Open boat trip to Exmouth

As mentioned to Mike B and Susan, I have in mind a trip from the club to Exmouth, using the tide, then return via vehicles as necessary. Bearing in mind you two and Will would prefer weekends, I see that, for example, 6 October and 20 October both have a high tide at a sensible time, with the latter a more reasonable height (3.1m at Topsham).
I understand there is a 4-boat trailer somewhere in the system and I can confirm, if it is of any help, that my licence allows me to tow and I have a suitable vehicle. I have done many thousands of miles, much of it continental, towing caravans.
Cheers
Phil S

Comments

  • I have other comitnents on the 6th (and think S+W are still away with their trailer).

    Not sure re 20th yet as may be working.

    Sorry
  • Phil, sorry for the slow response. We were away. I would like to do the Exmouth trip but circumstances mean Will and I can't currently commit to the 20th.
  • I didn't mean to be hard and fast about dates. 6th and 20th October were possibles, allowing for tide, when I wrote the post. I'll look for a couple of future weekend dates beyond 20th October and see how that suits people.

  • Having looked at tide tables for the period 23/11 to 15/12 I've concluded it might be better to consider starting from Exmouth and paddle to the club rather than the other way around. For the downstream trip, and allowing for short days, the latest feasible Topsham high is on Sunday 1st December when high is 3.3m at 09.07 and following low is 1.1m. That means a very early start for whoever drives transport to the Exmouth end. On the other hand, for an upstream trip the lows and following highs at Exmouth are:
    Sat 23/11: 1.4m at 08.42 followed by a 3.8m high at 15.53;
    Sun 24/11: 1.2m at 09.44 followed by a 3.9m high at 16.51;
    Sat 7/12: 1.9m at 07.48 followed by a 3.4m high at 15.02;
    Sun 8/12: 1.8m at 08.50 followed by a 3.6m high at 15.59.
    What do people think?

  • Phil I'm really sorry but I'm away on all of those dates. Could do the 21 or 22 December which should work paddling from Exmouth to Exeter though we may have to switch to the canal at Topsham instead of the bottom of the flood relief channel. Does that work for you?
  • Yep, I can do either of those. I guess we can choose the best day, weatherwise, nearer the time.

  • I now have family coming down to us for Xmas, arriving 21/12. Probably best if I don't commit to a trip that weekend. Interested in doing this trip in the New Year if anyone else is.

  • Ok. I'll look at some dates when I pick up next years tide table.
  • I might be interested in this depending on the date. I don’t have much experience in open canoes though only paddled one and done rescues etc as part of the Foundation Safety & Rescue course I did with Brian recently

  • Met Office forecast looking pretty good at the moment for 21/12. Anyone still interested? I'm now OK to do it.

  • Can’t make it this time Phil
  • Forecast is looking like headwinds F4ish now. not so good.

  • No worries if no-one fancies it but, if anyone does, we had talked about paddling back from Exmouth given the tides on that day, and the breeze is southerly. High around 2pm and running at its strongest between 10 and 12 in the morning. Not particularly big - around 3 metres at Topsham.

  • Hi Phil, we're both keen to paddle. Wind and tide assistance sounds good.
    Susan and Will
  • Will join you as well
  • OK. Keep an eye on weather, presumably, but still ok this am. I'm not sure how much of a factor the strong flow in the river will be when you're down on the estuary, but plenty more rain over next 24 hours by the look of it.
    I shall have a car and will assume I'll be making a trip to and from Exmouth ferrying people on the day. If I can get transport for my boat I'll gladly accept.

  • Hi Phil. We can transport your boat. What time are we meeting at the club?
    Susan
  • Thanks Susan. Shall we say 8.00am and aim to get on the water by 09.30? Where is it best to park and launch - at the car park behind the railway station?

  • If we leave a car at the club, then we'll have transport to pick up the car(s) at exmouth post paddle.
  • Yep. I was intending to leave mine near the club and drive whoever back to Exmouth after the paddle.

  • Really sorry. We are going to have to pull out. I have pulled my shoulder.

    Will and Susan.
  • Phil, really sorry, my arm has also flared up again during the week, had been hoping it was going to be better, but its gradually got worse, sorry, I too wont be paddling. Would have been a good trip, weather was looking so much nicer!
  • Lets try again in the new year.
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