crazy trip, 60 mile trip from Beaumaris to Morfa Nefyn over Caernarfon bar

HUMBER P4VWL · 11 October 2010, 22:07

Well, the boat is out finally. I managed to make the trip this time from Beaumaris in Anglesey down the Menai Strait to Morfa Nefyn/Porth Dinllaen. The weather was just bizarre. On the Sat, the Beaumaris lifeboat was i was told called out 5 times. In pic 1 you can see the wind and waves funnelling up the straits from the N East as it narrows down to the bridges. However the other side was flat calm. We set off at 10 after a stop at porth daniel for my crew to pick up cancer sticks!

Then on out to Caernarfon, all seemed fine, then as we passed Abermenai, the swell started, then i wondered what i was seeing, it appeared the horizon was alive with what looked like Hawaii 50 surf! Last time i went out in a F5-6 the wind was Westerley against the tide and the v large chop was 8ft ish from trough to crest, with steep sharp waves in the channel by the bar, the wind blowing on to the hull as you came off the top of the wave. This time, the channel was fine but f*ck me, all across to llandwyn island, the 7.7m tide and force 5 wind was running out into a really good rolling swell coming in, as this came over the bar out past Abermenai at about 11.45 roughly an hour after high tide, it created perfect surf and i swear on my babies life, waves over 20ft tall. If you were in it, they would just annihilate you. A surfers dream with tubes as they broke. They were larger than the surf i saw on bondi beach in Australia. I absolutely bricked it, however the bouyed channel that goes out past abermenai point running parrallel to the bar was a smooth rolling swell. Then inside of this as it runs up Newborough beach the same was occuring with the wind lifting the spray off the top. It was perfect for huge surf breakers. The channel was about 100m wide but bloody daunting. After heading north all the way to Llandwyn Island we headed west and around behind the bar. Wow, an experience i have never had.

HUMBER P4VWL · 11 October 2010, 22:15

After about 40 mins of battling the chop and swell outside the bar down the Llyn peninsula we finally made it to Porth Dinllaen, the wind though was the only way that exposes the bay, NE so we couldnt push on to the beach for a real ale as the tide was dropping. After a tinny or two and a sandwich, we decided to get back to the bar in case it was worse, i believe you shouldn't cross it more than 3 hours either side.

Anyway, Yoyo has posted a pic on another thread to prove we were there!!! The yellow bouy moved!

60 mile round trip, practised for April. I'm wondering if YOYO is in the photo i posted, are you there sir?

Travelling back in was the same, we had to run right out to Llandwyn island then across south to abermenai. As waves start to peak inside you, or are crashing outside you on the bar as you head in, it is bloody unnerving. The GPS and channel bouys can't keep up with the moving bar, so you have to play it by sight, trying to stay between the crashing surf on the bar and the start of the surf heading in to the bay. An experience to say the least. We made it back in to the straits and have to say the Humber again outperformed me. Safe to the Anglesey Arms in caernarfon for a well earned pint and back through the bridges before half tide.

HUMBER P4VWL · 11 October 2010, 22:22

few more photos of the route past swelly rock and the straits. Some beautiful stately homes and ports set by the Snowdonian mountain range. Shame my digi camera is knackered after playing on the bar last time.

A great end to the season, the best yet. The push from Caernarfon to PD was tough going, a good 45mins at about 20-25mph getting airborne alot. It was now or next season though and to be fair, it was our comfort rather than the boat that would limit what i would travel in. I have said that before, the Humber OP hull is so dry and takes it so well. I have such confidence, that is growing by each trip. The engine too has so much torque when you need it, instant response.

We had edged too close to the bar on one occasion and my crewmember said an expletive as i too saw the wave rising, I nailed it and the v6 opti instantly jumped the boat to about 45knots to get past the crest. Had it not, we may well have either broached in the surf or had to turn and run, perhaps then bowstearing in to a broach. What a day!

Never seen anything like it in british waters.

HUMBER P4VWL · 11 October 2010, 22:31

few more, here's looking forward to April!

HUMBER P4VWL · 11 October 2010, 22:39

here's some

HUMBER P4VWL · 11 October 2010, 22:41

Technically wrong, we certainly didn't cross the bar, we most definitely went around it!!

tony t · 13 October 2010, 12:25

looks like you had a good trip mate

shame about the boat being lifted out for the winter we have some great days out i will post you some pictures just to remind you what your missing .. !!
if ever your down our way we would be happy to give you a ride in a ribquest

yoyo · 13 October 2010, 13:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by HUMBER P4VWL

Anyway, Yoyo has posted a pic on another thread to prove we were there!!! The yellow bouy moved!

60 mile round trip, practised for April. I'm wondering if YOYO is in the photo i posted, are you there sir?

Yes I am there supping a well earned pint sat on the wall watching you watching me

On our drive down to Nefyn we stopped off at Cearnafon Airport. Your right the Bar looked absolutely horrible and I defo wouldn't of gone out there in my little rib it would have been carnage.

We also stopped off at Trevor, the seas were also well gnarly here.

HUMBER P4VWL · 13 October 2010, 13:50

It was mad, never seen it like that. It has been very rough with breaking seas and much stronger wind, but to have full on surf with a complete tube inside was awesome to see, though very unnerving when we had to edge close to.