Cardiff to Falmouth

[Newbroom]

Hi Guys
I am new on this forum, but I am hoping to take delivery of a 45 ft motor cruiser which is currently based in Cardiff. We are taking it round to the Thames and while I am familiar with the West Country south and east coasts I have never done any boating out of the Bristol Channel and down to Lands End.
Weather permitting I am hoping to cruise at 18 knots and do Cardiff to Falmouth in one leg with fair weather and tide should be take about 11 hours.

I am best carrying the tide from Cardiff for the first 5/6 hours or trying to time it that I get to lands end at slack water and then carry the first of the west going tide to Falmouth.


I am experienced and we will be well crewed with two others the boat is well founded and has been maintained. All the usual safety equipment including life raft is carried.

Any advise greatly received

Dave

 

[Gelfie]

My suggestion would be to make sure the tidal stream and the wind are going in the same direction. Upper Bristol channel and both Lands End and the Lizard.

 

[jwilson]

The less wind the better, and not too much atlantic swell left over from the past day or so, particularly off Lands End. If you can cruise at 18 knots tides are not that much of a problem, though you'll be making 22+ SOG at times in the Bristol Channel if you time it right. It's wind and especially wind against tide waves and swell that will slow you.

Be very confident about your fuel tank(s) and fuel filters condition..... A bit of bumpy water stirring up muck in the tank is a classic delivery passage problem.

 

[Birdseye]

Good sensible advice there. For you there is only one port of refuge between Cardiff and Newlyn - Padstow. So the message has to be, make sure you can do that distance in the weather on the day you chose and without stopping. Once you get past Hartland Point the tides are not too bad - its the swell thats likely to be more on an issue. But between Cardiff and Hartland take an ebb tide and a breeze from south through east to north east.

From Hartland south watch for lobster pots most of which wont have flags and many of which are on the direct course from Hartland to Lands End. For that reason its a trip best done in daylight.

There is fuel in Padstow and in Penzance but not in Newlyn.

Once round the corner, the rest of the trip is easier. I have always taken the inshore passage round lands end because it saves a lot, but I sail not motor. The Lizard needs respect if by then the weather has blown up a bit.

 

[bitbaltic]

Would add that Newlyn is a fantastic, salt of the earth fishing port and a great place to stop. Facilities limited but beer and welcome aplenty. Would not sail past it (loads do though, put off by hardcore fishing reputation)

 

[Kerenza]

worth giving newlyn a ring, normally fuel is by your own containers which they will get filled and delivered to quayside, which is some way from berths.
however if you need large quantities, I was told, by another yacht I was alongside, that the bowser will drop a hose from the central pier down to water level.
penzance are very friendly but only manned around lock times. make an appointment

 

[mattonthesea]

worth giving newlyn a ring, normally fuel is by your own containers which they will get filled and delivered to quayside, which is some way from berths.
however if you need large quantities, I was told, by another yacht I was alongside, that the bowser will drop a hose from the central pier down to water level.
penzance are very friendly but only manned around lock times. make an appointment

Was the beneficiary of the bowser once. It came (rung by marinero) to fill a large mobo and he was happy to fill my 20 litre can too