Salcombe virgin

[Neal]

Doing Salcombe week for the first time in a couple of weeks and hints/tips on everything Salcombe related gratefully received.

[grazz]

Neal, Salcombe is an interesting, complex and challenging place to sail and it's a lot fun at the same time. Every time we sail there we learn something new. Not sure we have the best top tips in the fleet but happy to share what we know over a beer mat at Burghfield if we see you before you go.
 
One top tip that does spring to mind is not to peak too soon, if you find yourself in the lead too early then there's a fair chance it will all go badly wrong
 
The converse of that is to never give up, no matter how far behing it looks like you are as anything can (and often does) happen at Salcombe, particularly in the bag.

Graham

[John m]

Hi Neal
Wise words from Graham about the on the water bit.  On shore the choice is to park your boat on the beach (other side of the Estuary) or in the boat park (known locally as the dump).  Octogenarians fancy the latter but the cool kids go to the beach.  Getting there and back can be a pain - there is a foot ferry or there is also the opportunity to hitch a lift with someone already going over.  Beach is called Mill Bay.  Salcombe YC will help you get your trolley over there at the beginning and end of the week.  In the sun it is idyllic.  Short sail from beach to the start line.  Where you are staying may dictate what you do - you can drive round to the beach if you want although parking is limited on a sunny day, but free for National Trust members i believe.  Salcombe YC have good facilities and 12 sailors have been known to congregate there in the late evening to consider the days activities! 
We will be there with kids, look forward to seeing you too.
John

[wobbly]

HI Neal
At the back and the front of the local fleet we love all the visitors arriving. The younger sailors dominate the front of the fleet and are up with the people who do open meetings etc. the remainder of us will give plenty of competion further down the rankings.   We hope to have beach games on Smalls cove (by start and finish line) after sailing probably Monday. There is under 18 race one night for 12's.  The social programme is pretty good, we aim to camp at Ilton Farm for the week. Club showers and food are good. If you can buy a week long space at Batson /the Dump and park the boat there by night and the car by day or travel to Mill Bay each day, we travel over in a kayak or cadge a lift in a rescue boat. Think of the tide as you race, it often is as much a decider as the wind! Keep out of the wind shadow of the local design yawls ( 3 sails big bow sprit) .  Have fun it is a truly beautiful place. Mike Hoyle is stilllooking for a crew any ideas? 
para docs

[Neal (Guest)]

All - thanks for the tips and look forward to catching up at the w/e.
Neal.