Falmouth to Kinsale - Best Routing

[KeelsonGraham]

We’re planning to sample the delights of the south coast of Ireland this coming summer. Starting from somewhere near Falmouth, what would be the best routing round the Scillies? Is it best to go well south and west before turning for Ireland? Or is it preferable to go for the gap between the Scillies and the North/South separation zone?

A stop in the Scillies would be great but I need a plan that caters for forecasts which rule out a stop there.

Any advice would be much appreciated!

 

[KompetentKrew]

I've not sailed this area myself, so looked it up in Imray Explore.

I offer these chatrlets as reference to the discussion:

 

[Pye_End]

You can go inshore - just outside Longships. You'll be clear of the separation before too long so not a lot of difference. Wind direction on the day may well dicatate best strategy.

 

[[70521]]

I'm planning a similar trip in the summer and am currently looking at Plymouth/Scillies then anywhere between Cork and Peel on the IoM

I am looking to be south of the TSS then have the option of a visit or press on towards Ireland.

 

[Goldie]

A stop in the Scillies would be great but I need a plan that caters for forecasts which rule out a stop there.

My suggestion would to be to head to the Scillies and depart to Ireland from there. There is shelter from any direction in the Scillies - just not all round complete shelter in any one place. If the forecast is such that you are worried about shelter in the Scillies, than I suggest that you wouldn’t want to be heading out past Lands End anyway!

 

[Scillypete]

Aim to round the lizard at slack or start of the fair tide close in, then head for longships by the time you get there or just after the tide will be turning and carry you up the inside of the tss then just point for Kinsale, or head west across the tss from longships and the tide will lift you northward once across point at Kinsale, make sure you miss the seven stones. This is just off the top of my head without checking the tidal charts so you may want to check that it’s right.

 

[johnalison]

We only did it once and set off from New Grimsby Sound, from where it took 24 hrs to Crosshaven, and we returned the same way. In terms of planning this was entirely as we wished, even though the weather let us down on the way with an un-forecast shift to NW.

 

[geem]

Depends totally on wind direction at the time and which way the current is running. How can you make any decision months in advance? You don't want to be fighting the strong currents or/and hard on the wind

 

[Caladh]

My suggestion would to be to head to the Scillies and depart to Ireland from there. There is shelter from any direction in the Scillies - just not all round complete shelter in any one place. If the forecast is such that you are worried about shelter in the Scillies, than I suggest that you wouldn’t want to be heading out past Lands End anyway!

My thought as well. We did New Grimsby to Kinsale last year on a flat no wind sea. Beware the gas field off Kinsale !

 

[LadyInBed]

This is just off the top of my head without checking the tidal charts so you may want to check that it’s right.

Put them on your Tablet / Phone
NP255 Lands End : Monty Mariner

 

[FWB]

Use Tides Planner app and get the tidal streams hour by our with no calculations to make.

 

[Scillypete]

Put them on your Tablet / Phone
NP255 Lands End : Monty Mariner

Ah, that’s reassuring that what I had in my mind was right, taking the first of the fair tide round the Lizard means that they should be able to carry a fair tide to and beyond Longships.
I can’t help myself being stuck in the dark ages and relying on a hard copy paperback publication, maybe it’s time to try the app things but forgive me as I will still carry the relevant publications onboard.

 

[LadyInBed]

I will still carry the relevant publications onboard

Of course, but it's handy to also have them as pictures on your Tablet / Phone

 

[KeelsonGraham]

My suggestion would to be to head to the Scillies and depart to Ireland from there. There is shelter from any direction in the Scillies - just not all round complete shelter in any one place. If the forecast is such that you are worried about shelter in the Scillies, than I suggest that you wouldn’t want to be heading out past Lands End anyway!

I think you’re right there Goldie. I was getting over obsessed with the warnings about lack of shelter in the Scillies, but the same conditions that would make the Scillies untenable would mean a lousy crossing of the Irish sea.

So, I’ll take the advice and go via New Grimsby.

 

[Finbar]

If heading for Ireland from the Scilllies bear in mind that the prevailing wind off the Cork coast is South Westerly. It can make sense to make a landfall in the West, say Crookhaven, and enjoy a downwind cruise to all the nice places like Baltimore, Schull, Castle Townshend, Glandore, and Kinsale.

 

[KeelsonGraham]

Good point Finbar. The trouble is the lack of fuel and water out to the West. It also puts you beam on to the swell. Nevertheless, it’s definitely an option to consider seriously.

 

[Spirit (of Glenans)]

Of course, but it's handy to also have them as pictures on your Tablet / Phone ☺

I find it's difficult to determine the set of the tidal current using my Breton Plotter with my phone

 

[Scillypete]

Good point Finbar. The trouble is the lack of fuel and water out to the West. It also puts you beam on to the swell. Nevertheless, it’s definitely an option to consider seriously.

I went last May, Kinsale was our first stop then we cruised points west as far as Bere island in Bantry bay. We had no real problems obtaining fuel or water, just take some cans with you. What we did find was that the area doesn’t really wake up for the season until June

 

[KeelsonGraham]

Thanks Pete, good to know. We’re planning to do the same as you did, but in late Jul and early Aug.

 

[Spirit (of Glenans)]

Thanks Pete, good to know. We’re planning to do the same as you did, but in late Jul and early Aug.

Traditionally, the tourist season, particularly in such a remote area of the country, has always commenced with the Whit Bank Holiday, which this year falls on April 29th.