Best slipway to launch from on the Menai Straights.

[yoyo]

Originally Posted by snowsports1

Hi, I am thinking about trying the "ronnies" launch as our first family trip out in the new rib. I am a little concerned about the tides having seen posts about walls of water?!!.

Planning a trip on the 21st October to look at puffin island and maybe some bass fishing. does anyone know where the mark is for bass fishing??

Puffin isle is at the NE end of the straights and Ronnies is at the SW end. Its about an 18 mile passage. I advise you to do your homework on the straights before making this trip, if your new to the area and RIBing.

There are many sand bars enroute around Caernarfon and Beaumaris and between the bridges the swellies have caught many people out. Also rember the tide is aprox 1hr later at the SW end of the straight than at Puffin.

[HUMBER P4VWL]

Originally Posted by yoyo

Puffin isle is at the NE end of the straights and Ronnies is at the SW end. Its about an 18 mile passage. I advise you to do your homework on the straights before making this trip, if your new to the area and RIBing.

There are many sand bars enroute around Caernarfon and Beaumaris and between the bridges the swellies have caught many people out. Also rember the tide is aprox 1hr later at the SW end of the straight than at Puffin.

I'd second that. The swellies are in the top few most feared bits of water in the uk. Whilst fine if you time it right and know what you're doing, for an unprepared solo first family run out, it could be a bad move.

I'd certainly recommend asking someone along who has done it before unless you have prior experience/navigation chart work skills!

[simsy]

I have my own favourite menai place to launch, but the slip suits my sib on transom wheels, my 1 seies bmw's going know where near it.... I can only just tug it back up on my own feet...

It's the waves near puffin island that got the better of me, the swellies are ok as long as you are in the channel and your engine is singing... channel is not obvious, I studied maps and asked for local advice, used upper half of tide.. my boat and I are 90 boat + 48 engine + 85kg me, and have a planning draft of 10 inches...

[kerny]

I've been between the bridges (the swellies) a few times always between high and mid tide and I have always found it to be an eerie place to pass through . My question is , is it still deep enough to pass through safely at low tide or are there sand banks in the middle to be aware of , rocks you can see to avoid them but sand banks are another issue. Cheer's.

[HUMBER P4VWL]

I can't recommend the Tough Charts enough for an open boater. Waterproof flip charts done for around Anglesey and LLyn Peninsula. They are the best thing i have bought for the rib.

http://www.rya.org.uk/shop/pages/pro...aultCatalog%29

Waves at Puffin and Caernarvon bar are very tide/wind dependant.

Bridges, there are no sand banks between the bridges, but plenty of rocks that you won't see.

You can pass through at low tide in a rib/sib but the margin for error heading north east by the white beacon and the main swelly rock is not large. Same for platters, a big flat rock that lurks just below the water at times in front of the cottage.

Below is a very useful simple leymans way of getting through and staying in the channel which is important at below mid tide heading NE. Quoted from http://www.caernarfon-hbr.demon.co.uk/swell_e.htm

Approach the South arch of the Britannia Bridge keeping the white pyramid (1½ cables East of the centre pillar of the bridge) in line with the centre of the arch. Pass under the centre of the arch (clearance is 90 feet / 27.4 metres at MHWS).
Head for a point midway between the white pyramid and Price's Point. When the pyramid is abeam you should then be on the transit given by the leading lights (two small lattice towers situated on the shore under the South side arch of the Britannia Bridge). The narrowest part of the channel in the Swellies is about 100 feet wide (30 metres) and is situated between the Cribbin Rock and the pyramid on the shore. At this point you will be passing quite close to the shore. Once on the transit, keep the leading marks in line until Price's Point Beacon is just ahead of the beam, then alter course to starboard so that you pass to the South of the Swelly Rock Perch (S. Cardinal) - distance off the Perch of about 20 to 30 metres. After passing the Swelly Rock Perch, head in for the point ahead (1½ cables East of Price's Point) keeping close in to the shore to clear the tail end of the Swelly Rock
Once past the point alter course so that you are heading just South of the Anglesey pillar of the Menai Suspension Bridge (to clear the Platters). There is a clearing line for the Platters - looking aft towards Price's Point, as long as you can see part of the archway on the North side of the Britannia Bridge open on Price's Point then you will clear the Platters. After passing the Platters (you will see a house abeam on the shore to starboard) head for the centre of the span of the Menai Suspension Bridge.

As for sandbanks at low tide. Follow the bouys tightly, especially out of caernarvon SW and from Gallows point to Puffin and you will be fine.

[kerny]

The Tough Chart is on the xmas list thanks Paul for the link info and advice which is very helpful , its always better to get advice from people that know and use the area regularly .

Many thanks,

Steve .

[HUMBER P4VWL]

its always better to get advice from people that know and use the area regularly .

I hope it's more regular than this year!! You're welcome.

[kerny]

You've got all autumn and winter yet Paul .

[yoyo]

Kerny,

Did I meet you at Tim's yard on Victoria dock Caernarfon a couple of months ago? Was you the guy that had a small prob flushing out your outboard motor?

[kerny]

Not guilty yoyo .