What is Swansea like for sailing?

[PhillM]

Regardless of the cost, I'd still look around he Solent.

If cost is an issue then look up the river itchen for the less fashionable options. Others will be along with ideas but try kemps quay, or the ABP swinging mornings near Hythe or some of the cheaper Portsmouth moorings.

You can get a substantial discount if you don't mind a bit of industrial bank to pass on your way out. Midlands is about 2 hours, so you'd get more time on board and I pad rather be out moving the boat than sitting in a traffic jam driving so where else.

The beauty of the Solent is 20 + day sail locations, so there is always somwhere to go and something to do.

 

[DennisF]

Regardless of the cost, I'd still look around he Solent.

If cost is an issue then look up the river itchen for the less fashionable options. Others will be along with ideas but try kemps quay, or the ABP swinging mornings near Hythe or some of the cheaper Portsmouth moorings.

You can get a substantial discount if you don't mind a bit of industrial bank to pass on your way out. Midlands is about 2 hours, so you'd get more time on board and I pad rather be out moving the boat than sitting in a traffic jam driving so where else.

The beauty of the Solent is 20 + day sail locations, so there is always somwhere to go and something to do.

Thanks all. I have looked at the Solent previously, but with a wife who is nervous about sailing and 2 young children I'm pretty much restricted to marinas at present. My wife has nade it perfectly clear she does not want to be clambering around a dinghy at present! This is a shame as I could get an RNSA deep water mooring in Portsmouth for £945. Kemps Quay and the likes of Fareham are quite restricted in times you can actually get in and out, and I can't afford/justify the likes of Haslar Marina.

The East coast is interesting. I live in Sutton Coldfield, but most of the usual East coast suspects seem to be 3 to 3.5 hours away, and as I say its the travel time I'm trying to cut down. However, if anyone knows better I'm always glad to hear!

I grew up near Cardiff, which is why I initially discounted it as I'm aware the tide basically dictates which direction you can sail in. Where I currently am in Milford is great as a sailing location once I get here, but it is a drag spending 8 hours of every sailing werkend commuting.

Perhaps I need to arrange to sail up to Swansea and Cardiff at some point to mooch about for myself and get a feel for each location. The East coast is not really feasable to visit, but I'd be glad to hear of any recommendations to drive to for a visit.

Best wishes,

Dennis

 

[chrishelen]

Cardiff is good, but beware...Mermaid Quay is a magnet, I have known boats stuck there for days enjoying the ambiance... But seriously, when I had a mooring in Milford a few years back it was great, couple of hours drive at most from Cardiff and you are in a different world, also a step from Ireland, then I moved my boat to Cardiff about ten years ago, looking back I don't think that was my best move as it is a struggle to get west and I ended up not going many places from then, except around and around the Bay, or up to portishead. Don't know much about swansea as we usually sailed past or anchored overnight in oxwitch ( free). We did think about moving the boat to Plymouth a few years ago, but that fell through.
But my feeling is west is best.

 

[PhillM]

Thanks all. I have looked at the Solent previously, but with a wife who is nervous about sailing and 2 young children I'm pretty much restricted to marinas at present. My wife has nade it perfectly clear she does not want to be clambering around a dinghy at present! This is a shame as I could get an RNSA deep water mooring in Portsmouth for £945. Kemps Quay and the likes of Fareham are quite restricted in times you can actually get in and out, and I can't afford/justify the likes of Haslar Marina.

The East coast is interesting. I live in Sutton Coldfield, but most of the usual East coast suspects seem to be 3 to 3.5 hours away, and as I say its the travel time I'm trying to cut down. However, if anyone knows better I'm always glad to hear!

I grew up near Cardiff, which is why I initially discounted it as I'm aware the tide basically dictates which direction you can sail in. Where I currently am in Milford is great as a sailing location once I get here, but it is a drag spending 8 hours of every sailing werkend commuting.

Perhaps I need to arrange to sail up to Swansea and Cardiff at some point to mooch about for myself and het a feel for each location. The East coast is not realky feasable to visit, but I'd be glad to hear of any recommendations to drive to for a visit.

Best wishes,

Dennis

Perhaps get the low cost mooring then go get the boat and use a short stay at hasler or go sport marina to pick up your wife?

 

[Allan]

Chrishelen, I like the odd sail in the bay but I wouldn't recommend sailing "round and round the Bay".
Allan

 

[Uricanejack]

Truthfully I don't really know the area very well. Except I could get to Japan quicker than Milford or Pembroke. Swansea used to be locks. a bit of a pain in the but.
what about Bharry?
locks I was there once a bit bleak. It was the mid 80's i think all of south wales was a bit bleak back then.

 

[single]

Nobody has suggested Porthcawl yet. http://www.porthcawlmarina.co.uk/marina-information/

 

[chrishelen]

Chrishelen, I like the odd sail in the bay but I wouldn't recommend sailing "round and round the Bay".
Allan

I wouldn't recommend it either...

 

[TSB240]

Reading this thread really makes one apreciate the east coast round the Thames esuary.
Creeks galore plus places to go for afternoon,day or weekend sails
All at reasonable prices
Very few Welsh about though so not sure if that is a bonus or not

Is that a bit "Welshist" Sam?

I understand that Meifion Glyndwr are currently checking all AIS targets in Wales and now have you on their list.........

You wouldn't want to come back to a real fire at Pwllheli....!

Steve

 

[Daydream believer]

Is that a bit "Welshist" Sam?

I understand that Meifion Glyndwr are currently checking all AIS targets in Wales and now have you on their list.........

You wouldn't want to come back to a real fire at Pwllheli....!

Steve

Not "welshist" more " racist"------ but really only a small wind up:encouragement:
As for tracking me in Wales one might be a bit out.
I am currently " customs officer dodging" with red diesel in Ostend until Stember by which time i will probably be 500€ worse off!!!!!
Not sure if i should hoist the My Hanse flag as it might be considered bribary

 

[DennisF]

Came back from Milford yesterday. Interestingly, Bristol was only about an hour and a half from home, but I presume it would be massively constrained by tides again. Again, I don't really know the sailing there.

 

[graham]

Have you considered Portishead?

Easy to lock in and out with access for about 3.5 hours each side of HW. plenty of places for a daysail .Portishead berth holders get free berthing at Penarth Marina which is about a 3 hour sail away so good for a weekend visit.

Portishead is currently having more pontoons added so should have vacancies .Several pubs shops etc close by .Leisure center with pool only a few hundred yards away.

Nothing wrong with Cardiff or Swansea , just offering an alternative.

 

[theoldsalt]

Sorry to put a downer on the posts praising the Bristol Channel but I sailed there for many years long before marinas appeared. Now having sailed on the south coast for a few years I would not return even if moorings were fee. I had my fill of muddy water and strong tides where you could only cruise one way - with the ebb and flow. Destinations are limited for weekend sailing and one soon gets bored with the same places month after month, year after year. Give me the south coat of Devon and Cornwall any day.
Why pay south coast marina prices for second rate cruising with tidal restrictions.

 

[DennisF]

Have you considered Portishead?

Easy to lock in and out with access for about 3.5 hours each side of HW. plenty of places for a daysail .Portishead berth holders get free berthing at Penarth Marina which is about a 3 hour sail away so good for a weekend visit.

Portishead is currently having more pontoons added so should have vacancies .Several pubs shops etc close by .Leisure center with pool only a few hundred yards away.

Nothing wrong with Cardiff or Swansea , just offering an alternative.

That is interesting - 1 hour 50 mins door to door by the route planner, and reasonable tidal access - much like Milford used to be before the new lock gates were installed. What are the cruising destinations like?

 

[Tim Good]

Sorry to put a downer on the posts praising the Bristol Channel but I sailed there for many years long before marinas appeared. Now having sailed on the south coast for a few years I would not return even if moorings were fee. I had my fill of muddy water and strong tides where you could only cruise one way - with the ebb and flow. Destinations are limited for weekend sailing and one soon gets bored with the same places month after month, year after year. Give me the south coat of Devon and Cornwall any day.
Why pay south coast marina prices for second rate cruising with tidal restrictions.

Agreed but Swansea is a good option in terms of North Devon, Lundy, Pembrookeshire. But I agree Deven and Cornwall are great and harbour moorings at Dartmouth are not actually that difficult to come buy if you go on a temp mooring for a couple of years and stay in the harbour office good books.

 

[DennisF]

Sorry to put a downer on the posts praising the Bristol Channel but I sailed there for many years long before marinas appeared. Now having sailed on the south coast for a few years I would not return even if moorings were fee. I had my fill of muddy water and strong tides where you could only cruise one way - with the ebb and flow. Destinations are limited for weekend sailing and one soon gets bored with the same places month after month, year after year. Give me the south coat of Devon and Cornwall any day.
Why pay south coast marina prices for second rate cruising with tidal restrictions.

If I was closer I would agree, but the whole reason for considering a move away from Milford is to cut down the time it takes to get to the boat. South coast of Devon and Cornwall would take almost as long to get to as Milford I would think?

 

[jordanbasset]

I think you said you were from Solihull - driving time to
Milford Haven - 4hr 13 min 210 miles
Plymouth 3 hr 11min 204 miles
Swansea 2 hr 27 min 153 miles
Cardiff 1hr 54 min 111miles
Portishead 1 hr 30 min 91 miles
Exeter 2 hr 34min 164 miles

I suppose you pays your money and you makes your choice

 

[DennisF]

I think you said you were from Solihull - driving time to
Milford Haven - 4hr 13 min 210 miles
Plymouth 3 hr 11min 204 miles
Swansea 2 hr 27 min 153 miles
Cardiff 1hr 54 min 111miles
Portishead 1 hr 30 min 91 miles
Exeter 2 hr 34min 164 miles

I suppose you pays your money and you makes your choice

Close - I'm in Sutton Coldfield, a bit to the North which makes Milford Haven anout 4 hours and Plymouth 3hrs 31 mins. I'm trying to reduce the travel time to the boat, but it does seem difficult unless I go to the Bristol channel. However, there you are essentially dictated by the tide. Not an easy decision.....

 

[jordanbasset]

Close - I'm in Sutton Coldfield, a bit to the North which makes Milford Haven anout 4 hours and Plymouth 3hrs 31 mins. I'm trying to reduce the travel time to the boat, but it does seem difficult unless I go to the Bristol channel. However, there you are essentially dictated by the tide. Not an easy decision.....

I agree not an easy decision, perhaps a draw up a short list and then a trip down to the places you are considering to get a personal feel for them and what the journey is like may be useful, perhaps fun as well.

 

[TSB240]

Not "welshist" more " racist"------ but really only a small wind up:encouragement:
As for tracking me in Wales one might be a bit out.
I am currently " customs officer dodging" with red diesel in Ostend until Stember by which time i will probably be 500€ worse off!!!!!
Not sure if i should hoist the My Hanse flag as it might be considered bribary

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