Anybody got any navigation tips for portishead to milford haven trip

Hi
I am leaving Swansea on Saturday so cannot see you there.

I do not know what your draught is but be careful that you do not enter when the loack has only just opened - the bottom has shifted a bit and there is very little water in a tiny channel, so time it for when there is at least 2 metres over the lock sill.

Its a pleasant place - nice Italian eating place and there is the yacht club there as well.

Leaving for Milford - my main tip is to watch St Gowens Head - in fact avoid it - it has serious overfalls and I have met 18 foot waves there when there was almost nothing anywhere else..... so gou well out and avoid it.

Tenby is directly on your way to Milford and is a nice place to anchor off - good holding ground there.

If have any specific questions, fire away
 
I have seen dolphins off the west scarweather cardinal, think they like blue water - so if its still chocy brown dont expect much...

Dont forget to pop around to GonFishings (Julians) shop in phase 2... Also i had a good meal in the 'Tug and Turbot' pub round there last year, but that might have changed now.

watch out for the cork ferry when you enter the barrage /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Make sure you go to the yacht club round by the river moorings, food and drink was excellent last year.
 
"Ive got a 1m draft I thought swansea was 24 hour"
No - there is the Tawe lock - it is open all day on neaps but closed a few hours either side of LW on Springs. Saturday it might just be oprn all day and with 1 m draught you will be ok.

Enter the harbour walls and stick to the port side 0 if the Cork ferry is there go right alongside it and then from there head towards the mooring buoy outside the Tawe lock .. this will keep you in the channel - if its not at LW you will not have to even bother doing that.

After Tawe lock turn to starboard into the Marina lock - this is normally on free flow.

Tawe lock CH18
Marina Ch 80

"How far out do you suggest i go around st gowans head"
I would go out about 4 or 5 miles. Others on this forum have reported it as the worst they have ever experienced - its just not worth the rik if you do not know the waters.

Also at peak current flow and at low water watch the point of mumbles lighthouse - just stay out half a mile and you will be OK. Just a bit rough with white water at times.

"Plan to spend some time in oxwich bay any other nice bays anchorages for day trips"

Oxwich is a good one - lots of water toys but very little at this time of year. Just before Oxwich there is a small pretty bay with three pointed cliffs - called the three sisters I think - I prefer it there to Oxwich - it is in sight of Oxwich to the east of Oxwich.

There are some nice places around from Worms head as well.

"By the way your new boat looks great did you buy from that place in penarth ???

No, although I have since met James who runs that place and he is a good chap. Has a very nice set up there and has been great with suggestions for the new boat.
 
In Swansea there are a few good restaurants, Tug and Turbot as Leyton has mentioned, Hansons seafood restaurant down by the tawe lock, Gallini's Italian, and The Pumphouse for Steaks and stuff. There is also an excellent cafe for Breakfast and lunch which is very cheap.

Nav Wise, is fairly straightforward. Culver sand buoy has been moved..about 500m NW (Ithink).. go round Scarweather sands heading for West Scarweather cardinal.Dont be tempted to take the inside track into Swansea bay via Nash Point and Kenfig Patches.
From west scarweather head For the SWIGG South cardinal buoy. This is the start of the fairway. Straight in from there, through the breakwaters.
If you're coming in on a lowish tide, keep to the middle or slightly starboard in the river. Take a line from just off the Swansea cork ferry berth to the Tawe Lock, going just to the port of the two holding bouys in the middle of the channel.
This will ensure you have enough water.
After going through the sea lock the Marina is a sharp turn to the left, and may have to lock in again depending on state of tide. Dont go straight on to the Yacht club berths in the River, as they have no vistors facilities.

As I cant go with Gludy on his spectacular trip next week for one reason or another, I will be in Swansea most of next week.
I'm in the yard at the mo fitting a stern thruster and doing other out of the water type stuff, so you can look us up for a coffee if you get time.
Julian will be about also I'm sure.

Steve.
 
For viewing seals Caldy Island off Tenby is usually good. The island itself is worth a visit with a working monastery making chocolate and perfume. The Dolphins tend to be found offshore or in Cardigan Bay. This summer saw a huge influx of Visiting Pods which added to the couple of hundred Dolphins resident in these waters. Mwnt , North of Cardigan Island is a favourite spot where Dolphins are seen daily in the bay. Ramsay island at the Northern end of St Brides bay is spectacular for seals and seabirds. The waters can be interesting with superb tidal flows at the rocks called the Bitches and Whelps. Porpoise are seen daily in the Ramsay sound between the island and the mainland, usually on the ebb flow. If you venture offshore a bit, the RIB's which operate from St Davids take passengers whale watching with regular sightings of Dolphin, Pilot Whales, Fin whales and even Orca . Speaking of the RIB trips the around Ramsay trip is great they take you into sea caves, visit the Bitches which at full flow have several feet of water height difference flowing between them, just a few feet away from you. It's excillerating and a fantastic natural history lesson which the kids love and without the worry of navigating these treachorous waters or danaging your pride and joy.
 
Go outside of St Gowans cardinal its about 5 miles off but there may be still some bumpy stuff there.
Along the Gower can be bumpy especially over Helwick bank but it gets better as you get into the deeper water of Carmarthen bay.

Saundersfoot a nicer stop off than Tenby but access is only hw +/-2 hrs .
As for beaches, Barafundle and others nearby beat the gower ones hands down.
 
Hi steve
How are you
Got rid of those black streaks yet ??
Is it best to leave cardiff on high water or before and whats the wind against tide like over on this side of the channel
On the portishead side when the tidal streams are racing you get 5 knts of tide which against the wind is right old lumpy
in fact so lumpy I got a bad back from the bumps last time I came over
I noticed that one the welsh side it seems a lot smoother
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top