South West
Welcome to the South West Section
Welcome to the CA’s South West Section which covers from Portland Bill to the Isles of Scilly and then along the north coasts of Cornwall, Devon and Somerset to Bristol. It is a stunning area offering unspoilt estuaries, rivers and creeks with tranquil anchorages and some challenging offshore passages.
With more than 400 miles of stunning and varied coastline it’s no surprise the south west is the destination of choice of so many CA members. The area is steeped in nautical history, myths and legends and whether you seek quiet, peaceful, scenic anchorages or are setting off on an epic ocean voyage the south west has it all.
Many members of the South West Section live locally but even more live elsewhere and keep their boats in the south west or cruise these popular waters.
Podcasts
We produce a series of Podcasts covering a variety of topics such as port guides, news items, interview with personalities and fascinating projects. They can be listened to online or downloaded and played in the car, on the boat or at home. The podcasts are being added to all the time and will grow into a library of audio information.
This podcast is the first of a growing library of podcasts covering ports, harbours and anchorages in the South West.
Please note that different browsers will display the audio controls for this podcast differently and some will not include the download button on the audio controls. An additional download facility is therefore provided - simply click on the CA podcast icon, to the right of the podcast, below. If your browser then prompts for what action to take, select 'Save File'. If you are using Safari on Mac, you will need to click CTRL + left click on the podcast icon, then select 'Download Linked File'.
Meetings and Events
Many members of the SW Section actually live outside the SW but sail or keep their boats locally. We actually have a number of members who live overseas. However, despite the huge geographic spread, we organise a series of events and meetings so that members who have perhaps only met on SW Net can actually get together and share a drink, a meal and a yarn in person.
Regular meetings are held at the Royal Torbay Yacht Club in Torquay where talks and presentations are usually followed by a meal in the club’s restaurant. It provides an excellent opportunity for members to meet and chat.
We are planning to hold meetings in other parts of the SW such as Falmouth and Bristol.
SWNet
Wherever you sail you can be sure that a CA member has been there and knows the ropes. One of the joys of CA membership is the willingness of fellow members to share their experiences and knowledge. That’s why we have launched SW Net – an online forum putting you in direct contact with every member of the SW Section. "What’s the best tidal strategy for going to the Scillies?", "What’s the best protected anchorage in The Dart?", "Can anyone recommend a good, reliable engineer in Plymouth?" – whatever your request an entry on SWNet will bring virtually instant replies from fellow members.

Forthcoming Events

Brixham Trawler Pilgrim - CA Charter
Date: 28/07/2021
Sail on board this heritage vessel, one of the last Brixham trawlers afloat. We have secured the Brixham trawler Pilgrim BM45 exclusively for a charter...
Read moreInterested in Finding out More?
Please contact the Section Secretary at southwest@theca.org.uk or
CA staff at office@theca.org.uk or +44 (0) 207 537 2828.
Cruising Sections
Baltic
Covers the Baltic Sea, Norway, Iceland, Greenland and Faroes. Holds a popular introductory seminar every spring.
Biscay
Covers Western France, Spain and Portugal as well as crossing Biscay. Holds a popular introductory seminar every spring.
Blue Water
For those sailing outside of European waters. Holds a popular Blue Water seminar in the summer.
Celtic
Covers waters from Land’s End to Cape Wrath. Meets at various west coast venues to share knowledge on all aspects of cruising the region.
Channel
For those cruising the south coast of the UK, Channel Islands, and France from the Belgian border to NW Brittany. Holds an annual seminar and summer rally/cruise-in-company.
European Inland Waterways
Covers over 30,000 km of navigable rivers and canals passing through over 20 countries. Annual seminar and lunch each autumn at CA House.
Mediterranean
Covers the Mediterranean from Spain and Morocco in the west to the Levant in the east, and includes the Black Sea. Meets at CA House in the winter, and afloat in the summer.
North Sea
Covers the UK, Belgian and Dutch coasts. Meets at East Coast venues to share knowledge on all aspects of cruising the region.
Local / UK Sections
Antipodean
For members who live in Australia and New Zealand and who sail in the Northern Hemisphere.
CA London
CA London events are held at our Limehouse HQ.
East Midlands
Talks are held in various venues in the East Midlands.
Essex
Meetings held at Blackwater Sailing Club and mid-week lunches arranged.
Kent
Winter talks are held in Maidstone, and joint rallies are organised with Essex and Suffolk sections.
Solent
Summer rallies with weekend meets. Winter talks with ‘club’ suppers usually at a Hamble yacht club or marina.
South West
For members living in or cruising the areas from Portland Bill to the Isles of Scilly and along the north coast of Cornwall, Devon and Somerset to Bristol.
Suffolk
Joint meetings are arranged with the Royal Harwich Yacht Club at Woolverstone.
Thames Valley
Winter talks are held at the Upper Thames Sailing Club in Bourne End near Marlow.
Wessex
Talks are held at Lilliput Sailing Club, Poole.
West Midlands
Year round events held at Severn Motor Yacht Club, also winter meetings held at Ashwood Social Club Kingswinford.