Dartmouth this weekend

jools · 26 September 2002, 22:49

I'm planning a weekend around the Dartmouth area (Staying in Dartmouth Sat night)

Does anyone know the best slip in dartmouth with sensible parking? The Marina would be OK - but £36 to launch is a bit steep!! - otherwise it looks like the ferry slip - and a long walk back from the car park.

- Obviously I've checked out www.boatlaunch.co.uk

Otherwise I might launch in Torquay - does anybody know if they have fixed the harbour slips? - I think last year they were closed because they were unsafe.

Any suggestions! - anybody else near Dartmouth this weekend?

Jools + Cath

Mike Garside · 27 September 2002, 06:55

Jools, sorry, but I know nothing about launching in Dartmouth or Torquay. Brian's yer man for that kneck of the woods.

However, Di and I will be passing through Dartmouth, Friday lunchtime to pick up some new bunk mattresses for Magellan Alpha and I'll ask the locals. If you haven't found anything by Friday pm, give me a call on 07977 108660 and I'll pass on what I have found out. If anything useful.

We are going to be based in either Brixham or Brian's marina berth at Torquay as we are there for the finish of the Around Alone - a single-handed round-the-world yottie race. If you see Magellan Alpha out and about give us a shout on mobile or VHF. There's always plenty of grog aboard.

I know you were heavily involved in the Cardiff send-off and I saw Tomkat zipping about at the time. But being very new on the scene then we didn't, I think, get to meet you and Cath. But, maybe this time round. Please call in for a tot or a tinnie.

Cheers!

batfalcon · 27 September 2002, 08:10

Whatever happend to Magelan Alfa ? After the last picture on the "New Guts" series we didn't see any photo of the completed project, or the boat maybe at top speed.

nigelt · 27 September 2002, 08:54

I was thinking the same, are there any photos of the finished product??

Nigel

Brian · 27 September 2002, 09:33

Jools
I think your best bet is to try Brixham (by the MDL marina).
V. wide, lots of parking etc. You will also be right in the middle of the Round Alone action with big boats, parties and M and D Garside on hand to rib with as well. Give me a ring on 01803 559800 if you need more info.
PS Andy Mickelwright and family use this slip.
Can e-mail you digital photos of slip if you like.

John Kennett · 27 September 2002, 10:07

If you want to stick with Dartmouth rather than the other options, then I suggest that you launch at the Ferry slip and take the car and trailer to the "park and ride" at the top of the hill.

Parking anywhere else in Dartmouth is liable to cost you a fortune, even if you can find somewhere.

Another option is Salcombe that has a superb slip, with parking. You'll have to pay harbour dues, but as far as I can remember the prices weren't too bad.

John

batfalcon · 27 September 2002, 12:35

You guys have to pay a little or even A BIG amount to launch your ribs. On the contrary in Greece we rarely have to pay for the launch, (only in crowded marinas near Athens), but on the other hand we haven't got as many launch sites as you.

jools · 27 September 2002, 13:53

Batfalcon - I don't mind paying a reasoable fee (<£10) to launch the boat and park for the day without too much hassle - In the UK it normaly cost you something to park your car anyway. However £36 at Dartmouth Marina is just stupid - does anybody use it!! - Bristol Marina is £6 and that includes the harbour fees and secure parking!

Mike - Yes we'll be around on Sat and Sun so will try and touch base with you

Brian - will you be around?

From reading the thread my idea at the moment is that I will try Brixham - I launched TomKat there - found it OK. If I remember you leave the trailer on the slip (my new one is a bit bigger than TomKats

) and then park in the car park - and last time it took me ages to find a space! - Better start saving those £1 coins for the meter !!

Jools

Brian · 27 September 2002, 15:21

Jools
I live in Paignton and although I am not "actively" ribing at the moment, do not be surprised if you see me around.
A word of warning, from my garden, through a telescope, I can see the behaviour on the launching slip at Brixham. Any interesting little "mishap" on your part, is liable to be photographed, and posted here.
You have been warned.

GED · 27 September 2002, 21:54

I USUALY STAY IN DARTMOUTH FOR A WEEK A YEAR WITH MY RIB
JUST LAUNCH AT THE SLIP AND USE THE PARK AND RIDE. IT WILL BE WORTH IT ,FUEL BARGE ON THE RIVER, THE GUNFIELD AT THE MOUTH OF THE RIVER HAS A BAR ,SERVES GOOD FOOD AND HAS PONTOONS USUALY WITH HALF A DOZEN RIBS THERE. A GREAT RIDE TO SALCOME.......DARTMOUTH HOME OF RIB EYE!!!

John Kennett · 28 September 2002, 10:36

Ged

Your CAPS LOCK key seems to be stuck!

Please don't type in all capitals -- it's the internet equivalent of shouting

Thanks!
John

GED · 28 September 2002, 18:00

YOUR RIGHT JOHN CAPS LOCKED ON!.
NEW KEY BOARD OR RIB BITS
SORRY RIB BITS WINS...

jools · 30 September 2002, 00:20

WHAT A GREAT WEEKEND - Ooops Sorry, Waht a great weekend!!!!

The weather was great - much better than I was expecting for the end of September

Launched at Brixham - Large 400 space car park just over the road from the slipway - didn't find this last time and so thought there was only limited parking - I'll send Geoff an E-mail update for Boatlaunch....

Saturday - toured Torbay and had lunch at anchor off Oddicombe beech, then round to Dartmouth.

Stayed at the Ros Nova Inn in Dartmouth - I'll start a new thread tomorrow....

Today, Sunday, back to Torbay and after a phone call with Brian managed to track down Mike and Di on Magallen Alpha and met them at Berry Head and escorted a Yacht in the "Around Alone" yacht race into Brixham at the end of the first leg

Cath made me laugh when she asked "Is he stopping to refuel"

- I've now explained what the sails are for

Anyway - its getting late.... The pics are all on www.ribpanther.co.uk - including some of Magallen Alpha

Jools (+ Cath)

batfalcon · 30 September 2002, 07:53

As I saw at your web site, you must spend a LOT of time updating it with the new log and photos. Could you please start updating mine as well ?

GED · 30 September 2002, 09:27

how did you like the ros nova inn? i'm staying a couple of nights next year, did you stop at the gunfield for a beer

Mike Garside · 01 October 2002, 15:35

Jools, good to me you and Cath. Nice, well-found boat you've got.

Di and I are now back from Brixham - left this morning on a flat sea with viz down to a couple of hundred yards so saw nothing of land until we passed the Eddystone light.

Next bit of the coast we came across was St Anthony's head and that was home. This run was done at a fair pace for our heavy ol' bus and we got back in 2.5 hours.

Now I've found my camera with the missing shots of the final phase of the installment and the road test, I really will find time to post New Guts Part 7.

I promise....

Alan · 01 October 2002, 16:32

If my grasp of geography and maths is anywhere near correct that means that you were making / sustaining 30kts or so Mike?
Welcome to the high speed club!

Look forward to new guts part #7.

Alan.

PS. Stumbled across "Sailings Everest", film about the last Around Alone the other night on Sat TV. Featuring a certain M Garside looking rather the worse for wear somewhere off Cape Horn and wondering whether his mast was going to stay up. Single handed sailors? Mad as hatters the bunch of 'em!

Mike Garside · 01 October 2002, 16:48

Alan, as far as Everest sailing films are concerned - you're right.

As for speed - i'm workin on the new thread right now. Jerst a li'l more time, please...

jools · 01 October 2002, 23:44

Ged - as for the Ros Nova - excellent - I'm just about to start a new thread...
Didn't see the message about the Gunfield until we got back home - I'll have to try that next time