North Wales Trailer Sailing?

Little Rascal

Little Rascal

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Hi all...

Just hoping to garner some local knowledge and/or opinions:

I'm planning to bring my Hunter Europa up to the Lleyn Peninsula area for a few days/weeks trailer sailing. I've sailed in that area from Pwllhelli - although it was some time ago -and on a friends boat which could take the ground... Problem is LR is a fin keeler: can't take the ground and needs a decent slipway. Reasonable shelter is also important because she's only little!

The obvious thing would be Hafan Pwllheli again, but it's rather steep (berthing charges that is, not the slipway :()

The general idea is to launch, get a berth for the week and cruise about a bit - largely daysailing, but possibly an overnight trip. Can anyone suggest alternative slipways and/or somewhere I could get a mooring? (Port Dinllaen, Abersoch?)

Also what are the options for destinations for overnighting in that area? Are there any holes in Porthmadog I could stay afloat in? (Drawing 3 feet) Or what about Barmouth as a destination?


Cheers!

Jon
 
Hmm, I sail a bilge keeler cos there's no water!

Holyhead has water for fin keelers, but not sure about launch sites. There are a couple of launch sites on the Straits - try the boat yard at Porth Dinllean (Felin Helli) they may have a vacant mooring too. You could launch at Victoria Dock Caernarfon too, there is a slipway from the yard there into deep water & very sheltered.
 
Searush said:
.......try the boat yard at Porth Dinllean (Felin Helli) they may have a vacant mooring too.
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He means Dinas Boatyard at Port Dinorwic (Y Felinheli) which is a good suggestion.

The problem with pith welly is where to go and where to get shelter if the weather isn't great.

In the Straits you could go north or south depending on conditions and easily pick up a sheltered mooring.


.
 
re barmouth

No problems in Barmouth with 3 feet, just phone Glyn the HM and check a deep water mooring will be available when you want to come (never seen them all in use so you should be ok).
Very nice harbour to spend dome time in and the Yacht club is very friendly.
 
SlimRick said:
OT - Just been for a walk past your boat Steve - I think the gulls are using the tarpaulin for target practice! :)
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Cheers, that's what it's there for. It was a tent once. I "saved" it from a bin on a camp site at Bala. The poles are going to a prospective daughter-in-law, the flysheet is keeping the poo of my expensive canopy - any one need an inner tent?
 
Thanks chaps...

I think I've 'narrowed' it down to three(!) options:

1) Pwllheli - if I can get a reasonable berth for a week. Daysailing should be easy enough in the local area with pehaps an overnight in Porthmadog or Barmouth. Bad weather could be a problem but less constrained by the tide for daysailing ...

or

2) The Menai Strait - maybe Beaumaris (mooring?) or Victoria Dock. I'd hope to get a bit of daysailing but that depends on the tides a lot more. However, there should be some shelter somewhere, depending on wind direction, perhaps popping out to spend a night at anchor...

or

3) Conwy. Popping out to look at the Girt Orme/Llandudno or over to Beaumaris/Molfre. What are the options for a 3 foot deep water berth outside the marina? Anything around the Conwy Quay like that do you think?


I have the 2005 edition of 'Anglesey and Adjoining Waters' - are there any big changes I need to be aware of? Should I buy the latest edition ... or just get by?
 
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Port Victoria.
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Is that Victoria dock (Caernarfon) or Port Dinorwic (Y Felinheli)?

There's a public (afik) slip at either. Felinheli one has a few parking probs but ok within 200m.

Victoria dock has a public(afik) slip next to the dock but parking is most likely available a few 100m away below Morissons.

There is another one (no names ) a few miles down a windy road that will charge for launching on a so called private slipway that just happens to be built on the foreshore
 
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Hi Jon,
If I were you I would be inclined to give Conwy Marina a call and ask about any offers they may have on. I recently saw a large banner touting for some short term berthing with free parking etc. If you were to arrive on a week day the slipway at the beacons I guess would not be to busy and you could launch 2 hours before HW find your berth in the marina and take you car and trailer around to the marina to find some safe parking. The facilities are what you would expect from a modern marina, and getting in and out with your boat would be 3 hours either side of HW. Lots of interesting places to sail to, and walks to go on. Conwy town is 20 minutes walk and has a lot to offer on its own. You would have the peace of mind that your car and trailer were parked safely out of harms way (touch wood) give them a call and see what they can offer you. Gary
 
Just done a few sums:

For a week in my wee 19 footer... based on the websites of each:

Deganwy - £99.00
Conwy - £ 95.00
Port Dinorwick - £78.00
Victoria Dock - £60.60
Hafan Pwllheli - £149.00 :eek:

Not including any launching fees either :rolleyes:
 
Little Rascal said:
Just done a few sums:

For a week in my wee 19 footer... based on the websites of each:

Deganwy - £99.00
Conwy - £ 95.00
Port Dinorwick - £78.00
Victoria Dock - £60.60
Hafan Pwllheli - £149.00 :eek:

Not including any launching fees either :rolleyes:
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Or borrow vacant moorings - a different view every night costs nowt. But you can't really go ashore - it's bad manners if the mooring owner returns.

Victoria dock sounds a bargain for full marina facilities - the Straits is always useable in any weather, but use the tides, don't fight them & do at least a couple of transits of the Swellies!

Anchoring at Aber Menai or Llandwyn Island is free & both are lovely secluded spots. Check out Dickies, they are at Penrhyn Dock which isn't the prettiest spot, but you should be able to dry out alongside the wall for a tide ot two - they never used to charge visitors to encourage use of the chandlery but don't know the situation now.
 
Victoria Dock is the way to go it's excellent. There are a number of slipways in the area including one on the sea front and a private one owned by Menai Marine into the dock, best phone Mark at Victoria Dock and ask his opinion.
 
Searush said:
Or borrow vacant moorings - a different view every night costs nowt. But you can't really go ashore - it's bad manners if the mooring owner returns....
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Thanks to the kind people of this forum... I think we have an arrangement! So Pwllhelli it is.

I'm even wondering if a 'Tilman-esque' trip might be feasible - sail to Porthmadog and walk to Tremadog and climb something. A bit contrived I know... but it might be fun!

Will definitely be coming up your way some other time though SR....
 
Let the train take the strain

Might be worth a look at the Welsh Highland Railway timetable

http://www.festrail.co.uk/

They can drop you off at the bottom of Snowdon and pick you up on the way back. Very new and interesting and picturesque IMHO little railway. You can get a train from Porthmadog or Caernarfon Harbour.

The older Blaenau railway is less interesting but I will admit to travelling third class on it last weekend. The double ended Fairlies are unique. Views were much more restricted than I remember but the last time I was on it was 25 years ago. BF is a dump that can be missed plenty of other and better places to visit.

I can highly recommend the Madog Yacht Club.

I would say it is the most sociable Yacht Club we have experienced in North Wales. Some of the most unpretentious, pleasant people,superb free showers, and they served Timothy Taylors:)

If you get a chance make sure you also visit Steve Sea Rushes drinking Hole in the wall at Caernarfon.(RWYC) Its like being in a 50+ year time warp,you will also be made very welcome there.
 
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