Clyde to Northern Ireland in a sub-30ft motorboat - general advice.

Mileholm

Mileholm

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I am looking at the viability of taking my 26ft Four Winns 248 Vista across from Troon or Largs to Bangor or Ballycastle for a weekend in August. The boat is on Loch Lomond, but I have a trailer for the c.1hr tow down to the Clyde.

I’ve read up on any forum posts and anything else I could find (a lot of which is for yachties) and understand that careful planning around the tides is essential and to avoid Tor Head at nearly all times. But could anyone who has done this journey in a sub-30ft mobo maybe chip in with thoughts and experiences + anything else to look out for.

Whilst I and my crew are relatively inexperienced, we’re not stupid, and will call off any plans if the wind and weather isn’t for it on the journey out and back.
 
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That would make a lot of sense. Would save £60+ in petrol and an hour of cruising at 20-22 knots.

Is there a decent, safe slipway at Girvan harbour for public use? I know you can use the one in Troon Yacht Haven for a nominal fee.
 
Three things - check the weather, check the weather, and check the weather again. Not just wind but especially wave heights.

It’s a lovely crossing in the right conditions. But need to be very careful to avoid wind against tide conditions near the areas shown on the charts - especially close to Mull of Kintyre in any wind with a SW or W component. It is mostly fine but even in calm conditions we have had wave go clean over the top of a 40 foot sailing boat with high bows and sprayhood. Area affected typically just a few hundred metres, but might be nasty without 3 tons of lead ballast underneath?
Also can get some standing waves at the NE end of Sanda inbound against an Easterly, and possibly around the tides of Rathlin.
Done round the Mull of Kintyre dozens of times, and can be lovely - but if SW more than F2-3 possibly worth going when tide also coming same direction (if a fast boat) and/ or keeping well out.

For these reasons Bangor may be an easier route for a first crossing as keeps well away from the worst trouble spots. Possibly break the trip at Port Patrick, provided there is not a strong Westerly wind or swell affecting the entrance.
If going to Ballycastle avoid the corner of the TSS lanes - very little shipping but only permitted to cross at 90:degrees.

PS With a fast boat I would stick with Largs or Troon and not use Girvan. Again a possible stop at Campbeltown might be a nice diversion.
 
dunedin said:
Three things - check the weather, check the weather, and check the weather again. Not just wind but especially wave heights.

It’s a lovely crossing in the right conditions. But need to be very careful to avoid wind against tide conditions near the areas shown on the charts - especially close to Mull of Kintyre in any wind with a SW or W component. It is mostly fine but even in calm conditions we have had wave go clean over the top of a 40 foot sailing boat with high bows and sprayhood. Area affected typically just a few hundred metres, but might be nasty without 3 tons of lead ballast underneath?
Also can get some standing waves at the NE end of Sanda inbound against an Easterly, and possibly around the tides of Rathlin.
Done round the Mull of Kintyre dozens of times, and can be lovely - but if SW more than F2-3 possibly worth going when tide also coming same direction (if a fast boat) and/ or keeping well out.

For these reasons Bangor may be an easier route for a first crossing as keeps well away from the worst trouble spots. Possibly break the trip at Port Patrick, provided there is not a strong Westerly wind or swell affecting the entrance.
If going to Ballycastle avoid the corner of the TSS lanes - very little shipping but only permitted to cross at 90:degrees.

PS With a fast boat I would stick with Largs or Troon and not use Girvan. Again a possible stop at Campbeltown might be a nice diversion.
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Thank you, really helpful. Just to double check; are you suggesting going to Bangor via Campbeltown? That seems like quite a diversion to NI unless the end goal is the north coast, no?
 
Mileholm said:
Thank you, really helpful. Just to double check; are you suggesting going to Bangor via Campbeltown? That seems like quite a diversion to NI unless the end goal is the north coast, no?
Click to expand...
Depends what time you have. Ideally take a few days to enjoy the trip. But if want to get there quicker then of course direct is faster.
 
dunedin said:
Depends what time you have. Ideally take a few days to enjoy the trip. But if want to get there quicker then of course direct is faster.
Click to expand...
The idea is to go over for one or two nights - having planned for tides but ways - but obviously being ready to leave the boat there if weather doesn’t allow a very safe passage back across in the scheduled window.
 
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