Suggestions please, Southampton to North Wales passage planning

[Skylark]

I’m buying a new boat in Southampton and hence need to get it back to my home berth in North Wales. It should be ready for hand-over sometime in the next 4-6 weeks. It’s a 41ft AWB.

I’m now starting to think about passage planning and I’d be very grateful to receive the benefit of any local knowledge.

Crew could be just the two of us or I may be able to press gang additional help for at least some of the hops. I’d like to complete the journey within 2 weeks.

The first leg out of Southampton will be my shake down sail so I’d prefer it to be not more than a day sail away. After this, I’d be happy to put some miles under the keel but I’m also aware that there are some stunning locations along the south coast and it would be a missed opportunity not to look at a few.

How about rounding the corner? From which port to which port on the North Devon coast?

Any recommendations for crew change location with good access to rail? My wife may only be able to make 1 of the 2 weeks and I’ll need to bribe a few local forumites for help.

Thanks in advance, I appreciate your input.

 

[AngusMcDoon]

Is this to be done cruise style (taking your time and visiting places), or delivery style (get it done quickly)?

Plenty of places to go on the South coast. However, not my normal area, so I'll let others comment on that.

When moving on from somewhere near Land's End (Newlyn or Penzance) I have usually avoided North Devon and gone straight for Lundy or Milford Haven, becase the Devon harbours are well off the direct route. Train links from MH.

Again, beyond this, although there are places to go, you wouldn't go to them if you were doing a delivery style trip, because they require quite a diversion (Aberystwyth for example).

 

[savageseadog]

I've done exactly the same trip with a new to me, yacht. I did it a couple of January's ago during one of the coldest winters etc. Main issue will be potential for engine problems so make sure you know the fuel system is clean all the way through and know tank capacity and running time. Make sure your anchor is ready for use. Other than that it should be really easy in this weather. It can be done in 3-4 days with a 35-40ft yacht a day or two longer for smaller. Suitable stops a plenty on the South Coast, then Milford Haven, you could consider going to the Irish Coast especially if sailing .

 

[Philiz]

It'll be delivery style if James and/or me are on board

 

[john_morris_uk]

Take you pick along the S coast. As others have intimated, I wouldn't go for N Devon or Lundy. Falmouth to Milford haven is an overnight sail. You can do Milford Haven to home as another overnight sail if pushed.

If you've never sailed the S Coast, its your chance to see all the normal places: Poole, Weymouth Dartmouth, Salcombe, Plymouth (Newton Ferrers if you don't want the big city and/or marina experience). Fowey, Falmouth etc. The last place to jump off round Lands End is probably Penzance or Newlyn. If you've never been to any of the above places you won't be disappointed in any of them.

Look at the tidal stream atlas carefully for rounding Lands End. It's possible to catchy the ebb down the channel and then allow the tide to take you Northwards and round the corner and get 12 hours of favourable tide!

When you slip Milford you can find anchorages in settled weather in lots of places, but Fishguard is the next safe haven (but its a bit of a hole!)

If you don't want to tick the boxes of the major yachting ports I've mentioned, take your pick of dozens of small ones on the S Coast but the choice is more limited as you go N of Lands End.

 

[sighmoon]

On the North coast, Padstow's nice, and the only realisitic stop between Lands End and Lundy.

Milford Haven has a big Tesco next to the marina. Howevier, if you don't need the facilities, I would suggest anchoring in one of the many bays; it's the only place I've sailed where you can have a beautiful anchorage all to yourself on a bank holiday weekend. There are visitor buoys in North Haven on Skomer; which is less out of your way than Milford Haven. It's been a few years, but Dale used to be OK for a meal out at either the pub or the yacht club - and there's a free visitor's pontoon.

From Fishguard to North Wales there aren't (m)any places a deep draft boat can stop.

 

[vyv_cox]

We have done either Penzance or Newlyn to Padstow many times. If the weather is quiet there is no problem rounding Land's End by the inside route, saving a little distance. Padstow is a great place to stop but if you are in delivery mode go for Milford Haven, 12 hours further on. From there the tide should be favourable until well into Cardigan Bay, go east a little to push the weaker ebb, then pick up the flood south of Bardsey which should take you to Caernarfon Bar at just the right time.

 

[SteveSarabande]

North haven, Skomer is great as it gets rid of the problem getting through jack sound and ramsey sound both of which are best at slack tide

 

[jimbaerselman]

Tidal gates may dictate your passage planning along the SW coasts. No point in trying to beat to windward off Anvil head, Portland (mind the race!), Salcombe, the SW corner. You'll just stand still for 4 hours. So, if needed: pause in the bays just S of Poole; duck into Weymouth or nearby anchorages; dart into Dartmouth or breeze into Brixham; hang out in Helford or nosy around Newlyn. These maps give a rough idea of the places I'm mentioning. I've just been editing them, so they're not quite complete! Blue is nice to visit. More blue is nicer still. I've missed out Lyme bay. No point going in there.

Click to see bigger versions

 

[Babylon]

Tidal gates may dictate your passage planning along the SW coasts. No point in trying to beat to windward off Anvil head, Portland (mind the race!), Salcombe, the SW corner. You'll just stand still for 4 hours. So, if needed: pause in the bays just S of Poole; duck into Weymouth or nearby anchorages; dart into Dartmouth or breeze into Brixham; hang out in Helford or nosy around Newlyn. These maps give a rough idea of the places I'm mentioning. I've just been editing them, so they're not quite complete! Blue is nice to visit. More blue is nicer still. I've missed out Lyme bay. No point going in there.

Click to see bigger versions


View attachment 33778 View attachment 33777

Well expressed and really useful maps, but you've left out Newton Ferrers - and Newtown Creek!

 

[GrahamM376]

Done that trip several times with newly purchased boats. Soton - Falmouth, Falmouth to west of the Smalls and then either over Caernarfon Bar or around the island depending on tides/weather.