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Hi just wondered if anyone has launched at boat from ladram bay campsite and how easy hard it is etc we have an inflatable with outboard and they say we are allowed to launch here but just wondered if anyone else has

thanks

Pauline

We launch from nearby River Axe Yacht club with our 3.8 metre RIB.  I've not been on Ladram Bay beach, but if its anything like Beer and Seaton then you'll find that the main problems you get from launching from the beach in this area is the sheer slope of the stony beach.  You can be only 3 yards from the beach, and the water is 12 foot deep. On Spring tides, the water on an incoming tide can sometimes be too powerful to let you get out into open water. 

On an outgoing tide (Springs or Neaps)  you find there is a real "suck" from the receeding wave, which can prevent you from getting back in easily.  When the tide is high, then you'll find that the breakers are very heavy, they can easily swamp the boat.  We have a 30 hp 4 stroke engine on the RIB, and ended up having to be winched out of the water by the boat hire bloke on Beer beach - the engine couldnt cope with the breakers and the boat was being swamped.  We only wanted to park up and have a cuppa!!

Remember to wear your life jackets at all times and be aware that fog can come down pretty quickly in this area.  And I mean quickly!!  Other than that, we'll see you out on the water down there !!

Jenny