Solo in The Swellies

[SgtColon]

OK This newbie got his boat, Had to drag it all across Ireland and then over on the P & O ferry where I suffered in silence but pretended to look amused at every joke about how ‘they’ would have sailed it or towed it behind the ferry rather than struggling to load it on board. Even done the Powerboat 2 training with an instructor who I shall not embarrass but has been known to go up and down The Swellies a few hundred times, but I remain a cruising virgin who desperately needs to go solo ….. Hmm the context of that may be a little chronologically incorrect but sure you get the picture. To gain my confidence I need to get on to the water alone. I had in mind putting her into the water near Caernarfon on the 19th June heading North through The Swellies to berth overnight in Conway Marina, the following day 20th June to pass South through The Swellies to berth overnight in PD, haul her out of the water the next morning to return home on the 21st to resume real life. This window of opportunity being of course subject to the usual unpredictable British weather. I am currently drowning in .. sorry another phrase I shall have to avoid …. I am currently sat amidst dozens of pieces of paper, almanacs, charts and tide tables struggling to work out the practicalities of this little nautical adventure. An early start was expected on the 19th but Trybens new home in Manchester is still several hours journey to Caernarfon where high water is predicted to be 09.40 (Hollyhead minus 30), I then need to have sufficient time to negotiate The Swellies (High water PD shown as 09.55). I am fairly confident about the line to take but the passage planning times are becoming a mystery to me.
Reids Almanac states The Swellies should only be attempted at slack HW, which is about -0100 Holyhead (HW Hollyhead is 10.10am), Another reference suggests to go through at HWslack giving this about 1hr 40mins before HW. The Caernarfon Harbour Trust states go through at HWS being 2hrs 10mins before HW Liverpool(10.54). These times are all UST and together suggest the approach on that day to negotiate The Swellies be about 8.30am, 9.10am or 8.44am. Even adding an hour for British Summertime this gives me very little time to enjoy my McMuffin on the way down. I presume these times are biased towards the safety of sailing vessels. Tryben is a Sealine S23 (170hp diesel, 0.9m draught).Whilst it is no racing craft it should have the power to push against the currents. However I am trying not to make an idiot of myself. I do not normally have much difficulty in this so I am making more effort to seek your wisdom and avoid getting stuck or becoming another geological and navigational feature. I do understand that it would not be wise to be in it whilst there is too strong a current in case of engine failure but realistically what sort of time window do I have around these suggested times to make my approach safely.
Perhaps at the same time I could also learn the truth about Did Kawasaki really see a mermaid?, Does Searush really swim in that sea? and How did The BinMan get his name.
Many thanks in advance

Graham

 

[hlb]

HWS at the swellies. Is Liverpool - 2 hours. If you want to get pedantic, 2h10M might be better. So this may be better for the first time, having said that, you can cross the swellies any time you like, if you have a powerfull enough engine and are very confident. The problem being that the current can and does throw you off line.

So from Conarfon, keep in the middle of the river or just a bit left, then stear towards the right hand arch of the bridge, where you will see, red and green lights above it. Stear for the centre of the arch and carry on in the direction of a pyramid shaped mark. Look behind and you will see two pyamid shapes behind you. When they line up, keep on that direction, till just before the pole and mark (cant remember what it's called) in the centre of the swellies. Pass that on the right, say, about 40 ft away, then aim for the centre of the next bridge.

 

[Cymrogwyllt]

You can probably do the swellies against the tide at any time if you can do 8 kn or so. With the tide is another matter given the hard bits. I used to play there at all states of the tide but I hasten to add that I used a kayak and used the back eddies.

 

[Searush]

HLB is right, 2 hrs before HW Liverpool is slack water & the place is delightful at slack water. Yes, you can go thro at any time with a fast boat, but as Haydn says teh eddies will kick you about something rotten & it will feel like the wheel & rudder are only intermittently connected. Stick to slack water for your first passage & then try a few just outside slack water, as confidence builders, but be aware that the tide switches direction pretty quickly.

Here is a pic I took when I went thro an hour early one trip.

 

[hlb]

Thanks SR.

Going outside SW means that you have to be traveling much quicker, in order to keep direction, but that also means that your reactions have to be quicker, to keep on line. Many boats do it at 20 + Knots, once they know the way.

 

[LittleShip]

There are many of us that "play" in the Swellies, one or two of us in a slowww boats

Kwacker is the man to show you where the rocks are as he has shaved a few maybe most over the years.

If you want to talk it through or get some guidance, drop a PM to one of the North Wales mob, a couple of drinks and you should have your info checked and your pockets depleated.

Tom

It looks daunting but in reality it is quite straight forward.

 

[akyaka]

Just follow the directions on the Caernarfon Harbour Board Trust Chartlet and first time aim for local high water slack which has been said is Liverpool - 2.00 hours.We aim to go through from the Caernarfon end at least an hour earlier so we can carry the tide to Beaumaris, but we are only motoring at 5/6 knots. The maxim is going this way early but not late and from Menai Bridge late but not early.

Stear for the centre of the arch and carry on in the direction of a pyramid shaped mark. Look behind and you will see two pyamid shapes behind you. When they line up, keep on that direction, till just before the pole and mark (cant remember what it's called) in the centre of the swellies. Pass that on the right, say, about 40 ft away, then aim for the centre of the next bridge.

Aim for the centre of the arch towards the pyramid shape on the land; when the two leading lights on land just under the bridge are in line abeam turn so that they are on your stern( when this occurs you are very close to the shore but there is plenty of water) then turn to run parallel to the mainland shore and pass close by, 10m or so, Swelly Rock beacon on your port side. When just before Prices Point aim for the centre span of Menai Bridge to avoid the Platters.

And please when there are a number of boats going through together, as there invariably are at weekends, keep in line and at the pace of the slowest boat - remember there are boats going both ways and it is restricted water.

 

[Searush]

(snip)

Ace picture Haydn! I shal save that & print a copy off for my personal Pilot book!

The channel is right on the far side of the picture against the Mainland shore. It looks really narrow there cos it's a long way away - and it isn't that wide, but it can be used by large ships at HW slack & by boats even at LW slack, springs (like that piccy). LW slack is an amazing experience, looking up at all the rocks, but you head the tide entering & leaving the area. This may not seem a big problem to MoBo's with plenty of speed, but it could double your fuel bill!

 

[SgtColon]

This is all good and so soon, Thankyou very much. I shall make certain for the first few times I aim for High Water Slack. Probably best that I can't see what I might hit. Reassured though that if I do take a little longer with the bacon buttie it wont mean I run out of water underneath the boat providing I stick to the correct course. Already recognising many of your names and look forward to seeing you over the next months and years as this will probably be my playground area. If you see Tryben on the water hope you'll say hello (Probably after 'Get out of the way you fool') and I'll try to keep some tinnies stocked in the fridge.

Graham

 

[[2068]]

Aha, so now we know where Niall's boat has gone to.
No idea on how to tackle the Swellies, but great choice of boat

 

[hlb]

Ace picture Haydn! I shal save that & print a copy off for my personal Pilot book!

The channel is right on the far side of the picture against the Mainland shore. It looks really narrow there cos it's a long way away - and it isn't that wide, but it can be used by large ships at HW slack & by boats even at LW slack, springs (like that piccy). LW slack is an amazing experience, looking up at all the rocks, but you head the tide entering & leaving the area. This may not seem a big problem to MoBo's with plenty of speed, but it could double your fuel bill![/QUOTE

Ai'nt my picture probably one of the majors. But the best I could find.

 

[The Binman]

Because I am a binman! (seemples!)

Good luck Sarge. All very good advice on here. You know the way having been with Kwacker (who has seen many things in his life never mind mermaids!) Your boat has plenty of power to tackle the race, but just remember to keep enough speed over the water to give you steerage.

Plenty of water is better. So High Water slack is best to lose your virginity!

 

[alt]

Tryben? Name sounds familiar

Best of luck with her - and promise to keep it as clean, polished & scratch free as I did... i'll be over to inspect in 2013

 

[alt]

where I suffered in silence but pretended to look amused at every joke about how ‘they’ would have sailed it or towed it behind the ferry rather than struggling to load it on board

What did they suggest you do with the trailer? Throw it away? Attach it under the boat while driving slowly accross the Irish Sea?!

 

[SgtColon]

2013 Niall !! By that time I'll have the experience to pick you up from halfway ... If you just make your way to one of those oil rigs.

 

[Kawasaki]

I am currently sat amidst dozens of pieces of paper, almanacs, charts and tide tables struggling to work out the practicalities of this little nautical adventure.

Graham

Good to do the research and check all the almanacs etc etc Sarge
As you mention though most are guidance for sailing vessels who Do have to worry about the timing of a passage through the Swellies
Tryban will cope with the 'flow' at any stage of the tide
Remember a couple of 'pointers'
On the (Northern) way to Conwy as you approach Brittania bridge 'keep left' .
IE, don't line up the pyramid in the centre of the arch too early
There are lobster pots etc not too well marked lurking there and 'other stuff'!
As akyaka said,look at the Caernarfon Harbour trust chartlet
It shows a bearing of 231.deg T, on passage South, from the cardinal to Brittania.
Therefore 51 deg T reciprocal, about 55 magnetic after you turn to port just before the pyramid
But only glance at the compass to check!
Your eyeballs should be focussed on the South Cardinal by then which should be just off your starboard bow
There is plenty of water 2/3 hours either side of high for your first few passages and whether it is with you or against you Tryban wont mind.
When you turn to starboard just before the Cardinal keep a transit using the white house on Gorad Goch and the detached 'cream' house which appears ahead under the Menai Bridge, this clears you of the Platters.
Tother way as you approach Menai Bridge 'aim' to the middle of Her and point towards the boathouse on the Bangor shore initially then line aforementioned houses up just before the little bungalow on your port side (opposite the Platters) is abeam. Don't turn to port too early after you pass the cardinal to starboard and begin to line up the transits on the Bangor shore
It's a doddle Matey, enjoy
The hardest part of your suggested trip will be recovering Her on the trailer

 

[Afroja86]

Aim for the centre of the arch towards the pyramid shape on the land; when the two leading lights on land just under the bridge are in line abeam turn so that they are on your stern( when this occurs you are very close to the shore but there is plenty of water) then turn to run parallel to the mainland shore and pass close by, 10m or so, Swelly Rock beacon on your port side. When just before Prices Point aim for the centre span of Menai Bridge to avoid the Platters.

 

[hlb]

Kwackers took me through a few times and I was more lost after than I was the first time. So had to learn all over again.

Any way, I got there in the end.

 

[Kawasaki]

Kwackers took me through a few times and I was more lost after than I was the first time.

It's cos me ancestors were 'Wreckers'!

 

[LittleShip]

Kwackers took me through a few times and I was more lost after than I was the first time. So had to learn all over again.

Any way, I got there in the end.

I seem to remember you having to hold "Mucky" back and following Little Ship through.....

Tom