Advice for newb on Erne and Shannon waters

[Falcoron]

Hi, very new to beating and have just purchased our first boat, it's an old but nice ocean 30 with a Perkins 50 horse engine. We have bought her in Leitrim and will be bringing her to the Erne to berth her in lower lough probably around carry bridge area. We will get tuition and be taken to first lock ( of 17 gulp!) to show us how these operate, all are auto card type so should be ok, I hope! I would like a gas with the Shannon Erne maps on it, can someone recommend one without breaking the bank.
Also all and any advice to help us get from Leitrim to carrybridge would be very appreciated. Been told a 2 day trip will see us up that far. Bit daunting fir us and feeling rather nervous, and excited. Will be moving her within the next 3 weeks, getting insurance, GPS etc. Sorted first.
Thanks in advance.
Ron

 

[Dino]

Hi, I'm not sure if you'll get much of a reply here. WWw.iwai.ie is a great starting point. There's a decent forum but most importantly there's a load of good info.
Also check out the CSIG group on the iwai site. They are a group who are voluntarily mapping the full inland system. They will have maps available in the future.

 

[chriswesterman]

As dherraghty as said , the iwai is a good for info. It has some maps on-line http://www.iwai.ie/maps/shannon-erne/contents.html . These are the ones which are contained in the large booklets on the charter boats. The actual ones can be bought from iwai site. These are the only ones you really need as they contain all the post markers and information on stopover points etc.

The other maps I've used on the ERNE is the http://www.stanfords.co.uk/Lough-Erne-Activity-Map_9781905306268 . a 1:25000 which has water depth if you want to go of the beaten track.

Also see http://www.manormarine.com/uploads/documents/ErneWaterwayChart.pdf - abit too large scale for my liking

You will not need a GPS, its easy navigation . Only situation is possible fog/mist when crossing some of the larger lakes, but it easier to wait for this to clear. 2 days would be fine - but full days for the trip. t I would suggest taking it at a more leisurely pace. The locks are easy to use all press button etc. Some of the locks are deep so will need some long lines. Also the more hands better, minimum of 3 will greatly reduce the 'stress' levels in the locks ( 1 on land and 2 tending lines)

I envy you, the Shannon - Erne waterway is fantastic.

Chris

 

[Falcoron]

As dherraghty as said , the iwai is a good for info. It has some maps on-line http://www.iwai.ie/maps/shannon-erne/contents.html . These are the ones which are contained in the large booklets on the charter boats. The actual ones can be bought from iwai site. These are the only ones you really need as they contain all the post markers and information on stopover points etc.

The other maps I've used on the ERNE is the http://www.stanfords.co.uk/Lough-Erne-Activity-Map_9781905306268 . a 1:25000 which has water depth if you want to go of the beaten track.

Also see http://www.manormarine.com/uploads/documents/ErneWaterwayChart.pdf - abit too large scale for my liking

You will not need a GPS, its easy navigation . Only situation is possible fog/mist when crossing some of the larger lakes, but it easier to wait for this to clear. 2 days would be fine - but full days for the trip. t I would suggest taking it at a more leisurely pace. The locks are easy to use all press button etc. Some of the locks are deep so will need some long lines. Also the more hands better, minimum of 3 will greatly reduce the 'stress' levels in the locks ( 1 on land and 2 tending lines)

I envy you, the Shannon - Erne waterway is fantastic.

Chris

Thanks Guy's I suppose its like everything else, practice and planning required. when you look at the maps it does look very daunting with lots of islands and meandering parts of the system all linking in together. One thing for sure we will know how to do the locks when were done. Any recommendation for sat nav that wont cost too much? I know its better to spend well buy once but funds limited.

 

[Ferris]

My parents have completed that trip twice in recent years. They used the IWAI charts and nothing else really. The navigation is extremely well marked, presumably due to the quantity of inexperienced hire boaters who use it. If funds are limited, why buy an unnecessary GPS for which the charts are not yet developed.

As for the locks on the system, you are correct that they are charge card controlled. My parents did not report any issues and said that in general the locks did not rise by too much. They would only ever use fore and aft lines, warping them on a cleat to pay out / take in as the water level rose or fell. The locks on the Shannon system have full time lock keepers (see the IWAI site for opening times) and there are lock keepers who cover areas of the Shannon-Erne waterway who are extremely pleasant to deal with.

The only other thing is 2 days is fine but it might be a shame to rush such a great trip. You've bought a great boat for the waterway and you'll have an absolute ball, best of luck.

 

[Falcoron]

Thanks Ferris ( my surname lol!)
Yeah been looking at online charts and seems well marked and straigt forward, the seller is going to meet us when we arrive at first lock and show us the ropes so should be grand, we will take our time and relax.
Thanks again.

My parents have completed that trip twice in recent years. They used the IWAI charts and nothing else really. The navigation is extremely well marked, presumably due to the quantity of inexperienced hire boaters who use it. If funds are limited, why buy an unnecessary GPS for which the charts are not yet developed.

As for the locks on the system, you are correct that they are charge card controlled. My parents did not report any issues and said that in general the locks did not rise by too much. They would only ever use fore and aft lines, warping them on a cleat to pay out / take in as the water level rose or fell. The locks on the Shannon system have full time lock keepers (see the IWAI site for opening times) and there are lock keepers who cover areas of the Shannon-Erne waterway who are extremely pleasant to deal with.

The only other thing is 2 days is fine but it might be a shame to rush such a great trip. You've bought a great boat for the waterway and you'll have an absolute ball, best of luck.

 

[lambohill]

I would recommend using Navionics on iPad for navigation. The Western Europe download about £50 iirc and it is pretty useful. As others have said it is well marked, although you should not underestimate the broad lough. It has lots if lie bits and rocks and a chart is essential. When you are in the middle and cloud or rain closes in you will be glad of it.
We boated there for a few years and it us quite beautiful with many stop off points. If this sunny warm weather continues you will have an epic summer. Enjoy

 

[Falcoron]

I would recommend using Navionics on iPad for navigation. The Western Europe download about £50 iirc and it is pretty useful. As others have said it is well marked, although you should not underestimate the broad lough. It has lots if lie bits and rocks and a chart is essential. When you are in the middle and cloud or rain closes in you will be glad of it.
We boated there for a few years and it us quite beautiful with many stop off points. If this sunny warm weather continues you will have an epic summer. Enjoy ��

Thanks a million, iPad I have so at £50 that's grand, now to get auto life jackets

 

[Tam Lin]

Drove past Lough Erne a few years ago and thought at the time that it would be a great place to sail. Don't think I will ever make it from Essex though! Enjoy yourself!