Milford Haven

DennisF

DennisF

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So, once work has been completed on my Vivacity 650, she will be going into the water at Milford Haven. Has anyone sailed around there? If so any recommendations on where to take a 22 ft bilge keeler? We are both beginners so plan to take quite a bit of time just getting to know the boat before venturing too far....

Dennis
 
Sorry, forgot to add we have 2 small boys so places they can get a chance to helm etc would be good!

Dennis
 
The haven itself is an ideal place to sail a small boat with kids. Lots of places to go to on the charts so I wouldnt venture outside until thoroughly bored with the haven itself.
 
millford

there about 22 miles of sailing with out going out side the heads lots of room but keep a eye for big tankers and the ferry that wont stop for any thing . about mid day and 3 i would go up river first under the bridge stay in the middle don't cut the bends lots to see good luck
 
DennisF said:
We are both beginners
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I suspect you'll find the boat is more than experienced enough for the both of you - it's very hard to surprise a Vivacity! Enjoy the sailing and don't be afraid to push the boat when you're ready, she can take more than you'd think if she's anything like my Viv20!
 
DennisF,

If you wish to venture further then explore Carmarthen Bay including Tenby and Saunderfoot. Further still is Swansea or south to Lundy, Clovelly and Ilfracombe. Since you have bilge keels, drying out in tidal harbours is not a problem.
 
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done some dinghy sailing in the haven and also on the river Cleddau up round Landshipping.

Plenty of good sailing for a small boat in the haven and up the river as far as Landshipping

Keep clear of big ships using the haven and the jetties!
 
My son has a boat at Lawrenny. Lots of lovely sailing in the upper reaches of the Haven, very nice down the other end at Dale, Angle Bay etc and when you feel confident a trip out to Skomer is marvellous. And from there to Solva. All quite doable in a 22footer. Of course not getting wet in Wales is quite another challenge :)
 
Thanks all. Pretty much what I thought, but it's always good to check, in case someone says "Ooh, you MUST go to xxxxx and call in at this fantastic pub.....!"
 
You can go as far as Dale; crossing the bit of open water to Dale can be difficult if there is big swell. Going to the near by islands (Scommer etc) is doable but 90% of the time the waters are rough.

I recommend that you go upstream towards Nayland (pass the bridge to the left there is a pontoon and pub) and Lawrenny; brilliant for a family , pontoon and pub and very safe. Then carry on upstream towards Cresswell Quay, moor the boat and have a drink at the well known pub. Also, go towards Haverfordwest, very good and safe. Bilge keel boats are great for this area.

Again, if you are going the other way towards the open sea, watch the tankers and the Irish ferry; the sea state at the mouth / heads can be very rough.
 
Shouldn't mention this as don't want hoards or boats going there! Sandy Haven (opp the entrance) is a great little estuary within the estuary. With a 22 footer you can go along way up, dry out on hard sand, the children can play around safely and chances are you will be totally alone and not overlooked from the shore. :)
 
We are in a similar situation. Once our boat is launched, date indeterminable as the list of things we find wrong is ever-lengthening, we shall take up residence in MH marina. The plan is to use this boat mostly off-season, which is why we chose Milford Haven, there are so many places to visit without being in open sea.
 
vyv_cox said:
We are in a similar situation. Once our boat is launched, date indeterminable as the list of things we find wrong is ever-lengthening, we shall take up residence in MH marina. The plan is to use this boat mostly off-season, which is why we chose Milford Haven, there are so many places to visit without being in open sea.
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I am in Milford Marina and look forward to welcoming you there. Stu Davies (he of PBO fame) is there too. Yes, it is a great place for off season sailing. I was out on December 21st and 22nd and really enjoyed it. I am sure that it is the best cruising area in the UK. Something for everyone.
 
Flossdog said:
I am in Milford Marina and look forward to welcoming you there. Stu Davies (he of PBO fame) is there too. Yes, it is a great place for off season sailing. I was out on December 21st and 22nd and really enjoyed it. I am sure that it is the best cruising area in the UK. Something for everyone.
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Thank you all for your comments. For some reason my posts have to be approved by a Moderator, which is introducing rather a delay! I look forward to joining you all at Milford soon.

My boat is going to have a few jobs done by Windjammer Marine before it goes into the water. If anyone has used them, have they been happy with the work? They seem a reasonable bunch, but a recommendation is always reassuring!

Best wishes,

Dennis
 
Pembrokeshire sailing.

Sandy Haven has been mentioned already on this thread, I keep my boat there, it is a lovely place and very safe for visiting yachtsmen to dry out up river. However there is not much water there, and you can easily get nipped.

Sailing boats really have to work the tides in this area, particularly if you sail to the islands. A trip to Skomer before the puffins all depart (end of July) is really worth it. You will be surrounded by thousands of puffins and many other species, including Razor Bills, Guillemots, Fulmar, Black Back Gulls, grey Seals and much more.

The tide west of St. Ann’s Head, starts to run North at 4 hours before HW Milford Haven and starts to run South at HW + 2 or thereabouts, you would be well advised not to try to get to Skomer unless you have a fair tide there and back.

With bilge keels, you can also work your way up various tributaries, to Pembroke, Creswell Quay and Blackpool Mill. We have been to all three this last season. Start with Pembroke the easiest because the channel is marked with mid channel marks all the way up, but No. 4 buoy is missing, so after passing No. 3 head towards the moorings on the South side near the small group of houses at Bentlass.

More details on the Pembrokeshire County Council website here:
http://www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/content.asp?id=6563&parent_directory_id=101
and here:
http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/479927
and here:
http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?...+/+Sir+Benfro+[Water+Feature]&searchp=ids.srf

A really good reference book for this area is Tom Bennett’s "Sea Guide to Pembrokeshire" at about £15. At Amazon here:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sea-Guide-P...9909/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1325349082&sr=8-1
and other outlets.
Publisher: Imray,Laurie,Norie & Wilson Ltd (1 Jan 2007)
Language English
ISBN-10: 0852889909
ISBN-13: 978-0852889909

If you would like to meet and talk about all this then please send me a PM (Personal Message) with your email address I will then get back to you with my address etc.

Enjoy your sailing, George.
 
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Enjoy the boat Dennis she is perfect for the Haven and capable of going offshore when you are ready. I had an Alacrity at one time, the Vivacitys smaller sister.

Loads of places to go too many to list really just look at the chart and see where you like the look of.

My 14 ft Voyager bilgekeeler in the Haven last year.

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graham said:
Enjoy the boat Dennis she is perfect for the Haven and capable of going offshore when you are ready. I had an Alacrity at one time, the Vivacitys smaller sister.

Loads of places to go too many to list really just look at the chart and see where you like the look of.
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Thanks Graham. The pictures look great - I can't wait! Apologies if this takes a while to appear - apparently as a new forum member all of my posts have to be vetted by a moderator which makes a thread rather stilted!

Cheers,

Dennis
 
Just to add my two-penneth!
We are also at Milford Marina this winter, but at Dale moorings in the summer.
A trip to see the seals is a must, especialy when they have pups later in the year! Safe anchorage there too. Not ventured up the Haven yet as its our first time there, but we intend to have a break from fishing in the summer a few times and take the wives and kids out for a jolly and a pint.
Look out for us and give us a wave onboard the Grumpy Uncle!
 
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