I had always been hoping for a halfway harbour in crossing Lyme Bay - 45nm from Portland Bill to Dart - too often a tedious plug against a westerly , or a motoring marathon in a calm. Lyme Regis harbour is of limited use only to bilge keelers or other shallow drafters. Local boats do not always make you welcome drying out against the mole.
The two or three offshore moorings are exposed and most unlikely to allow a peaceful night.

Until recently , West Bay harbour had only two stubby stone piers flanking the entrance and in all but the calmest conditions there could be a considerable scend, sometimes with breaking crests , running in between them.
Inside , the harbour was shallow, suitable again only for shallow drafters and drying out. Then, a few years ago substantial improvements were started with dredging, and with extension of the harbour walls, the western one curving to the east for protection against S/SW'ly weather .

In my autumn cruise 2007 I thought I would try it, now completed. However the almanac only gives 0.6m at LW Springs and no more than 1.6m at LW Neaps; exactly my draft. I hoped that - as is often the case - these figures might prove a little pessimistic.

I chose a day just off full neaps. Wind was N/ly 5 and the entrance calm enough. Inside I was directed to a central pontoon run out from the north of the outer basin, the HM kindly making space for me. But it was already clear from my sounder that it was going to be touch and go, and possibly "touch " at low water, so I fitted my beaching legs. 
I believe that I did stay afloat but it was a calm night . Shoreside facilities are developing, but for eating are at present are mainly fish and chip stall type. Small hotels with restaurants will be found a short way inland. The coastal scenery either side is impressive , but liberally sprinkled with caravan sites.

 So, for most , a "thumbs down " for West Bay, especially keel boats unable to dry out. As shown in one of the pictures , there is ample provision to lean against the wooden piling lining the harbour wall, but this is not encouraged. Anglers have taken over. ( I later called in at West Bay on my way west by road. There was then a significant swell entering )

Images: These show Artimon berthed on the central pontoon; the new harbour walls seen from the cliffs to the east; the wooden piling protecting the stone piers and the outer basin.