Armchair planning Preston-Menai

Good advice so far. It's not unknown for the odd Bar buoy to go walkabout so suggest you put positions into GPS, particularly the southerly gate if you plan on returning that way maybe at night. Charts can not be relied on as others have said, talk to Richard (HM and Menai Pilot).
 
Don't underestimate the time taken from Puffin Island to the Swellies - the tide will be against you (2-3 kts) down the Straits if you're timing your arrival for slack at the Swellies.
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You will in fact find that the tide is either slack all the way or with you as it fills in from from Puffin and overcomes that coming up the Straits particularly if you time to arrive at slack water at the Swellies (2 hours before HW Liverpool ) or a little later.

Beaumaris is only lumpy in North Easterlies though the deep water moorings are subject to swell from passing boats.However as others have recommended I would look to pick up a mooring closer to Menai Bridge the only drawback being the difficulty of picking them up as the tide fair rips through the moorings. I would always recommend telephoning Richard at Caernarfon Harbour Trust the day before a passage over the bar to check on buoy positions.
 
All good advice given, I would also say that the most uncomfortbale night I have ever spent at sea was on a mooring in Beaumaris, go closer to the bridge.
Just one other thing I am sure you have spotted but be aware that the channel buoyage swaps over just east of Caernarfon which can be confusing if not ready for it especially in poor visibility.
If you are coming into the bay come and have a look at Barmouth, very pretty harbour to spend a night or two, there are drying and deep water moorings depending on your boat and a water taxi.
Have fun
 
akyaka said:
Beaumaris is only lumpy in North Easterlies though the deep water moorings are subject to swell from passing boats.........
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Can't agree with that I'm afraid, it's pretty bad in a fresh South Westerly as well.

There is an anchorage at Penmon near Puffin Island but even in fairly calm weather it can be uncomfortable due to the current creating a swell. There's more than one boat come to grief there due to swinging over reefs.
 
When you are making your plans, don't forget that the Liverpool Bay area is now windmill country! A lot have gone up over the last few years that might not be on your charts.
 
I think the normal route is well outside the wind farms.

If it was me, if I could enter the straits with not too much tide against me I'd call it a day at the Gazelle. At that time of year there will be many vacant mooring bouys as most people will not have launched yet.

If wind/tide would make the straits too much like hard work (which would be common) I'd adjourn to either Moelfre or Amlwch. Maybe even Llandudno if it had been a long day.

I have overnighted at Linus but once you get that far, Amlwch is only a little further so may as well get a pint and some chips. They used to even do showers in one of the pubs. Liverpool Arms if I recall. If you end up there though you might as well forget the straits and continue around the top the next day.

If it is northerlyish of any strength then you will have to enter the straits regardless.
 
Through the Menai is beautiful and a stopover at Caernarfon definately recommended., I have done this a few times and the yacht club is a must if they are open. Since you are only armchair planning why not look at something radical like turning left up the River Douglas and motoring through the Leeds Liverpool / Aire to the East Coast, turn left then back through either the Forth and Clyde or Caledonian and back round to Preston. I have done a similar route a couple of times aND it is a great fun to see new areas - if you have a shallow draft and are prepared to drop the stick
Martin
 
akyaka said:
You will in fact find that the tide is either slack all the way or with you as it fills in from from Puffin and overcomes that coming up the Straits particularly if you time to arrive at slack water at the Swellies (2 hours before HW Liverpool ) or a little later.
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:o You're right - Original post edited. Sorry all.

Andy
 
akyaka said:
Don't have problems on our mooring there in those conditions.
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It depends on where you are to some extent but it can be damned uncomfortable almost anywhere in the bay in anything above a 6 from the SW. I don't know where your mooring is or how long you've been on it but every now and then boats come off those moorings in bad weather, a couple or more a year, every year.
 
It depends on where you are to some extent but it can be damned uncomfortable almost anywhere in the bay in anything above a 6 from the SW. I don't know where your mooring is or how long you've been on it but every now and then boats come off those moorings in bad weather, a couple or more a year, every year.
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No problems sleeping on board in south westerleys in 25+ years.Last time any boats came off their moorings was some 18 months ago and that was in winds approaching 100 knots as recorded at Rhosneiger and when boats went walkabout from Portmadoc to Holyhead.Prior to that am struggling to remember.
 
akyaka said:
No problems sleeping on board in south westerleys in 25+ years.Last time any boats came off their moorings was some 18 months ago and that was in winds approaching 100 knots as recorded at Rhosneiger and when boats went walkabout from Portmadoc to Holyhead.Prior to that am struggling to remember.
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Fine, enjoy your mooring & be grateful that I for one will never want to borrow it! :D
 
Searush said:
Fine, enjoy your mooring & be grateful that I for one will never want to borrow it! :D
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Think Searush has it right.

akyaka said:
No problems sleeping on board in south westerleys in 25+ years.Last time any boats came off their moorings was some 18 months ago and that was in winds approaching 100 knots as recorded at Rhosneiger and when boats went walkabout from Portmadoc to Holyhead.Prior to that am struggling to remember.
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I'll check with a local but I know a couple came off earlier this year, unless you actually live there and see them you never hear about them, there is a certain conspiracy of silence!
 
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