The Swellies

[JamesTT]

Transit of The Swellies, Menai Straits April 2010

 

[LittleShip]

Transit of The Swellies, Menai Straits April 2010

Hooligoon..... look at all that air in the water, some of us slow boats wont be able to get a depth sounding now

Tom

PS I'm still waiting for my 10 min blast!

 

[JamesTT]

I'll get you this summer Tom, we have enjoyed two great weekends now. Got down as far as Caernarfon on Saturday, I believe visitors are not allowed into the marina whilst the dredging work is on going, do you know when the work will be complete?

 

[LittleShip]

I'll get you this summer Tom, we have enjoyed two great weekends now. Got down as far as Caernarfon on Saturday, I believe visitors are not allowed into the marina whilst the dredging work is on going, do you know when the work will be complete?

I didnt know that visitors were'nt allowed at the moment...... I'll talk to Mark (HM) this week and find out. It is a place that I visit quite a lot with SWMBO so I'll need to know. I suppose I could always go and lean against Searush

Tom

 

[deborahann]

I'll get you this summer Tom, we have enjoyed two great weekends now. Got down as far as Caernarfon on Saturday, I believe visitors are not allowed into the marina whilst the dredging work is on going, do you know when the work will be complete?

closed for three weeks for visiting boats from about the 14th April (I think), shortly before we set off to Conwy, hoping to visit. Big disappointment and totally out of blue, no notice given, we only found out from Conwy Marina news e mails.

 

[Searush]

Typical MoBo, doing it in under 3 mins when a proper boat will enjoy the experience for at least 20 mins.

I guess you are aware that you crossed Cribbin rock once & the North Platters twice? Plenty of water at that state of tide, but even your shalllow draft would end up Kwackering them at low water. There is a free chart available from the Caernarfon Harbour Trust (clikit)

And here is the current Notice to mariners about the Victoria Dock. It says from 14th April for 3 weeks - plus any extra time for cock-ups!

I did a clockwise circumnav of the house on Gored Goch on Saturday just for the fun of it. Using the recommended transits & correct time (2hrs before HW Liverpool) is far too easy, I prefer to either stretch the recommended times, or explore the other passages - but never both!

I don't suppose those mini whirlpools affect your boat, but they are gerat fun in a keel boat at displacement speeds, they really flick you about - both on the horizontal AND vertical axis. rookie passengers & crew gett really scared!

Tom; Currently there are still some Quay berths not in use as owners are not yet on the water. I'm in the middle of the river so would simply fall over if your 40 tons of firewood leaned on me.

 

[Kawasaki]

but even your shalllow draft would end up Kwackering them at low water. There is a free chart available from the Caernarfon Harbour Trust (clikit)

There is tons of water at low water
I should really charge the Trust for clearance duties

plus any extra time for cock-ups!

Ooops, yep, forgot about those



I did a clockwise circumnav of the house on Gored Goch on Saturday just for the fun of it. Using the recommended transits

Recommended Transits?
Nah dunnah bother.
VW Transporter is just as good!

Comin from Menai
Hang a right (starbored or summatt I think its called) just as the thick bit of yer boat is level with Prices Point.
Then aim fer the petrified tree
On yer right hand side, in a bit, a cross thinghy (obelisc)? will show up.
Anyway
So 'Obby' is on yer right
Prices point is behind yer
Just before yer about to hit the knackered tree turn left
Then its all plain sailing.
Just aim towards the centre of the railway bridge.

Junno whats amazing.
And it is an amazing place.
Which I never tire of.
Tiss pretty
Tiss unique
Tiss not to be held lightly (ok I know I do but not really!)

I know I have bored peeps about this before
BUT

In Victorian times
The house on Gorad Goch that Searush mentioned
Peeps where Rowed Out There!
For Whitebate etc and Cream Teas!
Then rowed back to Menai!
Imagine the Elf an Safety garbage nowadays!!

Oh I fergets
The only Elf and Safety issue these days
Is 'James TT'

 

[hlb]

I was going to say earlier, that it looked like James had tried to hit each rock in the Swellies, but me line went dead.

I've found it dead easy, once I got Kwaackers instructions out of my head.

 

[AndieMac]

Thanks James for the great video...first time I've seen this section of the Straits.

What a stunning old bridge (the second, larger one), good to see the Swellies in a really 'boiling' state. Great looking boat to..

BTW Kwackas...if ever you decide to write a nautical publication...I want the first copy, it going to be a best seller.

 

[hlb]

Thanks James for the great video...first time I've seen this section of the Straits.

What a stunning old bridge (the second, larger one), good to see the Swellies in a really 'boiling' state. Great looking boat to..

BTW Kwackas...if ever you decide to write a nautical publication...I want the first copy, it going to be a best seller.

To give an idea, this is what your dealing with, not a big problem with big engines, but still needs respect. http://www.beaumarislifeboat.com/local/swellies.htm

 

[AndieMac]

To give an idea, this is what your dealing with, not a big problem with big engines, but still needs respect. http://www.beaumarislifeboat.com/local/swellies.htm

That puts a different light on things Haydn.....good piece of info though.

No wonder certain folks knock the tops off those piles of rocks.

 

[Kawasaki]

That puts a different light on things Haydn.....good piece of info though.

No wonder certain folks knock the tops off those piles of rocks.

 

[Major Catastrophe]

Callum, here is a very low tide look at the place with the two transits marked in red.

Taken on the same day, you can see the Platters in the background, which is where HMS Conway came to grief.

Now everybody has had a gander, I have resized the photos.

 

[AndieMac]

I recognised the lower/second pic where the old ship floundered.

Thanks for the photos MC...what is the tidal variation, say, on the springs as in the top pic?

Is that kwacka darting about in his RIB?

 

[Major Catastrophe]

I haven't got the data here for the tidal variation, but the picture was taken two years ago during an exceptionally low tide.

 

[Searush]

Thanks James for the great video...first time I've seen this section of the Straits.

What a stunning old bridge (the second, larger one), good to see the Swellies in a really 'boiling' state. Great looking boat to..

BTW Kwackas...if ever you decide to write a nautical publication...I want the first copy, it going to be a best seller.

Actually, Andie, that video is taken pretty close to slack water. It gets SIGNIFICANTLY wilder than that. I only risk an hour or two early or late (going with the tide) and I have seen 2' difference in water levels either side of gribbin Rock. Sadly, I can't find that pic at the moment, but I shall look a bit more.

I have canoe'd in there at half tide & that really is awesome, huge standing waves to play in, proper whirlpools & rapids & the noise is quite astounding. Some people "drift dive" the passage, but I don't understand the point - visibility is beggar all, you just get bowled apex over tip from one end to the other - a bit like diving in a washing machine.

 

[AustinPowers]

I was once sternly corrected by Cassandra at the RAYC, "it is the Menai Strait, not Straits."

 

[LittleShip]

I was once sternly corrected by Cassandra at the RAYC, "it is the Menai Strait, not Straits."

Dont worry I upset them when I call it the Menia Canal!

Tom

 

[Tresner]

Plenty of water at that state of tide, but even your shalllow draft would end up Kwackering them at low water.

Kwackers,

I have noted though various post that you are the resident expert on rock trimming. I, being a novice, have a few questions. Do you prefer a 3 or 4 blade trimmer? Stainless or cast? What pitch do you prefer to get the smoothest rock top? I am of course assuming you have a large collection of data.

Your swellies remind me of a number of inlets in British Columbia. Big difference is there isn't much help around if you don't get it right.

Bernie

 

[AndieMac]

Actually, Andie, that video is taken pretty close to slack water. It gets SIGNIFICANTLY wilder than that. I only risk an hour or two early or late (going with the tide) and I have seen 2' difference in water levels either side of gribbin Rock. Sadly, I can't find that pic at the moment, but I shall look a bit more.

I have canoe'd in there at half tide & that really is awesome, huge standing waves to play in, proper whirlpools & rapids & the noise is quite astounding. Some people "drift dive" the passage, but I don't understand the point - visibility is beggar all, you just get bowled apex over tip from one end to the other - a bit like diving in a washing machine.

With all those 'bricks' and fast water around Searush, it doesn't look like the place to play with a low powered, deep drafted yacht. Obviously a deep understanding of local knowledge is required.
Its a wonder someone hasn't installed some turbines to generate electricity.