Ramsay Sound and Jack Sound

Ian_Edwards

Ian_Edwards

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I'm currently waiting on weather in Holyhead (20-8-20.
I plan to sail down to Milford Haven on Monday or Tuesday (24rd or 24th).
Looking at the tides for Ramsay and Jack sounds, it looks like the south going tide in Jack Sound turns 2hr before Ramsay, so if I hit Ramsay Sound at slack water I'll be at least 3hr late at Jack Sound.
I was thinking of aiming for Ramsay Sound at Slack water and then going out side Skomer and Skokholm avoiding the Wild Goose race.
The wind is forecast to be in the west, but there is likely to be a big southerly swell left over from the current gales.
What would others do ?
Cheers
Ian
 
We've used Jack sound once in calm conditions at slack +2 with an interesting standing wave of about 0.5m at the southern end. Normally use Broad Sound. Though the waves there can be significant in frisky conditions they have a longish period and don't cause problems.
 
I have to go out for a while so will come back with a detailed note later, but if you time Ramsey correctly you get to Jack Sound at the right time to go through as well, the two hours between does in fact work. Done this dozens of times.
 
Praxinoscope said:
I have to go out for a while so will come back with a detailed note later, but if you time Ramsey correctly you get to Jack Sound at the right time to go through as well, the two hours between does in fact work. Done this dozens of times.
Click to expand...
Agree, though when I was regularly sailing in this area the fact that I was in a small slow boat meant that I had to mistime one to get the other right. Always in reasonable weather though. Particularly avoided Jack Sound in any significant weather. Ramsay Sound is easier and no real difficulty though some interesting swells if not at slack water - have seen visible water height differences N and S as you go past the Bitches with tide flowing in your favour.
 
If you have a slowish boat like mine you'll find that you can't make both sounds at the optimum time. But in good conditions you don't have to pass at exact slack. There's some worrying upwellings in the vicinity of Horse Rock but not dangerous.
Always avoid the sounds in bad weather or wind over tide.
 
Sorry I was out longer than I expected, attached are my notes on getting through both Sounds, you may find someone more local who can also advise.
Please feel free to criticise or ignore these notes.
If you still feel hesitant about these two passages, the outside route may be preferable, but a lot longer and not without the odd hazard.
Whoops need to change notes to another format, back soon.
 

Attachments

Thanks for that, I found the pdf very useful.
I'm planning the trip on Sunday or Monday.
I plan to leave Holyhead around HW Dover and get to Bardsey Island Sound before the flood starts at HW Dover +5hrs.
It's 35nm and with ebb with me and a W wind forecast to be 10 to 15 knots I should be able to make 7knots over the ground, perhaps more. So 5hrs.
When I get to Bardsey, I'll decide whether to continue on to Milford Haven or divert to Pwllheli. I think it will depend on how much swell there is left over from the current westerly gale.
If I go direct to Milford, I don't have to go through Bardsey Sound.
It's then approximatly 55nm to Ramsay Sound, with the tide against me most of the way. That will take about 9 to 10 hours.
That would put me at Ramsey a bit too early on the South going tide.
I'll just have to see what the day brings, these are all very much estimated times. I can always go round the outside.
I plan to anchor in Dale Bay and get some sleep before venturing into Millford Dock Marina.
 
How much time do you save going through the sounds. I have gone in both directions outside when travelling and chickened out each time.
 
I can sink a few pints in an hour, so not worth stresing about. Mind you, I enjoyed cutting corners in the wash, but weather is the biggest concern.
 
Ian_Edwards said:
I'm currently waiting on weather in Holyhead (20-8-20.
I plan to sail down to Milford Haven on Monday or Tuesday (24rd or 24th).
Looking at the tides for Ramsay and Jack sounds, it looks like the south going tide in Jack Sound turns 2hr before Ramsay, so if I hit Ramsay Sound at slack water I'll be at least 3hr late at Jack Sound.
I was thinking of aiming for Ramsay Sound at Slack water and then going out side Skomer and Skokholm avoiding the Wild Goose race.
The wind is forecast to be in the west, but there is likely to be a big southerly swell left over from the current gales.
What would others do ?
Cheers
Ian
Click to expand...
We used tohit Ramsey about two hrs beforehigh water and punch thriugh to hit Jack at the optimum time. Wind from the S canmake it uncomfortable and wehad to fanny around at the Ne d for an hr till the swell calmed down once
 
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