A Personal Guide to The Ports of the Channel
Nicholas Hill
Plymouth
Plymouth is a large natural harbour, and a useful place to base a boat. Salcombe, Dartmouth, Brixham and Torquay lie within a day's sail to the east; and Falmouth, Fowey and the Scillies to the west.
finding it
The Sound is sufficiently large to present few problems for the navigator.
getting in
There is a breakwater in the centre of the Sound. It is fairly lowlying, but marked with lights at either end.
hazards
There is not a great deal of commercial shipping in and out of Plymouth, but it is a very active naval base.
There are no real hazards coming from either direction.
berthing
There are several marinas in the city:
| Plymouth Yacht Haven | - past Mountbatten and down the Cattewater on the starboard side. Good facilities, although on the opposite side of the river to the city. |
| Queen Anne's Battery | - past Mountbatten and on the port side at the entrance to the Cattewater. Good facilities. |
| Sutton Harbour | - steer as for Queen Anne's Battery, and go past. The entrance is locked. You will find yourself in what remains of the old city. Sutton Harbour website |
| Millbay | - limited spaces for visitors. |
| Mayflower Marina | - see the website. |
facilities
Excellent both in terms of big city shopping and chandlery. The chandlers are often of the more 'practical' nature.
charts and waypoints
Google Earth
A panoramic view of the Plymouth waterfront.
1- Mountbatten and the entrance to the Cattewater. 2 - Smeaton tower. 3 - entrance to Hamoaze. 4 - Drake's Island. 5 - Cawsand. 6 - breakwater from inside..
Move your mouse over the numbers below to see the photograph in question
All photographs copyright CNH. Please ask if you wish to use them and please acknowledge the source.