North Devon YC

Website: http://www.ndyc.org/
Sprint 15 contact: Mike Rainer Tel: 01271 861339
Instow (NDYC) currently has a fleet of 29 Dart 15s who all race in Sprint mode. It is a beautiful spot on the estuary of the rivers Taw and Torridge where it flows out into the Bristol Channel. It is known as Heaven in Devon and the tides are really something. The local hotshots are Mike Palmer-Head, Colin Price, Tony Pratt, Annette Maddison and Gordon Smith. Mike Rainer is the Fleet Captain. They are a vibrant club with a lot of competition from the monohull fleet.

Visitors are always welcome to their Open Week where 60-70 boats participate, this is always in the first or second week in August. There is a long sandy beach at Instow and is always busy during the summer with visitors. They are the only Dart 15 Club in the South West and suffer from the disadvantage that they are 250 miles + from the other big Dart Clubs.

DIRECTIONS TO INSTOW

Instow is between Barnstaple and Bideford on the B3233. At junction 27 on the M5 take the A361 to Barnstaple. At the first roundabout outside Barnstaple take the A39 to Bideford and come off the A39 just before the new bridge that spans the river Torridge. Follow the signs to Instow (B3233) which is about one mile. On entering the village the Yacht club is on the left by the railway signal box.

INSTOW

The village has one 3* hotel, 3 pubs which all provide good food and an up market restaurant. The area is a tourist resort and the May Bank holiday will be busy, accommodation should be booked early to avoid disappointment. Instow has a large sandy beach which affords good views of all Dart 15 racing. The beach is also ideal for children and in the event of wet weather there is plenty of indoor activities close by to keep them happy.

ACCOMMODATION

The following are all in Instow. For others in Bideford ring the Tourist office on 01237 421853/477656.

HOTELS

Commodore Hotel, Marine Parade, Instow, EX39 4JN Tel no 01271 860347

B&Bs

Mrs.V.Murch, 'Clonmere', Welch's Lane,West Yelland,Barnstaple,EX39 3HE Tel.01271 860542
Steve Lock, TheQuay Inn,Marine Parade,Instow Tel.01271 860624
Mrs.L.Vincent,Summerfield,New Road,Instow Tel.01271 861468
Mrs.Gaglione, Carlyn,53 West Yelland,Barnstaple Tel 01271 860672
Mrs.A.Stoop,Huish Moor Farmhouse,Huish Lane,Instow. Tel.01271 860450
Annette Maddison,Ellerton,Glenburnie Rd.,Bideford Tel.01237 470393
Lower Yelland Farm,Yelland,Barnstaple.Tel.01271 860101

There are many other B & Bs locally but not in Instow. Contact Bideford Tourist Office for details on 01237 421853/477676

SELF CATERING

Mrs Webb 01271 860092,
Miss Peggy Lines 01271 860834

CAMPING

Braddicks Holiday centre, Merley Road, Westward Ho, 01237 473263
Knapp House , Churchill Road, Northam, Bideford EX39 1NT 01237 478843

There is a limited amount of space for Camper Vans in the Yacht Club boat park.