What is Swansea like for sailing?

[Kurrawong_Kid]

I live in Stourbridge and have kept boats, for about 10 years each, in Pwllheli (before the Marina!!), about 3 hours; Plymouth, about 3 hours; and for 16 years at Ipswich, about 3 hours. We prefer the East Coast because usually the weather is drier and even if it is blowing, as long as it is not from the East, you can usually sail and there are lots of places to go to for a weekend; and Belgium, Nederlands and France for an extended cruise.
As for the Solent, try getting to the A34 on a Sunday evening along the M27/M3. Total journey time- 3 hours! And the expense and the overcrowding!

 

[DennisF]

I live in Stourbridge and have kept boats, for about 10 years each, in Pwllheli (before the Marina!!), about 3 hours; Plymouth, about 3 hours; and for 16 years at Ipswich, about 3 hours. We prefer the East Coast because usually the weather is drier and even if it is blowing, as long as it is not from the East, you can usually sail and there are lots of places to go to for a weekend; and Belgium, Nederlands and France for an extended cruise.
As for the Solent, try getting to the A34 on a Sunday evening along the M27/M3. Total journey time- 3 hours! And the expense and the overcrowding!

Thanks for that. The East Coast I'd previously discounted, but as everywhere is "about 3 hours" from me apart from Cardiff or Bristol I'll have another look at it. It does seem a bit more expensive than Milford though - at Suffolk Yacht Harbour in Ipswich the fees would be £3314 per year versus £2324 at Milford. Decisions decisions......

 

[TSB240]

Thanks for that. The East Coast I'd previously discounted, but as everywhere is "about 3 hours" from me apart from Cardiff or Bristol I'll have another look at it. It does seem a bit more expensive than Milford though - at Suffolk Yacht Harbour in Ipswich the fees would be £3314 per year versus £2324 at Milford. Decisions decisions......

Aberystwyth are doing very good deals at the moment and I believe you can get a berth at virtually any of the North wales Marinas including Caernarfon at the moment! Waiting lists seem to be of the past now!

 

[Tim Good]

Thanks for that. The East Coast I'd previously discounted, but as everywhere is "about 3 hours" from me apart from Cardiff or Bristol I'll have another look at it. It does seem a bit more expensive than Milford though - at Suffolk Yacht Harbour in Ipswich the fees would be £3314 per year versus £2324 at Milford. Decisions decisions......

Lets face it if you're used to Milford there is no way you'll be satisfied with Bristol, Portishead or Cardiff. It has to be Swansea or South Coast but if you opt for Plymouth or Dartmouth etc then you might as well stay in Milford if you're just concerned with travel times. At the end of the day it is Swansea to reduce your journey or South Coast if you fancy new cruising grounds.

 

[jordanbasset]

Lets face it if you're used to Milford there is no way you'll be satisfied with Bristol, Portishead or Cardiff. It has to be Swansea or South Coast but if you opt for Plymouth or Dartmouth etc then you might as well stay in Milford if you're just concerned with travel times. At the end of the day it is Swansea to reduce your journey or South Coast if you fancy new cruising grounds.

But Swansea is similar in travel times to Exeter and only about 30 minutes closer than Plymouth

 

[DennisF]

I'm going to have a look at Ipswich tomorrow, with the family, to investigate the area and look at the travel time. The East Coast would suit a bilge keeler very well, and places like Suffolk Yacht Harbour do swinging mooring deals with winter storage ashore included. My wife is slowly coming round to this idea, but we are by no means decided yet.

Thank you all for the many suggestions of alternative berths - it is great to hear from people who have actually sailed from these places!

 

[Daydream believer]

My fault as I was getting a signal off a dopelganger Daydream Believer in Pwllheli the other day!

I think they should arrest you not for red but that Lidl Malt that you keep for visiting Hanse Owners!

Steve

Say what you like but it lasts longer than any other!!

 

[Daydream believer]

Thanks for that. The East Coast I'd previously discounted, but as everywhere is "about 3 hours" from me apart from Cardiff or Bristol I'll have another look at it. It does seem a bit more expensive than Milford though - at Suffolk Yacht Harbour in Ipswich the fees would be £3314 per year versus £2324 at Milford. Decisions decisions......

You can get access to SYH at all states of tide. & there is some support, chandlery etc