Sea Slipway Questions

jeffsnox · 12 June 2007, 10:11

How do you find out where slipways are available in your area?

Are slipways free to use?

How do you find out at what tide position a slipway is usable?

If I head out for a day trip along the coast, do I need to be planning ahead for when I can access a slipway because they're affected by the tide? And if so, what do you do if the weather comes in unexpectedly and you want to end your trip early... but can't get out of the water because the slipway is inaccessible?

Thanks!

Jelly · 12 June 2007, 10:22

HI Jeff
Where about in Devon are you ?
this site might be of help http://www.boatlaunch.co.uk/
There are also a few schools on here that can you help you with the training, depending on where in the county you are.
Jelly

Tims Osprey · 12 June 2007, 10:28

Jeff, most chandlers sell a very good book called where to launch which gives you all the details that you need to know i.e costs, tide accessibility, type and size of craft allowed and just about everything really. The book is about a tenner and is well worth the money

jeffsnox · 12 June 2007, 10:41

Hi, thank you!

I'm near Crediton... so in between Exeter and Barnstaple. Looks from that web site that there's a free slipway in Barnstaple.

Cheers for the pointers!!

Tims Osprey · 12 June 2007, 10:44

Jelly, great website bye the way.

Jelly · 12 June 2007, 10:51

The site is not mine its run by Geoff Campbell, username on here "Geoff"

As for teaching schools there is Devon powerboating www.devonpowerboating.co.uk out of Plymouth and I think there are some others who are on the east coast of the South Hams that could help.
Rgds
Jelly

havener · 12 June 2007, 15:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeffsnox

Hi, thank you!

I'm near Crediton... so in between Exeter and Barnstaple. Looks from that web site that there's a free slipway in Barnstaple.

Cheers for the pointers!!

Jeff,

A better one is the slip at Appledore, just north of Bideford. Not sure if it's free any more, there was a rumour of them charging a tenner to launch / recover, but that included parking for car and trailer which used to cost at least £3 each anyway.

Simon

Aningoul · 13 February 2008, 06:18

Do you have, in the whole British islands , the same difficulties as we have in Mediterranean Sea? slipways that were free from 1960 up to day that turn paying or disappear like in Bonifacio, Corsica: both slipways, Santa Manza and Piantarella,disappeared in 2007 ? Or slipways very expensive like Ampuriabrava in Spain: 128 € to slip down a boat and load it in the evening? (180 US $)
To compare, i wish read some One of You that leaves in the USA and particularly in Florida: how much do you pay a slipway in Miami for exemple! Thank you and scuse my bad english!

Nos4r2 · 13 February 2008, 10:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by havener

Jeff,

A better one is the slip at Appledore, just north of Bideford. Not sure if it's free any more, there was a rumour of them charging a tenner to launch / recover, but that included parking for car and trailer which used to cost at least £3 each anyway.

Simon

That's about right-it cost me around that in September to launch there.

If you go out of Appledore,be very careful of the harbour bar and the sandbanks in the rivermouth. It's nasty.

codprawn · 13 February 2008, 12:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aningoul

Do you have, in the whole British islands , the same difficulties as we have in Mediterranean Sea? slipways that were free from 1960 up to day that turn paying or disappear like in Bonifacio, Corsica: both slipways, Santa Manza and Piantarella,disappeared in 2007 ? Or slipways very expensive like Ampuriabrava in Spain: 128 € to slip down a boat and load it in the evening? (180 US $)
To compare, i wish read some One of You that leaves in the USA and particularly in Florida: how much do you pay a slipway in Miami for exemple! Thank you and scuse my bad english!

Yes we have the same problem. There is one slipway that was built near here that has never been used. They spent about £1 million building it and then put barriers all around it!!!

Many slipways have been closed off.

One problem we have that you never have - massive tides. As much as 14m which makes life even more difficult.

At least or slipways aren't that expensive we typically pay about £10 or so but that is too much with all the tax we pay!!!

Aningoul · 13 February 2008, 12:20

So! there are also duties to pay to the state in UK!
I laugh. Yes 10£ is to much when you think only to duties on each petrol gallon, 20% duty ( TVA , I dont know his name in UK, that money that we pay on ALL that we buy) we are cow to milk! I hope you understand me. Bye bye. Not any answer from our cousins in the USA? They are early in the morning......!

Aningoul · 08 December 2012, 13:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aningoul

So! there are also duties to pay to the state in UK!
I laugh. Yes 10£ is to much when you think only to duties on each petrol gallon, 20% duty ( TVA , I dont know his name in UK, that money that we pay on ALL that we buy) we are cow to milk! I hope you understand me. Bye bye. Not any answer from our cousins in the USA? They are early in the morning......!

To compare, I wish know the price of using slipways in: England, United States, particularly Florida and California, Australia, New Zeland and South Africa.
And I inform you if you want informations about french Mediterranean Cost betwen Rhône River and Spanish boundaries and Corsica Island.

Poly · 08 December 2012, 14:51

Aningoul,

It varies hugely in the UK - boatlaunch on RIBnet may provide some idea.

Some are free. Others charge. Some are free but charge to park your car/trailer. Some have an annual fee. Some will require proof of insurance etc. Anything from free to £20 per day would be typical.

treerat · 08 December 2012, 17:06

Appledore is only £10 on peak weekends and summer time when the official is there, otherwise it's just the parking fee.

You can launch at Bideford but is more restricted on time, bit like Bude but you have the surf to contend with as well there.

Never tried to launch at Barnstable, there is Instow as well but again not tried it.

Plymouth gives loads of options, most free but some do charge, the Plymouth Authority web site shows you which is which. Fowey is fun and you pay for the parking parking which includes the slip.

Illfracombe is another option, but again tidal.

If you have a good 4x4 a number of the local beaches are launchable too

Appledore on high tide is great fun in the Estuary, no need to go over the bar, and a great area for pulling toys.

Happy to come up for a run - if I can ever find a spot in the diary to get wet