About the Club.
The Club was formed many years ago by sailing enthusiasts and had operated in several locations before moving to its current location in 2011 at Shaugh Lake. The Lake is situated near to Cadover Bridge just outside of Dartmoor National Park and within the China Clay quarries which are operated by Sibelco UK. DMBC lease the Lake and are generally responsible for the maintenance and wellbeing of the lake and its adjacent area.
The Club has over 50 Sailing members and a high speed racing power boat section of 17 members.
It is a friendly Club and prides itself on the welcoming nature and the sportsmanship of its members. The sailing section race the following classes:- IOM, Dragon Force 65/RG65 DrgonFlite 95 and 6 Metre, with members also sailing many other types which range from Vintage to 10 Rater. With some members still actively competing in Yacht Racing and others who have come from a dinghy racing background, racing is very competitive. The Club normally lays windward leeward courses for the racing it runs, but is also used to setting other types of courses such as the Olympic. All racing is run using the MYA Standard Sailing Instructions. Racing on Shaugh Lake can be challenging at times because it is flat rising on one side and high banked at the other. Those who can read the shifts reap dividends!
Shaugh Lake.
The Lake was the final run off Lake for water leaving the industrial quarry area before it joined the local river courses. After the quarrying of China Clay finished in the Northern end of the quarries the water that enters the lake is now only land run off. The Lake was formed using Mica dams and is some 80 metres in length and 76 metres wide, it has a depth of 3.5 metres (approx.) which reduces to shallow water at the West End and North shore. The West shore has a boom rigged across it to prevent sailing in that area and another boom is sited at the North-East corner to prevent Keel damage on rocks sited in that area.
Boat launching and recovery is by way of two stepped access decked platforms. The North platform is the main launching platform which is capable of holding three people launching smaller boats but the ideal number is two. For large craft like the 6 metre it is advisable to have two people involved in the launching or recovery process. In events for larger boats the Club may well have its own helpers to assist in these operations.
Both the North East and South banks are full walkable and become race control zones when required. The North side bank has an Observation platform with wooden decking with safety rails which can hold twenty people and forms the third control zone. Built within the North structure is a launching ramp for the two safety inflatables and there is a berthing platform for these to lie alongside without interfering with race boat launching and recovery.
Water side safety.
There are the normal lifebuoy rings in marked housings sited strategically around the lake area. Horse shoe type rings and lines are placed at both launch platform locations during events by the Club as these are easier to use. There is absolutely NO SWIMMING ALLOWED on the lake and when recovering race boats which have become stranded on the lake side either push off poles or the safety dinghies should be used. If the stranded boat is capable of being recovered by bank access (only in certain places) you must ensure that this operation is watched by other people.
Amenities.
As the Club is in a remote location, the normal facilities associated with city type lakes are not available for example WIFI and café’s. Mobile phone coverage is non-existent at the lake side but is obtainable on the high west side of the Lake and at the Main entry gate from the highway. Toilets are provided and there is a main club building which has medical and firefighting equipment within it. Car parking (free) is provided adjacent to the main lake access point. Additional car and mobile home parking (free) is provided on a flat area which is easily identified by a large redundant gear wheel. Access from the latter car park is via the South-East Lake corner access gate. Unfortunately, the Club only has a daylight operating license which means that vehicles must leave the site and are not allowed to stay overnight. Overnight, Mobile home owners and campers tend to use the area between the main highway road North of the site and the adjacent River. When two day events take place or on the night prior to a single day event it is usual practice for the Club to have a security vehicle and member on duty to protect items set up in advance.
Visitors are reminded that you are likely to find animals on the approach roads to the Club. Also as the area was a mining area that the access road to the lake needs to be driven with care and that it is not unusual to find large stones and ruts on it so please drive slowly. It is wise to wear stout footwear due to the nature of the paths and lakeside fauna and to also cater for temperatures which are likely to be several degrees lower than in the adjacent main city of Plymouth.
As the Club has no cooking facilities visitors are advised to provide their own food and drink. A supply of bottled water is kept on site for emergency use and in very hot weather. Some light refreshments may be provided during specific Events.
How to find us. – There are several approaches to the lower part of Dartmoor and to
Cadover Bridge(REF POINT) and to the club. As there is no postcode GPS is Lat 50. 27.645’N
long 004. 1.972’W or grid ref -SX553649. If coming from Plymouth**** use the A386 –
through both Derriford and Woolwell roundabouts turning right for Bickleigh and through
picturesque Shaugh Prior, at cross roads turn left towards Cadover bridge. About 20 yards
before Bridge turn right. Follow the road along go through the S bend up the hill. Turn into
double gate access on the right. Go through closing the right hand gate behind you. Follow
the access track keeping to the right and passing the Old wheel park area. Continue on to
the lake access gate parking area which is situated up a short slope.
Alternative route From Plympton drive through Colebrook village take left turn near garages
to Boringdon hill up the hill past the Hotel continue north past golf club. Continue on past
Cann woods (on left) Woodside animal sanctuary (on right) straight on past farm café (on
right) to the cross roads (after Farm on the left) slight left wiggle and then continue north to
Cadover bridge.
General Information
Dartmoor Model Boat Club in addition to its website has an associated Closed facebook
page. Within the website there is a google map showing the route from Cadover bridge and
the Lake positioning.
Plymouth is the nearest main city and is famed for its association with all things nautical.
The Hoe and Eddystone Lighthouse which overlooks Plymouth Sound are visitor attractions
and the Barbican area has pubs,cafes and restaurants catering for all tastes. The main
roundabout at Marsh Mills(A38) has a Sainsbury’s supermarket on one side of it and there is
a camping site (Riverside) on the North side. From this roundabout to the Club is a 15
minute drive (approx.)
Venturing out onto Dartmoor. Accommodation** and pubs can be found on the A386
which includes as you go out The Jack Rabbit ** (Travel lodge), The future Inn ** The Toby
Carvery at Roborough and adjacent to it a Travel Lodge**. The Dartmoor Diner (a very
popular café sited on the left just as you enter Dartmoor National Park). The Moorland
Hotel at Wotter has been used by visiting competitors recently. For those who want to
savour traditional village pubs and food the following are within easy travelling distance of
the Club and Plymouth. The Skylark pub at Clearbrook, also the Royal Oak at Meavy.
Obviously, it is very difficult to list or even try to list Accommodation and eateries that
would suit all tastes so it does pay to search the web and indeed the Tourist information
services for full listings.
JCL Updated 09/05/19