Live in Bristol always boated on South Coast - could I consider Cardiff?

[ontheplane]

Is it? I certainly will check.

I think the traffic will be better on a Friday going there than Swansea / Cardiff, however it's not an easier drive - it's all motorway to the Welsh side, but its a horrible road to Watchet once you come off the motorway. Watchet is about 1:25 from home, Swansea is 1:30 so nothing in it time-wise, although if the traffic Portishead / Bristol is WAY dearer than Cardiff / Swansea. I'll take a look - has it all been dredged etc now? And what's the surroundings like as in a few restaurants pubs etc... I confess I've never been there, but I know St Audries and that area...

Have you considered Watchet? Lovely place and an easy drive from Bristol and cheaper than the Welsh side!

 

[ontheplane]

Well you have had nearly 2 years to decide.... Cardiff or Swansea?

True dat!!

No, only not decided as I had decided to go with Cardiff pretty much even though the cruising is a but rubbish - but the trip to Swansea has given me food for thought

 

[ontheplane]

Have you considered Watchet? Lovely place and an easy drive from Bristol and cheaper than the Welsh side!

Is it access most states of tide?

 

[PCUK]

All dredged and refurbished with regular service dredges. Plenty of pubs, cafes and restaurants including the Esplanade Club which doubles as the Boat club. Only downside is access about two hours either side so it's either out for a few hours or a whole tide. No lock to negotiate, the curtain gate is either open or closed so come and go as you please. I've not found the road from the M5 to be a problem but I suppose it depends on the time of day.

 

[vikingsmb]

with regards to ski areas in the bay, its near CBYC which is the ski area, usually on a sat morning. and the harbour authority lay the buoys then recover after

 

[ontheplane]

with regards to ski areas in the bay, its near CBYC which is the ski area, usually on a sat morning. and the harbour authority lay the buoys then recover after

Thank you.

I think i've pretty much decided whatever I get to keep it at Cardiff Drystack - so access to the barrage'd part of Cardiff bay all the time.

I've never boated around this area - it seems moderately busy in the summer from what I've seen - what are the main things to be aware of - main pro's and con's ?

 

[vikingsmb]

its good in the summer, just be warned in easterlies the bay can get choppy, bay is full speed allowed but rivers taff and ely and by mermaid quay its 5kts which are marked by special buoys (dont speed as harbour authority monitor on radar), dont anchor in the bay as aeration pipes criss cross the bay, fully recommend maintaining listening watch on VHF 18 (barrage control)
Sun mornings (mar- nov) + weds eves (apr to sept) dinghy racing run by CBYC various courses used, also training courses run by our sailing school are out as well.
Tues eve yacht racing (may - aug) Course is windward leeward (i'm the marklayer), sea cadets both penarth and cardiff (my unit which is berthed at cbyc) units use the bay on different eves during the summer (rowing/power and sail craft) for boating.
high speed tourist ribs run by bay island voyages (they are advanced powerboat qualified) bit of wake sometimes but they are good as gold and will keep out of way.

I would strongly recommend joining CBYC instead of cardiff dry stack as we have pontoon berths, access all year round