If you have a specific query use the feedback form on the home page, and we will reply to your email.
This page will feature useful info for small boat users. Launching points,
safety at sea, where to fish etc.
If you have a specific query use the feedback
form on the home page, and we will reply to your email.
Click on the launch site for a description
1
- Minehead Harbour
– A steep concrete slipway with a slight bend, onto sand. Launch fee payable.
Launch and retrieve 2 hours either side of high-water. Visitors moorings
available. Harbour dries at low water. Loading steps at end of quay. Ladders
along quay wall. Freshwater available. Parking nearby. Summer Sundays can be
busy.
Minehead Slip
Blue Anchor Slip
2 - Watchet Harbour – A concrete slipway onto mud. Launch fee payable.
Launch and retrieve 2 hours either side of high-water. Loading steps at end of
west pier. Ladders along west pier wall. Car and trailer parking nearby. HARBOUR
ENTRANCE CAN BE DANGEROUS IN STRONG WESTERLY WINDS.
Watchet West slipway
3 - Watermouth Cove – Concrete slipway onto hard surface. Launch and
retrieve at any state of the tide. Launch fee payable. Plenty of parking for
cars and trailers. Moorings available.
Watermouth Cove
4- Ilfracombe Harbour
– Concrete slipway onto hard sand. Launch and retrieve 2.5 hours either side
of high-water. Very busy resort in the summer months making parking for cars and
trailers very difficult. The slipway is also used by the lifeboat. Be prepared
to clear the slipway in an emergency.
Ilfracombe Slipway
You have been warned !!
5 - Burnham-on Sea – Wooden slipway leading to concrete slip. NO
LAUNCH FEE. Launch and retrieve 2hours either side of high-water.
Caution 1 – Soft sand and mud either side of the slipway. It
is wise not to drive onto the sand/mud.
Caution 2 – Do your navigational homework if you are new to
this venue. It is easy to get caught-out here, especially on spring tides
coupled with northerly winds.
Burnham Slipway
6 -
Weston-super-Mare (Knightstone Harbour)
– A large wide concrete slipway onto a hard surface. NO LAUNCH FEE. Launch and
retrieve 2 hours either side of high-water. Car parking very difficult in the
summer months, but trailers can be left on the promenade next to the slipway.
Knightstone Slipway
7 –
Shirehampton Sailing Club
- Prior arrangement required . Small concrete/stone slipway. Spring tides
only, launch and retrieve 1.5 hours either side of high-water. Launch fee
payable. Cars and trailers kept in a secure compound.
8 –
Beachley – Concrete and stone slipway. NO LAUNCH FEE. Car
and trailer parking.
Caution – Do your navigational homework if you are new to this
venue. This site is very dangerous, especially on spring tides. There is a race
of 8 to 10 knots. Good local knowledge is required. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO LAUNCH
HERE IF YOU ARE A NOVICE OR OUT OF PRACTICE.
9 –
Portishead – NOT RECOMMENDED. This is a privately
operated slipway owned by the sailing club.
Note -
It can be used however, FOR EMERGENCIES ONLY,
(i.e.. Medical evacuation to ambulance etc), at any state of the tide.
10 –
Clevedon – NOT RECOMMENDED. This is a public
slipway used by the sailing club. The slipway is
steep, narrow and has a nasty near 90 degree bend on it about one third the way
down. If you are going to use it, smaller boats only. Launch and retrieve 2.5
hours either side of high-water. Parking is difficult especially in the
summer season when its almost covered with sunbathers (weather permitting).
Access to slip from road
90 degree to the Sea
Please Read The Notice
A lot of the tips for small craft usage come from common sense, and to keep in mind that the safety of everyone is the top priority.
The link to the
safety at sea page is well worth a visit, especially if you are new to
boating or just want to make sure you
haven't forgotten something daft!
Preparation for your trip afloat, no matter how short or long it's planned for, is the most important aspect of the day's voyage.
It's well worth
having a check list, either written down or committed to memory that you stick
to and don't deviate from.
That way you shouldn't forget something vital!
If you trail and launch your boat make sure your
check list starts from the time you prepare the boat at home. Get into
a routine of the jobs needed.
Has the engine/s been serviced recently? get it done before the spring season
starts.
Carry a few essential spares and tools. Spark plugs will foul up fast with the
wrong oil mix ( 2 Stroke) if its done by hand.
A plug spanner and the correct plugs could save the day!
Check the fuel system, fuel lines, priming bulb and any filters, refresh the
fuel if it is old. Fuel tanks can get condensation/water in them
over time. Petrol/ diesel engines don't run on water!
When did you last service the trailer?
Even the best bearing savers can't keep out all the water, and condensation can
still build up. Water kills bearings.
If you travel only a short distance the heat builds quickly and the bearing can
seize or break up in no time at all.
It may seem to be over the top, but spares and a small tool kit can get you out
of trouble quite quickly.
Your car jack ( a small bottle jack is better ), the socket to remove the hub
nut, a new bearing, some grease, will
probably get you back on the road.
If the tow hitch needs it, then grease it. Same applies to the jockey wheel,
grease it where needed, and check to
see if the jockey wheel tyre needs any air.
Check and maintain the towing electrics, protect the plug with a water resistant
spray, and make sure you do a bulb test
before driving off, and carry spares in the towing car.
Check and maintain the trailer tyres ( Its the law! ) check the tyre pressures,
look for wear, bulges or cuts in the tyre walls.
Change the tyre if it looks damaged or worn. The last thing you want is a
trailer blow out. The consequences are
horrendous, loss of the tow car, the boat or even a life at worst (possibly a
spell in prison too).
Make sure the winch is fully operational, grease it where needed and check the
strap for wear or cuts. Ensure the winch handle
is secure or safe when not needed. Somebody nicked mine, it takes a long time to
recover your boat winding it on with a 13mm
spanner, my handle is now welded to the winch!!!!
You may have noticed a theme developing........ "Grease it!"
It saves time and money in the long term.
Where you can flush/run the engine after use in fresh water to remove the salt.
This will help prevent corrosion developing.
Does your boat have a removable drain plug?
Put it in before you leave home! You have loads to think about when you launch,
and the plug can be the last thing on your mind
as your pride and joy is gracefully slipping off the trailer, then slipping
lower and lower in the water! (been there, done that!)
After a long lay up, say after the winter make a
thorough check of all the boats systems.
The steering and throttle cables/hydraulics. Check for free movement and wear to
cables/pipes, replace if required. Change hydraulic fluid
at the recommended service interval as specified by the manufacturer.
The electrical system, check that the battery is fully charged, and that it
holds the charge. It may charge up but go flat very quickly.
If the battery has been left on board over a cold winter, cold can 'kill' a
previously good battery. A cheap multimeter will allow you to test the
amount of charge being held.
A multimeter will also help you fault find on your wiring system. Check wiring
is sound and that there are no rubbing points.
Carry spare fuses of the correct amperage. Make sure all items work correctly
including the electronics.
Make sure all your lights work especially the Nav lights. Its no fun changing a
bulb in a rolling sea!
Look for wear and tear on the anchor system, ropes and chains, and test any trip
device on the anchor (e.g. cable ties, buoys etc.)
All of the above are just a few things to jog your thoughts for a successful
fishing trip. The important thing is that you can enjoy the
time spent afloat fishing, and not worrying about getting back safely.
There are lots of other things to think of, if you
would like something else mentioned here, drop us a line
here,
we welcome your feedback.
Check the weather, use several sources they all vary! Check the tide times.
Remember to pack the rods, reels ,tackle, weights,
bait, clothing for all weathers, food & drink, hat, sun cream etc, etc.
Its no good getting out there to find you've left your reels at home.
If you have a cooker on board, is there enough gas
to run it?
Replenish your supplies like tea, coffee, sugar, milk and fresh water.
A cool box for bait or you catch. Fish will spoil quickly in the warmer weather.
If this item has caused you to remember something
for your trip, then its done the job.
'Everyone starts off as a novice'.
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