Ireland 2007

LizzyD

New member
Joined
17 May 2006
Messages
157
Location
Bridgend
Visit site
Hi everyone. I couldn't post for ages because of a problem with my password etc. Luckily, a nice chap called Dan sorted it for me and now I'm back online.

Next year, I fancy having a go to Ireland. My trip to Conwy this year was too ambitious with hindsight, so Ireland is our next personal record breaking attempt.

I've got leave in July of next year. Is July a good month to go? We got into trouble of St Govans head in June / July this year and the Irish Sea poses equal challenges.

Has anyone got any tips or hints that will help to ensure that both crew and boat return safely?

Take care all,


LizzyD
 

solitaire11

Member
Joined
15 Mar 2006
Messages
405
Location
stourport:
Visit site
i wouldnt get to ambitious!!! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif sorry couldn't help that after reading your pcc docks rally post. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif
 

LizzyD

New member
Joined
17 May 2006
Messages
157
Location
Bridgend
Visit site
(lol) Yes I must admit, not only the PCC rally, but our aborted trip to Conwy earlier this year might make you think that I should pack up boating altogether. However, I'm more likely to grow wings and fly to Ireland before I do that.

We'll be sailing from Cardiff to Milford and then on to Ireland. My plan is rather cowardly as I have a healthy fear of the sea, is to get to Ireland, and then not hang around, but safely get back to West Wales. At least it will be a personal best for me. An "aborad" trip no less!

Bev can't wait and is already deciding what clothing, make up and associated fashion assessories to take! This dream of cold Guinness and colcannon lunches is keeping me going through the winter months. I've learned a lot about my boat this season, as I've only had it since February. We've done Bristol twice now and we love it there. Some of the cider those pubs sell though will give you the daddy of all headaches.

If anyone has done Ireland before, I'd love to hear of your experiences.

Happy boating everyone,

LD
 

graham

Well-known member
Joined
16 May 2001
Messages
8,078
Visit site
The shortest crossing to Ireland is from Skomer to Kilmore Quay, about 55 miles .essential to use the tides to your advantage. Leave Skomer north Haven just before the North going tide starts running.

Going through Jack sound to get to north Haven you have to know what you are doing. The tide changes differently to the rest of the channel so time to arrive at jack Sound at slack water Jack Sound.

You have plenty of time to study tide atlases and pilot books before you go. I would look at it from the point of view that your cruise is to Milford Haven and IF suitable weather occurs you will slip across to Ireland.

The main consideration is that the tide runs much stronger on the Welsh side than the Irish side so plan to have favourable tides on the welsh side then sail against the weaker Irish side tides.
dolphins3.jpg

vegaKQ.jpg
 

tico

Well-known member
Joined
30 May 2001
Messages
3,142
Location
Worcestershire/Pembrokeshire
Visit site
Re St Govans head
Keep WELL offshore, out past St Gowans cardinal (there is an inshore passage, but I wouldnt risk it!)
Avoid on big spring tides or after a couple of days of strong Westerlies.

Believe me... been there , done it!

At other tiomes its been flat calm
 

LizzyD

New member
Joined
17 May 2006
Messages
157
Location
Bridgend
Visit site
Tico,

Mate, you are so right. I can't remember if I put on another thread that we tried to get to North Wales earlier this year. To be honest it was too ambitious a trip to get there and back in just two weeks, unless of course, you don't mind 24 hour sailing. But me and Bev are just not ready for that so we tried to marina / port hop. We realised that we wouldn't make it and decided to head back home.

Here comes the confessional bit! We left Milford and was asked to head south for 6 miles before easting by the CG, because of Castlemartin firing range. The idea was that we would have the flood to push us towards Swansea. However, the so-called F2 wind was easily much, much stronger than that, and it was holding us back, especially as it was on the nose. The so-called smooth to slight sea was coming over the bow too. We motored to make headway, but soon realised that we would be running out of fuel. Oh sure, we had loads on board, but we couldn't get it in the tank, because the filler cap is on the outside of the coaming and was constantly under water. We couldn't go back as we were fighting the tide at its fiercest. All of a sudden, I found myself in the brown stuff with very few options. I deliberately went inland to get a lee from the cliffs, or so I thought. The range safety boat came over and we told them our predicament. They offered to escort us out of the range and I managed to eventually get 10 litres of fuel in, along with some sea water. Then we passed St Govan's Head.

As God's my judge, I have never been so frightened in all my life. We were nose diving down one wave and then climbing up the next. The boat banged and slammed into the sea, and then a massive wave came into the boat. We were shin deep in sea water and diesel splashes from the cockpit sole. I was so frightened, I didn't feel the cold of the water. I tried to be brave for Beverley's sake who was at the tiller. Luckily, that was the worse moment and things got progressively better the nearer to Caldy we got. Swansea was abandoned and we went straight to Tenby. We stole a mooring and rowed ashore and had two nights in a hotel. I nearly gave the boat away for free.

Thankfully, the journey to Swansea two days later was under tiller pilot, with beer can in hand and magazine on lap, sitting in the sun. What a contrast.

As far as St Govens Head is concerned, I'll never, ever go near there again.

Cheers mate,

LD
 
Top