Best Bristol Channel Pilot

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Crowblack

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What Ho - forgive the intrusion of an East Coaster but I'm need of local advice.

I'm crawling around the UK (started in 2010 anticlockwise) and currently ashore in Aberdovey.

Next season will be coming round to explore Milford Haven then along the South Wales coast as the fancy takes me - to Lundy - then crawl, if that's the right word down the North Devon and Cornwall coast round the Longships and overwinter next time somewhere in the West Country.

Is there anywhere in the BC I really shouldn't miss - don't mind anchoring by the way ?

Next week I'm off to the London Boat Show to browse the booksellers - what's the best Pilot Book for the area ?

Many thanks.
 
Hi Crowblack

I use the 'Bristol Channel and Severn Cruising Guide' by Peter Cumberlidge.

This guide covers the coast from Milford Haven to St Ives.


I also use 'The Blue Book' This guide This guide is published by The Bristol Channel Yachting Association www.bcya.org.uk

Again this guide covers from Milford Haven to the Camel Estuary.

Can be difficult to obtain, try the website or force4 at Bristol, Cardiff or Swansea outlets.

If this is your first visit Welcome, but do not underestimate the tides around this area.


Regards MM
 
malpasman said:
Hi Crowblack

I use the 'Bristol Channel and Severn Cruising Guide' by Peter Cumberlidge.
Click to expand...
I think this is the only Pilot guide to the area. I find it usefull.

I also have the Blue Book, some of the line drawings are good to get you into the harbours. It is also good if your planning to visit local yacht clubs, but overall I prefer the Pilot guide.
 
Ramsey sound is a great experience, (especially if you muck up the tides), Ramsey is a nice place to stop over, either north or south haven depending on the winds. Don't rush Milford Sound, there is a lot to see there. Dale and Angle are good, Milford is a bit run down, Not much at Neyland except a good café. I like going up river past Neyland, great when the weather is poor elsewhere. Lots of places to hide out a storm.

From there you have Caldy, Tenby, Swansea, Cardiff. I like Bristol harbour and the trip up the Avon. The Somerset/N.Devon coast is very dependent on weather you are in a fin or bilge keeler. In my fin keeler lots of places are restricted to anchoring offshore. Portishead is good, Watchet is great if you like steam trains. From there to Lundy is all bilge keel country, Porlock, Lynton, Watermouth, Ilfracombe.

You need to respect the tides, you will struggle to go against them, especially at headlands. Most of the marinas rely on locks, so you need to plan to anchor offshore most of the time when West bound.
 
There is a particularly good but little known book, A Sea Guide to the Pembrokeshire Coastline by Tom Bennett. It was published about 20 years ago, by the rather appealing sounding Happy Fish. It's now an Imray publication.

The A4 sized paperback book runs to about 100 pages and is written for a range of sea users including cruising boats. I've never seen a better guide for a local area anywhere in the UK.

Strongly recommended.
 
Coaster said:
There is a particularly good but little known book, A Sea Guide to the Pembrokeshire Coastline by Tom Bennett. It was published about 20 years ago, by the rather appealing sounding Happy Fish. It's now an Imray publication.

The A4 sized paperback book runs to about 100 pages and is written for a range of sea users including cruising boats. I've never seen a better guide for a local area anywhere in the UK.

Strongly recommended.
Click to expand...
this one?
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sea-Guide-Pembrokeshire-Imray-Seaguide/dp/0852889909
 
SteveSarabande said:
this one?
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sea-Guide-Pembrokeshire-Imray-Seaguide/dp/0852889909
Click to expand...

Before posting I did look at the Amazon site and saw this, although I failed to notice the slight change in name. Imray have modified it. The previous title was A Sea Guide To The Pembrokeshire Coastline, ISBN 0 9512114 7 1.

The reason I didn't post the link is that small booksellers and chandleries deserve some support.

However, if lowest price is the objective, I see that Amazon charge £15.81 but the book is available on Ebay at only £12.79, each price being inclusive of delivery.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/ctg/Sea-Guide-Pembrokeshire-Tom-Bennett-Paperback-2007-/88066067
 
Thanks to all for responses - very useful.

MM - will get the pilot you suggest already had my eye on it - but always useful to get a recommendation from someone who has used it.

Steve - will look at the anchorages at Ramsey - love wild remote anchorages - probably coming down from Fishguard so not too much of a jaunt to get there - guess the pilot will tell me what the holding is like. Fully intend to explore as much of Milford Haven as I can.

Hadn't considered Portishead and Watchet - will now - also see there's a marina at Watchet very useful.

Boats a bilge keel Sadler 26 so anchoring along the coast heading West not a problem for me - just had two seasons in Scotland mainly anchoring.

Really looking forward to Lundy anything I should know about the anchorages ?

Coaster - will look out the book you recommend - like you, although I've bought from them when necessary I try to avoid Amazon - I've got a voucher deal for the boat show from Kelvin Hughes so will see if they've got both the pilot and the one you mention.

Thanks again for the suggestions - will watch out for the tides !
 
Watchet is a really nice village with some good pubs (and a steam train, if that's what floats your boat). The marina is just about always silted up, but not a problem for a bilge keeler.

I'm based in Portishead so I can't really judge it objectively as a visitor would see it. Lots of Cardiff boats are regular visitors though so they must like it. Access 3-4 hours either side of HW and a friendly and helpful marina.

Lundy is a must. There is only one viable anchorage, on the east side. There are also some moorings there. This is the anchorage from part way up the hill:
DSCF0077.jpg

You could also try visiting Lydney, which is the highest navigable point (more or less). An exciting entrance and a scenic little spot once you are there. The local yacht club is uber-friendly and helpful. Get good pilotage advice before you go, and pre-book with the harbourmaster.
 
Main anchorage at Lundy not too good if any East in forecast, (there is a small anchorage on West of Island)
Lundy put down a couple of visitors moorings a few years ago, but have never been maintained and I would not use them, rest off moorings are private, mainly for the dive boats, some are only used overnight. Always worth asking before using..
With a 26' bilge keeler take a look at Porlock, lynmouth, Watermouth, Ilfracombe, the Taw And Toridge estuary and Clovelly
 
Thanks for additional suggestions - back from LBS today and got the pilot books - now for some winter reading and planning in front of the fire.

Hope the current bad weather not treating you all too ill - thanks again.
 
Agree with all been said so far plus extra strong stress on treat the tides with absolute respect. At times your track and heading can be 40 degrees apart. I've brought the boat up to Bristol several times and each time I look at the mouth of the Avon and wonder how I'm going to find the transits in all that mud, all the buildings and the two commercial docks. That said, preparation and respect will do you fine. I have often considered a bilge keeler for these parts as you there are some beautiful parts round here. Bristol docks are right in the centre so you can see most things on foot. Try an davoid early Aug as that is the harbour festival, nowadays mainly for music than nautical. Fun but noisy

I like Padstow; it's one of those places that manages to be touristy and local at the same time. And when afloat you seem to be invisible to them all.

let us know how you get on
 
I would definately head up into Bristol if you have the time.
Wouldn't worry to much about pilotage into the river entrance, just follow everyone else! (and keep an eye on your depth) or post on here if you are in Portishead, I'm sure someone would be happy to accompany you.
 
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