I go every summer, and put boat in and then go and pay harbour dues. There’s a good setup with a pontoon next to the slip, so you can actually float it off the trailer and walk it around and worry about starting engine away from slip. In the summer it’s very busy so this helps. December may not have 3 abreast on the slip!
You'll need to pay a yearly estuary fee (approx £34 for 4m) to use the slipway for free. Car parking is £8 per space per day so it's £16 for car and trailer, you can park them still connected. You can buy 1/2 day parking from 2.30pm onwards. You pay the boat park attendant and he'll issue the parking permit and tell you which space before you launch. You can launch at any state of tide.
I don't know how they work it out of season especially on boxing day, probably there won't be anyone in the harbour office either.
If you do get to Salcombe and manage to launch the boat, I can very highly recommend a trip up Southpool Creek and lunch at the Millbrook Inn. It's a very nice trip and one of our favourite haunts .
Just make sure you get the tides right as it dries out quickly.
The Crabshell Inn is also very nice at Kingsbridge with easy mooring, probably less tide dependent than Southpool but you'll still get cut off at low tide.
It underwent a revamp last year, hope this isn't now reflected by increased prices. The outdoor balcony looks to be a great place in the warmer months. With dogs we were not able to visit, it would have to be by car.
