Hidey hole for Katie L - Firth of Forth

[dylanwinter]

Not sure if it might be of use to you, but the places that are close to railway stations on my side of the Firth include Dunbar (East Coast Main Line), North Berwick (Branch Line, change Edinburgh), Port Seton/ Cockenzie (on the North Berwick Branch, get of at Prestonpans), Fisherrow (NB Branch, get off at Musselburgh), Granton (bus down from Edinburgh Waverley), Queensferry/Port Edgar (get off at Dalmenny).

Of these, I think your best bet may be Fisherrow, which is likely to have winter space, is reasonably pleasant and is not too exposed, and has plenty of folk in the area who can keep an eye on your boat when you are not about.

Dunbar outer harbour is not winter proof. If you can get into the inner harbour you should be safe. North Berwick sometimes has wall space after lift out in October, but is gernerally fairly full, and had a wee bit of an incident last year when the harbour wall was damaged by storms.

Further up the Firth though might give you more winter sailing in relatively sheltered waters and shorter hops to other harbours.

Enjoy one of the most overlooked and underutilised sailing areas. If the Forth was anywhere in the South of England, or indeed was anywhere further from the West of Scotland, it would be mobbed and much more developed. Lots of intresting places for folk who enjoy shallow water and wee harbours.

You must, by the way, try to call in at the tiny harbour hewn out the rock at seacliff. You will just fit in and no more. er, approach with caution. The entrance is to the left of the photo.

I have often looked at that place on google earth

how wide is the entrance?

does it dry?

what is the bottom like?

how long can I stay in there?

this is Katie L

will she fit?

http://www.keepturningleft.co.uk/category/hunter-minstrel/page/2/

2.3 m wide and 6.9 m long

or in old money


7 foot 4 wide 22 foot 8 inches long

 

[Romeo]

I have often looked at that place on google earth

how wide is the entrance?

does it dry?

what is the bottom like?

how long can I stay in there?

this is Katie L

will she fit?

http://www.keepturningleft.co.uk/category/hunter-minstrel/page/2/

2.3 m wide and 6.9 m long

or in old money


7 foot 4 wide 22 foot 8 inches long

I have gone in there, with an overall length of about the same (including bowsprite). I have a bit less beam. It has been a while, but I am pretty sure you will fit. (not many other folk will have given it a go). Obviously you have to pick your conditions rather carefully, even to get close enough to find the entrance amongst the rocks.

From memory the bottom of the harbour bit is sandy. I think you will float in there during neaps. I have only ever been in for a picnic stop over high tide, when I generally tie up to the right (east) of the stone steps as you look at the photo. It can be explored day sailing from either Dunbar or North Berwick, when you combine it with a trip round the Bass (best done before the gannets all fly south).

R

 

[Romeo]

There will be some rough instructions in the FYCA pilot book, but mostly it comes down to feeling your way in with your exit stategy firmly in mind!

You can do a 3 point turn once you are in.

R

 

[EuanMcKenzie]

There is 5metres from the River Bed to the underside of Kerse Bridge, so you should have 2metres to play with![/QUOTE]

Thats the bit that bothered me - doing it on a rising tide can be a bit iffy if you get it wrong you either ground or hit the bridge. Doing bridges in the canal when water levels are stable are obviously not an issue and I know the boat fits the canal (by miles)

 

[Swg]

Sea cliff harbour, 2m wide gut for the entry. Fainter hearted than Romeo might anchor off and explore on foot!