Places to go from Cardiff

[zlod]

I've got my boat Cervisia in Cardiff (Penarth marina) at the moment while the Portishead lock maintenance work is going on. This weekend I have a big chance to go out sailing from Cardiff. I'm wondering if anyone has any good suggestions as to places to go.

It looks like Saturday will be F4 from the west and Sunday will be F4 from the north. I think these winds impact the possibilities. Places I've thought of are:

Newport
It looks like a morning trip on the Saturday would be quite well sheltered from the chop and is somewhere that's difficult to get to from Portishead.

River Axe
I'm not sure whether the Axe is a good place to be in westerly or northerly winds. Any views?

Burnham on Sea
Reeds seems to have a downer of going to Burnham in westerlies or northerlies (which seems to scupper either day really).

Watchet
I'm a bit concerned about going out of Watchet in a F4 N/NE wind on the Sunday. Has anyone had any experience of those sorts of winds at Watchet harbour entrance (which will be a lee shore)?

Swansea
The dream destination if conditions aren't too feisty.

South Glamorgan Coast
Any suggestions for a good anchorage along the west end that would be suitable in a northerly (on Sunday)?

Sully Island
It's the one BC island I haven't circumnavigated. Do people go between it and the mainland? I've recced it on foot at low tide and it looks like if I head for the middle at a high tide (especially springs), I should be OK. Would I be risking things unnecessarily?

If we stay somewhere overnight, it needs to have shore power as there is no independent heating on board (and it'll be cold overnight). If conditions aren't right for an overnight stay somewhere, we might do two day sails, returning back to Penarth overnight.

I'm just wondering if anyone has any good suggestions as I don't get this opportunity very often.

Cheers,
Zlod

 

[ash12]

What size boat and what type do you have?

 

[Csail]

I would do Swansea. Sully island is ok to go inside but keep to the middle, we went through on the Balmoral! ONLY do it on springs though.
Ps. I say Swansea because its a nice day sail,sheltered and if conditions get worse you can easilly get the train home & leave the boat secure.

 

[zlod]

ash12> She's a Contessa 26: a 26ft LOA long keel yacht.

csail> Swansea's where I really want to go. Beam reaching along the South Glamorgan coast sounds like fun to me!

 

[lancelot]

Hi,
I would go for Swansea - it is a great run down from Cardiff; good shelter and seems a safe place to leave your boat, should you need to; very helpful staff and fellow sailors; plenty of entertainment and a welcoming yacht club, restaurants, bars etc. and of course forumites.
Fair winds,
Lancelot

 

[Csail]

If swmbo is up for it we might escort you. Depends if this wind dies down, looking out of the window it is well choppy so Swansea bay/Nash sands will be way worse.

 

[Madhatter]

If swmbo is up for it we might escort you. Depends if this wind dies down, looking out of the window it is well choppy so Swansea bay/Nash sands will be way worse.

I would be careful if I was you "zlod" have you seen the pennant he flies on his avatar !!!

 

[Madhatter]

If swmbo is up for it we might escort you. Depends if this wind dies down, looking out of the window it is well choppy so Swansea bay/Nash sands will be way worse.

I would be careful if I was you "zlod" have you seen the pennant he flies on his avatar !!!

 

[Alcyone]

Tides look good to get to Swansea from Cardiff, but harder to get back at a decent time this weekend.

 

[ash12]

I wouldn't go to watchet if there is a chop on as it is hairy going into watchet if it is your first time.

 

[Who]

Watchet is fine as long as, on spring tides, you leave it for an hour after the gate opens.

 

[wotayottie]

Newport would be interesting for Saturday since there is a "do" on Sat night with a bonfire and burgers etc. You will be made very welcome by the club who are a friendly lot. If you decide to try this give me a pm and I will try to help with further detail.

With northerlies on Sunday it makes sense to stay on the Welsh coast.

 

[zlod]

Crew has dropped a bit of a bombshell by stating that he needs to be back in Penarth by 1800 on Sunday. This was a bolt from the blue and probably makes Swansea impossible (for the Sunday return).

Csail> I'm surprised that Swansea Bay is more feisty than the main channel. Is that what you meant? I know the Nash Sands can get a bit exciting, but I didn't realise that Swansea Bay kicked off.

Wotayottie> I think the plan would be to get into Newport on the morning tide, chill for half an hour and then head back to Cardiff (probably before a trip onwards). I'm very keen on getting to Newport. Crew will do as instructed on this one.

It now looks like we'll most likely be heading for Watchet for Saturday night. We'll check out what the northerly wind is like on Sunday morning. If it's looking grim, crew can have a trip on that Somerset railway (or the bus) back to Bristol while Cervisia and I sail back on the evening tide. I'll probably give Watchet marina a ring beforehand to get some advice on the feasibility of entering / exiting in northerlies.

I've just put a deposit down for a Sea Feather wind vane, so crew are going to find themselves more and more superfluous. He's a good lad really.

 

[Madhatter]

Watchet is full of pirates (and mud)

 

[kds]

places to go

I dont think Mr Reed ever went into Burnham !!!
We do it daily.
If wind is Westerly or N. westerly - not in anything above a F4, given a choice - and after half-tide - it is simple pilotage. You will find this on our website.
http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/burnhamsailingclub/
You will also find a visitors pontoon and a welcome - especiall Wed. evenings or Sunday lunch.
ken

 

[Morpheous]

I dont think Mr Reed ever went into Burnham !!!
We do it daily.
If wind is Westerly or N. westerly - not in anything above a F4, given a choice - and after half-tide - it is simple pilotage. You will find this on our website.
http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/burnhamsailingclub/
You will also find a visitors pontoon and a welcome - especiall Wed. evenings or Sunday lunch.
ken

Is that a general lunch invitation then? I was about to start a new thread looking general favourite spots in the BC where you can go either for days out or for over nighters too.

 

[zlod]

kds> those pilotage directions are great. I assume if we need to be at the Gore buoy between HW-3 and HW, then we need to be there going out between HW and HW+3. I've been to Gore SWM so many times and it would be nice to actually get into Burnham (rather than just sail round Gore SWM and go home).

I'm going to work on my mate to go for the Saturday Penarth -> Newport -> Watchet plan and for a Sunday Watchet -> Burnham -> Penarth plan. It all depends on the weater though. Watchet marina seemed to think that a northerly force 4 would be navigable on the way out from Watchet

 

[graham]

Hi Zlod weather doesnt look to great for the weekend hope you manage to get somewhere.Personally I would give Watchet a miss.With the wind likely to be fresh on the nose it can be an uncomfortable trip back.You only have a couple of hours before the tide turns against you.

The River Axe approaches can be quite lumpy in a NW orN wind but once in the river its well sheltered.No power on the YC pontoon and not sure the yard at uphill has power either.There is central heating in the pub though so you will be fine (take some thermals for kipping in )

Newport wqould be a good option with a pontoon around in St Julians pill which has power on.Have to ring someone to check availability if they have a do on.I have allways been made very welcome there.

If you just want a short daysail then Barry Harbour is a good place to wait over low water before sailing back.

Nly would be great for Swansea ,bit of a long passage back if it turns wet and wild though.

If weather is really pants why not sail on the Bay followed by run ashore at mermaid Quay ?

Whatever you do have a good weekend.

 

[wotayottie]

Wotayottie> I think the plan would be to get into Newport on the morning tide, chill for half an hour and then head back to Cardiff (probably before a trip onwards). I'm very keen on getting to Newport. Crew will do as instructed on this one.

Not a lot of point in doing this since Newport isnt exactly scenic - read coal dump, sewage farm, steelworks, power station! But its a good club with friendly people as as it happens having a good nights entertainment. Overnight moorings / pontoon which are, of course , foc.

 

[kds]

Is that a general lunch invitation then? I was about to start a new thread looking general favourite spots in the BC where you can go either for days out or for over nighters too.

It certainly is - might help to give us some notice - phone numbers and email are on website.

I like the idea of a favourite spots thread in BC.
Ken