Port Dinorwic

J

JayCbee

Well-Known Member
Joined
18 Jun 2020
Messages
79
Visit site
Hello all

I have a 16ft microplus 501 explorer with a 50 bhp outboard and at the moment we are at Conwy marina and Im being advised that Port Dinorwic may be more appropriate for our size of boat as we get used to taking her out. As newbies to the boating world we love Conwy but the estuary can be quite a challenge and we tend to get out to sea only in Perfect conditions. Would you all agree the sea is kinder to a small boat such as ours and do I have to worry about the 'Swellies' or just keep away from that section of the straits. I just wanted to check in before making a final decision.

Also from Port Dinorwic is there anywhere within safe reach where we can drop anchor and stay over for a night stay in our little boat? The berth we may move to will dry out at low tide.
 
PD would be way nicer for travelling out and about from. Downside is the moorings can be a little rough, outer harbour dries. Inner harbour goodluck getting space. The latter two will restrict you to tidal access. If you kept it on a trailer in the boat yard that would be perfect. Loads of places to explore and anchor up. You really would be at the hub from which to choose which side of the island will offer the most ideal waters given any weather. As for the Swellies you are not a yacht. Not a problem.
In your shoes I think you will find PD a complete revelation and wonder why you struggled in Conwy which is not a place for small boats in my opinion simply because the Bay can get fierce and the river is deceptively dangerous. If it werent for the rough water moorings I'd be in PD. Note, PD moorings close for the winter. And I know of no insurance that will cover them during that period. By rough water I mean a small chop that rocks the boat constantly, would make you feel ill and awkward if not dangerous to access by tender in the more worse conditions. Not huge seas.
 
JayCbee said:
Hello all

I have a 16ft microplus 501 explorer with a 50 bhp outboard and at the moment we are at Conwy marina and Im being advised that Port Dinorwic may be more appropriate for our size of boat as we get used to taking her out. As newbies to the boating world we love Conwy but the estuary can be quite a challenge and we tend to get out to sea only in Perfect conditions. Would you all agree the sea is kinder to a small boat such as ours and do I have to worry about the 'Swellies' or just keep away from that section of the straits. I just wanted to check in before making a final decision.

Also from Port Dinorwic is there anywhere within safe reach where we can drop anchor and stay over for a night stay in our little boat? The berth we may move to will dry out at low tide.
Click to expand...
Bruce k is your man , and that would be a good move for a boat your size but how will you go on when tide is out can you get off the boat .
 
Oh and PD are all pirates of a lesser nobility. Should you move there and we see you on the water dont be shocked if we hide the booze and women. We have certain standards to uphold.
 
Another consideration is to keep your boat on a trailer at ABC Marine boat yard on Gallows point Beaumaris. Not quite as convenient as PD but a worthwhile consideration nonetheless.
 
Thanks Chaps The advice I have been given does suggest a lot easier time for a boat our size. Yes it would be the 'outer harbour pontoon' which does dry out in parts (and will in our berth I am told) - I assume thats not a problem for any boat? (That may be a stupid question sorry) Not too worried about tidal access as we are kind of restricted to the tides now with access to and from Conwy - we tend to take an hour or two max trip. Few other losses such as no petrol fuel point and not a 'serviced' berth at this time (waiting list beckons when we are berthed there if we go) but we are not too worried about all that. Shame we cant 'stay' overnight on the boat in the berth as we can do at Conwy which is why I queried places to go and anchor up overnight during the Summer months - any suggestions appreciated! Regarding 'the moorings close for the winter months' - Does that mean all the boats are brought out of the pontoon? If this is the case I assume this is when you take the boat out do the anti fouling and service the outboard etc. How long is that period? We always intended to take the boat out of the water from end of October to say March.

All in all I think we are going to make the move - Conwy have been very good to us and I love the facilities but at the end of the day its all about the boating fun and I think PD as you say will be a lot less stressful.
 
Keep your boat in the outer basin
It dries to soft mud which is no problem
On small Neaps you have 24/7 access to the Strait
On big Springs you will have 4 hours either side of high water easy
So much better than your situation in Conwy, espesially at the moment with the silting where you are now
Just come back in from a morning out there withan 18 ft bowrider
Newbies who keep the boat in Plas Coch
Launched opposite PD on the private slipway
Blowing quite fresh gusting 5 I reckon
But on the flood (wind with) up towards Caernarfon then towards Menai Bridge and Bangor
It was fine
Back up to PD before the current 'switched' and into the outer basin at PD for some practice
Then back on the trailer before it got too choppy
So even today the Newbies had 3 hours of fun
Its the ideal place to keep your boat
No messing with a dinghy, which today would have been a pita
No worrying about being on a mooring if it chops up
If you consider the tide times
Spring low water is roughly either 6/7 am in the morning and similar in the evening there
So unless you want an early start etc, just wait till 09.30 hours on a Spring
By the time you have wheeled the booze and fuel to the boat and got sorted you have access to the Strait
Turn right or left depending on the wind etc
There is always somewhere to play unless its real blowy
When you wont be out there anyway!
The Strait is a 20 mile long 'inland waterway' in effect
Loads of places to explore and get experience for a Microplus
You can still get to Puffin easier than most times out of Conwy
Llanddwyn Island is doable too in the right conditions
You will learn all about the Swellies
Once learnt, they stay the same (if I dont hit the rocks too often) Caernarfon Bar is a continual learning curve because it alters almost daily!!!
So venture that way when there is plenty of water
Your 50 hp engine will cope with any currents in the Strait
Its very similar to our first boat which we had on a mooring by the Gazelle to start back in 82
Then a mooring close to the slip in Menai
Then we had a 'massive' 20 footer which we kept in the Basin in PD
That was 84
Kept all my further boats there until 2006
It will broaden your horizons and you will do more mileage and hours than where you are now
You will gain knowledge much quicker
You will enjoy it
 
Absolutely loads of places to anchor and spend the evening then there are moorings too. Too many to mention and some you need to be shown as as great as they are few are simply drop and pray. All have their quirks. Best thing you can do is join a small group and tag along. There are plenty about and dont forget the raggies. A good bunch at PD and they will show you loads.
 
Have you been out with Kwakkers yet? @Kawasaki He can teach you loads on how not to do things and he knows every rock in the Swellies from personal experience. Legend has it he's spent enough time on them to chisel his name in more than a few. If you ever want to learn the area quick it's well worth grabbing him for the day. Just dont put your hands anywhere near his mouth. Same rules apply really for any strange beast you meet.
 
BruceK said:
Have you been out with Kwakkers yet? @Kawasaki He can teach you loads on how not to do things and he knows every rock in the Swellies from personal experience. Legend has it he's spent enough time on them to chisel his name in more than a few. If you ever want to learn the area quick it's well worth grabbing him for the day. Just dont put your hands anywhere near his mouth. Same rules apply really for any strange beast you meet.
Click to expand...
Yep been out with him a couple of times and he did my RYA 2. Top bloke. Ill be picking his brains and generally making a nuisance of myself. Probably had enough of me already havent you Kawasaki!!!
 
Everything he told you about me is lies. He's a rogue and the original pirate. Just saying before you have any premature misconceptions about me.
 
As you know Kwakkers another to cosy up to will be @LBRodders He keeps a Fairline there on the moorings. Ask to tag along one day and you may meet a few other unsavoury characters that can further your education.
 
BruceK said:
As you know Kwakkers another to cosy up to will be @LBRodders He keeps a Fairline there on the moorings. Ask to tag along one day and you may meet a few other unsavoury characters that can further your education.
Click to expand...

Yes, always welcome.

Its a great spot. If you can get in the outer marina, that is a result!
 
@LBRodders make sure he carries a full accompaniment of pirate essentials. Malbec, Pinotage, Shiraz, Gin, Port, and if he has a fridge, beer. Plus BBQ, coals, 15 kilo of lamb etc before inviting him out.
 
No the 'outer pontoon' is not for you
You need to be in the Basin itself
Most likely they will put you on 'outer' rim of the inner pontoons or the pontoon against the inside of the outer wall
In any case, I look forward to you being inside out and back to front when berthing!
:D:D:D
 
Kawasaki said:
No the 'outer pontoon' is not for you
You need to be in the Basin itself
Most likely they will put you on 'outer' rim of the inner pontoons or the pontoon against the inside of the outer wall
In any case, I look forward to you being inside out and back to front when berthing!
:D:D:D
Click to expand...
Yes I think you are right. I’m in the basin. Will confirm Sunday. Berthing no worries. I have had expert instruction. ?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Other threads that may be of interest

Bouba
Port-Cros tomorrow
Replies
17
Views
438
potentillaCO32
P
Bouba
Boat on land
2 3
Replies
43
Views
1K
Bouba
Bouba
B
Holyhead Marina these days?
Replies
2
Views
297
Blue Seas
B
Refueler
Strange water accumulation ...
Replies
9
Views
317
Refueler
Refueler
ianc1200
Sureseal shaft seal.
2
Replies
20
Views
515
ianc1200
ianc1200

Share this page

Top