Clyde to Scillies passage, recommendations for stop over places in Wales?

[oldmanofthehills]

Must be the way you say it, they’re always very happy when I speak to them.

They seem happy to speak to me too. But then I dont seem to call their land Silly and avoid such usage

 

[Beneteau381]

Plans coming together for a 2 month trip to France this summer from home berth in the Clyde. Will take 10 - 12 days for outward passage to Brest in early June, so can see places on the way. Day 1 will be passage to Bangor in N Ireland to pick up some crew. From there, thinking of heading to N Wales area (Holyhead?) then to S Wales area before heading to the Scillies. Thinking of the Wales coast rather than the Irish coast as have never been to Wales.

So question for those who know the Wales sailing areas - where would you aim for in N Wales and similar for S Wales as good stop over points?

Holyhead, easy harbour to get in, then take stock and head for Fishguard, gives an easy stop to work out and start for Ramsey, then ease past the outside and head direct for the Scillies. Just over 24 hours

 

[geem]

Dont bother with Wales except for Milford Sound, its often a lee shore with large deviations to harbours, and only Fishguard is really on route. The tidal gates of Ramsey Island and Jack Sound are interesting enough but can be hard to avoid as avoidance places one in dangerous races or cluttered reefs and islands

Even in an easterly the offshore banks off southern ireland give moderately sheltered water unless you are foolish enough to try crossing banks in the shallower channels.

Peel in IOM very nice but I would tend to go straight to Glenarm or Bangor (eir) and follow irish coast down to Arklow, cross to Milford, (anchoring under Skomer if you fancy stopping before but Dale worth a visit inside Milford sound) then direct to Lundy, then either St Ives or direct to Scilly. With enough crew I would probably go Kilmore Quay to Scilly, however 2 up and ancient we chickened out of it.

We chose that route on our 1500nm tour of inner hebrides last summer, starting from S Cornwall, as our previous experience has shown east coast ireland both easy and pleasant with readily available chunks.

Not my experience. Ramsey Sound and Jack Sound are a delight. The anchorages on Skomer are lovely. It's simple navigation to get the timing right through both of these passages. If you have good weather for the hop from Fishguard direct to the IOS then passing through Ramsey Sound and then direct to IOS is a good route. Done that several times.

 

[oldmanofthehills]

Not my experience. Ramsey Sound and Jack Sound are a delight. The anchorages on Skomer are lovely. It's simple navigation to get the timing right through both of these passages. If you have good weather for the hop from Fishguard direct to the IOS then passing through Ramsey Sound and then direct to IOS is a good route. Done that several times.

I enjoy both Jack and Ramsey sound, but these are an adventure in their own right and I have got it wrong on one occasion and come through JS at 14kt on tickover. I would not myself choose to incorporate in first run to IOS, but to each there own

 

[West Coast]

Thank you everyone - really helpful info as always! Will get some charts out over the weekend to look more closely at the suggestions.

I will need to get some pilot guides for these areas, even though just passing through, would prefer to be prepared. Any recommendations?

 

[[194497]]

If the wind is south of west, there's a gorgeous spot to anchor just north of Fishguard at Cwm-yr-Eglwys, tucked in behind Dinas Head. Good pub for food fifteen mins walk away at Pwllgwaelod, and a big sea cave you can row right into.

 

[Dellquay13]

Milford is good for walk ashore to shower facilities, fuel, chandlers, beer and food, pharmacy and Tesco all within 400yd. Near 24hr access to the marina too.
It’s probably the only stop between N Wales and Lands End offering all these.

 

[jdc]

Last summer we had a stiffish beat going S from Bangor to the IoS, so we stoped for a peaceful night anchored in St Bride's bay in Goultrop Roads. Next morning a run ashore at Broadhaven and then a night at anchored at Dale before the wind veered a bit and we carried on S. Dale is very pleasant and there were quite a few French boats anchored there waiting a fair slant S.

Only problem at both Broadhaven and Dale was that the pubs only served quite disgusting beer - all foam and froth without discernible taste (it's an import from Manchester, so I guess the tourists insist on it). Pity, because it didn't used to be like that and we had to hike several miles inland to find a pint of the local beer - Feliinfoel - which is always good.

 

[Dellquay13]

Last summer we had a stiffish beat going S from Bangor to the IoS, so we stoped for a peaceful night anchored in St Bride's bay in Goultrop Roads. Next morning a run ashore at Broadhaven and then a night at anchored at Dale before the wind veered a bit and we carried on S. Dale is very pleasant and there were quite a few French boats anchored there waiting a fair slant S.

Only problem at both Broadhaven and Dale was that the pubs only served quite disgusting beer - all foam and froth without discernible taste (it's an import from Manchester, so I guess the tourists insist on it). Pity, because it didn't used to be like that and we had to hike several miles inland to find a pint of the local beer - Feliinfoel - which is always good.

They had Tenby beers last week at Dale, that’s closer and better than Felinfoel from Llanelli

 

[oldmanofthehills]

Last summer we had a stiffish beat going S from Bangor to the IoS, so we stoped for a peaceful night anchored in St Bride's bay in Goultrop Roads. Next morning a run ashore at Broadhaven and then a night at anchored at Dale before the wind veered a bit and we carried on S. Dale is very pleasant and there were quite a few French boats anchored there waiting a fair slant S.

Only problem at both Broadhaven and Dale was that the pubs only served quite disgusting beer - all foam and froth without discernible taste (it's an import from Manchester, so I guess the tourists insist on it). Pity, because it didn't used to be like that and we had to hike several miles inland to find a pint of the local beer - Feliinfoel - which is always good.

Well the Griffon at Dale served me Cwru Haf by Evan Evans the other year and something quite good last summer - Navigator thinks it was Felin Foel but not sure. There was a different local beer at Dale Yc and that was quite good as well, though not quite so excellent. Most truly excellent food at the Griffon, though food at Dale YC quite acceptable.

My passage planning back from Ireland and from up the Welsh coast always aims for supper at the Griffon, so I guess you were unlucky that day

 

[oldmanofthehills]

They had Tenby beers last week at Dale, that’s closer and better than Felinfoel from Llanelli

I stand corrected. Tenby beer at the Griffon and Felin Foel at the YC