23rd June 2014 - Elender Cove

Living in the UK at anchor with a dog and a toddler - what can possibly go wrong?!
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23rd June 2014 - Elender Cove

Post by Jeff »

Thanks to Terry (one of our forum regulars and old sailing friend) once told us about a cove near Start Point which can be a useful anchorage. It's not in any of the guidebooks. We took a risk and spent the night there on the way to Salcombe, where we are now.

I can highly recommend Elender Cove. It's gorgeous. We ended up spending the day there on the beach in glorious weather. The high cliffs kept the wind off which was lovely.

Thanks Terry!

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Post by Discus »

Very nice. Back in Plymouth now for a couple of days. Are you still heading west?
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Post by Jeff »

Bumped into old friends in salcombe and have to be back in Dartmouth by the end of the week, and the forecast has broken now, so I think heading back to Dartmouth tomorrow afternoon :(

Then we'll wait for the next window to head west I guess.

What are you going to do with the rest of your time afloat?
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Post by Discus »

Well, we came back to Plymouth for the same reason as you, could see the weather changing and didn't really fancy a long bash back to Plymouth from Falmouth if the wind had any easterly in it. Will potter about the Plymouth area for a couple of days and then head home, maybe Friday. Will wave to you if we drive back via Dartmouth!
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Post by Jeff »

:(

Did you manage to get much done? Did you get beyond Fowey?
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Post by Discus »

Well, there is a long story in there somewhere. We started a bit late, loads of reasons I won't bore you with and then we had to get a rigger up the master to sort out our wind instrument that was more buggered than we thought. Then there was the warm weather, the beer, a new Indian in Fowey, the walks etc and we got a bit off track! Managed to sail a bit though, pleasantly surprised by our light wind performance which was improving all the time. Just good to get away to be honest - although neither of us were in the mood for it before we arrived. Polar opposite now!
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Post by Jeff »

Sounds thoroughly enjoyable! :)
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Post by Terry T »

Always keen to help :lol:
seems to be other people on the beach ,is there a footpath down to it ?
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Post by Jeff »

There is. It got quite busy at one point. About 6 boats anchored off and a bunch of south west coast path walkers in their pants.
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Post by Discus »

Pants? Oh no..............
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Post by Jeff »

:)
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23rd June 2014 - Elender Cove

Post by Jim »

Superdupa photos Jeff. I'm very impressed.
Places like that are lovely to anchor in when conditions are right, as you've discovered. Even if you do get a bit of rock and roll
from swell you soon get to tolerate the motion and have a good sleep. After all a bit of motion is what makes the difference between boating and caravanning.

One thing to watch when anchoring in a cove with high slopes all around is that you can get violent katabatic winds rushing down the slopes when the air cools at night which can make the boat sheer about at her anchor. For some reason that I've never really understood, these katabatic winds are less likely when the hills end in sheer cliffs.

best

Paradox Jim
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Post by Jeff »

Thanks Jim!

I like your boat/caravan difference observation :)

Will watch out for those katabatic winds. Do the cliffs maybe result in a ltriangle of air which becomes part of the 'slope'? So as long as you are within that triangle you're out of the wind? But presumably there will be some turbulent winds within the triangle from time to time? And if you're too far out you'll feel the full force?

Or do the cliffs reduce the entire effect completely?
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Post by Discus »

Sheer cliffs don't support the prolonged build up of warm air that props the cooler air up, thus the temperature differential is less and the katabatic effect is lessened. What steep cliffs are good for is developing some wicked downdrafts if the prevailing wind is passing over them with any speed. You can often spot the downdrafts dancing around by the pattern it leaves on the surface of the sea.
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Post by Jeff »

We know all about touchdowns of prevailing wind under cliffs after nearly being blown up the beach on Ailsa Craig!

Your explanation seems to make sense but if the land is warmed all day and hence the air too above it, which subsequently rises, where is the air coming from to replace it if not the cold air over the sea nearby, cliffs or not? Guess as you say, the effect is still there, but somewhat less.

We have a book (which does actually have elender cove in it after all) which goes into some detail about this kind of thing. More detail about swell and tide and waves than wind mind you, but it's excellent for this area. It's called 'channel havens - secret inlets and secluded anchorages of the channel'. Unsure if it's still in print or not.

Yep, here it is...

<iframe src="http://rcm-eu.amazon-adsystem.com/e/cm? ... 0713670991" scrolling="no" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0"></iframe>
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