There is an active cruiser section.  Sailing is possible in the river for six hours over the high tide. Many of the cruisers are twin keeled, there are some catamarans.  In summer boats are moored in the river, – most moorings drying out at low tide.  In winter the club boat park offers space, with electricity and water available, to members only with booking and pre-paying.

The day cruising grounds are mainly in the bay with Clovelly, Lundy and Ilfracombe within a day sailing to return at the next high tide.

Further afield there are many possibilities in the Bristol Channel.  The Welsh coast offers refuge at Milford Haven, Tenby, Swansea, Cardiff as well as many smaller places in between.  The English coast includes Bristol, Portishead, to the east, Padstow, St Ives and the Scilly’s Islands to the west, but the alternative anchorages are fewer. Ports from Padstow, Milford to Cardiff are within an easy day’s sail.  The Bristol Channel Pilot is a necessity.

Many NDYC members have sailed to Ireland, Scotland, and several round Britain, as well as further afield.

Pilotage

There are clear navigation marks in the river to mark the deep channel. There is one area to be avoided on neap tides – Crow Rock, due east of Inner Pulleys at approximately 51 ͦ04’N, 04 ͦͦ12’W.

The Bar is dangerous in rough weather and the marks must be observed to the Inner Pulley buoy, when suggested passage times are two hours either side of HW.  In calm weather the Bar is no problem and is passable over a longer time, however the tide runs at up to 3 Kts at half tide.

Visitors

The river offers a safe refuge for visitors.  Pilotage – follow the navigation marks from the Bar Buoy.  Overnight can be had alongside at Appledore Quay – beware of the tidal range – but on firm mud at low water.  Alternatively, in calm weather it is good to anchor at Instow off the ‘Instow Arms’ near the sand hills at the northern end of the beach, when you can take the ground – fine sand.  Both villages offer a range of good pubs and restaurants. Showers are available at the club – phone or e-mail the secretary

Lundy Pass

The Club benefits from a group discount Season Ticket to the Island.  Members are eligible to this discount on production of a NDYC Lundy Island Access pass, which is available, on demand, from the Club Office.  Please fill in the form on the “News” tag of the web site to order your Annual NDYC Lundy Pass.

Passes are only made available to validated members of NDYC.

Introducing Clovelly’s Yardarm Club

www.clovelly.co.uk

Click the link outlining our harbour events for the year. There is no extra charge for these days, so you can provide your crew with a day with extra to remember for just the harbour dues. Do contact the Harbour Master, Stephen Perham, beforehand on 07975 501830, in case inside berthing is restricted. There is no charge either for the shower facility, which has just had a complete renovation Enjoy!

The Yardarm Club offers a package of special concessions for you at the Red Lion and New Inn that is only available to selected yacht clubs. There are four groups of benefits and no joining fee:

1. Beer: buy 5 pints and get a 6th free anytime.
2. Spirits: from 17:00 to 18:30, Gordon’s gin, Smirnoff Red vodka, Morgan’s dark rum and Highland whisky, any one with a baby mixer for a fixed price at £2.50 each.
3. Food: Red Lion Harbour Restaurant offers a three-course dinner for the price of two courses and four for three (please pre-book: 01237 431237). In the Red Lion Harbour Bar have a two-course dinner from the bar menu and then be treated to a free pudding. The New Inn specialises in providing a full English breakfast for only £7.50 (T: 01237 431303). Then for lunch and supper buy two bar meals and the cheaper one will be charged at half price only.
4. Accommodation: there are some occasions when a shore party, perhaps the ladies of the crew, are a welcome addition. For them a 25% discount off the normal B&B rate for bookings made within three days of the arrival date. These are subject to availability and exclude Bank Holidays. Email: stay@clovelly.com.

You can collect your membership card on your first visit of the season. Please just go to the Red Lion reception and complete the registration form.

If you would like to be told of the periodic promotions we offer, please email stay@clovelly.com

Application Form

Visiting Clovelly

BCYA

Your Committee has voted that the Club should join the Bristol Channel Yachting Association (formerly the Bristol Channel Yachting Conference).

They publish a handbook of Guide to Yachting and Cruising in the Bristol Channel – The Blue Book, which costs just £8.  They are looking for more information on pilotage and photos of the estuary at low water.  By contributing our knowledge of the Bar and the Estuary, we may help to encourage more intrepid sailors to visit us.  If you have useful information that could be presented to them, please let the Secretary know.

NDYC MMSI List

Harbour and Pilotage Charges Bideford
Taw & Torridge Estuary.

Harbour Charges