JimC
Well-known member
The weather seems to be so wet and windy nowadays that I seriously wonder if the game is worth the candle.
Any views?
Any views?
Irish Sea cruising
- Thread starter JimC
- Start date
AngusMcDoon
Well-known member
There be dragons. Stay away. Or wait until May when it's all calmness and sunny summer days and even Holyhead starts looking vaguely pleasant.
The earlier in the summer the better. If you have a main summer trip in August it's likely to be pants weather much of the time. And Holyhead looks dire.
Praxinoscope
Well-known member
Last year in central Cardigan Bay, we seemed to spend more time drifting around than sailing, great if you love hot windless days, but almost every sailing event, including our regatta, we were lucky if we saw as much as a F3.
Very unusual, hopefully 2023 will be different.
Very unusual, hopefully 2023 will be different.
RunAgroundHard
Well-known member
Just wear the correct clothing and all will be fine.
deeb
Member
Wait till late Spring, but beware fog around Lands End / the Scillies. Ireland, when you get there, is superb cruising
JimC
Well-known member
Actually I'm talking about the Irish Sea. I'm based at Whitehaven.
deeb
Member
I was thinking - getting there being the issue. I'm south coast based and assumed everyone was. Sorry, chap ;-)
SaltyC
Well-known member
Note the weather and take the opportunity, I'm based in Maryport and had a fantastic week in December.
Unfortunately pictures too large to load.
Sandy
Well-known member
There is an added problem this year. Me and my boat as I head north then south again.
SaltyC
Well-known member
It is a 'cul de sac' heading north!
Sandy
Well-known member
No, although the North Channel is a wee bit narrow. I've vowed not to visit east coast in a hurry as the west coast is far more scenic. Sorry East Coast Forum members.
Slowtack
Well-known member
Yes... Go West young man...
SaltyC
Well-known member
Apologies for not being clear. The Cul de sac I referred to was the Solway where Jim is based.
It can be interesting (usually a beat) to get anywhere.
It does however lead to interesting cruising areas of IoM, Northern Ireland and up to the Clyde and West Coast of Scotland.
rotrax
Well-known member
Strangford Lough is well worth a visit, especially the Down Cruising Club at Ballydorn.
Concerto
Well-known member
I agree Strangford Lough is worth visiting and I loved Quoile YC and Portaferry. A little further north you have Belfast and Bangor, both worth visiting. Carrickfergus is OK, but I used it to go on the Gobbins cliff walk. The Gobbins | A Wild Cliff-Face Walk With Ballycastle and Rathlin Island, both worth visiting. You could also visit Londonderry, Portrush and Coleraine.
As for the Isle of Man. definitely visit Peel but give Douglas a miss by sea. The berths in Douglas are tight and the shower facilities like a prison. If you want to visit Douglas take the bus from Peel.
Berth is angled and very tight in Douglas.
This shows the "quality" of the facilities in Douglas Marina (opened in 2000).
If you would like to read more then look at these posts of mine with photos as I visited in 2022 and covers N Ireland and Isle of Man.
Round Britain day 66
Round Britain day 68
Round Britain day 70
Round Britain day 72
Round Britain day 75
Round Britain day 77
Round Britain day 79
Round Britain day 83
Round Britain day 85
steve yates
Well-known member
Douglas is fine, the marina is very well placed right in the centre and its a lively wee town. The showers are good and the toilets clean, which is all you need. They don't need to be as pointless and poncy as Portavadie.
All the IOM harbours are worth a visit, even Ramsey.
You’ll get good years for weather up there and shit years, the good ones will stand out
All the IOM harbours are worth a visit, even Ramsey.
You’ll get good years for weather up there and shit years, the good ones will stand out
steve yates
Well-known member
The real issue is whether you are working, thus stuck with weekends and a handful of weeks holiday, in which case the chances of good weather when you want it recede rapidly, or whether you are retired or self employed in a way you can take off when it suits you at drop of a hat. Then you just wait for any reasonable forecast and bugger off happily.
JimC
Well-known member
Steve has it exactly. Last year: a fortnight off work across June/July - big waves crashing against the harbour walls all the time. Didn't want to go out - it's supposed to be pleasure not pain. We stayed aboard and enjoyed ourselves fairly well with visits to Carlisle, Distington Steam Fair, The Solway Aviation Museum and a berth holders' barbecue on the quay. By the middle of the second week we were going stir crazy on the boat so we had a few nights B&B in the Dales. So the holiday wasn't wasted but when I think what it costs to own and maintain the boat....
SaltyC
Well-known member
Welcome to sailing on the Solway.
The marinas are good value for those of a certain age where time is not relevant. For those working with fixed holidays can be problematical.
MisterBaxter
Well-known member
First rule of leisure sailing: never perform The Calculation (annual total cost of ownership / hours of sailing).
