Sit Up and Take Notice
Sit up and take notice; Plymouth in the south west of the United Kingdom is a superyacht port with a lot to offer.
Sheltered by the Plymouth sound into which the Rivers Plym and Tamar flow, the port of Plymouth has an abundance of deep water anchorages and marina docks to facilitate the visiting superyacht.
With the city set to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the Pilgrims leaving aboard Mayflower for America there are an increasing number of Superyachts keen to drop anchor here in the months leading up to 2020
The seafaring port is full of maritime history both ancient and modern. It was in Plymouth, that offshore solo yacht racing started, Sir Francis Chichester’s around the world solo voyage started and ended here. Charles Darwin sailed from Plymouth aboard Beagle for his world changing voyage to the Galapagos and it was 250 years ago, that Captain Cook set off from here in Endeavour to chart the Pacific.
In its yacht building heyday and before the demise of Devonport Yachts, Alamshar, Sarafsa, Samar and Vava II were all built here. Plymouth does however still has a yachting building connection because it is here and in the surrounding suburbs that Princess Yachts build all of their large motor yachts.
Plymouth is renowned for boating, sailing and hosting major inshore and offshore racing including: the Americas Cup, the Fastnet finish, power boat championships and a range of regattas and other sailing events throughout the year.
There are seven marinas hereabouts to take notice of, all capable of handling tenders used by superyachts at anchor but those capable of handling large yachts include
Sutton Harbour A Statutory Harbour under law, Sutton Harbour is not only superyacht capable but is also home to the second largest fishing boat harbour in England. Accessed through a 12 metre wide lock that free flows except when closed three hours either side of low water when it opens on request the port happily handles yachts of 45 metres and can handle larger ones by arrangement. Slap bang in the middle of the old town this is where the action takes place as Sutton Harbour takes centre stage to historic Plymouth
Mayflower Marina Offers both permanent and visitor berthing together with some of the most outstanding cruising waters with anytime access for boats up to 20m and facilities to offer larger boats by arrangement. Ashore it has most of the facilities visitors would require, including maintenance, repair, basic provisions, chandlery and they are particularly proud of the marina’s award winning restaurant. Offsite Plymouth’s City Centre is only a 5 minute taxi ride away and has plenty to offer including, the Theatre Royal, cinemas, museums, the marine aquarium, a huge array of shopping opportunities, supermarkets, restaurants, bars and cafes.
Yachthaven Marina This Five Gold Anchor Marina lies at the mouth of the River Plym in the shelter of the Mount Batten peninsula, offering comprehensive facilities and exceptional 24 hour service, just minutes from the open water of Plymouth Sound. Accessible at all states of the tide Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (it is closed on Christmas Day) the marina has CCTV surveillance, electronic bridgehead access gates and free Wi-Fi available to those docked there. Yachts of up to 52 metres can be accommodated without fuss so long as the draught does not exceed 4.5 metres but larger yachts can find space providing the harbour master has been consulted first
Superyacht anchorages to take notice of include Cawsand Bay which is well suited to most winds except an easterly and Jennycliffe Bay that is sheltered from all but a westerly. Anchoring inside the breakwater is always possible but must be prearranged with the Queens Harbour Master who rules the roost around these parts!