The Swellies

Andie;

Sea Rush only draws about 4' (bilge keel) and the tide range in the area is around 5m. I was looking for a definitive range, but all I could find was a reference by the Swellies Pilot (Emrys Hughes) that the range at Menai Bridge is one meter greater than at Britannia Bridge, just one mile away at the opposite end of the Swellies.

But you are right, the area demands respect, but offers great rewards. Sea Rush could probably manage 7kts flat out, so if I do ever get it seriously wrong (and believe me I check & double check several times before I go in there!) I should be able to either blast through at double digit speed over the ground, or let the tide carry me out backwards while going full blast against the current. The idea is that I will have both steerage way & "some" control over my speed & direction. So far this is a theory as I haven't got it wrong - yet!

I will definitely not try turning in the middle - that's what ultimately "did" for HMS Conway, the old square rigger.
 
An interesting fact is that the Three Peaks race transits the Swellies every year, for two of the five years I have watched them there was no wind at all and as the boats all have their engines sealed, they have no choice but to drift through, using oars as and when necessary.
 
Major Catastrophe said:
An interesting fact is that the Three Peaks race transits the Swellies every year, for two of the five years I have watched them there was no wind at all and as the boats all have their engines sealed, they have no choice but to drift through, using oars as and when necessary.
Click to expand...

Yes, but they don't all make it through do they? Most get away with it, but timing is all.
 
I would like to thank everyone for the information posted on the Swellies and the entire Menai Creek area. I had the charts out last night and for the first time was able to put a clearer picture together of your cruising grounds. Far more inland and shelter cruising than I had imagined. I didn't realize that the Menai Strait crossed through Wales.

Without every having gone through the Swellies, they have my respect. Maybe one day I'll get to go through on LS.

My marina is on the Tacoma Narrows and we usually look at the tide book to see which direction we're going or what time we'll be leaving. That must be a similar pattern for the NW group, everything planned around the tides.

If you're ever coming the NW of Washington, Puget Sound, let me know and I will show you a little of our cruising grounds. If you pour Tom a nice drink, you might get him to tell you a little about our area and waters.

Bernie
 
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Tresner said:
I would like to thank everyone for the information posted on the Swellies and the entire Menai Creek area. I had the charts out last night and for the first time was able to put a clearer picture together of your cruising grounds. Far more inland and shelter cruising than I had imagined. I didn't realize that the Menai Strait crossed through Wales.

Without every having gone through the Swellies, they have my respect. Maybe one day I'll get to go through on LS.

My marina is on the Tacoma Narrows and we usually look at the tide book to see which direction we're going or what time we'll be leaving. That must be a similar pattern for the NW group, everything planned around the tides.

If you're ever coming the NW of Washington, Puget Sound, let me know and I will show you a little of our cruising grounds. If you pour Tom a nice drink, you might get him to tell you a little about our area and waters.

Bernie
Click to expand...

Bernie, if you ever get to visit our neck of the woods, you will be made most welcome. You're right, we're also very much ruled by the tides, but I for one wouldn't have it any other way. t's more interesting.
 
But you are right, the area demands respect, but offers great rewards. Sea Rush could probably manage 7kts flat out,

.............................................................

Na Na Ni Na Na. Just done it at 20 knots. Now in Conarfon.;):D:eek::eek:
 
Philiz said:
Bernie, if you ever get to visit our neck of the woods, you will be made most welcome.
Click to expand...

You are only allowed to bring in one litre of spirits, but we can direct you to a local off licence so you are bearing gifts when you arrive.

Mick from Son Vida came over from Ireland once.


Just the once!


Proved to be too expensive.
 
"That's the way to do it!" said Mr Punch.

Tell me Haydn, did you worry about times or just go? Also, at 20kts, do you feel the Swellies wobble you or just smash straight thro' them?

And how do you stop the nose bleeds? :rolleyes:
 
Searush said:
"That's the way to do it!" said Mr Punch.

Tell me Haydn, did you worry about times or just go? Also, at 20kts, do you feel the Swellies wobble you or just smash straight thro' them?

And how do you stop the nose bleeds? :rolleyes:
Click to expand...


Well, as it happens, If I leave Conwy when they open the door. I arrive at the swellies around slack water, though I did not have a watch.

Felt no wobbles at all, though I have at eight knots, dunno whether that was timing or just better faster.

Kept my eyes glued to the course though.:eek:
 
Tresner said:
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
Click to expand...

Bernie
Sorry for the late reply
Currently (no pun intended) I am stranded on a Greek Isle.
Tiss murder
My 'Sponsors' tinternet has failed
I am in a sort of cafe establishment
With the ability to connect with the World.
However, it is a strange enviroment.
I am now connecting to the World.

But struggling to connect to the people in said Cafe!:confused:

Could be a language thing
But I think it is more an inhaling thing
I have been inhaling tobacco
Tother customers seem to be inhaling something different;)

So
To answer your query.

The trimmer needs to be durable
'Diamond hard'
In fact
If Kind Sir, You could procure said whisk out of diamonds
A four blader would be just the job:D

Not too course a pitch
Delicatley does it through the Swellies;)

Flip
The electricity is about to run out hereabouts
I must draw this 'comminiquay' to a close soon
See
The typriter p-art of this archaic machine is a job to fathom out (yeh . I stll use fathoms) see . the keyboard is waning

'The Swellies'
Marvellous and wierd at the same time

Welsh name
'Pwll Ceris'
Cerises pool in english, ish!

The island in the middle
'Ynys Gorad Goch'

Red island wier
In English

'Whitebait island' Christened by English peeps during victorian times
Oh eck
Wanted to say much more ref the swellies and the menai stait ref tides and stuff
But
Titernet
Cafe
An me shilling has run out
Just got 3 euros left
Taxi 2 euros
Ouzo
1 euro
Cos I know the waiter
Tarra;)
 
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Major Catastrophe said:
An interesting fact is that the Three Peaks race transits the Swellies every year, for two of the five years I have watched them there was no wind at all and as the boats all have their engines sealed, they have no choice but to drift through, using oars as and when necessary.
Click to expand...

There's a coincidence...we have a Three Peaks Race as well, every Easter for 20 years now. Leaves our Tamar River, round the east coast to Hobart on the Derwent River, in the south. Its a huge event, very tough on all crews, especially the runners who may not be used to the sometimes adverse sea conditions.

I know we copied yours (not just the the location names either), because the entrants use similar processes to power the yachts, like oars and bike powered prop shafts.

Just picturing your Three Peakers going through the swellies with oars and paddles, just like the white water rafters :eek:
 
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Tresner said:
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.
Click to expand...

Dear Bernie,
I thank you for your enquiry ref trimmer types for rock control.
Please excuse my belated reply.
I have been away on 'Lecturing duties'
As an 'expert' of course.
Me an swmbo, 'rocked' up to the Venue
The Students where in awe!
Well, what would one expect?
I said to swmbo
No tides
No idea of current affairs
Most rocks seen where in Museums.
Some boaters were interested , cos some had come acroplis from time to time!
Roman about the place I reckon
A bloke Elgin had lost his marbles too
Anyway it was all Greek to most of them
There was one student who was really interested in props and stuff.
Nice lad, Archi Medes, I think His name was.
Bit of a screwball but a 'proper' boy as we say around here.
Anyway
We are back now in the UK
So to the nub
I think a slow moving 3 blade jobby of titanium is best for my use
Biggest diameter available
Needs to be tough as old boots
As I do use the beggars regularly to clear the way for local folks who have no idea!
Well, poor gits.
They are mkostly drunk best prat of teme not like what i am:)
 
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