gppj25
new user
Reged: 12/07/2006
Posts: 4
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About to sail this route for the first time - any hints, route suggestions very welcome.
Thanking you
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mrbloto
regular
Reged: 31/12/2007
Posts: 198
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if you are you are going from cardifflock out 2 1/2 hours before high water stay close to penarth you will needto moter across the tidal surge of wrannie you ca then go down channel if iwas going iwould stay close to the shore and go down through nash passage it can feel a bit daunting but if you confidence in your navigational skills no problem BUT WHICH EVER WAY YOU GO YOU ARE DOWN THERE IT IS AT LOW WATER AND THERE ARE A LOT OF SAND BANKS ABOUT if possible when you are not sure go in company with some one who has done it before
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graham
regular
Reged: 16/05/2001
Posts: 6051
Loc: South Wales
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Need to know what type of boat to offer any specific advice.
With a yacht that can sail/motor at 5 or 6 knots generally leave Cardiff about an hour or two before HW Cardiff.Wether you take the short cut through the Nash passage depends on how confident you are and if you can lock straight in to Swansea that day.
On big tides you sometimes need to anchor at Mumbles to wait for the tide to make a bit before you can lock in.In that case you may as well pass South of the Nash Sands and Scarweather sands then make your way into the Swansea Bay from the West Scarweather Buoy.
The Tawe and Marina locks arent 24 hrs so make sure you can get in before they close for the night 
Swansea Marina does a very usefull booklet with loads of info re locking into the Tawe and Marina.I would phone and ask them to send you one beforehand.
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http://banjocoronado25.blogspot.com/
All Hardwood used in Banjos restoration comes from sustainable sources. Usually the Boat Club Skip :-)
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LizzyD
regular
Reged: 17/05/2006
Posts: 152
Loc: Bridgend
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Or you could Google "Swansea Marina" and you'll get a pdf document of their marina booklet which has the local tide times in.
I'd agree with everything Graham and Mr Bloto has said. I always refer to the chart, no matter how many times I've done it because there are a few sand banks there and you just need to be vigilant. You can usually see them before you get too near, because the water whitens and foams on them. Keep a close watch on your position and echo sounder, and you'll be in Wind Street on the lash in no time.
Enjoy your trip,
Lizzy D
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wotayottie
regular
Reged: 01/07/2007
Posts: 1892
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be careful about the chart. I once used a chart that was a few years old, only to find myself in danger of going aground in swansea bay cos the sandbanks had moved. had to ask the way from a convenient parked fishing boat. 
for your first trip, treat yourself to a new updated chart.
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Damo
regular
Reged: 22/02/2005
Posts: 2625
Loc: k keeper,Portishead
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And don't forget that the clockwise/anticlockwise tidal stream in Swansea Bay is 9 hours one way, and 3 hours the other (can't remember which off the top of my head )
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Never be at a loose end with the Yosemite bowline 
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mrbloto
regular
Reged: 31/12/2007
Posts: 198
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i have left swansea on an ebbing tide crept up to tusker rock before tide turns. have left swansea a few times 2 1/2 before low water, that again is staying close to land. thats on the highest springs of the year in september, it is just a case of being vigilant and keeping an eye on your depth guage. there are places where there are only feet under your keel by sker rocks .
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gwylan
regular
Reged: 31/05/2007
Posts: 267
Loc: Portishead, on tour
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Swansea is nice, must be, I was born there!
Damo is right about the tidal stream - can make a big difference.
Never done the inside of Nash, had a bumpy 15 mins on some sand banks as the tide piled up against the wind. So watch the shallow bits and the relative tide - wind direction
Bit of a pain about the Tawe lock and office hours routine, the club used to serve good food....
Then cruise on down to Oxwich or Port Eynon and spend a free night on the hook
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gppj25
new user
Reged: 12/07/2006
Posts: 4
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Thanks to all of you for your advice. We'll probably opt for the avoid Nash passage and enter via West Scar - anchor up if we have to, then into Swansea etc.
Thank you all again.
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Alcyone
regular
Reged: 09/04/2008
Posts: 431
Loc: Bridgend, Wales, UK
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Is it possible to moor/anchor at mumbles and get a bus to town?
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