Bill Bryson's "God-forsaken hell-hole"

[Trello]

Apologies to those who live in / like Weston-super-Mare, but that is the description he uses for the resort in "Notes from a Small Island" (which is well worth reading, btw).

We used to go when I was a child, and I remember liking it (as one does, as a child), but the few times I've been back as an adult have made me side with Bill. When the tide is out, there are miles of mud flats between the sandy beach and the sea (a little hyperbole there - I've just measured on an OS map, and it's more like 1 mile, but still!), and when there's more than a few knots of wind the sand whips up into a sandstorm.

The one redeeming feature that Weston has is it's proximity to where I live! At 1 hour 45 minutes by car, it's our closest beach.

I think I can already guess the answer, but I wonder if anyone uses it as a launch area? There is a slipway at Knightstone, which is open for 2 hours before high tide - so I'm guessing you'd want to go out at exactly opening time and then get back before it closed, because pulling your boat up the mud flats would be impossible (and, if possible, definitely very unpleasant).

Any experiences of the highs and lows of Weston, anyone?

[Trello]

The green areas are mud!

[Old seahorse]

Sadly, the Somerset coast is sadly lacking in decent launching sites. I’ve never attempted launching at Weston. The huge tidal range and exposed nature of the few slipways I know of make it too much of a challenge personally. There are slipways at Burnham on sea, with the same issues, Watchet harbour, and Minehead ( which I’m told is o.k), but the latter two would add another one and a half hours to your journey.
Though of little help to you for journey times, the South coast has loads of launch sites, many in sheltered locations.
Someone here may have used the slip at Knightsone in Weston,
an d be able to counter my opinion, but it’s not a location I’d be happy to use.

[Fenlander]

The sad fact Trello is that anywhere on the coast within easy reach of your location is far from ideal for smallcraft boating. In this situation I'd try and get a low key fix on rivers local to you when you can and save the big excitement for weekends away and holidays in better locations.

[Old seahorse]

I’d echo what Fenlander has said about making use of what is more local to you as much as you can. The River Avon would be close to you, and there are slipways at various locations. It’s probably worth a trip in your area and have a look at what would be suitable for you. Try and speak to locals .to get their advice. You’d be surprised at what’s around. When you can then get to the coast, it makes it special.

[diver 1]

I've not launched anywhere along there, but worked along that way extensively. I'd suggest Portishead, Bristol possibly Watchet. I'm sure someone local could advise better. Have a look on boatlaunch website.

[Trello]

Fenlander and Old Seahorse, I agree with your advice; although I bought the boat with the expectation of using it mainly in the sea (the kids were egging me on to get the "fastest" engine), I have actually enjoyed the slow pace of our river trips. So a very different case use from that which I'd anticipated.

Diver1, do you have experience of launching from Bristol? Is the channel there not one of those areas which can be quite challenging for small boats?