Clyde to Rathlin

[magicol]

I’m planning a first passage from the Clyde to Rathlin and Ballycastle in a few weeks. A number of past threads have been helpful but wondered if forum members had some specific advice for a newbie tackling this route and it’s potential hazards for the first time. I did the MoK for the first time last year but as this was either in a flat calm or localised dense fog, I’m not sure this helps!

 

[Skylark]

We did Campbelltown to Rathlin a couple of years ago. It was a Spring tide and we arrived at/close to LW and touched the soft mud about 20m from the pontoon so we went to Ballycastle instead. Draft is 2.1m. We returned a week later and had water at all states.

Fairly straightforward passage after consulting the Tidal Atlas and with a decent weather forecast.

Hope you enjoy it, it’s a lovely island with warm, friendly and welcoming locals.

 

[Shuggy]

Just watch the tides at the south eastern end of the island - punching through them can be tedious. The Harbour Master is called Charlie and she’s super helpful. We draw 2.1m and she reserved an outer pontoon space for us. Would definitely go back.


That’s us on the pontoon.

 

[Shuggy]

Should add - 10 days ago.

 

[Concerto]

Just watch the tides at the south eastern end of the island - punching through them can be tedious. The Harbour Master is called Charlie and she’s super helpful. We draw 2.1m and she reserved an outer pontoon space for us. Would definitely go back.

View attachment 135443
That’s us on the pontoon.

Was that a Nich 43 meet? The otherside of the pontoon lokks like another Nich 43.

 

[bikedaft]

Just watch the tides at the south eastern end of the island - punching through them can be tedious. The Harbour Master is called Charlie and she’s super helpful. We draw 2.1m and she reserved an outer pontoon space for us. Would definitely go back.

View attachment 135443
That’s us on the pontoon.

Tidechaser?

 

[awol]

Was that a Nich 43 meet? The otherside of the pontoon lokks like another Nich 43.

Och, they're 10 a penny up here. Are the Nationals being held in the 1st weekend of July this year?

 

[Shuggy]

Och, they're 10 a penny up here. Are the Nationals being held in the 1st weekend of July this year?

Good spot, all! Due to other commitments neither of us can make the Round Mull Race this year so this was the annual grudge match. Guinness helped.

 

[dslittle]

We did Campbelltown to Rathlin a couple of years ago. It was a Spring tide and we arrived at/close to LW and touched the soft mud about 20m from the pontoon so we went to Ballycastle instead. Draft is 2.1m. We returned a week later and had water at all states.

Fairly straightforward passage after consulting the Tidal Atlas and with a decent weather forecast.

Hope you enjoy it, it’s a lovely island with warm, friendly and welcoming locals.

We also draw 2.1m and had a bit of an incident going onto one of the inside pontoons. We should have had plenty of water and somehow managed to hit something hard going alongside. The thought at the time was that it was one of wires anchoring the pontoon but we left none the wiser (a local diver even went down to check our keel…)

 

[Shuggy]

Och, they're 10 a penny up here. Are the Nationals being held in the 1st weekend of July this year?

Incidentally, they’re like grown up Contessa 32s. I’m sure you’ll agree, awol!

 

[Martin&Rene]

One comment I have seen is aim to arrive at Fair head no sooner than 4.5hrs after high water Dover. With a light North Westerly wind we sailed/motored the inshore route to Sron Uamha then headed for Fair Head with a big allowance for the tide.