Heading North ??

[Spuddy]

I might, just might, shift my boat from down in the south east ( the Medway ) to up in the north west - Argyll maybe or Lochaber.
Whatever the outcome i'm going to enjoy a bit of planning so I wondered, as a start, does the team think getting there is best done clockwise or anti clock and why.
Any responses welcome: practical, fanciful romantic or hardnosed.
regards....spuddy

 

[Ohdrat]

Anti Clockwise will be more interesting .... Cruise along the South Coast then up to West Wales across to East Coast of Ireland and Cross back over to the West Coast of Scotland. If you go Clockwise you have the North Sea... past East Anglia there aren't many harbours / ports of call so possible better cruising up the Eastern side of the North Sea but then you have a longer crossing back over the North Sea to Firth of Forth where you can canal it thro to Glasgow and the Clyde if you don't mind dismasting for the Falkirk Wheel otherwise you're better off heading for the Moray Firth and taking the Caledonian Canal down to Loch Linnhe.. If very adventurous could try the Pentland Firth but do take your time to get the tides and winds right.. I have tried several times to sail E - W Pentland to Cape Wrath and not succeeded.. most peeps sail Anti Clockwise as passage makeing E - W along the North Coast is not the easiest bit of sailing or motoring!

 

[webcraft]

Ohdrat . . .

Anti Clockwise will be more interesting

Which way does your clock go???

- Nick

 

[Rowana]

Er. . . That's clockwise, isn't it ??



You don't go through the Falkirk Wheel going through the Forth and Clyde canal. That links the Forth and Clyde to the Union canal.

You do have to dismast, though and there is also a draft restriction. See here -
http://www.scottishcanals.co.uk/

If I had time, I would go clockwise, but probably French coast, Channel Islands, back over to Falmouth, round land's end and up the east coast of Ireland, then over to the west coast of Scotland.

If I was in a hurry, it would be up the east coast and through the Caledonian canal. Forget the Pentland Firth unless you want to visit Orkney.

 

[Rowana]

Probably something to do with spilling beans . . .

I wonder . . . .

 

[webcraft]

I agree with Jim . . .

Anti-clockwise up the E coast then either round the top or Caley Canal will probably be the quickest.

But . . . down the Channel and up the Irish Sea will be the most interesting. (E. coast is unremittingly boring IMHO). It's just that going down Channel against the prevailing winds can take some time. (Although the only time I've done it we had F5-6 Easterly the whole way from N. Foreland to Falmouth)

BTW, there are no moorings or berths available up here, 6 years waiting list and typically £6k for a swinging mooring . . . and English boats are regulary sunk by the Tartan Army . . .

- Nick

 

[longjohnsadler]

Look its been a stressful few days.
Give the girl a bit of a break.

 

[Ohdrat]

Backwards evidently! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Ohdrat]

Re: 6 yr waiting list and Tartan Armies

don't listen to Webbers... As your boat is a close relative of mine I can advise that there are swinging moorings to be had!

NB it'll take a bit of time to sail round which ever way and I know of at least one other CO26 that was trucked up from the SE... might be worth investigation.

 

[webcraft]

Re: 6 yr waiting list and Tartan Armies

I'd have no truck with that . . .

Not truckin' likely

etc etc

Honestly, a semi-circumnavigation to get the boat up here will get you all fired up for Northern waters, well worth the effort IMHO

- Nick

 

[Ohdrat]

Re: 6 yr waiting list and Tartan Armies

Agree Semi UK Vendee would be the ultimate but if time and logistics prevent ataining ones furthest north then a truck may assist!

 

[Spuddy]

Yerrrs. i was trying to weigh up the picturesque route as against the more practical. Which was what you all more or less said. Which means I still haven't made my mind up.
I could of course plan BOTH routes and leave the decision till later - like turn left or right at Sheerness when I get there. Or even change my mind altogether and go to Boulogne for some moules frites.
Thanks everybody.....spuddy

 

[ShipsWoofy]

Winter Reading

Pick up the Lundy and Irish Sea Pilot by David Taylor and the East and North Coasts of Ireland Sailing Directions.

Two excellent publications which should help you plan a fascinating trip up this side of the country.

 

[IanPoole2]

I blame digital watches - there's no such thing as clockwise with a digital watch

 

[claymore]

Re: 6 yr waiting list and Tartan Armies

If you are thinking of Lochaber - I think you have to take in Tummel and Loch Rannoch - an mak sure there's braggarts in yer step.