BLUEMOMENT

We have an opportunity to move the boat part way down for our summer cruise 4 weeks before a longer holiday that will be the cruise proper. The car will be left at Porthmadog, which may be a problem connection wise, I may be able to utilise my mum v1.0 to join up some dots at the northern end of the journey, but this will be a big ask so would prefer to make the journey independently if at all possible.

The final destination and place to leave the boat is open, I would prefer to get south of St. Davids, possibly leaving the boat in Dale, North Cornwall, Tenby. I have so far not really looked at moorings yet, but the criteria would have to be available in any weather as arriving and not being able to access the boat late on would be a real right royal pain.

I understand a marina would alleviate this problem except incidental costs would begin to rise above my comfortable budget, visitor rates on a marina for 4 weeks absence is a little difficult to stomach.

Today I have been searching travel sites and in honesty I am struggling. The shortest journey time seems to be close to 11 hours, this is nuts; I can sail down in not much more than that. There would be little point moving the boat other than weather as time saved will be almost negligible.

One transport method I have not looked at is air travel, mainly because I don't know where to start that one, any forumite knowledge on inner wales short haul flights?

What am I missing, surely there will be some on here who have dropped boats off and travelled to North Wales (and back at the start of the cruise).

Am I just being a bit dreamy in thinking this is a good idea, including travel from home and then from Porthmadog to the south, will I really save any time; there is also the problem of shifting me (crippled) by public transport, at least on the 5kt option I can lie down to rest when needed.

Today I have felt like I am planning a trip in the 1930s not 2011, yet at least in 1930 they had printed A TIMETABLE! Why must I try to guess the routes the companies run, who thought this is a good idea, what if my options are open and I will attempt to fit them around the railways or coaches stops and starts?

Honestly, it is not looking feasible, but I am looking forward to any advice on this one...

frustrated
N. Wales

I have used this site with some limited success. No idea if it works well in Wales.

Derek

I take it you've tried this: http://www.traveline-cymru.info/

Did it not work?

I tried Milford Haven to Porthmadog as a sample and it gave me a journey time of about 7 hours: http://planner.traveline-cymru.info/jou ... OlE3403721

Edit: oops, just spotted that your start point is in England not Wales...

TBH, for that journey I would cost a one-way car hire company. There are (were?) flights from Cardiff to Caernarfon and or Valley recently, but Fort Belan to Portmadog is almost as bad, but at least the Welsh Highland railway would get you home.

In the past when delivering/ moving a boat, SWMBO has always driven the car (usually with the kids) while I sail solo. It can be fun for them to spot their boat sailing past the odd headland if you can time it right, or being there when you sail in.

I give up, travelling in Wales without the car is just not an option.

Well done Cymru

As you've found out, Travel North-South is far harder than travelling East West.

I did a delivery trip last year, taking a train from Cardiff to Bangor to pick up the yacht. That was reasonable, at around 3 hrs, IIRC, but then you'd have another couple of hrs from Cardiff to Milford. If it was on a weekend that we were heading West, you'd be welcome to have a lift with us.

As for moorings, if you choose Dale, let me know. I may be able to help. Dale is very shallow, charted at around 1.5m where our mooring is, around 400yds from the beach, but I have access to a couple of others which may not be in use. It's very sheltered, and only gets lumpy in strong Easterlies.