Crossing Cardigan Bay

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38Super

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I am in the process of planning my summer cruise from Glasgow to Instow.

The only only leg over 55 miles is the crossing of Cardigan Bay (I would like to stick to day-sails to enjoy the scenery).

Does anyone have any suggestions for breaking up the crossing?

Best plan so far is Holyhead to Gwbert then Milford Haven but the first leg is about 80 miles which would mean some night sailing. It's do-able but I would prefer to avoid it if possible.

Any advice always greatly appreciated.
 
Not Gwbert!

(Not for what you want, anyway - nothing against it, just limited access.)

IMHO the only option on the Welsh side is Fishguard, unless you can guarantee very benign weather (an even then it's still Fishguard!).

Consider going down the Irish side - it gives you more options.

Didn't mean 'Goodwick' did you? (i.e. Fishguard near enough)

Andy
 
If he really does mean Gwbert, I've posted pics on here previously of the access, which I can dig out, which will probably contribute significantly to assessing if 38S really wants to try it. It's a beautiful spot (apart from where you actually end up), so I probably would if things were calm, or even consider going up to Cardigan where there is help available on finding the way in but few moorings, and would depend on what his yacht draws
PS I've also posted pics of going what to expect going into Fishguard old town, and where to anchor outside.
 
I have tried a search for the photos Brendan mentioned but I think they were posted to some kind photo website I can't use. I'm not sure how good an idea Google Earth gives but until the charts turn up it's the best I've got.

Boat is a cat so draft is 1 metre, drying out no problem and very manoeuverable which can make things somewhat easier.

Fishguard would be fine, just that I've been told it isn't very nice. I could go right into the bay (Pwlhelli, Aberystwyth) but that would depend on the forecast.

These things always depend on the weather, tide, etc. I'm just trying to keep the options as wide as possible.

Coming down the Irish side would be nice but there would still be an overnight run back across.
 
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Thanks Brendan. All worked fine.

Given the right condition I will definitely visit Gwbert, it looks lovely. Their latest NTM is that the channel is buoyed so should be OkK. Tide timings will probably decide where I go afterwards. Solva looks nice but it may need to be Fishguard.

I'm allowing 3 weeks for the trip to allow me to pick my weather windows.

Thanks for your help.
 
38Super said:
Thanks Brendan. All worked fine.

Given the right condition I will definitely visit Gwbert, it looks lovely. Their latest NTM is that the channel is buoyed so should be OkK. Tide timings will probably decide where I go afterwards. Solva looks nice but it may need to be Fishguard.

I'm allowing 3 weeks for the trip to allow me to pick my weather windows.

Thanks for your help.
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We did Bangor to Cardiff non stop in January. IIrc, Crossing Cardigan bay took about 8 hrs or so. Unfortunately, it was at night.

Fishguard old town is lovely, and well worth a visit. Not much in Goodwick except a ferry terminal, fish shop and a couple of pubs, though some good history - the last place mainland Britain was ever invaded.

Solva is beautiful, though I think I'd be wary going in past Black rock with a cat in any sort of sea.

I might be tempted to plan it to hit slack in Ramsey and Jack sound, or, if going outside, pick a time when it's running South - 3hrs eithe side of low, but changes further out.

A beautiful part of the world. Enjoy.
 
I can see where I moored my first boat (a 19 ft. Shetland) in picture 17 of Brendan's Gwbert link and the in-laws still have a caravan on the site. We were always one of the first pleasure boats out on the tide and one of the last ones back in because of our position. The earliest we could go was 2 hours before high water and the latest back was 2 hours after so bear that in mind when passage planning. You really don't want to be crossing the bar at the mouth of the river at the wrong time.

It must be 6 years since I took the current boat in so things may be different but they used to mark the entrance to the channel every year to allow for the shift in the bar position and visitor moorings were dealt with by Paul at Cardigan Outboards on behalf of Teifi Boat Club.
 
38Super said:
I am in the process of planning my summer cruise from Glasgow to Instow.

Does anyone have any suggestions for breaking up the crossing?

Best plan so far is Holyhead to Gwbert then Milford Haven but the first leg is about 80 miles which would mean some night sailing.

Any advice always greatly appreciated.
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I have been looking at crossing to Milford, unfortunately cant do it now but, my plan was to stop off at Bardsey Island. There is an anchorage on the south end of the Island and from there to Fishguard is about 45miles. Just a thought.

Tom
 
Alcyone - "IIrc" ??

Solva is lovely, I have been there a few times by RIB but never sailed there.

I don't mind sailing at night and I would expect Cardigan Bay to be reasonably clear of shipping, pot markers etc. I will be effectively single handed so need to restrict myself to a maximum passage time of 12-15 hours before a secure rest stop.

Jinks - I don't want to cross any bar in the 'wrong' conditions, it's usually a question of correct planning and the right weather or don't do it.

Littleship - Are you referring to the bay just S of the ferry slip? In the right conditions that could be a good place to wait a few hours or for a turn of the tide.

What happens will depend very much on the weather at the time. I saw this on the Met Office website today...

"The most likely number of tropical storms predicted to occur in the North Atlantic during the July to November period is 20, with a 70% chance that the number will be in the range 13 to 27. This represents above-normal activity relative to the 1990–2005 long-term average of 12.4.":(

Not very encouraging but we'll see.
 
38Super said:
Alcyone - "IIrc" ??

Solva is lovely, I have been there a few times by RIB but never sailed there.

I don't mind sailing at night and I would expect Cardigan Bay to be reasonably clear of shipping, pot markers etc. I will be effectively single handed so need to restrict myself to a maximum passage time of 12-15 hours before a secure rest stop.

Jinks - I don't want to cross any bar in the 'wrong' conditions, it's usually a question of correct planning and the right weather or don't do it.

Littleship - Are you referring to the bay just S of the ferry slip? In the right conditions that could be a good place to wait a few hours or for a turn of the tide.

What happens will depend very much on the weather at the time. I saw this on the Met Office website today...

"The most likely number of tropical storms predicted to occur in the North Atlantic during the July to November period is 20, with a 70% chance that the number will be in the range 13 to 27. This represents above-normal activity relative to the 1990–2005 long-term average of 12.4.":(

Not very encouraging but we'll see.
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Apologies.

IIRC - If I Recall Correctly.
 
Littleship - Are you referring to the bay just S of the ferry slip? In the right conditions that could be a good place to wait a few hours or for a turn of the tide.

Think Little Ship got the Bardsey info from me. Yes thats the place, but bear
in mind it's 20 years since I've been there and I think we used the visitors buoy, which I'm told. has now been taken over by some fisherman, whatever. Can't remember how much room to anchor, but it is a maybe, dependant on wind.

Port Dincline?? is a good possible, as is Aberdaran, just past Bardsey sound. (Beware of rocks,especially in the dinghy to the beach, pub.) Further in is Abersoch where you should get a buoy at the sailing club.

Think Fishguard is the sencible place to go at the other side. Never been there though, always went straight to Milford.
 
Thanks Alcyone, I've always wondered what that meant.

HLB - a font of useful info as ever. Porth Dinllaen does look very nice and could well be worth a visit.

If I head over from Ardglass, is it worth dropping in to Port St Mary(IOM) and then down to the Menai Straits or just go straight to Holyhead?

Then Dinllaen/Bardsey which will leave a good day sail to Fishguard.

More importantly, do I need to fly a different forum burgee now that I have changed from power to sail?
 
38Super said:
Thanks Alcyone, I've always wondered what that meant.

HLB - a font of useful info as ever. Porth Dinllaen does look very nice and could well be worth a visit.

If I head over from Ardglass, is it worth dropping in to Port St Mary(IOM) and then down to the Menai Straits or just go straight to Holyhead?

Then Dinllaen/Bardsey which will leave a good day sail to Fishguard.

More importantly, do I need to fly a different forum burgee now that I have changed from power to sail?
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Porth Dinllaen is open to any North winds. Bardsey would be protected in a Northerly but you have to remember that there are some fearsome tides around the island.

The tides in the Irish sea drain out both ways (North and South) you will probably be able to get a push from the tides going to the IOM and running down to Holyhead if you take a rest period at PStM.

The Menia Straits are a great cruise but remember that in any westerly winds the Southern bar (Caenarfon) can be impassible and you could end up being weather bound or having to go back around the top of the island.

As with all sailing the weather will decide the best route to take.

Good luck

Tom
 
I have done Bangor or Liverpool to Milford Haven in one leg many times. I would not dream of going deep into Cardigan bay if I wanted to cross it. It is usually a lee shore, refuges are few and far between, often with limited access. Of course it is possible and there are some nice spots, but the additional time and effort will be very significant.

The one time I varied this when the weather deteriorated, we went into Pwhelli to wait for a day and then straight to Fishguard. Even that little dip into the bay made gave us a significantly less useful wind angle than we would have had going straight across.

I should perhaps add, that several of those trips were made in an 18 foot trailer sailor.
 
Don't overlook New Quay. The harbour itself dries but fine for a cat; very easy to get in and out. Very pretty with lots of good watering holes ashore.
 
38Super said:
Thanks Alcyone, I've always wondered what that meant.

HLB - a font of useful info as ever. Porth Dinllaen does look very nice and could well be worth a visit.

If I head over from Ardglass, is it worth dropping in to Port St Mary(IOM) and then down to the Menai Straits or just go straight to Holyhead?

Then Dinllaen/Bardsey which will leave a good day sail to Fishguard.

More importantly, do I need to fly a different forum burgee now that I have changed from power to sail?
Click to expand...

Port St Marys is OK. Then I'd go to Holly Head if you are in any rush. Pity because the Straits is a nicer route. But as Tom says, might take two or three days to get through, depending on your timing. You will have to time Bardsey Sound for slack water unless it's very calm and the tides with you. It's not to be messed with.

Think all you can do, is watch the weather, if it's going to be bad, the Straits might even be the better route. At least it's sailable in all weathers.

Burgee. No, just fly it upside down now your a raggie. :D
 
Many thanks for everyone's comments.

I now have a number of options that I can use depending on the conditions and how keen I am feeling.

I like cruising at night but crew at that point is likely to be my 76-year old mother who might not appreciate it.

We will just have to see when the time comes.

Thanks for everyones input.
 
hlb said:
Port St Marys is OK. Then I'd go to Holly Head if you are in any rush. Pity because the Straits is a nicer route. But as Tom says, might take two or three days to get through, depending on your timing. You will have to time Bardsey Sound for slack water unless it's very calm and the tides with you. It's not to be messed with.
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There won't be any rush, I should have almost the whole of August to make the trip. Making it relaxed and enjoyable is going to be more important than fast and exciting.

I did my day-skipper in the Straits so I know it quite well. We got caught in a F8/9 at the N end and had to pick up a mooring buoy. That was 'exciting':eek:. Crew were up in the cockpit freezing and feeling ill and I was below reading a book:cool:. Very glad we were in a Fulmar at that point.

RidingoutaF9intheMenaiStraits.jpg


Another day Skipper had us do the Swellies under sail to show off. Unfortunately weather meant we didn't actually venture outside the Straits for the whole week. Learned a lot that week though - don't go out in a F8.
 
Sorry, came to this thread late. If you are prepared to go through the Strait you have several options that will shorten your crossing.
1. anchor at Abermenai at the south end of the Strait. Take the tide as soon as it serves, it will be with you until well past Bardsey, giving you less than one flood to get to Fishguard.
2. anchor at Porth Dinllaen, part way down the Lleyn peninsula. This gives you even more of a start and will get you half way across the bay before the tide turns against you.

Both of these are popular anchorages, attractive and sheltered from SW. The latter has a pub on the beach, if that's an attraction. If the wind is brisk from SW head well out before the south end of the peninsula and Bardsey to avoid notorious overfalls.
 
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