Anybody been to Portpatrick?

[Swampyhotdog]

Hi There,

I'm offshore (at work) at the minute, and some of my family want me to take them to Portpatrick next time I'm home.
I seem to remember someone telling me that the entry into the harbour there is very shallow or that there was some sort of problem.
I've tried the net, but can't find any info, and don't want to say yes or no until I've sussed out whether or not we'll make it in. I'm sure it's a fishing harbour anyway, but as I've never been, and don't have any books available I can't make the decision.

Can anybody shed any light?

My boat draws 1.6m

Cheers,

Stu

<hr width=100% size=1>As with most posts here - my personal opinion - take it or leave it.
Stu

 

[[3889]]

PP isn't too bad to enter at HW +/- 2,strong tide across entrance but good leading marks - an orange stripe on the harbour wall and on the conspic white bldg in the town. Turn sharply to port after passing half tide rock(marked with barrel) on port side of entrance to avoid steep shoal parellel to promenade.
Lie against wall in inner harbour - deepest area on east wall near entrance but least protected, on neaps use north wall ( i draw 1.7m) but don't obstruct steps. It's 2 years since I've been there and there was rumour of pontoons being installed - not sure if there in place yet.
Andy

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[[448]]

No pontoons yet(!). Entrance fairly narrow, but hianddri has got it right. I draw 1.2 metres and can get in at any state of tide. Beware fresh westerlies when entering, and it can be V. uncomfortable inside in any strong winds with west. Main drawback is the cost. About £1 per metre per night for a damp, slimey, unsafe ladder and precious little else and the HM will be onboard before you have tied your first bowline demanding money with menaces. Advantages - several pubs virtually at the top of the ladders. Possibly diesel in the village. Adequate stores available.
Cheers, Dave

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[Benbow]

I have found some very strange tides between Portpatrick and Coreswall Point. In places they seem to run strongly in the opposite direction to the one the tidal atlas suggest they should.

Has anyone else found this ?

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[Solwaycruiser]

Hi, You will have to watch the depth only at low water springs. As you go through the entry into inner harbour it is at its shallowest, espescially to starboard of the centre line. The first space to starboard is a bit shallow as well. I have entered with 4 feet draft at low springs but not much to spare and I have seen deeper draft boats touch. The harbour master is helpfull and usually not far away so advice should be at hand. Watch the leading lines as the tide can be strong when entering and you may have to crab in to stay on line.
The tides usually turn about 2 hours early close in (very close) on this coast but this is as shown on the tidal stream atlas.

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[starboard]

Most of info given so far good, if you get ashore go straight to the "Crown" and have a seafood pancake111 never to be beaten any where...then leave a pint behind the bar fora good friend Robert Erskine the Coxwain of the lifeboat, one of the RNLI's finest....

Paul

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[extravert]

Portpatrick pix

I seem to remember that there are showers there. Maybe it was just the weather.

<hr width=100% size=1>One day, I want to be a real sailor. In the mean time I'll just keep tri-ing.

 

[Swampyhotdog]

Thanks for all the info folks.

Stu...

<hr width=100% size=1>As with most posts here - my personal opinion - take it or leave it.
Stu