Local to Poole, know these slipways?

[Fenlander]

In a couple of months we have a possibility of a few days down in a Poole waterside flat taking the SIB if weather looks half decent.

There are two apparent launch opportunities nearby but not ones that I can find any info on. I wondered if there was any Poole local who knew of them?

First is immediately adj the old lifeboat museum by the roundabout at the end of The Quay. From street view it seems to be ungated with no signs to either offer or restrict usage. You'd be launching into the fisherman's dock area which may or may not be welcomed.

The second is off Harbourside Walk behind Ballard Rd. Above the slip is a small casual unfenced yard with a few boats who appear to have a locked pole blocking easy access to the slip but the slip itself looks more unused public than private. Again no signage related to the slip.

Any info apporeciated.

[paulbrown22]

The second (Ballard Road), is the old fisherman's launching slip from before the new Fish Dock was built, and that's some of the fishing boats parked on the hard behind. That slip is still owned/managed by the PDFA and isn't general access. I can't say I've ever seen anyone using it beyond the odd fishing boat being recovered for work, but unclear how they would stop you quickly wheeling a SIB down it, or in the shingle right beside it!

The first (old Lifeboat slip) I've never seen anyone using at all. Given it launches straight into Poole Quay Boat Haven and the Fish Dock, if you want to use it for some reason probably worth phoning Poole Quay Boat Haven and seeing what they say.

I'm sure you already know that the main public slipway is just a bit further along the shore in Baiter Park, which comes with a decent car park as well.

[Fenlander]

That's great info thanks Paul. I'll get in touch with both the above mentioned organisations and see if they can be bothered with small fry.

Yes Baiter is the nearest designated slip but we are hoping to have the SIB set up on transom wheels for the few days kept in a tucked away private parking space close to the old lifeboat museum, using Baiter would mean setting up and taking it down every day.

[Jung at Heart]

Probably a bit far out of Poole for you Fenlander, however, https://www.ridgewharf.co.uk/ offer a deal where you can leave the SIB for a few days and park your car when you are out on the water. It also means a run down the river to get to the harbour.

[Fenlander]

That extra info is appreciated, it won't quite suit our situation where we hope not to use the car and be immediately in the thick of it moments after launch. But in different circumstances to this hoped for short break it could be an interesting option.

[tinker]

Originally Posted by Jung at Heart

Probably a bit far out of Poole for you Fenlander, however, https://www.ridgewharf.co.uk/ offer a deal where you can leave the SIB for a few days and park your car when you are out on the water. It also means a run down the river to get to the harbour.

That's interesting, I camp at redcliffe and launch daily but would like to be able to leave it in the water.

The problem with launching at those two in poole would be access, the fisherman's one is behind a gates to stop access and the road and path is very busy in the summer, same as the lifeboat one, busy area. I have never see anyone launch at either and wouldn't consider it tbh.

There is a tender pontoon at the marina but you have to have a mother ship moored on the pontoons to use it.....as far as the rules state but you could phone and ask. I tried to book a visitors pontoon last summer but they wasn't interested in small fry, 4m but I never asked about the tender pontoon, think it was for 4m and under.