I am going to be staying in Wareham soon, can anyone put me on to a place to launch my merlin in Poole Harbour and what will it cost. Thanks. CH

There is a public slipway which is free,but I'm sure Mark Waterhouse, the Parkstone Merlin class captain would help (he really is very nice); [email protected]

Wareham is a longish drive from Poole. Even further from Parkstone, (Local traffic systems are complex and slow.) It's on the west side of the harbour up a narowish but navigable creek with slipways. There are some slips apart from the Royal Marines stuff at Hamworthy which has direct access onto the harbour.

It rather depends on how often you want to launch - Ben is right there is a public slip at baitor but this is only a stone throw form Parkstone YC. Nearer Wareham, there is another slip near Lake pier (name escapes me at the moment) but its a bit nasty. Also there is the Rockley slip, im not sure what they charge for a day launch. www.rockleywatersports.com

Also on the river itself, RedClyffe YC http://www.redclyffeyc.org/

I cant think of any public slips on the River though - unless you want to throw your battua over the town quay

It really depends if you want a quick sail one day, or a week of slip access.

I launched from Baiter many years ago and it is free still AFAIK.  Easy launching facilities.  Be aware that if you are launching from Wareham the back (NW) of Brownsea Island is surprisingly shallow all over the place except in the dredged channels which are not that well marked.

Nice beach/sea sailing from Swanage SC, which isn't that far. They're happy to accept dinghies for the day or week.

There's a small free slip at Lake near The Yatchsman pub where we launched the Lark last year. There is a height barrier 6ft I think which keeps out yuppie jeeps and most motor cruisers.
Parking along the road leading to it. Turn off the main road in Hamworthy by the post office and straight on - under low railway bridge.
It isn't difficult launching but you need a lifting rudder.

If you are launching a craft with an engine then Red Cliff Farm at Wareham is good - we used it for a Wayfarer and a Zodiac with engines and the oldest child sailed a Topper down river and got towed back!

Also we used to launch from Baiter with a motor boat and it certainly was not free - launching and parking charges were steep and it was full of the "Romford Cowboys" in their plastic stink boats.