Swansea to Portishead - Advice needed

[Achillesheel]

I was asked this morning about sailing on the Bristol Channel. An acquaintance has been asked to deliver a Westerly Griffon from Swansea to Portishead one day in June, probably around the 26th; he is a YM, but his sailing experience is mainly in the Solent.

He asked me because he’d heard that I have sailed on the Bristol Channel, but my experience is only on a Laser at Portishead Sailing Club, so I couldn’t really help.

I told my acquaintance that the YM Scuttlebutt forum is a great source of wisdom and experience, but it takes a while to be registered, so I said I would post this on his behalf.

Any advice on the best time to leave, how long the passage might take, any hazards to avoid, would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Yellow Ballad]

I did Oxwich Bay to Newport for the first time the other week, similar distance to Portishead. I had planned on stopping at Barry or Cardiff but it was such a quick and easy trip I carried on to Newport and got there with 2 hours of tide to go (you gain an hour of tide going up channel). I left 2 hours before LW Swansea as the winds were light, I ended up motoring till the wind filled but it got me a bit futher up when the tide changed. I believe there's an anticlockwise eddy in Swansea bay so leaving a bit earlier might be a worthwhile thing so you don't fight it. Getting through Nash Passage I can't comment, some say it's fine other avoid it at all costs. He might want to nip out before.

Wolves rock nead Cardiff is one to keep clear as well as any Grounds (Swansea/Cardiff). The run up from Cardiff to Portishead is fine but there are shipping channels Avonmouth like you to keep clear. I had a horrible windshift (goosewinged to none and then a beat off Lavernock Spit/Ranny, the tide ripping through didn't help. Heading through the Holmes might help with the wind but it can get lumpy round there.

Also look behind for ships, they come out of nowhere!

 

[rotrax]

Perhaps the Bristol Channel forum might be a better place to ask.

Worked for me 3 years ago.

 

[Achillesheel]

OK, have copied this to the Bristol Channel Forum.