Bantham Advice Please

[Matt252]

Hi All,

I'm going camping near Batham / Bigbury in Devon in a couple of weeks, and want to take my 4.2m Zodiac Pro.

I'm planning to slip the boat at Salcombe, and then hopefully leave it overnight in the Avon Estuary. Does anyone know if there's a way of getting from Batham beach to the Avon Estuary, maybe at High Tide?

Or is it a case of using the boat in the estuary, OR the ocean, not both??

Thanks for any help

Matt

[Brian]

Isn't Bantham Beach at the end of the River Avon??
Or am I confused?

[Matt252]

Hi Brian,

Yes correct. My question is, can you take a (small) RIB out of the river mouth and into the ocean, or is the draught too shallow?

[Brian]

Yes, you can.
I have driven in and out of there a few times BUT the draught is shallow (the beach to Burgh Island dries completely at low tide).
Also an RNLI rib overturned and the crew died as there are large overfalls when the tide is really running.
It isn't something I would necessarily recommend.
So take care!

[Matt252]

Ok, thanks for the advice. The RNLI accident sounds terrible, hadn’t heard about that. What year was that?

[Brian]

Piggin yonks since.

I really don't know.
It must have been prior to 2000 because an RIB Instructor and another guy who is an RNLI chap in Salcombe, both told me about it.
I was living near Modbury at the time and these two gave me training and advice before my first Round Britain.

[MustRib]

been a couple of years since I was last there, but everything you want to do is tide dependent.
At low tide you can walk across the estuary from Bantham beach to Bigbury beach,
with the water around waist high if you pick your way carefully......
This is strongly discouraged by the lifeguards, and they have signage to that effect
on display on the beach, oh and watch out for the Weever fish in the sand.

At high tide boats regularly move out from the Avon estuary all the way down to Bantham
and out into the bay.
That Zodiac of yours will be easily capable of doing the same, but pay very close
attention to the tide conditions, wind direction etc etc. Don't attempt it in marginal conditions.
Stay in the channel on the way in and out of the river.
Bigbury and Bantham are VERY popular with surfers and there is a reason for that!
In fine weather and little wind it will be straightforward.

https://youtu.be/ZvVeO7QymQM

worth checking out Youtube for other clips of the River and Bantham

[midlife]

Originally Posted by Matt252

Hi All,



I'm going camping near Batham / Bigbury in Devon in a couple of weeks, and want to take my 4.2m Zodiac Pro.



I'm planning to slip the boat at Salcombe, and then hopefully leave it overnight in the Avon Estuary. Does anyone know if there's a way of getting from Batham beach to the Avon Estuary, maybe at High Tide?



Or is it a case of using the boat in the estuary, OR the ocean, not both??



Thanks for any help



Matt

You could launch at hope cove as well rather than salcombe , 10 minutes round the corner to bantham , its a perfect size boat for the estuary , watch out for the bantham swoosh ...

[midlife]

lots of fun in the surf off bantham

[MustRib]

Originally Posted by midlife

You could launch at hope cove as well rather than salcombe , 10 minutes round the corner to bantham , its a perfect size boat for the estuary , watch out for the bantham swoosh ...

make sure you check in with the harbour master at Hope Cove if your launching there, apart from payment, he can let you know about hazards.
I recall there being a couple of rocks near the end of the slipway that are underwater (just) at high tide and could do a bit of damage if you hit them.

[henners115]

why don't you launch at hope cove?? saves the trip round by sea
can only launch at high tide there but easy

also the mouth of avon river just stick to the channel and don't pick a windy day as there will be big roller waves not less you like air bourne time

[JA1000]

How did you get on - I’ve done it quite a few times in 6.5 rib but on a spring it does flow

[Matt252]

Hey guys, sorry for the very late feedback. Just wanted to say, launched at Kingsbridge, and motored around to Bigbury in big swells (3m+), was pretty intimidating in a 4.2m. The jockey seat collapsed coming off a big wave and I was sitting on the petrol tank. Took it slowly slowly and made it in one piece.

Anyway, made it to Bigbury and had a great week in and around Bantham. Took the rib in and out of the estuary a good couple of hours around high tide and had no issues whatsoever. Followed the longer course out along the cliff edge channel, sticking to the deep water, all good. Even swam down with the swoosh one day, which was great fun too. At the end of our trip the very helpful harbour master dragged our RIB out on the tiny slipway in Bantham itself, in exchange for £10; worth every penny and more besides.

All in all a great trip and enjoyed it so much I upgraded the Zodiac at Wolf Rock to a Brig 570, can't wait to go back next year.

Thanks for your help all.

Cheers

Matt

[midlife]

Originally Posted by Matt252

Hey guys, sorry for the very late feedback. Just wanted to say, launched at Kingsbridge, and motored around to Bigbury in big swells (3m+), was pretty intimidating in a 4.2m. The jockey seat collapsed coming off a big wave and I was sitting on the petrol tank. Took it slowly slowly and made it in one piece.

Anyway, made it to Bigbury and had a great week in and around Bantham. Took the rib in and out of the estuary a good couple of hours around high tide and had no issues whatsoever. Followed the longer course out along the cliff edge channel, sticking to the deep water, all good. Even swam down with the swoosh one day, which was great fun too. At the end of our trip the very helpful harbour master dragged our RIB out on the tiny slipway in Bantham itself, in exchange for £10; worth every penny and more besides.

All in all a great trip and enjoyed it so much I upgraded the Zodiac at Wolf Rock to a Brig 570, can't wait to go back next year.

Thanks for your help all.

Cheers

Matt

Great part of the world Matt , glad that Paul and nick at wolf looked after you