Dart Sailability

25/09/2026

Dart Sailability Urgently Needs a New Fundraiser! Our charity allows disabled people in South Devon to improve their quality of life by enjoying time on the water. To do this, we need to raise money to keep our fleet running. If you think you could help us by leading our fundraising efforts, please contact Neil Strevens at [email protected] as soon as possible.

Although enthusiasm and determination will go a long way in this role, a working knowledge of MS Word and ExCel is pretty important, as is an ability to communicate and get along with people. You should also be willing to become a Trustee of the organisation, if possible.

27/08/2026

It was great to visit Dart Sailability today and see them out on the water.

Dart Sailability is a fantastic charity, now based down at Galmpton Creek, that enables anybody with a physical or mental disability to enjoy sailing, boating, and social activities on the beautiful River Dart. All ages are welcome, and they take to the water as often as possible – tides permitting – from spring right through to mid-autumn.

Some boats can accommodate wheelchairs, and hoists give easy access to the others too. Their simple rule of thumb says it all: 'if you can sit, you can sail'!

Run entirely by volunteers – of which they could always use more 😉 – this is such a brilliant example of community spirit in action, opening up the water to everyone regardless of ability.

15/07/2026

Tuesday 14th July 2026 will be remembered as an incredible day for Dart Sailability with Dart Harbour & Navigation Authority on Disability Awareness Day. We joined forces with Dart Harbour to showcase just what can be accomplished and the joy it can bring when a person with disabilities is able to experience the freedom of sailing.
The ARC, Support RIB and Hansa 303 dinghy made the run down to Dart Harbour for a day of teamwork with Dart Harbour personnel and facilities which enabled Charlie and Naomi to sail in a blustery and congested Dart Harbour with safety cover provided by our Support RIB, helmed by Steve Oakey – very different from the tranquility of Galmpton – and Don to be the star of his own show when he had a row with Dartmouth Gig Club.
ITV News West Country and BBC Devon radio were there to record the event (see separate post). Later the ARC made pre-booked trips for some local groups including the lovely ladies from Dartmouth Caring. And Anna took a blind gentleman out in the Hansa and they also had a great time in the continuing blustery conditions.
The event enabled Dart Harbour to showcase their Easy Access Pontoon and hydraulic pump up/down passenger hoist which is available for use by contacting the Harbour Office.
The event gave Dart Sailability the opportunity to show our capability to take people with disabilities afloat and very much in control of sailing dinghies, and RIBs, and for sightseeing trips on the ARC. It also enabled Don to achieve his ambition of once again rowing a gig.
Dart Harbour are very supportive of people with disabilities and have committed to support Dart Sailability with annual funding over the next 3 years, as part of ensuring that the whole community feels the benefit of the cruise ships being in port. This funding is greatly appreciated.
Very many thanks to all who supported the day – both volunteers and sailors and Dart Harbour. We couldn’t have done it without you.
NOTE: All images in this report are reproduced by kind permission of Dart Harbour & Navigation Authority.

15/07/2026

On Disability Awareness Day, Dart Sailability joined with Dart Harbour & Navigation Authority to showcase just what can be accomplished and the joy it can bring when a person with disabilities is able to experience the freedom of sailing or just being out on the water.
ITV News West Country were there to record the event and have done us proud with a video online which is well worth a view.
https://www.itv.com/watch/news/inside-the-charity-that-helps-people-with-disabilities-experience-sailing/5c0gb9t
When viewing the video, please note that the references to hoist and modified pontoons refers to the Dart Harbour setup that we used on the day. There has been no change to our own humble facilities at Galmpton!

Watch the latest from ITV News - Dart Sailability held an event today to show off the hoists, adapted boats and modified pontoons they have to open up sailing to anyone who wants to have a go.

15/07/2026

DART SAILABILITY TRIUMPHS OVER STOKE GABRIEL YOUNGSTERS — Close racing, big smiles, and a fresh breeze! Read about the annual match between Stoke Gabriel Boating Association youngsters and Dart Sailability who took the win after a tie-break and how the teams handled the changing conditions. Full story and photos:

On Saturday a group of young sailors from Stoke Gabriel Boating Association arrived in Galmpton to challenge the Sailors of Dart Sailability in the annual sailing match.With a fresh wind the two three boat teams participated in four races. There was close racing in all the races with many place chan...

12/07/2026

Fantastic service from Chris Tracey at CDT Marine, Dartmouth. Our Hawk 20 has an ePropulsion Spirit 1.0 motor which let us down on Thursday, so unable to take our sailors out. Chris spent time investigating the fault and replaced a board in the motor while we waited. Result – some senior sailors enjoyed a good sail Saturday. Thanks CDT Marine.

10/07/2026

Come down and join us at Dartmouth on 14th July for Disability Awareness day?

07/07/2026

Lovely day on the water and great to see Equaliser (boat) back up and running! (2 photos of a sailing boat, sailing in full sail on a sunny stretch of the river Dart)

17/05/2026

Well May is the start of sailing season and our season started on Friday 8th of May. There was a strong turnout. Below are photos of the volunteer's briefing, the Ark tied up on the pontoon and sailing shots of Charlie, Steve, Robert, Humphrey and Gerry, and Fiona and one of our new volunteers all sailing in Libertys and 303 Hansas. May the season continue so well attended and thank you to all Volunteers for their tireless work and support.

08/04/2026

Today we said goodbye to Colin Whymark. He will be sadly missed by all at Dart Sailabilify. R.I.P Colin