Sibbing/Boating with your Camper Van or Motor Home
I see many threads on here about places to launch and stay. Here is a lovely little gem. It is at Totness at the top of the River Dart in Devon. It has a lovely slip (which seems free) the car park is £4 all day and is right next to the slip and if you have a Motor Home or Camper Van you can stay over night for £10. Seems too good to be true..... But it is true.
Here is our little trip which shows most of what you need to know. We were in a Canoe on this occasion but a Sib would be perfect.
Steamer Quay Totnes is a great slip which I've used at all states of tide (sib) and yes it is free.
It is a lovely trip down the Dart to Dartmouth, but the 6 knot (or is it mph) does get a little tiresome after a while!
Another good place to launch, if your set up is light enough to take across a slightly muddy stretch, is Dittisham. Closer to Dartmouth and the sea if you want to venture out of the Dart.
I use my boat a lot on the Dart, and it’s a stunning river. However yes the 6 knot limit is a pain and it is enforced (I’ve had a slap from Harbour Patrol!). Also to bear in mid is the tidal state and the sudden appearance of spits and sandbanks on the ebbing tide. Especially around Sharpham and Dittisham. If on the ebb try and keep to the channel. Around Dartmouth, it’s super busy so be aware of traffic in all shapes and sizes. The trip up to the Maltsters is lovely at Tuckenhay, again very tidal dependent!
I am currently suffering a bit with Bursitis on the elbow .... I am certain I got this from paddling against the tide a wind about 1 mile plus with Her indoors and poppy sitting up front in that Canoe shown in the Video above. Got to rest it apparently but that is not me lol