North wales and Pembroke

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steve yates

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If the weather is good and Jo's commitments work out, we will have 10-14 days in mid may to take our new ketch out from Maryport. Strangford Louth or Scotland are possible destinations, but thinking of visiting her aunt and cousin in lamphey, Pembrokeshire, and taking a cruise down to there via man and north Wales or Ireland. Any must see spots harbours? Any heads up bits to be careful of? The boat is a fin keeler drawing about 4.5 ft. I like tying up at harbour walls, Jo will prob like pontoons for the showers.
Thanks.
 
Holyhead,Pwellie,Fishguard,Milford or Neyland and going back taking in Aberystwth, Carnarfon/Conwy, Liverpool and home. All nice day sails sailing every other day! Only bits needing care are Bardsey Sound and Ramsey & Jack sounds. I envy you as I am missing Wales.
 
The north wales coast will give you good day-sail distances, great views and rewarding navigation. Shame about the weather, however, as it rarely plays ball.

The Menai Straits is a lovely stretch of water (ruined only by one very ugly square building on the Anglesey side). You could start from Milport to Liverpool and Conwy/Deganwy. Menai offers bouys, alongside Menai Bridge or marinas. You get to navigate The Swellies and Caernarfon Bar. Continuing South there's Porth Dinllaen (moring or anchor). Then navigate Bardsey Sound. A walk around Bardsey, anchoring in the bay, is pleasant. Turn left to Puffwelly or right for Fishguard. From Fishguard you get to navigate Jack and Ramsey Sounds. Finally, into Millford Haven, Neylan or Dale.
 
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Depending on forecast winds I would run down the Irish side - Maryport to Holyhead to Greystones to Arklow, to Kilmore then straight across to Milford Haven which is the only sensible destination in Pembrokeshire. Be aware of the shallow water running a few miles off the Irish side. There are races and overfalls all around Skomer/Skokolm / Bishops/Clerks etc on the Welsh side as you go South.
 
nice to anchor off skomer - twas magic very early may last year with puffins everywhere !!!! nice right up milford haven too- in nice weather right up in the harbour in porthmadog (watch entrance channel -depths!!!) the steam trains running regularly into the very well run station adjacent to the harbour make it a pleasant place to visit now - depending on draft! (maybe try call HM in advance )
 
Barmouth is also a scenic harbour. Dangerous in heavy onshore weather (Cardigan Bay does usually give you a wide choice of lee shores) but otherwise fine. I've been in on a boat with 2.3m draught, but the harbourmaster's punt guided us in, so you should be fine. We were allocated a buoy, but there was a wall that might suit you - you could give them a call.

That's not to say there isn't a lot of interesting sailing around Strangford Lough if you choose that as your destination instead.
 
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I'm interested and heartened to hear of the recommendations for the Welsh coasts. When I went round in '15 I was fearful that I'd find lee shores and a dearth of havens. As it was I went Ballycastle to Arklow, and enjoyed good sailing and without exception really helpful and friendly people.

+1 for Bishops/Clerks race :eek: It's quite a hop from Arklow to Dale, but great if the weather/water plays kindly
 
If you get that far round, drying out against the wall in Tenby is my all time favourite location to visit. Lovely town, great views, best Harbour Master Ive come across, he came out to the boat with a few printed weather reports and regular updates for us to help plan around a bit of weather that was coming in, really friendly team! And great facilities with showers, dining room, full kitchen, lounge area, wash/dry room, shore power. All for £10 per night. IMHO combines the best bits of a marina, with the best bits of a small friendly harbour, with none of the worst of either.

Also, the ladders in the harbour have huge rubber fenders either side for the full height, so it is possible to dry out against those without worrying about fender boards.
 
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searj said:
If you get that far round, drying out against the wall in Tenby is my all time favourite location to visit. Lovely town, great views, best Harbour Master Ive come across, he came out to the boat with a few printed weather reports and regular updates for us to help plan around a bit of weather that was coming in, really friendly team! And great facilities with showers, dining room, full kitchen, lounge area, wash/dry room, shore power. All for £10 per night. IMHO combines the best bits of a marina, with the best bits of a small friendly harbour, with none of the worst of either.

Also, the ladders in the harbour have huge rubber fenders either side for the full height, so it is possible to dry out against those without worrying about fender boards.
Click to expand...

+1 for Tenby
 
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