Where to launch inflatable boat in Kent?

[9greej10]

Hi

I have just purchased a Seapro 340 HD + 20HP (arrives in May) and am looking for a place to launch it in Kent. We are based in Tonbridge so wondering where the closest/best place would be to launch it on the Kent coast? As the boat is a foldaway (no trailer) can I launch it directly from the beach as it will have launch wheels? Apologies if this seems like a stupid question but I've only ever used boats in France where you can launch directly from the beach (most but not all) rather than having to use an actual slipway.

Many thanks in advance for your help

[ChrisParish]

Hi and to the forum!

My understanding, and someone will correct me if I am wrong, is that if you can launch your boat from anywhere it is safe to do so. I have launched our smaller boat from beaches many times.

As for places in Kent; I have no idea. However someone will no doubt be along soon to chime in with their suggestions!

[Oldman]

Well In the Canterbury city council area that covers beaches from Seasalter through to Reculver there is from April 1st new rules, NO beach launching of any powered craft at all.
They have put a yearly fee on all slipway launching, full details on their web pages.
Further round the coast from Minis Bay to Ramsgate is Thanet council and they also require a yearly fee to launch from any of their slipways. No mention of beach launching or not, but most beaches that are easy to reach with a trailered boat will be slipway ones.
Medway are I have no idea what their rules are right now.

[9greej10]

Thank you for the quick reply, much appreciated.

So if I understand correctly it sounds like I won't be able to launch the boat from the beach in the Canterbury area, but maybe in the Ramsgate area? Does anyone have any info re: launching a boat in areas such as Whitstable or maybe even further down the coast e.g Eastbourne? thanks

[Oldman]

https://mapping.canterbury.gov.uk/webap ... oundaries/ Thats the CCC boundaries from Graveney through to the river Wansum which marks the boundry with Thanet council. This as you can see on the map covers whitstable too. https://www.canterbury.gov.uk/watercraft is where to find further info, permits are £50/yr for fishing boats, other craft costs are higher.
Canterbury say they have rules in place to stop beach launching but these have yet to be tested, I would suggest if you were to launch from a beach that had little use there would not be much chance of being reported, the problem comes from powered craft not mixing well with swimmers and kids.
Take a good look at Thanet launch sites https://www.thanet.gov.uk/info-pages/water-users/ you will see its quite good value for £60 per season you get a key to launch at 7-8 different slipways, more than at Canterbury.
Further round the coast to Sandwich bay, if you pay the private beach toll then I believe beach launching is free and allowed.
Dover has a slipway in the harbour, but you really need marine radio to exit and enter due to harbour control & ferries. There are slipways at Folkestone harbour but the difficulty there is car parking close to slips.
Many of the beaches are shingle or soft sand or very steep so are only suitable if you can carry your boat to the water or use beach rollers, normally 2 handed.
Good luck with the search, report back on your findings.

[9greej10]

Thank you very much for the detailed information, very much appreciated!

[chas1336]

Hi, you asked about Eastbourne way. I'm in Uckfield, East Sussex, so just South of you. There's an excellent slipway at Simpson marine in Newhaven, and its £10 for a self-launch there (some of it harbourmaster dues). www.simpson-marine.co.uk They have weather & tide forecasts on their site too. Alternatively, there's a slipway at Rye harbour run by Rye Harbour Marine www.ryeharbourmarine.co.uk .Its a public slipway, fairly steep but they can assist. I'm not sure about Eastbourne itself, because Sovereign Harbour is a marina with a lock, and the sailing club along the front makes no mention of access to slipways. Let me know if you fancy a jaunt!

[9greej10]

Great - thank you very much for the info! really helpful!