Devon/Dorset advice please

[PRC]

Hi All,

I am after a bit of advice please.

We are heading down to the West Bay area in August and I am thinking of the taking the RIB (5m with 60hp) for a bit of exploring and wake boarding. I am not familiar with that area at all though so I am after some advice on the best areas to launch, where to explore and any sheltered areas for wakeboarding, towables etc.

Any advice people can offer will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Paul

[treerat]

West Bay itself has a good slipway and pontoon, trailer parking is also available. You can run over to Lyme Regis or for a longer trip West Exmouth or Torquay / Dartmouth. East you've Weymoutha nd Portland easily doable and Pool fro a bit of a longer day.

The bay can be exposed to anything wind wise that contains a W - but August is usually ok and the areas outside the harbour just to the West is ideal for playing on toys.

[Budgie1]

As above Westbay has good facilities ideal for day trip West to Torquay etc, but unless you know the area and tides very well would I avoid going East out around Portland Bill (the race is not pleasant if you get it wrong!!!) .... personally would launch at Portland (WPNSA) if I was looking for sheltered waters for towing, you can also head of to Lulworth, Studland, Poole etc from there

[treerat]

Originally Posted by Budgie1

avoid going East out around Portland Bill (the race is not pleasant if you get it wrong!!!)

But can also be great fun

[PRC]

Thanks for the info, really useful. Having done alot around Anglesey and experiencing the overfalls around there first hand I definitely don't want to experience the once off Portland Bill with the wife and kids in tow!

Am I reading the prices correctly for the WPNSA slip with a charge of £39.20 to join for the day launch plus the harbour fee of £5.10 per day for the boat and then an additional £7.30 if towing anything?

[Budgie1]

Originally Posted by treerat

But can also be great fun

Get it wrong even on a calm day and you won't be smiling!!! (been there got the tee shirt!)

[Budgie1]

Originally Posted by PRC

Am I reading the prices correctly for the WPNSA slip with a charge of £39.20 to join for the day launch plus the harbour fee of £5.10 per day for the boat and then an additional £7.30 if towing anything?

No you've got that wrong, I'll PM you some info on how to get the best VFM

[Old seahorse]

Supporting what’s already said, WestBay is good as long as wind is Not from the east. Slipway fully exposed in these conditions, and can be lively at best, dangerous at worst.
Portland is a good launching site, and well protected with good facilities. I last launched last summer there. Can’t remember cost, but nothing close to figures quoted. Give them a ring to check.
Lulworth cove and Durdle Door are well worth a visit. If heading East of Lulworth, military use the area for live firing, so worth checking with local National coast watch, ( channel 65) or Lulworth range officer on channel8) .
Both WestBay and Portland give access to great views of the Jurassic coast.

[PRC]

Thanks everyone, really useful info. Looking forward to exploring a new area.

[lakelandterrier]

Last time I launched at Portland it was about £28 and included car parking. Really good slip. Might be worth talking to marina about berthing fro a few days to save recovering / launching every time.

Weymouth bay maybe a bit more sheltered than Lyme bay and places like Lulworth easy to reach.

If going West from West bay there's only Lyme to stop at before Exmouth - a bit of a hike, but great coastline.

Depends a bit if you want to explore or play with the toys - both fun and what the family will tolerate