Passage Past the Smalls

[winfarthing]

I plan to make the passage from the Menai Strait to Padstow in one. I'm finding conflicting information about tides and the best route for passing the Smalls. I've been through the sounds in the past but this trip will take me outside of them. Does anyone have definitive info about the tides for passing between Grasholm and Skomer. Is it a safe route or is it better to pass to the west of the smalls but inside of the TSS? Any advice about passing this area would be welcome.

 

[Juggler7823]

The only information for the offshore passages that I know about is in the Admiralty Pilot for the West Coasts of England and Wales. PM me with address etc and I will copy the relevant parts.

 

[vyv_cox]

Hi Bob,

We have taken the passage between Grassholm and Skomer several times, of which at least two were in the dark. Leaving the Straits on the start of the ebb at daybreak you should get to just about Bardsey at LW, we always headed into Cardigan Bay a bit then to try to keep out of the flood, then just as it's going dark the next ebb starts and you will be swept into the Bristol Channel. No hazards that I remember.

Just reading my log from 1993, one of the times we did it. 'Decca chain change at 1730' then at midnight 'Decca failed and lost position.' Ah, those were the days! At 0200 'Decision made to take the Sound to west of Skomer and Skokholm. Very strong tide under us.' By 0400 'Heading south past Skokholm. Puffins seen'. Anchored off Polzeath at 1630. Passage time 31 hours, 30 minutes.

A really nice trip in good weather. Enjoy!

Best regards,

Vyv

 

[Ariadne]

Just make sure you have the tide with you, not against you! So timing is critical when going around the smalls.

Of course at the bottom end of the Bay, you could go down through Ramsey Sound and Jack Sound saving you hours on the passage, but again do your homework and get the tide and wx correct. Its a nice passage and quick.

ALso remember to do your homework on Padstow, simple entrance and a great place to vist - but get the tide/wx combination right.

Have a good trip.

 

[winfarthing]

Thanks for the replies. Glad that the gap between Skokholm and Grasholm is usable as that saves a bit. I was intending to avoid the sounds to save hanging around waiting for slack water. I googled all this and found someone saying that the tide between the two islands above behaves differently to the rest of it. Can't now find the thread but as this is my preferred route, could do with knowing.

 

[MarkJohnson12345]

Between Skomer and Skokholm is no problem though there are overfalls at the west end of Skomer.

Been thru there a couple of times but have never seen anything to worry about.

As for the Smalls, just stay well clear. Club member (SYSAC) got into trouble there years ago.

If you want a thrill, go for Jack Sound!

 

[MisterBen]

Why not stop off overnight at Fishguard? Then you can ensure being at Strumble Hd exactly when the S-bound stream starts, whizz down to St Davids Hd, through Ramsey Sd, Rt hand down a bit to bisect Skomer & Grassholm, thence to Padstow (but you don't really want to stay there, do you?) or to Lands End or Scillies. Any other way, you can't guarantee hitting the strong tidal streams off West Wales at the right time. We have done this passage several times and the plan has always worked, though we have sometimes had to wait in Fishguard for the right weather - but that is no hardship.

Good luck anyway.

 

[winfarthing]

I've also done the passage via Fishguard before. This one is a bit of a challenge for a couple of us to try an extended passage. Seeking information to be sure that it is wise and viable. Divert into Fishguard is an option if the other timings go wrong. I had one of the worst nights ever in there a couple of years ago when it blew a gale straight in. Other boats dragging down onto us etc. leading to an unscheduled move in the middle of the night in bad conditions. Knew the weather was coming, hadn't appreciated how it builds up within the old harbour area. Lovelly place otherwise. Thanks for the advice.

 

[vyv_cox]

Easy to divert if you need to, either into Fishguard or into Milford Haven, or even the north harbour of Skomer, if things are not too pleasant once you get into the open Bristol Channel.

The last time we did the Smalls passage we we were en-route to Lezardrieux from Abermenai. Did it non-stop, about 62 hours if I remember correctly. Just the two of us aboard. Autopilot packed in just as we approached Cornwall but luckily we had a spare. Weather was good though, I remember the passage Lands End across to Brittany being especially lovely.