Isle of Man - Cruise

[asteven221]

I am thinking about a trip to the Isle of Man around July/August. Has anyone got any experience or tips about berthing etc.... at Douglas. There doesn't seem to be too much info around regarding Douglas and its suitability for mobos. My boats LOA is about 44ft just in case that makes any difference in terms of pontoon availability. I recall an article in either MBM or MBY that talks about Douglas being crap in the past but much better now. If anyone knows which month it was in then I can dig through my pile of back issues. Thanks for any info.

 

[hlb]

I've been to IOM a couple of times. There are visitors pontoons in Douglas, or maybe room in the marina behind a sill.

Theres a new marina being built at Port St Marys and one at Peel.

Theres alot happening, so I would give the hm's a ring and get an upto date position.

IOM is much wealthier than it was in the past. I'll have a look in the new almanac and get an update.

 

[Kawasaki]

When I went last year I used the Marina for a night,shorepower and a friendly bunch. There was no fuel available but an arrangement was made an fuel came by bowser. The year before I stayed on the Visitors pontoon just by the Lifeboat house. I don,t think you can book the pontoon but I,ve never been turned away. There where no facilities on the pontoon last time but I believe there is now a hose pipe! THe walk into Douglas is no strain and Taxis will bring you right back to the end of the breakwater where the pontoon is, It seems uphill after the pub! Wasn,t that article in PBO? Winging a bit about Douglas and the harbourmasters attitude or somesuch. Take them as you find as they say I,ve had good fun there and nothing but help on my last few trips. Never been in to Port St Mary but from what other Mobos tell me there are less facilities. There are some nice spots to drop the hook all round the Island,I particularly like Port Erin. One tip ,hire a car drive round the TT circuit,visit Peel Laxey wheel and all that stuff. Douglas town does not represent the IOM its worth poking about a bit. Wher are you going from and where are you going after? Might bump into you!

 

[dynamic]

Douglas inner harbour can take you on the wall at 44' finger berths are to short. Will rise and fall with the tide, bit of a pain but ok for the odd night. There is a outside pontoon at the battery, but limited to small number of boats, rafted, and open to anything with East in it not recomended. Ask Kim Hollamby. They ripped out a cleat about 5 years ago. Douglas is worth a visit if you have not been before. Fuel can be ordered to the quayside by tanker.

 

[asteven221]

Thanks for the info. I would be coming from the Clyde, but would probably nip into Bangor for a night or two as I like it there. I notice you are from Anglesay. I looked in the Almanac and thought that I might visit that area if time/weather permits. "Dynamic" mentions that the pontoons can't accomodate 44ft which It is a bit of a pain as I don't fancy the hassle of going against a wall as I would intend staying several days before moving on. I think you are right about the article in MBM as I recall it was the harbourmaster that gave them a hard time and spoilt their trip, although to be fair they did say that on the most recent trip everyone seemed pleasent and helpful. HLB mentions a marina behind a sill. Does that mean there is there a proper marina. Excuse my ignorance but what does "behind a sill " actually mean? Is that another name for lock gates? Thanks everyone as always for your advice.

 

[salamicollie]

Its a proper marine with a sill and drop gate so it holds a certain level of water inside (at least a couple of meters) but you still go up and down the rest of the tides range. From memory this is about 2 to 3 meters - so no real problem if you are on the wall as the bollards are plentiful and with good long lines and springs you shouldn't need to adjust too often - its certainly easier than against the wall in Port St Marys where the wall is 20ft plus and the full tidal range.

The pontoon in the outer harbour is also exposed to the ferry wake which is not insignificant

 

[Nautical]

Hi there from the sunny Isle of Man, was just like the med here today, beautiful!.

Facilities have really improved here over the last few years and the Harbour Authority are very switched on now a days and will always try to accomodate you whenever possible. Pontoons have water and electricity but can only take up to 12m, however you can usually get along the wall within the marina which is very safe and not too much of a drop on the tide. There is a flap gate that opens and shuts 2-3 hrs either side of high water.

The Island itself is a beautiful place and well worth a tour around. Lots of coves and cliff scenery around the south of the Isalnd where you can usually see seals, basking sharks, porposises and a raft of other wildlife.

End of June sees a round of the Honda powerboat races with racing in Douglas bay and then a race right round the Island, expecting alot of people over to watch, best place to see them will be through the Calf sound should look spectacular as they all power through the channel bewteen the main Island and the small calf island.

If you can make it early June you have the TT races, place will be heaving but a fantastic atmosphere.

All the boaty people around the harbour are very friendly and everyone is on and off each others boats helping out or just chin wagging. If you make it over send me a PM and we can meet up, maybe get a bunch of the others here and we can take you round the Island.

Cheers for now.

 

[Kawasaki]

Hey why not a "Three Island Cruise", Ireland I.O.M. and Anglesey? On Anglesey you could berth at Caernarfon,Conway, Holyhead or best of all Port Dinorwic, cos thats where my Cafe is and I could take a few quid off you! Or better still you bring the Kippers. If you fancy Anglesey PM me and I can arrange berthing and pilotage through The Straits. My plans where to do Bangor on to I.O.M and back to P.D. last week in July 1st week in August keep me posted. Nautical has got me thinking now about the Honda power boat race in late June. Hmm think I,ll pray to the Weather Gods tonight.

 

[hlb]

Folks dont seem very adventuras these days. We used to just set off to IOM, Ireland or where ever and sus it out when there. Quite happy to tie up along side old fishy boat or whatever. All the info is in the almanac or pilot book. Suppose they nwant to know what loo paper is suplied now!!

 

[Nautical]

Its pink stuff with little flowers printed on, very nice and soft.

Agree, suppose being on an Island we get used to just upping sticks and blast over to Ireland, Wales, Scotland etc whenever the mood takes you. Maybe cus we are more used to being out of sight of land (have to be, to go anywhere from here you have to leave sight of land at some point). The first time I went to Island many years ago I thought I would never see land again, seems to be a mind thing, you know you are on track, exactly when you will make land fall but somehow in the back of your mind you think maybe I have cocked up and I'll miss the thing altogether. Once you've done it though its a piece of cake after that.

Anyone who gets to the Island this year can have a free drink on me at the yacht club. PM me and we'll meet up, everyone welcome.

 

[Kawasaki]

Iechi Da,MateyYour On!

 

[Nautical]

No probs, always great to see new faces, find me most days pottering about on a big blue hulled sports cruiser. Mind you you'll have to stand us one when we drop in on you!.

P.S.are you a biker, recently sold my bike after to many close calls on Sunday morning blat's around the TT.

 

[Kawasaki]

Was in the yacht club last year, came with a "flotilla" of about 8 boats from P.D. had a good laugh barged into the yacht club "Barbecue" don,t remember paying,don,t rememeber much actually, proper night! Yeh don,t bike much any more 20 years a bike dealer, did the Manx 2 day Trial twice a bit of Motocross there as well. Did the GP once Sh***t that was hairy. Don,t blame yer for flogging the bike! Two megga memories of the Island (amongst many) catching a bloody big mackerel on a little spinning rod when I was 14 off Peel breakwater christ that was fun and watching Mike Hailwood squirting it from Kates to Cregg with bendy framed 500 Honda in Jubilee year When Ago,s chain broke,think that was 67. Thought there,d be a catch got to buy you one then OK I suppose! Nos da Kawasaki!

 

[Nautical]

Did you come with a Fairline Targa and a Sealine flybridge yokey (can'nt remember the model), if so, I remember you lot, a bunch of holigans!........ nah just joking great fun had by all.

Was into the bikes big time, used to own a leathers company that made race leathers but sold it a few years ago to an Italian company.

Hope to see you over here again this year.

 

[hlb]

Remember the first time or two we went to Ireland from Pwelli??, every thing said we were going the right way. But used to get this strange feeling that we should be going much more to the left and kept having to turn right to get back on course. No auto pilot then. Mainly went to Wicklow, then down to Arklow for fuel about 16p litre. Covered all the south coast and the East. IOM and Scotland. All at about 16 knots in the old P33.

 

[colvic987]

peel now has a cill, so the inner harbour should have have water all the time, not to good if you drop something overboard, or need to scrub the antifouling, when i was there last year the HM said that the inner harbour will be dredged and pontoons would be fitted in the future, but did not know the timescale of when it would happen....port st mary has had rumours of a marina being built in the outer harbour area, but never seen anything happening in the last 5 years, its maybe in the pipline, but i dont imagine seeing it for at least 5 years or more...castletown is just round from port st mary, nice little harbour but drys, so not suitable for your 44 ftr, but there is a visitors mooring buoy in bay, if you are just visiting, the nautical museum is worth a visit...town is ideal for stores and has a real castle for the historians and somewhere for the kids to explore...

 

[silvertop]

wen a was a lad it was nuws paper torn intu sqares and hung on a string.
ya soft lot /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

 

[Coupe]

We have also been thinking about the IoM and your thread is most timely. We will take you up on the offer and PM you in due course. As we are based in Malahide (Dublin) and look forward to going North for a change.

 

[deborahann]

think Nautical can give you a very upto date view of visiting the IOM, as he lives there and has a boat in douglas, he was the person that mentioned a new marina or whatever in port st mary to us (hlb & myself)

I'm sure if you called the HM at the ports you wish to visit they would be very helpfull, its that sort of island. Yes i'm a fan lived there for 2.5 years, and will definately do so again. Lovely Island.

 

[Coupe]

Three Island Cruise (Club) - great idea and count us in for 2005. We are based in Malahide so how about P.D, Douglas & Malahide. Menai looks a bit scary though so local knowledge a must!