Trip to Penarth from Portishead

[SlimRick]

Hi all,

Planning a trip to Cardiff / Penarth tomorrow, leaving Portishead at 8.00am. Slightly nervous about the Cardiff Barrage and the channel approaching it as it's the first time we've been there. We draw 1.6m, and looking at the forecast it might be a slow sail across.
Somebody tell me it'll all be ok

 

[graham]

It will all be ok.

Arrive at the outer Wrach cardinal buoy leave it to Stbd then leave the line of reds about 30 meters to port.

Leave the red and green buoy(preferred channel mark) near the entrance to stbd and head across to the entrance. Take care of boats leaving suddenly coming round the breakwater. If in doubt wait until after low water so if you do sniff the mud you won't be stuck. There are pontoons in the lock moor securely to them as the lock can be quite boisterous when filling near low water.rig fenders and lines both sides before you go in.

With the good weather forecast you will probably be able to follow someone in.

 

[SlimRick]

Thanks Graham, just what I needed to know!

 

[SteveSarabande]

I would avoid going at low tide. If it gets near that wait for a rising tide, the entrance channel can be shallow with only 1m of tide.

I would leave portishead a hw-1 (6:45). It takes me around 3-4 hours, so it leaves plenty of time to get in.

 

[SteveSarabande]

Or leave at hw+3 and get to steepholm at low tide, then head for cardiff. A much nicer route that makes better use of the day

 

[graham]

Or leave at hw+3 and get to steepholm at low tide, then head for cardiff. A much nicer route that makes better use of the day

That plan certainly takes away the stress and not such an early start.

 

[single]

Hi all,

Planning a trip to Cardiff / Penarth tomorrow, leaving Portishead at 8.00am. Slightly nervous about the Cardiff Barrage and the channel approaching it as it's the first time we've been there. We draw 1.6m, and looking at the forecast it might be a slow sail across.
Somebody tell me it'll all be ok

Did you do it? Just back from the bay and didn't notice your boat in any of the obvious places.....assuming thats yours in the pic?

 

[SlimRick]

We made it safe and sound thanks folks. Currently berthed outside Pier 64 and heading in there for dinner soon. Thanks for all of the advice, pop in and say hi if you're passing.

 

[Gwylan]

We made it safe and sound thanks folks. Currently berthed outside Pier 64 and heading in there for dinner soon. Thanks for all of the advice, pop in and say hi if you're passing.

Great, well done. It is terrifying the first time. The Channel offers so many great places to go. That assumes the tide is going that direction, or you are patient.

My first was Cardiff to Portishead in the dark. My first night time expedition in command and to a place I had never been.

But a bit of well placed caution always pays.

 

[bluedragon]

Something we do is anchor off Penarth seafront (S of the Pier) if low water (or Sunday afternoon and the lock-in queue is stretching outside the outer entrance!) Good shelter in most winds and slack(ish) tidal flow.