Two of Tectona’s Favourite Anchor Spots
Where do we love to stop for a swim, supper or overnight? We have a fantastic playground here on the South coast – you can come out of Plymouth Sound and turn to port to head East or to starboard to go West, depending on which way the wind is blowing.
Cawsand Bay
A classic anchorage is Cawsand Bay, situated on the West side of Plymouth Sound, lying outside of the breakwater. Why is it a favourite? because it’s the perfect distance to sail to when you have just started a voyage, it’s just long enough to get the lines and fenders away, get the mizzen, staysail and sometimes even the main up and fit in that all important first cup of tea at sea. Given everyone has now worked up an appetite and learnt lots of new things about the boat, it’s about time to stop for some supper.
Cawsand has good holding, which is most important for a good night sleep and almost never a rolly night in your bunk. It is a lovely place to watch the sun setting over the hill and lightening up Plymouth Sound in pinks and oranges!
Insert Pic of sunset if have one
It is a very short dinghy ride to the pebbly beach, which boasts some great swimming, delicious ice cream shop and a walk up the road onto higher ground to allow a good view of the boat you’ve sailed in on. If we’re lucky the resident dolphins sometime pay a visit to the bay when we are anchored there, occasionally they can be found up at West Mud, just off Cremyll.
Portmellon
Portmellon is located about three quarters of the way down the eastern coastline between St. Austell and Gorran Haven. It is a small u-shaped harbour with good holding. It’s peaceful and a great place to spot some birds on the adjacent cliffs.
The shape of the bay, the landmarks behind and the numerous mooring buoys and fishing pots means it is a great first anchorage to teach the crew some navigation and get lots of people helping out with buoy spotting and learning to take transits as Tectona edges her way in to find the perfect spot.
A little more information – It is situated in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and did you know, a third of Cornwall is designated as an AONB. Portmellon has a long history of building boats with many wooden–hulled boats leaving the workshop over the years.
It is a great second day stop during a week-long voyage. The first day can be slow going whilst everyone learns the ropes, quite literally, and take their first turn of helming. Anchoring here is also great for that all-important morning swim, come grey or blue skies.
Portmellon is a good starting point for a long day sailing down the beautiful coastline heading further south.
There are many stunning spots to stop along the coast. We’ll be sharing more in the coming weeks but why don’t you leave a comment and let us know where your favourite anchor spot is, either on Tectona or your own boat. Or is there somewhere you’ve always wanted to know a little more about – comment here and we’ll see if we can fit it in the next post.
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