M400 - Dartmouth to Plymouth 6 day cruise

Mayflower and Speedwell finally departed Dartmouth on the 2 September following further emergency works to Speedwell's hull planking. The water front at Bayard's Cove is much the same as it would have been 400 years ago. Though the fort is now a ruin, the water front upstream has been reclaimed and moved further into the river.

Entries from Mayflower’s log in italics.

01 September 2020

18.00 Embark on the Town Pontoon in Dartmouth  Introductions and safety briefing and dinner onboard.

02 September 2020

Weighed anchor, as did consort. Laid course W.S.W. Ships in company. Wind fair. Mayflower log.

08.45 Cast off and motor past Bayards Cove and the Dartmouth Castle into Start Bay. Set sail for Start Point and along the coast to Salcombe or a sheltered anchorage depending on weather and wind. Keep an eye out for our resident pod of dolphins and other coastal wildlife. Lunch and refreshments will be served underway.

03 September 2020

We will spend the five days Mayflower and Speedwell spent sailing out into the Western Approaches and back to Plymouth exploring the rich and dramatic coastline, historic ports and tranquil rivers of the West Country.  We will be operating as much off-grid as we can. 

07 September 2020

Make port in Plymouth, sailing into Sutton Harbour via Catterwater, where Mayflower anchored, past the iconic Mayflower Steps, to moor on the original historic Barbican quayside. 

16:00 Disembark in Plymouth.

All food and refreshments are included whilst you are onboard along with bedding and linen. 

For further details of what you need to bring and what to expect, see ‘Stuff you need to know’