Heading for Pembrokeshire...

ZodiacFuturaMk2 · 09 May 2016, 14:27

I'm heading with a few friends to Burton Ferry at the end of the month (from East Kent), with the Rib (naturally).

Does anyone have any tips/advice RE:

* What to watch out for (hazards, tankers etc)
* Tides (springs while we are there),
* Places to visit / moor up for refreshments (beer),
* Best area to use waterskis, wakeboard etc
* Where to refuel (petrol)

Cheers

G

Dhf · 09 May 2016, 17:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZodiacFuturaMk2

I'm heading with a few friends to Burton Ferry at the end of the month (from East Kent), with the Rib (naturally).

Does anyone have any tips/advice RE:

* What to watch out for (hazards, tankers etc)
* Tides (springs while we are there),
* Places to visit / moor up for refreshments (beer),
* Best area to use waterskis, wakeboard etc
* Where to refuel (petrol)

Cheers

G

*You will need to lookout for the occasional tanker when negotiating the main channel of course, but there easily avoided by navigating just outside of the channel markers.

**The tides will be dropping off small Springs from the 23rd to a range of 3.5 meters by the 28th, this will reduce currents, but still very strong by headlands.

***Lawrenny, Burton, Neyland marina, and Dale all have visitor pontoons with refreshments nearby.

****Best area for wakeboarding would be right by Burton, there are speed restriction a couple of miles up river, but plenty space to u-turn on the plane for another run.

Hopefully the weather will be nice too !!

Tedskee · 09 May 2016, 18:04

Hi G,

As per Dhf's post there is no real problem and lots of room for a Rib.
You should listen out on Channel 12 (Port Control) this will give you an idea of movements, also look out for Tugs as they can move quick and will call you on 12 if unsure of your intentions, all friendly etc.
Main Ships to look out for is the Irish Ferry which knows the Haven like the back of its hand, does some maneuvers around Pembroke Dock to moor up, it does not hang around and will not hesitate to give you 5 short blasts.

There is an inside channel under the Fuel Pontoons which you can use when heading out to stay clear of the channel, your challenge may just be other small craft as you know where the big ones are...

Some nice places to visit are:
Lawrenny - has tea rooms and a pub with its own landing stage, not sure on fuel.
Dale has nice Pubs and little Jetty as mentioned by Dhf
Angle has the Point House which has just changed management and should be good, however going ashore is a bit more difficult and if tide is on way out could get you stuck.
There are some other Pubs with own Jetty's but can't think of their names, but Hazel Beach is one.
Fuel and Food from Milford Marina, it has a "fishmans Pontoon" on the outer wall which can be used for a quick run ashore, shops and eating places around Marina also Tesco's (inc petrol station) is at other end so is easily walk-able. Fueling here from Marina pumps will need you to go through locks and they have specified times. (Website has details)
Neyland Marina is open with no locks but never used it, has shops and chandler.

If weather is good, go for Skomer Island, seals, puffins and all types of wildlife.

There are some members who are located in the Haven who can give far more detail.

Dan

Bern Hanreck · 09 May 2016, 18:37

" There are some other Pubs with own Jetty's but can't think of their names, but Hazel Beach is one. "

The Jolly Sailor just upstream from the Cleddau Bridge !

Refuelling at Lawrenny is not available at low tide !

ZodiacFuturaMk2 · 10 May 2016, 07:17

Hi all,

Thank you very much for all your advice! Looking forward to getting there and exploring the area!!

All the best
Gareth

Bern Hanreck · 10 May 2016, 08:37

Gareth , as already mentioned , if the weather is great , venturing out of the Haven to Skomer is great . Do not attempt to go South past Castlemartin Firing ranges ( Linney or Linhe Head ) without checking out........

https://www.gov.uk/government/public...ring-notice--2

Don't ask how I know

Andre · 21 May 2016, 21:57

Have you left?

I have just spent a week in Neyland Marina having had my rib shipped up from Southampton. Fantastic ribbing area. We actually stayed in the marina on the water in the very new Haven Pod. if you have the May issue of All at Sea see a write up there. Make a base in Neyland and visit Skomer and Skokholm island. The Jack Sound and the Wild Geese are breath taking. As for Ramsey Island it is best to drive to St. Davids and take a trip on one of the many seasafari ribs. I would recommend Blue Ocean Adventures. A ride across the Bitches is incredible. All the guys there are very professional and will give you a time of your life irrespective of which operator you choose

Next week when I have a few minutes I will post some photos and You Tube Go pro clips of course on a separate thread .

It was one of my best ribbing weeks. We did some walking as well as the weather was not always the best.

Brian · 22 May 2016, 08:25

As Andre says:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LKr13qRbDIU

Pikey Dave · 22 May 2016, 09:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andre

Have you left?

.............. The Jack Sound and the Wild Geese are breath taking.

I once did an un-intentional drift dive through Jack sound, it was certainly breath taking😳...BUT I had some of the biggest scallops I've ever had & a couple of huge cray👍. Great area, enjoy.

Sh1t happens

Andre · 22 May 2016, 13:03

Soon. are you in the area

ZodiacFuturaMk2 · 31 May 2016, 17:45

Thanks for all your advice - got back on Saturday after THE best holiday ever!

It's the perfect place for using a Rib and conditions were as calm as a millpond for the entire week.

Visited the following pubs in the Rib mainly by using the fantastic council jetties:

Jolly Sailor - Burton
Ferry House Inn - Hazelbeach
Lawrenny Arms - Lawrenny Yacht Station
Old Point House - Angle
Griffin Inn - Dale
Harbour Inn - Solva

Did a lot of boarding in Burton and did some classic sea kayak routes from Burton to Angle, Porthclais to Solva and back and Abereiddy to Abercastle and back.

Had a wee bit of bother with the Suzuki DF90 on the first day...for some unknown reason the pin that holds the shift bar in place deep in the engine failed resulting in ten hours of labour at Dale Sailing in Neyland...Carl and George (total legends) got the problem fixed within a day and we were back in action, incredible service!!

I will post a few pictures.

Few youtube vids:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=898VRiuSxCY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ideltpS6kyo

Cheers

G

ZodiacFuturaMk2 · 31 May 2016, 18:02

A few more photos

ZodiacFuturaMk2 · 31 May 2016, 18:04

...and some boarding:

Andre · 31 May 2016, 19:23

sorry to hear about your engine at least Dale Sailing were able to fix it.
Glad you had a good time

Did you venture past St. Ann's Head or just stayed inland?

ZodiacFuturaMk2 · 01 June 2016, 07:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andre

sorry to hear about your engine at least Dale Sailing were able to fix it.
Glad you had a good time

Did you venture past St. Ann's Head or just stayed inland?

Stayed inland, but will definitely be going back!