A few hours sailing from Dartmouth is Salcombe. The trip involves rounding Start Point and you can get a real lift from the tide if you get your timing right. Altough there is an inshore passge around Start it should not be undertaken without local knowledge and the Skerries Bank and Start Race shoould be treated with respect.
On entering Salcombe you should make sure that you have enough water under you to cross the bar safely. Again, you should use a good pilot book for information on getting into the harbour.
One of the jewels of the South-west Salcombe does not have a river flowing into it and is therefore not an estuary but a Ria (a form of drowned valley created when the sea levels rose at the end of the last ice age). Good shelter is to be found and the harbour launch will meet you during the seasonand guide you to a mooring. At weekends and at the season's height it will be neccessary to raft up either on swinging moorings or alongside the Visitor's pontoon in the 'Bag'.
There is much to see and do in Salcombe and many places to eat and drink. The Salcombe Yacht Club has fine views and extends a warm welcome to visiting yachtspersons.