Holyhead- Skerries out or inside?

[C08]

I have some experience of Carmel Head: of all the local salient points, it is by far the most hazardous, more so than South Stack. If in any doubt, pass well outside Skerries or await better conditions in Cemaes, Cemlyn or Porth Wen.

I agree. You are very close in to the rocks and if there is not much wind and you have to motor it would only take 2 coughs of the motor before you are on those rocks in an onshore wind and there are shallows if the wind is offshore. Just be awareof what can go wrong.

 

[ghostlymoron]

I realise this is an old thread so my comments will not help the OP but I've never gone outside Skerries except when heading for IoM. Follow leading lines and avoid wind over tide.

 

[12 Year Plan B-)]

This is an old thread from 2016

There much quality information contained in old threads. Personally, I like them just as much as fresh ones!




"I know one thing for sure: I know that I do not know it all and never will. I can only hope that I know enough"

 

[TSB240]

There much quality information contained in old threads. Personally, I like them just as much as fresh ones!




"I know one thing for sure: I know that I do not know it all and never will. I can only hope that I know enough"

Some of the quality info that needs updating for this year would be in this link:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet...rv1-GFzD5KbYbuwf70B5HATvtnqOYfU#gid=376604329.

This is the updated excellent spreadsheet that gives a really good guide for all of the tidal gates around Anglesey and off the Llyn at Bardsey updated for 2019.

Also If you are considering coming through the Menai Strait with a deep keel Yacht then take regard of the latest NTM's from Caernarfon Harbour Trust http://www.caernarfonharbour.org.uk/notices-to-mariners/

This one in particular http://www.caernarfonharbour.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/09-19-NtoM.pdf

I explored this area at Low water Neaps and it was not possible to cross between C9 and C11 with a draft of 1.09M! There is a very shallow bank that actually extends in an approximate line from C14 to C9 . Navionics sonar chart update is pretty accurate but I suspect depths are actually shallower than indicated. There is no apparent deep water channel anywhere across the underwater cable at Griffiths Crossing as marked on the chart. In simple words following the existing channel marks will put you at a greater risk of grounding. https://webapp.navionics.com/#boating@11&key=evocIjk{X

CHT have not updated the Bar Buoy positions since last year. I have not been over the Bar yet. I would assume that the winter storms could both have moved buoys and or the channel has moved. Sticking to a + or - 2 hours of High water passage is probably wise until an update is issued.

 

[12 Year Plan B-)]

Some of the quality info that needs updating for this year would be in this link:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet...rv1-GFzD5KbYbuwf70B5HATvtnqOYfU#gid=376604329.

This is the updated excellent spreadsheet that gives a really good guide for all of the tidal gates around Anglesey and off the Llyn at Bardsey updated for 2019.

Also If you are considering coming through the Menai Strait with a deep keel Yacht then take regard of the latest NTM's from Caernarfon Harbour Trust http://www.caernarfonharbour.org.uk/notices-to-mariners/

This one in particular http://www.caernarfonharbour.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/09-19-NtoM.pdf

I explored this area at Low water Neaps and it was not possible to cross between C9 and C11 with a draft of 1.09M! There is a very shallow bank that actually extends in an approximate line from C14 to C9 . Navionics sonar chart update is pretty accurate but I suspect depths are actually shallower than indicated. There is no apparent deep water channel anywhere across the underwater cable at Griffiths Crossing as marked on the chart. In simple words following the existing channel marks will put you at a greater risk of grounding. https://webapp.navionics.com/#boating@11&key=evocIjk{X

CHT have not updated the Bar Buoy positions since last year. I have not been over the Bar yet. I would assume that the winter storms could both have moved buoys and or the channel has moved. Sticking to a + or - 2 hours of High water passage is probably wise until an update is issued.

Clearly TSB knows his stuff; I am defo going to read his other posts ;D

"I know one thing for sure: I know that I do not know it all and never will. I can only hope that I know enough"

 

[Deej]

Typing in Holyhead on my Tesco wireless keyboard, courtesy of Andy who joined me for today's sail to Holyhead. (see thread about laptop...)
Andy kindly shopped and brought the KB with him this morning.
A good sail, pretty well to the minute vis-a-vis the passage plan, despite a pretty useless wind.
My companion was a hugely knowledgeable and pleasant addition to the Rivendell crew. Many thanks for coming! (Good cherry Bakewells too...)View attachment 58568

I realise this is a ten year old message and I may be testing your memory a bit but I notice you headed out fairly wide around Point Lynas - was that a conscious decision to avoid it or just down to wind direction etc?

Ta,
Dave

 

[TSB240]

I realise this is a ten year old message and I may be testing your memory a bit but I notice you headed out fairly wide around Point Lynas - was that a conscious decision to avoid it or just down to wind direction etc?

Ta,
Dave

Depends on how wet you want to get and where you intend to end up?

At the right time and in the right conditions nothing to fear from Lynas point plenty of depth close in.

The only sound advice is don't fight tide or wind in any overfall anywhere between Lynas and the Stacks!

Going further out will expose you to even stronger tide if you don't plan your trip.

Give us a clue on what/when you plan your trip we can be more specific.

 

[Deej]

Conwy to Holyhead, some time in April. Leaving Conwy at local HW-ish and aiming to pass Carmel Head at LW slack. I’ve made the passage in the opposite direction but it was a long time ago. I seem to remember Point Lynas being fairly benign so was wondering if it was intentional to give it a wide berth and maybe it was just ignorant luck when I did it.

Dave

 

[Supertramp]

+1 for it still being rough outside the Skerries in wind over tide. A F5 Easterly last year generated some monumental standing waves. Just an area like many in N Wales that needs a bit of planning and avoiding in fresh conditions.

 

[Skylark]

Conwy to Holyhead, some time in April. Leaving Conwy at local HW-ish and aiming to pass Carmel Head at LW slack. I’ve made the passage in the opposite direction but it was a long time ago. I seem to remember Point Lynas being fairly benign so was wondering if it was intentional to give it a wide berth and maybe it was just ignorant luck when I did it.

Dave

Cruising Anglesey and Adjacent Waters by Ralph Morris is a highly recommended companion. The hourly tidal chartlets will answer your questions.

From memory, Conwy to HH is quite straightforward in an AWB, taking full advantage of fair tide, passing all gates, Lynas and Carmel Head, in favourable conditions.

Fair winds.

 

[vyv_cox]

Many years ago I paddled a canoe from Holyhead to the Skerries in company with a couple of friends. We landed at about the end of the flood and waited a couple of hours for the ebb. I shall never forget the rate of flow between the islands on the ebb, similar to a fast river. We said at the time that it was enough for a slalom competition.

 

[eebygum]

I agree. You are very close in to the rocks and if there is not much wind and you have to motor it would only take 2 coughs of the motor before you are on those rocks in an onshore wind and there are shallows if the wind is offshore. Just be awareof what can go wrong.

In the right weather I always go very close to Point Lynas and inside the three ‘Mouses’…. Many years ago we did the passage way too fast in my Contessa 26 and as we approached Carmel Head I thought we could see waves breaking on the headland, its only as we got closer I realised they were humongous standing waves. We clipped on and went straight over the short roller coaster (the narrow deep keeled Contessa took it very well). After that I’m always very wary of the passage planning ! There are lots of nice places to stop and wait if your early and it’s blowing from the South, Porth Wen being a favourite.