Cardiff to Swansea - what do I need to know

[Reptile Smile]

Hi all,

Any local knowledge would be gratefully received. My plan is an overnight single-tide-r in a 24' boat. Is it doable in one tide? What do I need to know about Nash passage, etc? Is Swansea marina amenable to visiting boats?

Any advice gratefully received!

Cheers

 

[SteveSarabande]

1. leave at hw-2
2. stay close inshore until the tide turns
3. They seemed well setup for visitors last time I was there
4. check the lock opening hours, they don't operate overnight and don't open around low tide
http://www.swanseamarina.org.uk/marina-users/lock-operation

 

[single]

Very easy to do. Speak to Tawe lock and plan to get there for that lock in.Once there Swansea is good and nice with visiting yachts. Inside Nash sands is much quicker but only if your nav is good especially at night.You might have to hang about in Swansea bay so take feathers and get some mackerel!

 

[Anwen]

Tawe Lock opens at 7am and during summertime, last lock in is 9:30pm. The marina has just about the same operating hours, and always welcomes visitors. At low water springs there are lock closures, which you can find listed on the Swansea Marina web site. If you haven't been through the Nash Passage during daytime, you might want to consider the wisdom of doing it at night - the entrance can be tricky, and it is possible to get swept past on the tide.

You should be able to do it in one tide in a 24'er provided you leave at HW-2.

 

[Reptile Smile]

Thanks to all for the input. So the best bit seems to be to stay outside of the Nash Passage, then maybe cut north past he Middle Nash buoy. Is that the plan?

My vague intention then is to drop of my crew in Swansea and do the remainder single handing. I'm planning then Swansea to Tenby on one tide (or the anchorage just behind Caldey, anyway), the Caldey to Milford Haven on another, and then finally Milford Haven to Solva which will be my destination being as I think it is the most beautiful harbour I've ever seen.

Any thoughts about that? I don't know much about Jack Sound - does that mean it's ok to have a lash at it, or should I go all the way round the outside of Skomer..?

 

[single]

Thanks to all for the input. So the best bit seems to be to stay outside of the Nash Passage, then maybe cut north past he Middle Nash buoy. Is that the plan?

My vague intention then is to drop of my crew in Swansea and do the remainder single handing. I'm planning then Swansea to Tenby on one tide (or the anchorage just behind Caldey, anyway), the Caldey to Milford Haven on another, and then finally Milford Haven to Solva which will be my destination being as I think it is the most beautiful harbour I've ever seen.

Any thoughts about that? I don't know much about Jack Sound - does that mean it's ok to have a lash at it, or should I go all the way round the outside of Skomer..?

Outside Nash is generally safer so yes. To save time you could drop crew at he harbour wall at Mumbles and stay there the for a rest (its quite a way/time going into Swansea.) Oly other thing to miss is Tusker rock.
Ref. Jack and Ramsey, I would in calm weather but again nav is important. Its quite scary but last, I did it in a tiny boat. Easier to read stuff here- http://www.ybw.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-237324.html

 

[SteveSarabande]

If your going to solva I take it your a bilge keel, it dries out. Jack sound was ok when i did it last week. You need careful timing, go through at slack water. The almanac has a small secrion describing when this is. Only an option in good weather though. Going around the outside has a big tidal race too.

I would cut through the nash passage, there is a cardinal buoy, a lighthouse and gps to mark the entrance.

Swansea to caldy is more awkward, the tides in swansea bay change at odd times, its a long way down the gower.

 

[tico]

As far as i remember... (notes are on the boat)
Slack water at Jack sound is HW-4 hrs and HW+2hrs but i cant remember which then runs North. Recommend going through on neaps NOT on springs in a 24'.

Solva is lovely.... there is space to swing in the pool just inside the entrance. PS its difficult to spot the entrance from seaward as 'the mare' blocks out a clear view until you are almost there.

 

[bitbaltic]

Solva is lovely.... there is space to swing in the pool just inside the entrance. PS its difficult to spot the entrance from seaward as 'the mare' blocks out a clear view until you are almost there.

I was wondering if it would be possible to swing just inside the entrance to Solva. Do many folk try it? It would open a super stop up to our wing keeler; she only draws 1.08m.

 

[Bosun Higgs]

Unless you have a reason for going into swansea, I reckon its best to avoid it. Its a double series of locks and the marina one is badly designed and risks damage to your boat. The Tawe lock is limited in capacity so at peak times the locks give preference to fishing boats - on occasion I have had to wait three lockings before I was allowed into the locks. Instead if weather allows consider anchoring in Oxwich bay. Better for going on west anyway, and a pleasant place to stop.

 

[single]

Unless you have a reason for going into swansea, I reckon its best to avoid it. Its a double series of locks and the marina one is badly designed and risks damage to your boat. The Tawe lock is limited in capacity so at peak times the locks give preference to fishing boats - on occasion I have had to wait three lockings before I was allowed into the locks. Instead if weather allows consider anchoring in Oxwich bay. Better for going on west anyway, and a pleasant place to stop.

That's why I said dropping crew at the harbour wall at Mumbles might be better. It always seems to take ages to go from there to the marina.

 

[bluedragon]

Jack Sound is easy if slack and little wind / swell. Current meeting swell or wind at the exit can be very lumpy. If it's rough I wouldn't go around Skomer either. Stay in MH or Dale. The pool inside Solva entrance is not very big. We didn't feel comfortable with it in a larger boat, and not good if any ground swell. But have a look and see how you feel. There are some anchorages outside and in other bays nearby in fine weather or offshore winds. We sat out a F5/6 northerly in Caerfai Bay overnight, very secure on sand. The best advice really is to stay in the Haven until you have good weather, and then getting to Solva is no problem.

 

[Sadjers]

Check the charts for the inside channel past Nash Sands. The is a section where the tide rips you out into the sands. It caught me out once and was a scary moment in the day time with two fairly knowledgeable sailors.
Chris