First time on a marina - Conwy

[citygent111]

I can't believe I'm having to retype this post. Was a few paragraphs in, and accidentally closed the tab!!

Ok, as a recap - we own a Fletcher 19gts. Not a big boat by any stretch of the imagination, but it's capable, it's fun, and it's ours. As Nick Burnham often says, "if you're floating you're boating".

We bought the boat in May this year, upgrading from a 4m rib. We’ve tried trailer launching, but it’s just too much of a faff with the weight of this boat/trailer combo, so recently we’ve been tractor launching with the help of Chris from Ty Calch near Caernarfon.

This summer was not ideal for our first experience of owning a “proper” boat, but it’s honestly been terrible. Launching onto the Menai Strait, although we’ve had some nice trips up & down (well, as far as Britannia Bridge and back!), it's a bit of a pain as the only way to get up the Anglesey coast is to cross Caernarfon Bar, which I’ve done at all states of the tide and it’s a pain in the ar$e!

So – we’re looking at Conwy Marina. Looks like a nice set up, and it’s handy for us – well, as handy as a marina can be when we’re based in West Yorkshire! We love Snowdonia and Anglesey, so it ticks most of the boxes.

Rather like taking the L plates off a car or stabilisers off a bike, moving to a marina is a bit daunting!

I need to get the engine fully serviced, and I know I’ll need to get it antifoul painted, but is there anything else I need to do? Obviously fenders and lines will be in the shopping basket – anything else I’ll need?

And SO many questions!!

Fuel – how much more expensive is unleaded at Conwy compared to say the local Shell petrol station?

Access – is the landing pontoon outside the gate easy enough to use? The guy at the marina says we should be able to use the channel at all states of the tide, with a draft of 85cm-1m.

What about upstream? I’ve looked at the charts and it seems that the river is navigable for a few miles – is it worth doing if the sea is rough?

And the one that’s bugging me the most – how do you flush your engine when it’s sat in the water all year??!

EDIT - another question! Given we are at the back end of the boating season, should I leave the boat on the trailer over winter, and take up the marina mooring from April next year? Do people leave boats on the water all year?

You long term marina users are probably rolling your eyes at my questions, so go gentle!


I won't even START to ask about my other thought - move the boat overseas for a longer more reliable boating season! Was thinking Croatia or Mallorca - any thoughts welcome!!

 

[Seastoke]

Ok when you say outside the gate what do you mean, you can go up the river , but no marked Chanel , you could leave the boat in water all year but would you use it. You are not allowed to take fuel onto the marina, but peeps do at night. Going out in the bay can be challenging, but again what do you mean about the gate.

 

[citygent111]

Ok when you say outside the gate what do you mean, you can go up the river , but no marked Chanel , you could leave the boat in water all year but would you use it. You are not allowed to take fuel onto the marina, but peeps do at night. Going out in the bay can be challenging, but again what do you mean about the gate.

Hi Seastoke, all I meant was that say the gate is open +/-3hrs of HW, and if HM was at 10.30am, then the gate would only be open from 07:30 to 13:30. If we were planning on heading out at say 15:00, then I'd have to take the boat out of the marina before 13:30, so I was thinking of tying it up on the landing jetty just outside the marina gate, then it's ready to go when we are, not constrained by the gate opening times.

If the weather is too rought to head out to sea, I was wondering how feasible it is to head up stream instead. Is there anything up there? Anywhere to visit etc?

Regarding the fuel, I would be happy to fill up using the marina's pump, if only for the added convenience, but was just curious about the cost of their fuel compared to a "normal" filling station. I've spent all summer ferrying jerry cans to the boat, would be a nice change not to have to do that - especially after the awful events of this weekend at Conwy :-(

Do most people not leave their boats in the water all year? As I say, marina life is totally new to us, and I appreciate any and all advice!

 

[Seastoke]

Ok they tend to use the water under the bridge for water sports ie skiing , we had a forty foot fly so if we could ge under the bridge there was not much water , there used to be a pub to visit but not much now. If you plan on sleeping on board , then winter is good , very rare you would go out to sea. Does your boat have a full canvas.

 

[citygent111]

Ok they tend to use the water under the bridge for water sports ie skiing , we had a forty foot fly so if we could get under the bridge there was not much water , there used to be a pub to visit but not much now. If you plan on sleeping on board , then winter is good , very rare you would go out to sea. Does your boat have a full canvas.

Thanks Seastoke, it does have full canvas, so overnight is a definite possibility although The Management would probably prefer a hotel if we were over that way for a short break!!

 

[Seastoke]

There is a floating pontoon now also where you could take your boat if you wanted to go out the gate before it closes , it’s near the town where you could walk ashore , except on a spring tide.

 

[Seastoke]

Do you see yourself anchoring overnight around Anglesey .

 

[citygent111]

Floating pontoon is what I had in mind, but good to know about spring tides. And I don't think we'd anchor overnight - well, I'd be up for it but again, The Management might not be so keen!

Given we'd be paying for the trailer to be in storage over winter, maybe it makes more sense to lift the boat out over winter? We'd still be paying the marina fees of course, but the boat out of the water allows for off-season maintenance etc, although I understand the annual fee at Conwy includes 8 weeks free storage ashore, so maybe that's the answer to the maintenance issue?!!

Its almost overwhelming when you have no idea what "the norm" is!

 

[Seastoke]

Ok sounds like you will be upgrading your boat soon, but for now outed life jackets, anchor hand held radio , you should consider a back up engine, a dry bag and remember the tide is strong in Conwy and does the boat have a kill cord.

 

[citygent111]

Think we are going to keep this one for a couple of years till the youngest has finished school and I can semi-retire. Looking then to upgrade to something in the 8-10m range, 4 berth etc.

Got all that (except back up engine), as well as flares, fixed VHF, plotter, sounder, and the ever-present kill cord

Been searching again, and still can't find anywhere that gives the price of fuel in the marina though - is it a closely guarded secret, or do people really just sneak it onboard when the office is closed??? Naughty!

 

[Seastoke]

Phone them up.

 

[kawasake]

citygent111
PM sent

 

[Momac]

Petrol prices in marinas tend to be a lot higher than supermarket prices.
I would say you would be looking at £2 a litre at the moment, assuming they do sell petrol (not all marinas do).

 

[BruceK]

You can get to Llanrust up river. Except for two parts that you need to take during HW it is over 6 foot deep the entire way. However you are advised to use google map sattelite image navigating rather than chart as that shows low water channels. I.e where its deepest when you make the transit.

 

[citygent111]

You can get to Llanrust up river. Except for two parts that you need to take during HW it is over 6 foot deep the entire way. However you are advised to use google map sattelite image navigating rather than chart as that shows low water channels. I.e where its deepest when you make the transit.

Thats really interesting, thanks Bruce! Looking at Google sat view, it looks impassable in a few places, so good to know it's do-able around HW.
Anywhere to tie up at Llanrust? (You just know I'm looking for a pub don''t you?! )

 

[BruceK]

Thats really interesting, thanks Bruce! Looking at Google sat view, it looks impassable in a few places, so good to know it's do-able around HW.
Anywhere to tie up at Llanrust? (You just know I'm looking for a pub don''t you?! )

No, you'd need to drop the hook but tbh it would have to be a quick pint as this navigable way is only on HW or you could be left stranded temporarily. That being the case there are numerous deep spots in which to anchor out to wait the tide.. You would need to use the depth sounder and tide chart table to calculate where is safe. I would advise you use a tender first and note that this passage will only be suitable for smaller boats with the required draft and height clearance. I would be happy to accompany you on my tender one day if you are interested in making the trip. It is rather beautiful

 

[BruceK]

About a mile before Llanrust there is an old paddle steamer jetty from the 1800's. I suppose that could be a tie up rather than anchor? Found here. But it is off private but not inhabited property. He is a nice chap. Wont mind I dont think and he delights on seeing me when I come past. And there is a pub right there too

here

53.157972165807834, -3.8246735385589443

53°09'28.6"N 3°49'28.7"W

 

[BruceK]

These are the two tight patches that must be taken at HW or you will come to grief. (AND PLEASE NAVIGATE BY GOOGLE MAPS AS STATED ABOVE to stay in channel)

53°13'18.8"N 3°49'24.7"W

53°13'18.8"N 3°49'24.7"W

 

[citygent111]

Cheers Bruce, that's really helpful!

 

[IanCC]

We live in halifax. Boat is kept with troon cruising club on the clyde. It's great for us.