Joined: Tue Mar 23 2010, 01:10PM Location: warwick Posts: 2
Hi Tom
I can throughly recommend cruising in your yawl, although it is bit basic! However, if you shelter in a B&B ashore each night its possible to do lots of daysails between ports.
In July 2010 over a 9 day period i sailed from Exmouth to Fowey by daysailing to Dartmouth, Salcombe, the Yealm and Fowey and the same again back to Exmouth. Overall it was in the region of about 180nm and in my case i slept cooked and ate on board for the duration of the trip by using an over boom cover, some home made bed planks and a camping stove. It was a great swallows and amazons adventure and i enjoyed every moment meeting lots of really nice people.
I had only owned the yawl about 3 months and it was only my second sail in her but she handled the seas wonderfully even during some really hard blows.
Did the same trip in 2011 but had fewer days available so only managed Exmouth to Plymouth and return. Hoping to do the same this year when the weather gets better.
Joined: Mon Mar 24 2008, 09:29AM Location: chichester, uk Posts: 59
Hallo fellow cruisers,
This year we haven't really got into gear with our cruising programme - just a few short sails in Chichester Harbour so far, thanks to the poor weather. The conditions MUST improve soon!
But last year Gill and I cruised on several weekends. Our DYT 83 lives on a mooring and we dislike starting and finishing an outing in the same place. Our old cruising habits die hard. Fortunately we can reach the boat from home in about 40 minute so, we book an overnight berth at one the harbour's several marinas, position a car at the destination and use it to return home in the evening for a good night's sleep, stopping for a good meal on the way home.
Next morning, we reverse the process ending up back on the mooring with a sense of achievement which day sailing just can't quite satisfy.
Why don't we try a cruise in company on the same basis? It would make the dinner more enjoyable with more yawlers round the table and cruising in company is always fun.
Post a reply or, if you prefer, call me on my mobile. The number's on the members list.
Hi Brian and Ian. I believe that you have separately taken your Yawl and Dayboat to Poole Harbour and Helford in recent weeks. As the Newsletter appears to be dead, any chance of sharing your experiences here, and maybe a photo or two to whet the appetite? Any others with adventures to report? Re the cruise in company idea, in the past the DYA organised rallies in which all the family could participate. The venues were, Salcombe - the first, Orwell, Rutland Water, Poole Harbour and the Yealm. There is also Falmouth Harbour, and the Lake District, that could be added to the list. Obviously not all in one year, but maybe a plan worked up covering a few years. Seems that it might be an idea to try to raise the game again as these past events were great fun, and had the added bonus of showing the Yawl and Dayboat off and keep up interest in the Class. What do you out there think? Ted
Joined: Tue Aug 18 2009, 06:54PM Location: Dartmouth Posts: 2
2012 wasn't the best weather for sailing, so let's hope 2013 is better! I share a Yawl which is moored at Dittisham on the river Dart, Devon. For three seasons I have day-sailed single-handed along the south Devon coast, occasionally camping overnight in the boat. This year I hope to extend my range to the Exe estuary in the east, and to the Yealm and Plymouth Sound in the west. If any local cruisers would like to compare notes and perhaps meet up, please contact me.
Joined: Tue Mar 23 2010, 01:10PM Location: warwick Posts: 2
Hi John. During my trips along the coast i have managed Dartmouth to Exmouth quite easily in a day. If approaching Exmouth at highish tide you can sail straight for the Marina and over the sand bar. If not then you need to enter the channel to the East of the Lifeboat Station. Chances are that they could squeeze you in the Marina somewhere or alternatively you could pick up a visitors mooring. There is a good water taxi at Exmouth. If open the Sailing Club is very friendly and welcoming. I havent tried to sail from Dartmouth to Yealm in a single day and suspect this would be a very long day. It might be better to stop at Salcombe on the way. That said, i have sailed Yealm to Fowey in a day although that is quite a long day. I think i saw you on the Dart last year when i was cruising Plymouth to Dart for the few dry days i had available last year!! Regards Dave DY90
