleur de Leys. We were the drysuited mob in dull orange "classic" Delta dash with 100hp Yam accompanied by a fellow club in a brighter cleaner yellow Delta 100 hp Mariner.

Jackwabbit · 19 July 2005, 14:28

Thanks for the replies, how steep are we talking here ? I don’t suppose anyone can compare it to the public slip at Littlehampton by the lifeboat station (now that to me is steep) we manage to pull it up still full of diving kit from there ok, but any steeper & we may have problems.
If Swanage slip is not suitable can anyone recommend another one not too far away that may be a better option, preferably cheep or free with plenty of close by parking for a bunch of tight fisted lazy divers. (now that’s asking just too much)

Thanks
John

Charles · 19 July 2005, 14:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard B

although the cliffs all blend together from a distance to confuse the eye.
HTH!

You're easily confused ....

Nauti Buoy · 19 July 2005, 14:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jackwabbit

Can anyone recommend another one not too far away that may be a better option, preferably cheep or free with plenty of close by parking for a bunch of tight fisted lazy divers. (now that’s asking just too much)

Thanks
John

There is Baiter Park slipway in POOLE harbour, and seeing as there is a team of you then this should be a breeze!!! It is a very shallow, concrete slipway, and you have to walk the trailer quite a way into the water to float the Rib off the trailer, car parking includes the use of the slipway and is about £8 all day. Plus there is plenty of parking. Can get very busy at the end of the day and beginning.

Pete7 · 19 July 2005, 15:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simon B

As said it is concrete all the way, however, not sure what it dries to at Springs.

Large pebles over a hard rock / concrete surface. We had to move a few of the larger ones, slip is steep but nothing that can't be managed by a sensible car boat set up.

Pete

Richard B · 20 July 2005, 00:47

Video finished at last!

Same link as before: http://blueice.dogscogs.com/Jurassic_0001.wmv but it's 24MB now. Enjoy!

codprawn · 20 July 2005, 03:15

Great stuff Richard - keep em coming - net was a bit slow tonight - took me 1min 4 secs!!! Just as well I have added yet another 250gb hdd!!!

Only 1 slight complaint - music choice was great BUT sometimes it IS nice to hear a bit of engine noise as well............

Robox · 20 July 2005, 08:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard B

Quite a few, but straightforward. Chart or chart plotter shows hazards, look out for Peveril Ledge just out of Swanage heading westwards. We travelled close to shore as far as St Albans Head (heading west) as there's good depth, St Albans can be a serious piece of water in a wind-over-tide situation as the ledge continues out to sea for over four miles, although at slack water on a calm day you wonder what all the fuss is about! Then heading west past Chapman's Pool it all changes, and you need to watch the depth - at one point we were over half a mile offshore with a depth of only 6ft. The wave cut platforms are very wide in places. Lulworth is an easy entrance, although the cliffs all blend together from a distance to confuse the eye.

HTH!

Only just read your reply,had to dash off for a late shift yesterday.Thanks for the tips, i will have a look at the chart this morning for reference .Great video by the way !

Rob.