Liveaboard North Wales

[limitedtalent]

New to this forum so lets hope I get this right.

Basically the plan is to sell up and live on a yacht. Live on a yacht in a marina. In a marina in North Wales. However, I am a little concerned with comments that I have come across which seem to indicate that there could be a be of a challenge in getting a berth in some places if you are up front about the liveaboard bit. How true is this? What are the main issues that I am likely to encounter?

The marinas that I am particualary interested in are Conwy and Caernarfon. Any feedback on these would be welcome.


Thanks Peter

 

[roly_voya]

Not impressed by Conway (although not been for a while) it was rather bleek and souless and very expensive. Canarvon is the opposite. I lived aboard for 2 years in Pembrokeshire (now temp' back in a house) Never had a problem with marinas and last one even had pigeon holes for the liveaboards to collect mail. Technically none of us where permenant residents as we all took the boats away on holiday for a couple of weeks a year, permenant resident means there for more than a year I believe then you come under the same regulations for caravan sites etc for planning permission and poll tax which is the only legitimate reason for the 'No Livaboard' sign. Only problems I have ever seen is when people have boats that are not, or don't look fit for sea (including loads of stuff on deck) or start stacking stuff on pontoons - If you upset the neighbours/management it is perfectly legit for them to ask you to move but think of yourself as a gest of the habour and you should have no problems. If you do just move!!
Possible suggestion which might be both more plesent, cheaper and solve any potential hassle, have you though about a summer mooring on the straights from say May to Sept when the weather is good? Look at the marina rates for winter berths compared to summer. You will want a good dingy and I would recomend getting a 4st outboard but given that its no great hassle untill the nights get dark

 

[limitedtalent]

Thanks for your reply. It was most helpful.

Regards

Peter

 

[CSFenwick]

There certainly are people living aboard in Conwy Marina. Not sure about Caernarfon (Victoria Dock) though. Potentially your biggest problem will be getting a berth at either marina. For Conwy I would strongly advise you to get in touch with them ASAP and ask them to put your name down for a berth next year – annual contracts run April to April. The berths generally get sorted around March time with current berth holders getting first refusal followed by those on the waiting list. If your boat is average size (no bigger than 10m) then you’ll find it easier as they have more berths of that size. If you have something 12m+ then it’s going to be harder. Caernarfon (Victoria Dock) has a waiting list of around 100 with a few years being the average wait for a berth to come up. Holyhead’s another option – less trouble getting a berth and slightly cheaper than Conwy (used to be a good bit cheaper but they’ve put their prices up for 2008 as they’ve invested loads in better facilities).

If you're not bothered about shore power you’d get a place more easily on a mooring in the river either at Conwy or Caernarfon. For Caernarfon your boat would probably need to be able to take the ground. Personally I'd want shore power and easy access to both fresh water and the shore (no fun in a dingy in horrible weather) if I was living aboard but you may be a hardier soul than me!

 

[ERICH]

Hi Peter

Also suggest you look @ the Marina in Port Dinorwic either in the actual lock area @ the far end past the lifting bridge or in the adjacent Town Dock which is tidal with a cill . There are basic facilities and the village of port Dinorwic nearby .
Try directories or Google for the tel # ?

 

[Ariadne]

Thought about Aberystwyth?

We were there (for 4 years) until April this year when we left on our circunavigation. Friendly marina, walking distance to a decent town and shopping, plenty to do (great for kids).

A lot more user friendly than most of marinas north of Aber' if you can get a berth in one!

Better cruising area, easy acces to the SW of Ireland. For better than the northern area of the Irish Sea and no Anglesy/Menai Straights to negotiate to go anywhere.

Dave

 

[[3889]]

Conwy say
<span style="color:#666666"> (c) You must not use any vessel occupying a berth provided by Us for
residential purposes without obtaining Our prior written consent,
which may be withheld in Our absolute discretion or granted on
such terms as We shall see fit. For the avoidance of doubt, a vessel
shall be regarded as being used for residential purposes if, amongst
other things, You:
(i) use Your vessel as Your principal or main place of residence; or
(ii) stay on board Your vessel in excess of an average of three
nights per week over a twelve week period; or
(iii) use Our offices at the Marina Premises as Your mailing address. </span>
Caernarfon has a ten year waiting list though you may get a winter berth there or in Y Felinheli ( I did last year). I think Holyhead might be your best bet although I would second Aber, if it's not too far out for you.

 

[Ariadne]

Holyhead!!!!

Why? I thought this site was to encourage people to go sailing, not put them off it for ever.

There is nothing there,
its 2 hours from anywhere by road, unless you live on the island,
Stenna are thinking about not re-newing the harbour defences, therefore the marina will be even more prone to swell,
I'm sure I couls think of a few more reasons but its to depressing.

Pothmadoc may be worth a shot, dedpending on your draft, even Barmouth although you could be restricted by airdraft as well, if you ned to get in the pool.

Go for Aber' Micky the new manager will sort you out.

 

[Carling]

My boat sustained damage in Conwy, caused in the main by poor management of the marina. The entire place silts up, the pontoons rest on the mud at a dangerous angle and the entire place is a bit unloved.
I am now on a pontoon in the estuary, it is marvellous. Not ideal without shorepower or fresh water, join the yachtclub and you can use the launch to get to your yacht at a discounted rate. I love it round there, great sailing, beautiful countryside and loads of places to have a quick pint!!

 

[LittleShip]

Holyhead!!!!

Why? I thought this site was to encourage people to go sailing, not put them off it for ever.

There is nothing there,
its 2 hours from anywhere by road, unless you live on the island,
Stenna are thinking about not re-newing the harbour defences, therefore the marina will be even more prone to swell,

Ooh! did somebody upset you there, thats what my old Mum would have called TRIPE

Tom

 

[barnyfluid]

By the power of necro-thread raising.....

This interests me, and in 10+ years since the OP, some things have changed and happened, the terrible damage at Holyhead recently showing just how exposed it can be, fears over empty berths at Pwllheli, marinas changing hands...

For someone wanting to liveaboard on a seaworthy old boat in North wales in the stretch from Conwy to Shell Island (including Anglesey), any current information, recommendations or reports? The lock at Dinorwic looks lovely, and Dickies looks like it'd be 'interesting'. Popped my head in at Deganwy and still have retinal burns from the whiteness.

bx

 

[nortada]

Second Post In Over 10 YEARS

By the power of necro-thread raising.....

This interests me, and in 10+ years since the OP.
bx

Welcome to the forum Barny.:encouragement:

I to am intregued. Especially as this is the first message from a new user.

All of the previous posts must be totally out of date so why not the luxury of a new thread and what is the purpose of your message

Just remembered; a newbee has cannot float a new thread untill they have made a number of posts but still interested in why you posted.

 

[barnyfluid]

Much for the same reason as the OP, I'm interested and researching how feasible it would be to live aboard in North Wales and hear any current reports. Have spent a fair bit of time there recently, checking out all the harbours and coastline and doing some training in the straight. I wanted to stay within 3 hours driving distance of my GF, hence the Conwy to Mochras specifics.

bx

 

[vyv_cox]

Berthing space on the Strait is pretty much non-existent. I have been on the waiting list for Victoria Dock for several years, with only a 26 ft boat, little chance of one coming up. The outer dock at Port Dinorwic is available in winter, as possibly the inner dock is, but it has been full all summer for a couple of years.

Lots of space at Pwllheli but it's a long travel distance and not cheap. There are certainly people there full time.

 

[barnyfluid]

Berthing space on the Strait is pretty much non-existent. I have been on the waiting list for Victoria Dock for several years, with only a 26 ft boat, little chance of one coming up. The outer dock at Port Dinorwic is available in winter, as possibly the inner dock is, but it has been full all summer for a couple of years.

Lots of space at Pwllheli but it's a long travel distance and not cheap. There are certainly people there full time.

Thanks for the reply - I'd just been reading your bore glazing page!

Yeah, I'd heard it was hard going finding marina space - I meant to pop into Pwllheli recently but only had time for Porthmadog and Mochras, agree on the drive and cost though.

I was considering maybe a swinging mooring, somewhere like Conwy, Bangor, Beaumaris (if available, heard they were not that easy to get either) read a few opinions that it was a quieter, safer and of course much cheaper choice than a lot of marinas, though protection varies I guess. Any opinions on what would be good non-marina moorings for year round high-occupancy-aboard use in the area? The river at Caernarfon looked nice, the trots in the middle.

bx

 

[vyv_cox]

The moorings at Port Dinorwic (Y Felinheli) would be amongst the best. Two winters ago there were boats on them throughout. Better shelter than it looks, and certainly better than Beaumaris.

 

[[3889]]

The moorings at Port Dinorwic (Y Felinheli) would be amongst the best. Two winters ago there were boats on them throughout. Better shelter than it looks, and certainly better than Beaumaris.

Hmmm. I stayed for 2 months at PD (Y Felinheli) April /May 2017 and found ovrrnighting on the boat very uncomfortable in 15+ knots from the west. Rowan bay, just a few hundred metres SW was much better and moorings there were mostly unoccupied. If you opted for PD, membership of the sailing club might be an idea. As a non-member I found them very welcoming and helpful.

 

[vyv_cox]

Hmmm. I stayed for 2 months at PD (Y Felinheli) April /May 2017 and found ovrrnighting on the boat very uncomfortable in 15+ knots from the west. Rowan bay, just a few hundred metres SW was much better and moorings there were mostly unoccupied. If you opted for PD, membership of the sailing club might be an idea. As a non-member I found them very welcoming and helpful.

Yes, I have overnighted several times at Rowen Bay in reasonable comfort. I have only watched moored boats off PD from Dinas boatyard, where they looked steady enough but you clearly know better. I don't think the landing at Rowen is anything like as handy.

 

[dslittle]

Hmmm. I stayed for 2 months at PD (Y Felinheli) April /May 2017 and found ovrrnighting on the boat very uncomfortable in 15+ knots from the west. Rowan bay, just a few hundred metres SW was much better and moorings there were mostly unoccupied. If you opted for PD, membership of the sailing club might be an idea. As a non-member I found them very welcoming and helpful.

We left the boat there in July 2017. All was good and I felt it was a safe place. Absolutely agree about the sailing club. Lovely people and very helpful, and more than happy for us to land on 'their' slipway.
As an aside, the local butcher vacuum packed and froze enough meat for the rest of the summer. Great quality and fantastic value.

 

[pat_detente]

The moorings at Port Dinorwic (Y Felinheli) would be amongst the best. Two winters ago there were boats on them throughout. Better shelter than it looks, and certainly better than Beaumaris.

We kept our boat on these moorings for some years - if you are considering year-round mooring you need to check the insurance status. The Caernarfon Harbour Trust who manage the moorings are only covered between 1st April - 30th September (if my memory serves me). This was always a bit tricky, as if opting to haul out at Caernarfon, the haul out date is always after half-term, which sometimes meant it was late Oct/early Nov. So owners left their boats on moorings at their own risk. I suspect that boat owners' insurance would be invalid if something were to happen during the winter months.

The currents are strong in the Strait, and on a wild winter day it could be a challenge getting on and off the boat....but I agree with Vyv, shelter is better than in Beaumaris.