North Wales vs Clyde Cruising

[raven]

We've been based at Porthmadog for many years and have really come to love boating in the area.

The scenery is dominated by the Snowdonia mountains and there are very few large towns on that stretch of coast creating the impression that you really are "away from it all." The scattering of castles around Harlech / Criccieth / Caernarvon / Conwy and Beaumaris is a nice touch as well!

By comparison with the South Coast and Clyde areas it is much more relaxed with virtually no big shipping until you get (north) to Holyhead or (south) to Milford Haven. There are plenty of days when we have been on the water and seen hardly anyone else about.

Short distance destinations tend to be Abersoch / St Tudwals Islands / Barmouth / Bardsey / Shell Island / Port Dinllean and the Ty Coch Inn (Richard /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif) Further afield we aim toward South Wales / Isle Of Man and Ireland - Madoc YC organises two cruises / races per year to Arklow and Wicklow YCs just to make sure that the Guiness is still up to the required standard!

Without doubt the area favours bilge keelers as there is a lot of sand about and Porthmadog (like several other smaller harbours in the area) is only accessible about 2-3 hours either side of HW. Pwelleli is accesible at all states of tide but is relatively expensive (by our standards but not by yours!) and, as someone mentioned earlier is currently oversubscribed - but there are plans to extend (I think.)

Hope this helps in some way

 

[Sgeir]

With a young family, I suppose that regular 5 hour car journeys would eventually diminish the pleasures of sailing on the Clyde. I'm sure there are plenty great sailing areas in N Wales, plus you have the potential of IoM, Dublin, Arklow etc. My feeling is that kids are more likely to be happier with less travelling.

Whatever you do, there's great sailing to be had.

 

[DaveParry]

I am very grateful to everyone's words of advice and opinions, and it is gratifying to see that this isn't as clear cut as some of our Scottish & English friends would believe (each in opposite directions of course). It's also nice to know that there are others who slog up and down from the Shires.

I must admit the investment in an in-car DVD recently may well help the feeling of distance in the back seat this year.

I will have to see how all this goes down with the other half. Personally, I like the idea of nothing being fixed and being able to come down for a season or two just to try it out. Sailing in the same area all the time strikes me as like those golfers with good handicaps who only ever play their own course. However, it's not just me of course, and the prospect of 'interesting' seas, increased chance of running aground in a fin keeler surrounded by all these shallow draught vessels doesn't inspire.

I get the impression Pwllheli isn't going to be a practical option, and with a fin keeler Cardigan Bay as a base doesn't sound sensible. Conwy would certainly be convenient, but the entry seems a little more stressful than you need at the end of a fun day out but I supposed you get used to it. Holyhead seems like a better option apart from the distance, and having taken on the Wemyss/Rothesay ferry and won, I am sure the Ireland ferries would be okay. The hazards so close to home port are a bit daunting for the crew though. Probably doesn't seem as bad once you know it.

At the end of the day, it's a nice problem to have. We have a boat, all the family likes sailing, and we have the choice. Life could be worse eh? Thanks again for everyone's input and food for thought. I'll let you know what we decide.

Happy Sailing.

 

[starboard]

Whatever the decision Dave hope it goes well.....if you stay on the Clyde this season listen out or look out for me, sailing "In Dreams" or skippering " Kintyre Express"...the wine cork is always off!

Take care.

Paul.

 

[vyv_cox]

Having sailed for many years based in Menai Strait, I would offer the following opinions:

Conwy entrance is not as bad as you may think. The marina claims that most boats will get in at any time or tide. Strong onshore winds at the entrance are not that common. There is a short cut available at high water that cuts inside Puffin Island to the Menai Strait, saves an hour or more.

Holyhead is far further to drive and is somewhat isolated on the water by tidal gates. It suffers a little as a base by having few convenient nearby destinations for cruising.

There are plenty of interesting short range destinations in the Menai Strait, with the Swellies the only tidal gate. Strong south-westerlies make cruising here interesting but not impossible. Draught is not really a problem: I have never owned a bilge keeler and don't regret it.

Why not try it for a season? A mooring buoy gives you the most options at least cost.

 

[whipper_snapper]

[ QUOTE ]
Conwy entrance is not as bad as you may think. The marina claims that most boats will get in at any time or tide. Strong onshore winds at the entrance are not that common. There is a short cut available at high water that cuts inside Puffin Island to the Menai Strait, saves an hour or more.

[/ QUOTE ]

Conwy entrance is not the issue. I have shot from Beaumaris through that gap and into Conwy marina single handed with a F8 behind me - dym sweat. But Puffin sound can be nasty, Caernarfon bar can be lethal, the Swellies are straightforward at the right time but impossible at the wrong time. The half of the straits you happen to be in hardly compares as a sailing area to the Clyde.

Outside the straits, Pt Lynas is rarely dangerous but sometimes demanding, the scaries are bl**dy scary. S stack is wicked at the wrong time. Not to make it sound awful, I had a fantastic 3 seasons based in Beaumaris, but it is a fact that options are sometimes very severely limited. The wonderful spots are truly wonderful but all are more-or-less committing.

 

[vyv_cox]

Actually, Conwy entrance WAS the issue, as raised by the original poster. You simply confirm what I said.

I have no issue with your other points but the Clyde is not totally without vices either. Plenty of shelter, as there is in North Wales, but plenty of exposed headlands and funnelling channels as well.