Up the river to Bristol

[Morpheous]

I'm planning to head up the river to Bristol this Saturday, need to have a bit of a run to get new cone bedded in. Tide and wind look like the river will be preferable (for non nautical family members). Is there anywhere to moor up before you get to the lock? I was of thinking of getting up there stopping for a swift one and then heading straight back down.

Also what are the speed limits in the river?

Cheers


Russell

 

[Who]

Bristol

You will need to follow locking proceedure as shown here:

http://www.bristol.gov.uk/ccm/conte...s/cumberland-basin.en?page=3#internalSection3

You can lock in/out between 2 hours 35mins before high tide and 15 mins before.

Various pubs in the harbour, but getting out on the same tide is not practical.

Nowhere really to moor for an hour outside.

 

[graham]

Bristol

Welcome to the forum White Mischief,Speed limit on the Avon is 9 knots.

You can moor temporarilly on the tongue head which is the curved stone wall just upstream of the lock entrance channel.There is a ladder built into the wall,Personally I wouldnt leave a boat unattended there but could be ok for a quick lunch stop before going back down stream.You would need to ask the dock masters permission first ,i have moored there for an hour in the past.

 

[Mymobo]

Welcome to the forum. Can I suggest to head down stream and drop the hook some where. If you are new to the channel the book Bristol channel and Severn cruising guide by peter cumberlidge is worth buying. Cheers.

 

[Allan]

Bristol

If you want a drink and some fun you could stop at the PCC rally. You would have a chance to go up the river and then anchor or pick up a mooring at the pill. I'm sure there will be details on the Portishead cruising club website.
Allan

 

[zlod]

I'm with Graham: that curved stone wall just upstream of the lock is the place to moor up (I did it last October). I think you'd need some pretty long lines as the mooring bollards are quite a way apart. I too would be reticent about leaving my boat there unattended. I think the locals are more curious than mischievous. I guess you know that there's a couple of pubs nearby (e.g. Rose of Denmark, Pump House etc.).

I think there are some "pontoons" marked on the chart (on the north bank by Hotwells, not at the stone wall that Graham and I are referring to), but I think these were probably built for the SS Great Britain in her heyday: they're long past their use by date and not for mooring on.

 

[Morpheous]

Thanks for the replies and welcomes, lots of useful stuff there.

I do have the Bristol Channel crusing guide, I have been studying it closely while planning our summer adventure heading westwards. Its quite a dry read though - find I can only absorb about 2 paragraphs at a time! I have the charts of course too, but sometimes there is substitute for talking to someone who has done it.

We probably wouldn't be leaving the boat unattended, I doubt very much if the missus will tackle a ladder so she gets volunteered to boat mind

Quite interested in the PCC rally stuff - whats the story there then?

 

[Morpheous]

Next time I'll read a few more of the threads before replying! I've now seen the details of the PCC rally and checked out the web site! Looks good.

Not sure if I will be there in time, we thinking of locking out around 2:30 - 3:00 - assuming Phil has finished my injectors!

 

[Morpheous]

When you say the curved wall, is it the one literally adjoining the lock entrance?

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?http:...4929,-2.624225&spn=0.002484,0.005772&t=h&z=18

 

[solitaire11]

yup thats the one, make sure she's well fendered...

 

[Mymobo]

WhiteMischief

If you head down Cardiff way give me a shout.

Cheers

 

[Morpheous]

Hi Boats4Cardiff

We have been to Cardiff several times recently, we really love heading over to Mermaid Quay and sampling the local hospitality etc. We usually do Cardiff on a falling tide, getting the last lock out from Portishead to save on fuel!

We haven't overnighted there yet, we will have to try Penarth or one of the other moorings soon.

Next time we head over I'll let you know

 

[clarinettist]

If you want a free stopover in Cardiff, Cardiff Yacht Club has a visitors pontoon and gives visitors a warm welcome. Good showers, friendly bar (wed-sun) and ten mins stroll to Mermaids Quay.

 

[Morpheous]

Someone else was telling us recently that Cardiff yacht club was a good stop over, where abouts is it? We have so far only discovered Penarth and Mermaid quay and have only stopped at Mermaid Quay

 

[Mymobo]

http://www.cardiffyachtclub.org/ this is one option.

i berth at Cardiff bay yachat club which is£10 for the night good bar etc http://www.cbyc.co.uk/.

Then there is also http://www.cardiffmarina.com/ which has new berths.

Have a look at all three i suggest and go for the one that you like.

Pm me if you want to know more.

Cheers.

 

[chrishelen]

Cardiff Yacht club

Someone else was telling us recently that Cardiff yacht club was a good stop over, where abouts is it? We have so far only discovered Penarth and Mermaid quay and have only stopped at Mermaid Quay

As you come through the locks head for the road bridge we are the club just before it, pass the green and red bouys and then turn right and head for the pontoons, could be busy this weekend its Wow in the bay fri and sat nights,well worth a visit.

 

[Sneds]

stayed at CYC a few times and very good it was - great showers!

oh and the beer was ok aswell!

 

[Morpheous]

I've got to go to a wedding at Hayling Island this weekend so no boating for me :-(
Next weekend prep-ing for the big adventure so not sure when I'm next going to make Cardiff. Unless of course the weather is bad in August in which case I shall have 2 weeks to visit all 3!

 

[Mymobo]

Hi where is the big adventure going to then? Nice boat by the way.

 

[Morpheous]

Thanks Mymobo. We are hopefully setting off on the 8th, Plan A is Watchet, Ilfracombe or Watermouth, Lundy, Padstow. Have a review at Padstow and then if conditions permit on to Scilly. Plan B is Cardiff, Swansea then Milford Haven. Plan C (bad conditions) the various morings around Cardiff!