A soft dawn light bathed Conwy’s medieval walls as our little flotilla readied to depart. There were three boats in our party: a sleek 26-foot day cruiser belonging to a friend who wanted a quick weekend run, a rugged old Westerly sailboat determined to catch some breezes, and our chosen vessel—an Aquastar 38—poised for a comfortable extended cruise along North Wales’ glorious coastline.

We slipped lines just after sunrise, greeting the cool morning air with steaming mugs of tea on the Aquastar’s flybridge. Conwy Castle’s imposing silhouette receded behind us as we cleared the harbour mouth. Within half an hour, we were passing Great Orme Head, the coastline to starboard painted in soft blues and greens.

Our destination for day one was the Isle of Anglesey. The boater on the smaller day cruiser looked apprehensive—North Wales’ weather can be unpredictable, after all—but the Aquastar 38 took on the occasional chop without blinking. With its semi-displacement hull, the Aquastar cuts through waves that might have a shallower craft bouncing unpleasantly. Even from the lower helm station, you get a sense of that unwavering stability—like a sturdy friend guiding you through bracing waters.

By midday, a moderate breeze had kicked up, so the Westerly was loving life under sail. We kept pace alongside in the Aquastar at a comfortable cruising speed. The easy conversation in the Aquastar’s spacious saloon continued uninterrupted—there’s enough sound insulation and layout room that you can lounge indoors or step out onto the aft deck without feeling cramped.

Our biggest navigational challenge came as we approached the Menai Strait. While the smaller day cruiser’s skipper contemplated turning around, we felt calm in the knowledge that the Aquastar 38’s robust engine power and precise handling would guide us through the swirling currents around Britannia Bridge. Locally known as the Swellies, that narrow channel can be daunting, but the Aquastar answered every helm command predictably, leaving us free to admire Anglesey’s lush shoreline and the towering mountains of Snowdonia on the horizon.

Late that afternoon, we moored just off Menai Bridge, where time seemed to slow down. Over a hearty dinner in the Aquastar’s galley, we talked about how different each boat’s experience had been. Our friend on the day cruiser found the crossing thrilling but a bit challenging in the chop. The sailors on the Westerly exulted in harnessing the breeze, though manoeuvring under sail in the tight swirl of the Menai Strait took skill. Meanwhile, the Aquastar 38 had offered a gentle, reassuring ride, with enough space for us all to gather around the table.

The next morning, we pressed on toward Caernarfon. Steering from the flybridge in clearer weather, we enjoyed panoramic views of Snowdonia’s rugged peaks. The small day cruiser decided to head back to Conwy; that boat was perfect for short day runs, but with the forecast calling for freshening winds that evening, it was safer to be in a more protected harbour. Meanwhile, we and the Westerly pressed on, sharing radio chatter and planning a second night anchored near Abermenai Point—a scenic spot with golden sand dunes and calm beaches.

As we dropped anchor, the Aquastar’s large aft deck proved an ideal social hub. Our sailing companions joined us for a dinner of fresh local seafood, the quiet waters glimmering under a soft pink sunset. Below deck, the Aquastar’s two-cabin layout and comfortable saloon let everyone unwind—some in the cosy saloon with a glass of wine, others drifting off in the forward cabin lulled by the gentle sway of the tide.

By the time our North Wales cruise ended, we’d seen a broad cross-section of these waters—from the sheltered coastline near Conwy, across the sometimes-challenging Menai Strait, to Caernarfon Bay’s open waters. The smaller boat had offered speed and simplicity, the Westerly had charmed us with classic sailing romance, but the Aquastar 38 truly shone for all-around cruising. Its blend of sturdy engineering, stable ride, and welcoming accommodations made the entire trip feel like a holiday afloat rather than a test of skill.

We parted ways at Caernarfon with wide smiles, each boat taking something different from the experience. As for the Aquastar 38? It proved exactly what we’d hoped: a faithful cruising companion for the rugged yet beautiful waters of North Wales—ready for more adventures, no matter what the north Wales coastline and the Irish Sea decided to throw our way.