Plymouth Drystack - opinions and thoughts

RickW · 29 April 2019, 11:41

Hi everyone - popped past Plymouth Drystack on Saturday to check out the facilities and ease of use

Must admit was very impressed

Do any RibNetters store there and how good is the reality versus the alternatives?

Have done a search and previous comments seems to be in other threads rather than a specific forum topic on itself

Intention is to store there during 1st year of ownership before figuring out where and what to do re: long term storage

Am on the Cornwall side in Whitsand Bay so what I lose in the additional travel time (not so much in the grand scheme of things) I gain in terms of less faffage with trailers / slips or alternate mooring / storage plans

Lee argyle · 29 April 2019, 12:03

We dry sail two craft and have done for a number of seasons. Don’t think I’ll ever go back to trailers and the associated hassle. Very lucky with the yard we use - you can get out all states of the tide, an email the day prior to launch and she gets put in, walk ashore pontoon ( with power and water ) and only a 100 yards from car park / facilities, spark the engines up and let the lines go. Most drystacks will wash and fit covers once back on-shore. Admittedly a few more pennies over the season but 100% worth it

Oh, we also use the craft a LOT more, for example, Easter weekend just gone, we were out every day inc two fairly long jolly’s, if I’d had to launch and recover each time I’m know we’d either not been floating for all the four days or had less time out due to tides/slipways/parking etc etc. So more money than trailering but definitely more convenient!

RickW · 29 April 2019, 12:08

Is this Plymouth?

Lee argyle · 29 April 2019, 12:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by RickW

Is this Plymouth?

Solent based but the principle is the same

RickW · 29 April 2019, 12:33

Cheers Lee

Sutty · 29 April 2019, 12:43

Unbelievably good, I thought it could not be as good as they promised but it is and always with a smile on their faces. Book now you won’t regret and a fabulous cafe on site.

RickW · 29 April 2019, 12:45

I told the other half I was taking her to a waterside cafe on Sunday - the penny dropped when we arrived at the location what my idea was ;-)

Lee argyle · 29 April 2019, 12:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by RickW

I told the other half I was taking her to a waterside cafe on Sunday - the penny dropped when we arrived at the location what my idea was ;-)

My kids have me sussed, to get to our pontoon you have to go through Yarmouth harbour - which sells ice cream........Daaaaaddddddd...............lol Could be worse

36valley · 29 April 2019, 18:28

If your talking about Quay Haven dry stack then as has been said above, really friendly place with a can do attitude. Moved here from Southampton dry stack where they where a great bunch off guys always ready to have a laugh whilst sorting you out, and it has the same feel here. Agree that the cafe is good too.

Miller · 29 April 2019, 20:33

Not cheap though unfortunately... Launch and recovery at Queen Annes battery also a good alternative

Sutty · 29 April 2019, 20:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by Miller

Not cheap though unfortunately... Launch and recovery at Queen Annes battery also a good alternative

I thought it was cheap for the service offered. QAB launch and recovery not in the same league when it comes to facilitating.

Simonh66 · 30 April 2019, 08:41

We are on dry stack on the Hamble & echo what Lee says, about using the boat more. We have WCs, showers on site , a great cafe & a Bistro

lakelandterrier · 30 April 2019, 22:47

As an alternative, consider a drive on dock on marina maybe?

RickW · 30 April 2019, 22:53

Thought about that downside is cost of the drive on and the marina fees in Plymouth about the same

Fender · 01 May 2019, 08:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by lakelandterrier

As an alternative, consider a drive on dock on marina maybe?

Drive on docks do work, just get the set-up right, many you see have the stern of the boat and the lower section of engine still in the water, covered in weed and barnacles.................

Poly · 01 May 2019, 09:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by RickW

Intention is to store there during 1st year of ownership before figuring out where and what to do re: long term storage

I think you might find it hard to go from a good dry stack to anything else - especially if you have a trailer they can pop it on when you want to go somewhere different for a week.

GuyC · 01 May 2019, 10:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poly

I think you might find it hard to go from a good dry stack to anything else - especially if you have a trailer they can pop it on when you want to go somewhere different for a week.

Agree with the above and it becomes a cost benefit exercise with the acceptable price point being in different places for different people.

I'd definitely recommend trying different options to see which one suits best as even drystacks have different options - undercover, year round launching, 6 month launching / 6 month storage etc etc.

Sprocker · 01 May 2019, 13:27

Drystack would have been my first choice if there had been one local to me, as there wasn't I went down the floating dock route. As Fender says it must be set up correctly for your boat, but it really is fantastic. Roll up at any time, no need for any notice, just as easy as being in the water on a pontoon, but without the need for anti-foul, and with the additional benefits of easy to put on covers and clean down.