Has anyone here sailed to S.Ireland?

[jfm]

I was thinking of doing it this summer in Fairline 42. I know the S Coast of Ireland very well, have sailed it every year since child, but I've never actually sailed across from UK. Kind of looks a long way (6 hours) in a sea that's sometimes biggish. Anyone ever done it, am I just being a wus? I want to land in kinsale or Cork at that end, what's a good start point (with diesel) here, scilly isles or padstow? Dont fancy going via Cardiff/Fishguard.

Anyway, just looking for a bit of encouragement/discouragement, as you see fit really.

JFM

 

[hlb]

Been to Southern Ireland many times But mainly from
North Wales, 65 or 90 miles across depending on my chosen
destination. That was with a Princess 33 at the time cruising
about 16 knots if the steam was up.
Ait got the charts to hand at the moment but would think
Penzance to Dunmore East in the East or Kinsale or between
Like Cork look about 125 from Lands End. (Thats fag Packet
and atlas Navigating). Padstow's worth visiting anyway especialy cos they send you a Christmas Card every year.
Arrive ontime and go though the lock into the harbour and feel like Royalty, or else it's swinging and on yer own.
Scenic, Easy route would be Penzance, Padstow, Milford Haven, Dunmore East. Then West along the Irish coast all little hops with little tide problems sept Padstow but also Penzance so if in hurry stop in fishing harbour just about one mile before Penzance. ( cant think of the bloody name) and muck in with the fishermen. Then you can get out any time.

Been down as far as Kinsale a few years ago would have liked to go further but time ran out.
If you want more info like nice Harbours or difficult ones
let me know, Ive done just about everything from the Solent
to Scotland quite a few times.

Haydn

 

[jfm]

Re: Thanks Haydn

Yes I want to cruise from Cork westwards to Baltimore/mizen, so thought it wd be too long-winded to go via wales. Also I do not want to trudge Westwards from Waterford area down to Cork, against the waves, I want to get to Cork/Kinsale right away. I think you're right, 120miles ish, and it can get quite rough, and a 42foot suddenly feels small. I'll need to watch the weather closely but if I get a calm bit I should be ok, Never more than 3 hours from land I s'pose.

IMHO the best bit is Kinsale and west of there. Beautiful, lots of harbours and stuff. I know it well becuz have house with front garden going down to sea in Rosscarbery, Glandore bay, about 20 miles west of Kinsale. I'll let you know what we decide, aiming for first 2 weeks August in the hope of some good weather

JFM

 

[hlb]

Re: Thanks Haydn

J
It depends on how many miles per day you want to do and also the weather.
Also theres the prity way and the cheaper way.
Last time round Lands end I did Padstow to Falmouth easy.
Now I think about it, thats better cos Pezance is a bit of a dump and not much window for the lock.
I dont find that the Irish sea is much worse than any other.
exept theres no bolt holes every few miles like south coast.
Going Penzance to Kinsale. You could get allot of swell which is OK but you go up and down in the world more than in the city.
Check out the distances. I once thought about going straight across and decided that it was a long way with no bolt holes.
But cant remember the details.
If comming from Solent suggest Weymouth (fuel)
Salcolmbe (fuel) Falmouth (Fuel) Padstow (Fuel) Milford Haven (Fuel) Dunmore East. Not sugesting you need all this fuel, its just that
these are all good and cheaper stops.

I usualy plot the easy route then just carry on and miss out
one or two stops if everythings ok. Last three trips, Ive lost Two Turbo's and a gear box so a hundred and odd miles can be along way on one engine. Then you've got to figer out how to get the fuel out tuther engine for the one doing all the work. Best to get down to about Falmouth and look at the options with the weather. Its no good making long term plans.


Haydn

 

[jfm]

Re: Thanks Haydn

Yes that's what was putting me off, a long crossing namely 5-6 hours assuming smoothish sea and both engines work. But I know can be swell, it's really case of much tracking of weather for 10 days before. And if all goes ok I have to do the reverse trip back a week later eek. Plus the two long legs Lymington to Padstow and back. Not sure my head can stand so much diesel throb. Really dont fancy the Milford Haven way, big detour.

Have both diesel tanks plumbed together via valve so can transfer fuel left to right if one motor packs up, but would still be nasty as boat speed wd be I guess 7 or 8 knts, haven't tried it.

Thanks, I'll think about it some more. I'm just attracted by nice cruise, west of kinsale, always wanted to do it.

JFM

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

Re: Thanks Haydn

I was talking to a local in Kinsale a couple of years ago about the viability of cruising to the area from the Solent. He told me that the frequency of high winds tends to increase from August onwards and that May/June/July are the best months for weather. I dont know whether this is some local folklore rubbish or borne out by statistics.
If you've only got 2 weeks, you may have to be prepared to leave the boat there and return when there's a weather window.
Personally, I'd get the boat skippered out and return if necessary to maximize the cruising time in the area but then maybe I'm a big wuss! I've done this a couple of times for longer distance 2 week breaks and it makes for a much more relaxing holiday not having to watch the weather constantly for a break to get back

 

[hlb]

Re: Thanks Haydn

J
I'm not trying to put you off. The trip down the South coast is a dodal and apart from Lyme Bay you can stop as often as you want.
Every Summer we go on an extenden tour but with no fixed destination cos you never know what the weather will do.
Best is say your heading for Cornwall and see how it goes.

Last year we did all the Channel isles Britainy. Up to
the Solent and back to Plymouth all in flat calm.
Another time we cant get out the bay!!
The Guys right about Ireland.
Dunmore East is called The Glue Pot cos if you dont get out by August, yer probabley staying for the winter.

Haydn

 

[duncan]

Re: Thanks Haydn

Whilst Baltimore is West of Cork - have you really got that range in your 42' er?
;o)

 

[jfm]

Re: Cruising range, no prob

Yes, piece of cake. I wd fill up in Cornwall, then Kinsale or Cork is 110 miles. My range is ballpark 200 miles. If I went straight to Baltimore from Cornwall it would be about 135 miles (I think, but that's a bit of a guess). Anyway it's easy to put an extra tank and transfer pump in the lazarette, if I need it!

JFM