Slips etc in Portland area?

Channel Ribs · 08 December 2009, 15:06

I am back on the Swanage related issue again.

Can anybody tell me if there are any good slips in Portland Harbour and if there is petrol available please?

Mollers · 08 December 2009, 15:24

Ferry Bridge or possibly the new Olympic set-up at Sandsfoot.

Downhilldai · 08 December 2009, 15:51

I've used the slipway at UKSA, Portland. It's only a few years old, as Mollers says, part of the redevelopment works for the Olympics. I think it's free - nobody came chasing after me for payment anyway, but that was a couple of years ago.

Loads of parking on site too (also free!)

biffer · 08 December 2009, 16:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by malthouse

I am back on the Swanage related issue again.

Can anybody tell me if there are any good slips in Portland Harbour and if there is petrol available please?

hello mate, i was there for a month in august and it's a good slip, don't know if it's free i wouldn't think so, there is petrol there as well

Avocet · 08 December 2009, 17:41

There are a couple of slipways: see Boatlaunch for details.

I can also confirm that petrol is now available there as part of the Olympic development. However, when I called in for some in September, the pump was broken and wouln't dispense. They were hoping to have it mended later that day but I was en route for Yarmouth and couldn't wait. I made it with some 50 litres to spare which is a bit less than I would have liked (although could have called into Poole if necessary).

n428 · 10 December 2009, 10:01

Hold it, Hold it.

The sailing accadamy (Olympic site- WPNSA) is certainly not free!! You're looking at about £30/ day for launching. See www.wpnsa.org.uk for more details. Bluewater horizons on Ferrybridge will launch you but for a similar fee I imagine.

If you go past WPNSA and onto Portland, go to Castletown where there is the ONLY FREE slipway into Portland Harbour. Parking nearby on disused Naval/ SAR site. Slip is near a number of diving shops- lots of dive RIBs use the slip. It is shingle a low tide but with a rope I would say your pretty safe for most states of the tide. Don't take my word for it though- I've only used the slip about half a dozen times.

Pablo · 11 December 2009, 21:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by n428

Hold it, Hold it.

The sailing accadamy (Olympic site- WPNSA) is certainly not free!! You're looking at about £30/ day for launching. See www.wpnsa.org.uk for more details. Bluewater horizons on Ferrybridge will launch you but for a similar fee I imagine.

If you go past WPNSA and onto Portland, go to Castletown where there is the ONLY FREE slipway into Portland Harbour. Parking nearby on disused Naval/ SAR site. Slip is near a number of diving shops- lots of dive RIBs use the slip. It is shingle a low tide but with a rope I would say your pretty safe for most states of the tide. Don't take my word for it though- I've only used the slip about half a dozen times.

I agree with that. Castletown is the only free slip. Once you start going up the hill take the first left, past the swimming pool and jsu after the dive shop opposite the pubs & hotels.

Pete7 · 11 December 2009, 21:47

There is a free slip into Weymouth harbour and petrol is in the town 5 minutes walk away with a shopping trolley. Slipway is wide and there is a car park opposite in the town. You might be able to park the tailer at the top of the slip in a dedicated trailer park.

50 36 33 94N
002 27 26 16W

On google Earth.

Pete

treerat · 12 December 2009, 11:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete7

There is a free slip into Weymouth harbour and petrol is in the town 5 minutes walk away with a shopping trolley. Slipway is wide and there is a car park opposite in the town. You might be able to park the tailer at the top of the slip in a dedicated trailer park.

50 36 33 94N
002 27 26 16W

On google Earth.

Pete

Not quite free - it's supposed to be £6 if I remember correctly. It is often free though as the hut is only really manned during the summer

I've never paid yet but it's only luck.

Pete7 · 12 December 2009, 13:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by treerat

Not quite free - it's supposed to be £6 if I remember correctly. It is often free though as the hut is only really manned during the summer

I've never paid yet but it's only luck.

Ah, I never paid to launch there either, hence why I thought it was free. Still £6 is an awful lot cheaper than our Portland Olympic venue

The other possibility is the boatyard just over the causeway bridge onto the Bill. They are going to charge but the main problem is the shallow water at low tide out into the main harbour and it really is shallow having had to walk a rib up to the bridge because we only had about 10 inches of water. The fleet is quite interesting if you have the time, but again HW preferred as it is shallow.

Pete

treerat · 12 December 2009, 21:22

Not sure if the sailing club (Castle Cove) are allowing use of their slipway? They took over the sailing Centre at the end of Old Castle Road when it moved to Portland.

They have 2 slips, 1 of which is usable at all tide states.

So options are;
Weymouth Harbour - good slipway and parking
Ferry Bridge - tide dependant and can be difficult
Sailing acadamy - great place but can be expensive
Castletown - free, parking local, ok at most tide states
Castle Cove Sailing Club, if allowed

Missed any?

Pete7 · 13 December 2009, 16:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by treerat

Missed any?

Yep, Royal Engineer bridging camp have a superb slip up the fleet but you will need to be MOD to get in. Possibly a public over the grass slip just to the south of the MOD wire fence.

DERA have one in the North East corner of Portland Harbour but it is steep and has a ledge at the top so sib sized boats only, although we have stored boats there before.

Sailing club half way along northern Portland Harbour foreshore? going to be shallow at LW though.

Yacht club on south side of Weymouth harbour has slip, but parking a nightmare and narrow access roads. Possibly another near RNLI station but again parking extremly difficult.

After that you are into Kimmeridge / Lulworth / Swanage.

My choice would be Weymouth town centre. Sheltered, food in the highstreet 50 yards away and parking for trailer and car available at small cost.

Pete

Mollers · 13 December 2009, 17:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete7

Yep, Royal Engineer bridging camp have a superb slip up the fleet but you will need to be MOD to get in.

The address is Camp Road aptly enough.

n428 · 13 December 2009, 21:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by treerat

Not sure if the sailing club (Castle Cove) are allowing use of their slipway? They took over the sailing Centre at the end of Old Castle Road when it moved to Portland.

They have 2 slips, 1 of which is usable at all tide states.

Members only, and even then RIBs still only allowed to launch there if being used in connection with club activity (such as rescue boat etc).

The slipway next to the lifeboat at Weymouth SC have very narrow access (and 2 locked compounds to get through. Again members only.

I haven't tried council slip in Weymouth harbour- sounds good though. Have I heard about a lip at low tide where trailers can get stuck?

mark_j · 14 December 2009, 08:58

The harbour slip does indeed have a lip at low tide & parking can be a little hit and miss in the summer. I use the sailing accadamy slip, nice and wide with good access, toilets and a hose. once you get to know them they will let you leave trailer and car in the compound at the top of the slip. Good value too so long as you under estimate the length of your rib. Not sure about Castletown but would be interested to hear any comments about parking availability.