Gwylan
Well-Known Member
Don't hold back chaps. Tell us what you really like about the place.
Is there a Cardigan Bay 'Blue book? Like the one for the Bristol Channel. Probably a quite slim volume, but might be handy for visitors and new-comers
New to the Welsh Coast
- Thread starter Gypsyjoss
- Start date
Don't hold back chaps. Tell us what you really like about the place.
Is there a Cardigan Bay 'Blue book? Like the one for the Bristol Channel. Probably a quite slim volume, but might be handy for visitors and new-comers
Praxinoscope
Well-Known Member
What’s great about West Wales Sailing?
A beautiful coastline with schools of porpoise and dolphins in Cardigan Bay
Great little harbours, but not always safe or accessible (Aberaeron is a good example of this don’t even try in a strong N/Westerly), but then try Lower Fishguard (Film location for both ‘Moby Dick’ and ‘Under Milkwood’ a really lovely stop-off.
If you are into Marina’s then Neyland, Aberystwyth and Pwllheli will suit you.
Want a longer trip then just head West and you have Ireland.
Still plenty of room for everyone.
I agree with CO8 there are hazards and it pays to hone up your skills, Jack Sound can be ‘fun’ but hey, so can the inner channel of Portland Bill.
Oh, and the lack of constant chatter on the VHF, If you long for radio silence then Cardigan Bay is the place.
O.K. we perhaps get more rain than the South Coast, don’t have the navigable rivers of the a East Coast and have to contend with numerous drying harbours or harbours that can only accessed about 2 hrs either side of high water, but the sailing is great, with plenty of active clubs.
Don’t forget that Nelson described the Milford Haven as the best natural harbour in Britain.
A beautiful coastline with schools of porpoise and dolphins in Cardigan Bay
Great little harbours, but not always safe or accessible (Aberaeron is a good example of this don’t even try in a strong N/Westerly), but then try Lower Fishguard (Film location for both ‘Moby Dick’ and ‘Under Milkwood’ a really lovely stop-off.
If you are into Marina’s then Neyland, Aberystwyth and Pwllheli will suit you.
Want a longer trip then just head West and you have Ireland.
Still plenty of room for everyone.
I agree with CO8 there are hazards and it pays to hone up your skills, Jack Sound can be ‘fun’ but hey, so can the inner channel of Portland Bill.
Oh, and the lack of constant chatter on the VHF, If you long for radio silence then Cardigan Bay is the place.
O.K. we perhaps get more rain than the South Coast, don’t have the navigable rivers of the a East Coast and have to contend with numerous drying harbours or harbours that can only accessed about 2 hrs either side of high water, but the sailing is great, with plenty of active clubs.
Don’t forget that Nelson described the Milford Haven as the best natural harbour in Britain.
Kurrawong_Kid
Well-Known Member
+ 1 again. When the weather is fine the backdrop from North Stack to St. Anne’s is breathtaking. The harbours are unspoilt, if variable in shelter or accessibility. But if the weather cuts up rough from the South West to North West then prepare to sail a long way (50/60 Miles or so) for a safe anchorage if tidal conditions do not allow access to the nearest harbour.
C08
Well-Known Member
+1
Much as I loved Cardigan Bay sailing it was always in the back of my mind that there was only Pweli in the north and Fishguard in the south and a lot of water between in the event of being caught out in a big blow. Not like that in the Solent, now I am a "southern softie"!
Praxinoscope
Well-Known Member
Yup, Pwllheli and Fishguard are a bit far apart, I know it’s not quite so bad but I still remember being halfway across Lyme Bay when a really nasty S/Westerly blew up, couldn’t run for shelter in Lyme as it was low water, so only shelter was the Eastern side of Portland. But yes, there are a shortage of places to run to.
bitbaltic
Well-Known Member
Second the recommendation for this. Mine cost a quid off amazon, easily available if out of print. Better than the subsequent Bristol Channel and Irish Sea pilots combined, because it covers many more small ports where nothing at all has changed in 15 years. The updates (given that the superseding pilots are hardly up to date anyway) are pretty much confined to larger ports and easily deduced from Reed’s Western.
‘Sea Guide to Pembrokeshire’, also dated but cheap and detailed, worth having on board also.
Praxinoscope
Well-Known Member
Sea Guide to Pembrokeshire, I’ve missed this one somehow, who stocks it?
bitbaltic
Well-Known Member
Its the Imray Pembrokeshire pilot. It’s written for all Sea users so includes kayaking advice etc, but is largely written for the cruising sailor and it does very well to weigh the advantages of all the slightly tenable anchorages and coves around the coast. I think it’s in print and should be on amazon.
ETA it’s on amazon at 17.50 new.
ETA it’s on amazon at 17.50 new.
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TSB240
Well-Known Member
Croeso Cymru.
I have spent most of the last 55 years sailing either in Cardigan Bay , Off the Llyn or round Angelsey. I am still finding it more attractive than many other areas and it still has some secrets that I have not uncovered yet.
If you are going to be based at Aberystwth Marina you will qualify for 30 free days in our Home port and I will make sure you are made welcome should you end up here.
I nearly made use of the Cardiff Marine group offer on returning from Southern Ireland. But the usual problem of tidal timing and a fin keel went against a stop!
Your Bilge keel choice is fantastic for all the usual suspects that put off fin keelers. We cruised the area with a lift keel for a number of years and found many attractive destinations that put off the stay afloat boats... Favourite spots. Main Beach Abersoch (Porth Tocyn End), Llanbedrog right by the Bistro, Shell Island, Porth Madog. Barmouth, Aberystwyth,, NewQuay and Aberdaron can all provide great spots for a bilge keel that can dry.
Once you escape Cardigan Bay ( We really hated Pwllheli ) you find the best cruising ground is actually a bit further North.
Whilst you have asked for a good pilot might I also recommend the facebook group Sailing and Cruising Wales. This is beginning to pick up quite a following (755 members now)and there are more members joining each week and sharing useful information for all areas including yours. It may also be a way of buddying up with like minded people for a cruise in company.
I have spent most of the last 55 years sailing either in Cardigan Bay , Off the Llyn or round Angelsey. I am still finding it more attractive than many other areas and it still has some secrets that I have not uncovered yet.
If you are going to be based at Aberystwth Marina you will qualify for 30 free days in our Home port and I will make sure you are made welcome should you end up here.
I nearly made use of the Cardiff Marine group offer on returning from Southern Ireland. But the usual problem of tidal timing and a fin keel went against a stop!
Your Bilge keel choice is fantastic for all the usual suspects that put off fin keelers. We cruised the area with a lift keel for a number of years and found many attractive destinations that put off the stay afloat boats... Favourite spots. Main Beach Abersoch (Porth Tocyn End), Llanbedrog right by the Bistro, Shell Island, Porth Madog. Barmouth, Aberystwyth,, NewQuay and Aberdaron can all provide great spots for a bilge keel that can dry.
Once you escape Cardigan Bay ( We really hated Pwllheli ) you find the best cruising ground is actually a bit further North.
Whilst you have asked for a good pilot might I also recommend the facebook group Sailing and Cruising Wales. This is beginning to pick up quite a following (755 members now)and there are more members joining each week and sharing useful information for all areas including yours. It may also be a way of buddying up with like minded people for a cruise in company.
JumbleDuck
Well-Known Member
I have just bought one (thanks for the suggestion, A McD) for not much more than a quid. Well, several times, but still not much.
A friendly forumite lent me that when my boat was in Milford Haven. It's very excellent.
vyv_cox
Well-Known Member
For the whole of the North Wales coast from the Dee to Porthmadog the Glazebrook pilot is without exception the best. Very few available for sale but I have a digital version that is available for RNLI donations.
Praxinoscope
Well-Known Member
This sounds like a bargain, as printed copies on the internet are £60+ for the 1961 hardback.