Carmarthen Bay with a fin keeler?

[SP2]

We currently enjoy the delights of the East Coast - all sandbanks and mud - and sail our Westerly Tiger (fin - draft 1.2 metres) when time allows - which isn't too often.

As a result we put her on the market but she has not sold.

Our domestic plans see us relocating to Wales within the next couple of years and whilst the plan had been to have a trailer sailer or similar I'm now thinking along the lines of taking the Tiger with us. When I have spent so much on her and she is in such good nick, there seems little point in giving her away.

On one of our tours we identified Burry Port Marina as a possible base (although I have not heard from them on availability of moorings) and I realise it has a limitation on access although 1.2 metres they seem able to accommodate.

So the question is whether the cruising ground lends itself to a fin keeler or whether we would be better expecting to sit on the bottom in a lifting or bilge keeler?

As always, thoughts and comments would be welcome.

 

[Anwen]

Mike,

If you consider Swansea as close enough to the boat, then I would say that a fin keeler is no problem. There are lots of fins in both Swansea Marina and the Yacht Club. My boat is a fin, and whilst it can be a bit limiting in some cases such as going to places like Tenby and Saundersfoot, overall, I get by. Never been to Burry Port though - considered it a couple of times, but the tides don't really serve to go there from Swansea.

 

[graham]

We currently enjoy the delights of the East Coast - all sandbanks and mud - and sail our Westerly Tiger (fin - draft 1.2 metres) when time allows - which isn't too often.

As a result we put her on the market but she has not sold.

Our domestic plans see us relocating to Wales within the next couple of years and whilst the plan had been to have a trailer sailer or similar I'm now thinking along the lines of taking the Tiger with us. When I have spent so much on her and she is in such good nick, there seems little point in giving her away.

On one of our tours we identified Burry Port Marina as a possible base (although I have not heard from them on availability of moorings) and I realise it has a limitation on access although 1.2 metres they seem able to accommodate.

So the question is whether the cruising ground lends itself to a fin keeler or whether we would be better expecting to sit on the bottom in a lifting or bilge keeler?

As always, thoughts and comments would be welcome.

hello Mike Carmarthen Bay has some nice anchorages that dont dry out. In the corner behind worms head you can anchor . There are various anchorages around Caldey Island .Milford Haven is only a day away with countless places you can stay afloat plus 2 Marinas(soon to be 3.)

Most of the Bays along the Gower penninsular can be used depending on wind direction. Mumbles is very safe in a westerly and Swansea Marina isnt far away either.

If you can fit drying legs sandy beaches become an option.


A traler sailor or small bilge keeler would be great for exploring Carmarthen bay and its rivers but A solid seaworthy fin keeler like the Tiger will be great for going further afield.

Worms Head

The beach at Ferryside.

In Saundersfoot and Tenby Harbours you could lean against the wall.

 

[SP2]

Mike,

If you consider Swansea as close enough to the boat, then I would say that a fin keeler is no problem. There are lots of fins in both Swansea Marina and the Yacht Club. My boat is a fin, and whilst it can be a bit limiting in some cases such as going to places like Tenby and Saundersfoot, overall, I get by. Never been to Burry Port though - considered it a couple of times, but the tides don't really serve to go there from Swansea.

Thanks, Jon. As an ultimate destination Swansea might be a bit far but could certainly suit for a year or two whilst we make the move west. I looked at a boat there a few years back and liked the location.

 

[SP2]

hello Mike Carmarthen Bay has some nice anchorages that dont dry out. In the corner behind worms head you can anchor . There are various anchorages around Caldey Island .Milford Haven is only a day away with countless places you can stay afloat plus 2 Marinas(soon to be 3.)

Most of the Bays along the Gower penninsular can be used depending on wind direction. Mumbles is very safe in a westerly and Swansea Marina isnt far away either.

If you can fit drying legs sandy beaches become an option.


A traler sailor or small bilge keeler would be great for exploring Carmarthen bay and its rivers but A solid seaworthy fin keeler like the Tiger will be great for going further afield.

Worms Head

The beach at Ferryside.

In Saundersfoot and Tenby Harbours you could lean against the wall.

Thanks Graham. Really useful to have some local knowledge. Its good to know there are some decent anchorages.

We do have legs (need to drag them out of the store) and I suppose it is just a matter of checking out the locations before you take chances on drying out somewhere.

Must say we loved the beaches around Ferryside and we hope to spot the odd dolphin or porpoise.

 

[graham]

i'm not local to the Carmarthen Bay area, just visited a few times.Drying on legs at Ferry side you need bigger than average feet on the legs, the sand is a bit soft in places,there may be pools in the Towy you could anchor in ,best people to talk to would be at River Towy Yacht Club.

 

[shaxi]

i'm not local to the Carmarthen Bay area, just visited a few times.Drying on legs at Ferry side you need bigger than average feet on the legs, the sand is a bit soft in places,there may be pools in the Towy you could anchor in ,best people to talk to would be at River Towy Yacht Club.

thanks for your sharing ,Graham , many palces we haven't visited before , but by the posts in this forum ,we can know more about different palces , maybe they will be good for the preparation for our own tour in the future !