Deganwy Quays

[harvey3]

I'm thinking of moving my yacht to Deganwy Quays on an annual basis. I'm completely unfamiliar with the Menai straits or the Marina, it just makes sense from a home to boat travelling point of view as we've moved to Manchester. Does anyone have any experience with the area and Marina?

 

[itsonlymoney]

Think you would be better posting this on the Motorboats section. Loads of peeps in that area use that section.
Good luck.

 

[Searush]

Welcome to the fora. Lots of raggies in the area as well.

There's a meet at Port Dinllaen (Lleyn peninsula) this weekend if you want to meet some great guys. As said above, mostly MoBos, but several raggies too. Get to the Ty Coch on Saturday (by car will do) and you will meet them.

It's a great cruising area, but the Conwy River has strong currents & a 7 hour ebb. NW'lies over the ebb can make the estuary approach uncomfortable, with a short steep, rolling sea on the aft qtr. (or bow if leaving!)

Lots of sandbanks, big tides, drying harbours, several key tidal gates (Swellies, Caernarfon Bar, Puffin Sound, and most headlands have overfalls). Challenging stuff at times, but consequently rewarding.

Don't know the marina (I never use the damn things) but hlb (Mucky Farter) is in there & I think Lawsy & Take5, but all will be at the meet this weekend. Keep watching for thr reports - should be a real hoot given th ecrowd that are going. Sadly I have to work this weekend so I can't be there. I'm based in the river Seoint at Caernarfon.

 

[misterg]

What Searush said, except I think the people he mentioned are in Conwy marina.

Conwy and Deganwy are on opposite sides of the river, and both have tidal sills which restrict access to HW +/-3 hrs (ish). Deganwy Quays is the old slate dock, so it is quite small, and the boats are moored at the bottom of a walled hole. Conwy is much bigger. Both are operated by Quay Marinas (so much for competition!) who seem to be pushing Deganwy as the prestige side (berthing is £365/m vs £335/m at Conwy). The Deganwy marina is surrounded by a new development of "executive apartments" or some such soulless term and a hotel / spa, but the opposite side of the railway line from the rest of the (small) town. It's probably about the same distance to walk to Deganwy (town) or Conwy (town) from their respective marinas. Very good pub in Conwy marina that seems to pull in a lot of trade from outside, as well, and Conwy itself is great (IMHO).

Not sure what type of boat you have, or what your boating habits are - The approaches to the river aren't as bad as Searush makes them sound, but everything he said is true /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif The whole bay between the Great Orme near Llandudno to Puffin Island off Anglesey is a great big sand bank, much of which dries at some point. You need to travel for miles across this to go anywhere, so you need to pay attention to tides! (The area is frequently marked by those that didn't). The main channel is very well marked, however, and the marina sill openings are more of a restriction that the tides, even for a sailing boat (IMHO).

There's not a tremendous number of destinations close by, but If you're prepared to go 10 miles, or so, the world is your oyster. The tidal currents around Anglesey are very strong, so you still need to be aware of what they're doing, and plan accordingly - especially in a sailing boat. The Menai Straits are beautiful, but the Swellies act as a 'gate' separating the NE and SW ends which is only considered 'open' for a few minutes every 12 hours. Experience and good judgement can extend this considerably, however. A planing MOBO and a gung-ho attitude can almost eliminate the restriction, it would seem. There are a well used set of directions for transiting the Swellies when the time comes.

We kept a sailing boat on a swinging mooring in the river until last year (there are pontoons, too, but not 'walk ashore'), but moved into Conwy marina this year. I don't like the sill, or the 'Asda's car park' feel of a marina, but it *is* nice to be able to park the car & stroll onto the boat, especially with kids, dog, etc. etc.

Let us know what sort of boat you have - if it's a power boat, you'll probably get a more specific perspective asking on the MOBO forum.

(Oh, and if you do, watch out for a character called Kawasaki.....)

Andy

 

[misterg]

Sorry! I should have said hello and welcome! /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

The web site for both Deganwy and Conwy marinas is here

Andy

 

[Kawasaki]

Welcome Benji1.
Tiss a Wonderfull place to muck about with Boats.
Misterg and Searush are Old Farts but have lot's of experience and Good Intentions and their words ring relativley true.

But I am the Resident Expert on All Things to do with the Menai Straits and the Conwy River.

I only charge £80 an Hour for individual teachy stuff about the Area! /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

Hactually Searush and Misterg have knackered the Job by giving You good Info. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
As said.
What type of boat Matey.
Plus, what type of boating do You want to do? /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif