When we were discussing our cruise programme for this year the idea of the Menai cruise came up as a popular suggestion. With offers from Cliff Brown and John Leahy to lead it, both Menai veterans, we had an easy decision for our main summer cruise. In addition, the cruising notes from the last time were another bonus and they just needed updating by contacting all the marinas and clubs on the itinerary to complete the plans.
John’s account continues for several pages, with embedded photographs. Use the button below to open the PDF document…
John adds: To follow on from my wandering narrative account of the CAI Summer Cruise to the Menai Strait, CAI Vice Commodore Mike Kelly (and owner and skipper of Jigsaw) has written these great notes and observations on the cruise….
Overall verdict……a great cruise-in-company, great preparation (thanks John and Cliff), great fun on and off the water, mixed but overall good sailing weather and a great endorsement of the value that CAI can bring to our sailing adventures. In short… a resounding success.
John Leahy provided very clear advice on the best approach into Holyhead, given strong NE/SW tidal streams. Even on a very calm day, we can vouch for the strength of the flows in play, as our boat speed shot from 5 to 8+Kn in minutes. In much fresher conditions on the following morning, we witnessed the ferocity of the Holyhead Tidal Race in full flow from the safety of the breakwater. Not for the faint-hearted!
Holyhead-Conwy
The departure of the fleet at 06.00 provided a display of synchronised efficiency, with CAI Banners filling the early morning sky as we set our sails for Conwy. We had pleasant sailing in light winds, with occasional resort to ‘Perky’ (our diesel) to get us out of trouble or becalmed. The only point at which our pulse raced was off Carmel Head, where again the tidal stream carried us in directions we didn’t need. The approach into Conwy is very clearly marked and we got a first-class reception at the Marina there. While not cheap, services were good, with a helpful attitude.
My overall impression of Conwy and Caernarfon is about the scale and excellent state of preservation of the respective castles and town walls. Conwy is an attractive tourist destination, offering plenty of options for exploration.
Conwy-Menai Bridge
The passage itself was relatively straightforward with good channel marking and we made good time on another bright sunny day. At Menai Bridge, we saw that berthing would be a challenge as the ‘visitor’ pontoon was permanently occupied by local commercial Rib operators, who helpfully pointed out that it dries out in Springs. Boat and crew were tested as we berthed on the available dock into a fast-flowing stream. In discussion with the new HM, we agreed a solution with some rafting, some private moorings and two boats taking the ground. While not perfect, this worked and proved the value of flexibility in responding to things as you find them on the day. As a bonus, no berthing charges were levied following a ‘parley’ with the HM. Menai Bridge is a charming small town with a variety of places to eat and drink. With the famed bridge as a backdrop, there are numerous plaques highlighting its innovative design and historic significance in securing more efficient linkage (and control) between London and Dublin in earlier times.
Swellies-Caernarfon
Once again, the procession of the fleet under the Bridge and down the channel with all flags flying was a proud sight. Following the very clear directions in the Cruise Notes, the fleet navigated the Swellies and then split, with 5 boats in Port Dinowic and the other 6 pushing on to Caernarfon. Harbour Team in Caernarfon were terrific in getting us all rafted, including all 11 boats the following day.
There were two particularly memorable nights in Caernarfon. Firstly, courtesy of Cliff’s organising skills, we had a group reservation for The Old Courthouse, with a combination of good food, elegant surroundings, great ambience and later free rein to all entertainers, ours and theirs. The fun continued into the wee hours on a boat which shall be nameless. A visit to the Royal Welsh Yacht Club the following evening was a reminder of how much we have in common, including the courtesy and warm welcome extended to visiting mariners. A medley of CAI and local musicians provided a pleasant backdrop to all the ‘sailing talk’.
Caernarfon-Dun Laoghaire
On our last day in Wales, the skies opened, and the persistent rain made for an uncomfortable start to our return crossing. The exit passage from Menai is again well marked and very manageable provided you heed weather advice and stick to the marked channel. The remaining 8 boats travelled in company to the safe water mark at the exit and then made their way at their own pace back to home port, in Asile’s case via overnight anchorage.
We started out in a fairly robust sea state, with wind on the nose and plentiful rain. After 2 hours or so, things calmed, the rain stopped, and we motor-sailed home comfortably at 6-6.5 Kn. in a light NW breeze. There were several attempts to monitor fleet progress by VHF during the crossing and this is one aspect about which we might think further for future open water outings.
We reached DL at about 03.30, thoroughly satisfied and looking forward to a good sleep. With a crew of 3 for the return, the I hour watches meant we were fully alert and not over-stretched. The volume of shipping traffic on the approach into Dublin was a wake-up call though none of it caused us any real problem.
Heart-felt thanks to the two lead organisers John Leahy and Cliff Brown and to all who played a part in the planning and organisation of the cruise. The level of camaraderie and mutual support between participants was a notable feature of the cruise, exemplifying what the CAI is all about.
Some take-aways
- We should encourage/facilitate more crew/boat swapping – identify how this can work.
- Heed the advice of those who have been there before and listen to local advice, keep the notes as the basis for the next cruise to Menai and develop this approach further.
- Plans work best when you remain adaptive to events and circumstances. The experience of the group shone through.
- Think about how we ‘mind’ the fleet, on night passage in open waters. Examine the effectiveness of voyage communications and develop a CAI proposal on how we might do this.
Final Word: Bring on the next one!
Mike Kelly
