Holy Island (Northumberland)

[cindersailor]

Planning to take a trip down the coast from the Forth to Holy Island. From what I have read the holding in the "harbour" is questionable and two anchors (fore and aft) are recommended. Does any one have experience of problems here or recommendations for which part of the harbour provides the best holding? Both my anchors are CQR type.

 

[theia]

The 'Harbour' dries out and is only suitable for boats that can take the ground, which is shale / sand. The anchorage is outside the harbour and can have a very strong tide running through. The problem with the anchorage is that there s a lot of seaweed. you think you have set the anchor well only for it to trip when the tide runs. There used to be 2 or 3 permanent moorings maintained by the RNYC but I don't know what they are like now. Quite a few boats have tripped anchor here though. The Royal Northumberland Yacht Club at Blyth have an excellent pilot guide which is usually on sale in most chandleries but can or could be bought by mail order direct from them for about £25. Unfortunately my copy is on the boat and I am at home or I could have provided a lot more information. One other thing, there isn't a lot at Holy Island and I would suggest that you take ssufficient food / drink with you as it is quite expensive.

 

[phil_neast]

Definately worth buying the RNYC pilot it is very detailed and a worthwhile investment.

 

[2Tizwoz]

Sailing directions from the club website.

 

[phil_neast]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/coast/data/20060628/0208_20060628.shtml

try this link for holy island tides also, saves you calculating them.

regards

Phil.

 

[steve123]

I tried to anchor at Holy Island a couple of years ago. After 5 attempts, pulling up a great clump of weed each time I retrieved the anchor I gave up. It was springs and I didn't want to drag when the tide changed. I then went to the Kettle at the Farne Islands and had an uneventful night. There is some weed there but also patches of sand, which you can usually see.

 

[cindersailor]

Thanks for that. It sounds as though we should arrive well before dark and also buy a detailed chart of the Farnes.

 

[steve123]

The pilot book mentioned above has some detailed plans of the Farnes with clearing lines etc. Well worth buying.

 

[Bergman]

I found the Kettle the noisiest anchorage I ever stopped in

You get the Terns squawking all day and the seals howling all night. They sound like bloody wolves, my little daughter was frightened to death.

I always though the anchorage East of the Kettle at the other side of the sand bar seemed a better looking spot than the Kettle itself, but I've never actually tried it.